USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 79
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Bethlehem Times the following fervent tribute to hier character and worth :
After a brave fight for many years against ill health, Miss Ilerda Ethelda Weiss, the estimable young daughter of Major Webster C. Weiss, Grand Secretary of the Royal Arcanum of the State of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Mrs. Hattie E. Weiss, departed this life shortly after 2 o'clock this morning at the family residence, No. 120 North Main street, Bethlehem, aged twenty-eight years, one month and ten days. Her passing away was caused by heart failure. Up to No- vember 13 of the present year she was able to at- tend to her office duties. The deceased young woman was born in Weissport. Seventeen years ago the family removed to Bethlehem. Here she was graduated from the Bethlehem High School as well as the Bethlehem Business Col- lege. She was recognized as a young woman of fine business attainments. During the Grand Regency of her father, Major Webster C. Weiss, in the Royal Arcanum, his first prominent office in that fraternity, she served as his private secre- tary and after his election to the State Secre- taryship he appointed her his general office as- sistant. She mastered all the details of the work, frequently assuming the supervision of vast cor- respondence for weeks at a time during her father's absence. She was deeply in love with her work and the order with which she became so familiar for the past five years. During the ab- sence of her father during the Spanish-American War she took charge of his coal trade in the Bethlehems and Allentown for Messrs. Whitney & Kemmerer, by whom her father was employed. So well did she perform this work that the firm liberally rewarded her, presenting her with a purse of $500. Miss Weiss was a charter member of the Bethany United Evangelical Church, of this place, serving as assistant organist from time to time and until her strength commenced to fail taught a class of boys in the Sunday-school. She possessed a loving disposition and was devoted to her parents and sister. All her spare time for the last several weeks was devoted to making and selecting Christmas presents for her friends, expecting to live to distribute them at Christmas, but realizing a few days ago that the end was near, she called her parents and sister, giving them minute instructions concerning the distri- bution of her gifts, presenting a number in per- son ; then turning to her parents, she said: "Don't weep for me. I am so glad to go to meet my sister in heaven. I have suffered so much; my end is near; rejoice rather than weep; one has gone,
soon I will go, but you have one more left." Her whole life was one of constant consideration for the comfort and pleasure of others. The de- ceased was preceded to the grave about five years ago by a sister, Miss Claire Weiss. Besides her bereaved parents, one sister, Miss Lillie Weiss, survives to mourn her early death. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the community.
The funeral took place from the family resi- dence, where a large concourse of relatives and friends were gathered. Rev. Wm. H. Hartzler of Bethany United Evengelical church, Bethle- hem, Rev. A. A. DeLong of Easton, and Rev. J. A. Feger of Bangor, officiated. Rev. Mr. Feger preached the sermon. Bethany church choir sang four selections. Many floral tributes were sent, including a wreath on an easel by the Grand Council of the Royal Arcanum of Pennsylvania and a pillow from the family. The pallbearers were Dr. James A. Crawford, Wm. J. Wood- ring, Arthur C. Krause, Geo. J. Frantz, John H. Kruse and Charles E. Wenhold, Jr., members of Lehigh Council, R. A., of Bethlehem.
ALBERT H. JACOBS, late sheriff of Lu- zerne county, Pennsylvania, and foremost among the representative citizens of Hazleton, Pennsyl- vania, where he has resided for the greater part of his life, is a man possessing marked executive ability of a high order, and also those character- istics that insure success in whatever calling or vocation they choose to engage in. He was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1863, a son of John H. and Clara (Baur) Jacobs.
John H. Jacobs (father) is a native of Ger- many, from which country he emigrated to the United States in 1856. He settled first in Tam- aqua, but after a short residence there he re- moved to Pottsville, where he remained until 1869, when he finally settled in Hazleton and es- tablished the bakery and confectionery business, which he has conducted up to the present time (1904) and which has proved a lucrative means of livelihood. His religious views are in accord with those advanced by the German Lutheran church, in which he holds membership, and his political affiliations are with the Democratic
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party. In 1861 he married Clara Baur, daughter of Joseph Baur, M. D., of Tamaqua, Pennsyl- vania, and to this union were born thirteen chil- dren, five of whom died in childhood. The sur- viving members of the family are: Albert H., mentioned hereinafter; Harry W., manager of the Central Pennsylvania Brewing Company ; Bertha, unmarried, resides at home; John J., deputy sheriff at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania ; Elsie A., unmarried, resides at home; Eugene, a resident of Hazleton, and collector for the Central Pennsylvania Brewing Company; Clara L., resides at home ; and Carrell R., also resides at home.
The educational advantages enjoyed by Al- bert H. Jacobs, eldest surviving child of John H. and Clara (Baur) Jacobs, were obtained in the public schools of Hazleton, whither he accom- panied his parents when a boy of six years. He began his business career by learning the trade of baker and confectioner under the tuition of his father, and this occupation he followed with a marked degree of success until the year 1901, when he was elected to fill the office of sheriff of Luzerne county by the Democratic party, to which organization he has given his allegiance since attaining his majority. He holds member- ship in the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 57, and the Knights of Malta, No. 304, of Hazleton, Penn- sylvania, has passed all chairs in both organiza- tions, and served in the capacity of secretary of the former named for a number of years.
Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage to Bessie Mac Donald, daughter of William Mac Donald, the present superintendent of the Dupont Pow- der Works, Laurel Run, Pennsylvania. The is- sue of this union was six children, one of whom died in infancy, and the remainder all reside at home with their parents: Donald C., Clara T., William M., John H. and Arthur M. Jacobs. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs are members of the Pres- byterian church.
WILSON O. WILLIAMS. The name of Williams has figured in connection with the ag- ricultural development of Northampton county through an entire century, and Wilson O. Wil-
liams is connected with the same calling in Lower Nazareth township.
His grandfather, John Williams, was born and died in Moore township of this county, and having acquired his education in the common schools he began farming on his own account and followed that pursuit until his life's labors were ended in death. He married Sarah Road, of Moore township, and they had six children, in- cluding Joseph Williams, the father of Wilson O. Williams. He was born on the old home place in Moore township in 1840, and died in 1900, when sixty years of age. In his youth he became familiar with the branches of learning which formed the school curriculum of the day, and later returned to the old homestead, where he devoted his energies to the tilling of the soil throughout his entire life. He was an active Democrat in his politics, having firm faith in the principles of his party, and he attended the Reformed church. He was married to Miss Mary Fehnel, whose birth occurred in Moore township, Northampton county, June 22, 1842. Her parents were John and Mary (Musselman) Fehnel, and her father was a well known farmer of Moore township. Mrs. Williams survives her husband, and is now residing in Hecktown, Lower Nazareth township.
Wilson O. Williams, the only child of Joseph and Mary Williams, was born on the old home- stead in Moore township, December 8, 1865. He obtained a common school education and then returned to his father's farm, assisting in its cultivation and improvement. He afterward learned the creamery business in Moore township, and in 1894 sold the old homestead and removed to his present farm at Hecktown in Lower Naza- reth township, where he erected a nice residence and also a large creamery. He is now extensively and successfully engaged in the creamery busi- ness, having an output of nine thousand pounds of milk per day. He is a man of enterprise and diligence, and his labors are now being crowned with richly merited prosperity. In politics he is a Democrat, and socially is connected with the Junior Order of American Mechanics and with the Knights of Malta. He attends the Reformed
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church, and is a director of the Dairy Association of Northampton county.
In 1888 Wilson Williams was married to Miss Mary Issemayer, a daughter of William and Mary Issemayer, farming people of Moore town- ship. They have three children: Harriet, born September 26, 1888; Annie, February 15, 1893 ; and Charles, born March 4, 1897.
EDWIN MEIXELL, a prosperous farmer and worthy citizen of Lower Nazareth township, traces his descent from old residents of Pennsyl- vania. His grandfather was a native of Monroe county, where he lived in what was known as Meixell Valley, a tract of six hundred acres which had been acquired by his father. He re- ceived his education in the common schools, and was all his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. In politics he was a Republican, and always took an active part in the affairs of the township. He married and was the father of a number of chil- dren, all of whom became good and useful citi- zens.
Barnet Meixell, son of the farmer of "Meixell Valley," was born in 1833 on the homestead in Monroe county, and became a farmer, thus fol- lowing in the footsteps of his father. He was at one time the proprietor of the hotel at Stricklers- town. His political affiliations were with the Democrats, but he could never be persuaded to accept office. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteers, and served with honor in several battles. He married Margaret, sister of Judge Groover, of Monroe county, and the fol- lowing children were born to them: Edwin, mentioned at length hereinafter; Alice, who is the widow of Carney Coates; Abraham, Jere- miah, and William. The three last named chil- dren are unmarried. In the spring of 1865 Mr. Meixell, the father of the family, while serving in the army, was attacked with hospital fever, and in the autumn of that year died in an army hospital in the south, thus giving his life for his country. His widow, who is still living, resides in New Jersey.
Edwin Meixell, son of Barnet and Margaret
(Groover) Meixell, was born August 25, 1852, on the old homestead in Monroe county, and ob- tained his primary education in the common schools of the township. At the age of eight years he was sent by his parents to Easton, Pennsylvania, where for some time longer he pur- sued his studies. After completing his education he learned the carpenter's trade and then moved to Bethlehem, where for eleven years he prac- ticed his trade successfully. Feeling an inclina- tion for the calling which might be said to be hereditary in his family-that of agriculture-he came in 1898 to Lower Nazareth township and took up his abode on the farm which is now his home. He has since devoted himself to general farming, and the success which has attended his efforts proves that he has inherited not only a preference but also an aptitude for agricultural pursuits. He takes the interest of a good citi- zen in all township affairs, and possesses in a high degree the esteem and confidence of his neighbors, who have elected him to the offices of director of the poor and county committeeman. He has served in both these capacities for eleven years, a fact which speaks volumes for his integ- rity and usefulness. His political principles are those of an earnest Republican. He and his fam- ily attend the Lutheran church.
Mr. Meixell married in 1873 Matilda, daugh- ter of Zebulon and Caroline (Seyphert) Walker, the former a farmer of Monroe county. Mr. and Mrs. Meixell are the parents of the following children : Charles, who was born August 5, 1874; Harvey, who was born March 26, 1880, and married Nellie Snyder ; William, who was. born May 18, 1887 ; and Margaret, who was born October 7, 1889.
JEREMIAH W. LERCH, one of the reliable and venerable citizens of Northampton county, belongs to a family that has been instrumental in promoting the welfare and prosperity of this por- tion of the state for many years. His great- grandfather was a native of Germany, who on leaving the fatherland crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Moore township, Northamp- ton county. He had a family of sons, one of
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whom was Frederick Lerch, the grandfather of our subject. Frederick Lerch removed from Moore township to Forks township, establishing his home on the Bushkill creek, where he owned three hundred acres of excellent farming land. He was a thrifty and industrious man who in his farming operations met with prosperity, his fields yielding to him good crops which annually found a ready sale on the market. He was also popular with his fellow citizens, who elected him justice of the peace, and also called him to other local positions of public trust which he filled in an acceptable manner. He was, however, never an office seeker, but was sought by those who recog- nized his ability and fairness for public honors. An earnest Christian gentleman, he held mem- bership in the Forks church, and he died in that faith on the Ist of August, 1826, being survived for ten years by his wife. She bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Sweitzell, and they became the parents of seventeen children, fourteen of whom reached adult age, and of this number nine were sons.
Frederick Lerch, Jr., the father of our sub- ject, was born in Moore township, Northampton county, in 1769, and in early manhood was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Brown, by whom he had eleven children, seven of whom grew to maturity. Frederick Lerch, Jr., was a shoe- maker by trade, and followed that pursuit for a number of years, but finally abandoned that call- ing in order to follow the more congenial occu- pation of farming. He bought and operated one hundred acres of land which he placed under a very high state of cultivation, the fields yielding to him splendid crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon them. He, too, was called to public office in his township, and was recognized as a man of worth and honor, numbered among the influential citizens of his community. His sons were as follows : Daniel, Melchior, Simon, Charles, Frederick and Jere- miah W. The last named, however, is the only surviving member of the family. All were iden- tified with the Forks church, and were people of the highest respectability.
Jeremiah W. Lerch was born in Forks town-
ship, Northampton county, in 1829, and was reared to the occupation of farming, which he has always followed as a life work. He found in this a profitable source of labor, and through his close attention to his business, his keen foresight and capable management, he has won success, acquiring a very desirable competence.
Mr. Lerch has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Amanda Seip, a daughter of Peter Seip, this union being celebrated in 1854. They traveled life's journey together for about forty years, and then Mrs. Lerch was called to her final rest on the 27th of August, 1893. In 1900 Mr. Lerch was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Elizabeth R. Uhler. The. following year they removed to Easton, where- they enjoy the fruits of a wellspent life in ease: and luxury as their sun descends the western slope of time. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lerch were worthy members of the Forks church, in which he has held the office of deacon, elder and trus- tee. He has led an earnest consistent Christian life, and now in his declining years can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear. His retirement from labor is well merited, for his was an honorable busi- ness career, and all that he enjoys was worthily won.
JAMES McCAULEY is one of the best known citizens of Easton, where he was before the public in an official capacity for a number of years, but is now living a retired life, enjoying a well earned rest. A native of Northampton county, he was born in Forks township, July 5, 1845, and is a son of John and Mary McCauley, who were born, reared and married in Ireland. The father was a distiller and worked at that oc- cupation for a number of years. He died in 1855 and his wife passed away in 1849. They were the parents of ten sons, but our subject is now the only survivor.
James McCauley passed his boyhood and youth in Forks township and the city of Easton, and is indebted to the public schools of North- ampton county for the educational privileges he enjoyed. His early life was spent in milling, to
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
which occupation he devoted his attention for seven years at that time. He was next engaged in teaching school, and for six years instructed the young minds of Palmer township. In 1871 he married Miss Elizabeth King, and to them were born four children, namely: Laura, Carrie, Lulu and H. Roy.
In 1872 Mr. McCauley took up his residence in Easton and embarked in mercantile business, dealing in flour, feed and groceries for four years, but abandoned it in 1876 and returned to his old employer in the mill, where he remained for several years. In 1882 he again opened a store in Easton and continued to carry on the same with good success for ten years.
In the meantime Mr. McCauley had entered upon his public career, having been elected city treasurer on the Republican ticket in 1887-the same year in which the city received its charter. So acceptably did he fill the office that he was several times re-elected and served in all for five terms with credit to himself and to the entire sat- isfaction of all concerned. Fraternally he is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
In 1882 Mr. McCauley was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died that year, and in 1893 he wedded Mrs. Annie Mutch- ler. They occupy a fine brick residence, erected by Mr. McCauley in 1890, and there their many friends are always sure of a hearty welcome. He is a man of refined and cultured tastes, pleasant and agreeable in manner, and his honesty is pro- verbial. He therefore enjoys the good will and confidence of the public, and is one of Easton's most highly esteemed citizens.
WILLIAM N. KIEFER, who is serving as assistant superintendent of the Easton Heights Cemetery, was born on the south side of Easton in 1858, and is a descendant of Andrew Kiefer and his wife Elizabeth, who were natives of Ger- many, and came to America at an early period in the colonization of this country. Their sons were John, Andrew, Abraham and Joseph, and they also had four daughters. Of these sons John Kiefer was the grandfather of him whose
name introduces this record. He was born in Williams township, Northampton county, at what is now called Island Park, 1809. He was born with patriotic blood in his veins, for his father Andrew was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and the son, following in his footsteps, fought in the Mexican war under General Scott. John Kiefer was both a blacksmith and wheel- wright by trade, and followed those pursuits for a number of years, in fact thus provided for the maintenance of his family. He married Miss Sarah A. Shively, and unto them were born seven children, as follows : Annie, Mary, Edward J., William R., Amanda, Shively and Ella. Tivo of this number, Mary and Amanda, are now de- ceased. The father lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and the mother passed away in 1880.
Of this family Edward J. Kiefer became the father of our subject. He was born at Raubs- ville, Pennsylvania, on the Delaware river, in 1837, and he too became a blacksmith and wheel- wright, learning those trades with his father, and becoming an excellent workman in those lines. He carried on business in his native town and secured a liberal patronage there. He was quite prominent and active in public affairs, being rec- ognized as one of the valued and influential citi- zens of the community. For several years he served as supervisor of his township. Fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his life has ever been in har- mony with its beneficent teachings. At the time of the Civil war he entered the Union army, becom- ing a private of Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, in 1863. He served for ten months, and during that time participated in two of the most severe battles of the war-Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He is still living at the age of sixty-six years, but his wife passed away in 1891. They were the pa- rents of thirteen children, eleven of whom are still living, namely: William N., Tilghman, Luther, Edward, Sarah, Israel J., Elmer J., Harry E., Augusta, Minerva, and Mattie. Eliza- beth and Nettie have passed away.
Having acquired a good common-school edu-
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
cation William N. Kiefer learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for twelve years, after which he turned his attention to commercial pur- suits, opening a grocery store in 1889. This he conducted for about five years, after which he became an agent for the Prudential Insurance Company, which he represented in this locality for five years, doing a large amount of business and gaining the high esteem and confidence of the company. Later he was made superintendent of the Easton Heights Cemetery, and has since served in this capacity, having control of this beautiful city of the dead and superintending its care and improvement.
In 1890 Mr. Kiefer was united in marriage to Miss Stella M. Calvin, and unto them two chil- dren have been born: Margaret A. and Paul, the latter now deceased. Socially Mr. Kiefer is connected with the Sons of Veterans, and has been appointed a delegate to several state en- campments. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a worthy brother of that body. He is a young man whose business possibilities are good, because he is enterprising, diligent and ambitious, and his genial nature has made him popular with a large circle of friends.
WILLIAM P. F. RANDOLPH. The ori- gin of the illustrious family to which William P. F. Randolph belongs dates back to the time of the Norman conquest. The Randolphs, or, as they were formerly called, Fitzrandolphs, sprang from Norman-French stock, the line being traced to William, Duke of Normandy, who afterward became king of England. The Fitzrandolphs were also related to the prominent Merrill fam- ily, also of Norman blood. By the marriage of the Indian maiden Pocahontas to John Rolfe there was one son, Thomas Rolfe, who married Jane Bolling, by whom he had five daughters. One of these daughters became the wife of a Fitzrandolph, from whom descended Mary Fitz- randolph, who became the wife of Richard Merrill.
William P. F. Randolph, of this review, is a descendant of William and Susan Randolph, rep- resentatives of early families of Northampton
county. In early life William Randolph learned the shoemaker's trade, which was then a lucrative employment, and one which he followed with profit throughout his entire life. Becoming a member of the American army, in the war of the Revolution, he did patriotic service in winning independence for his country. Unto him and his wife were born four children, and after his demise his widow became the wife of Jacob Rickard, but no children were born of that marriage.
William Randolph, one of the children of William and Susan Randolph, was born in Eas- ton, Pennsylvania, where he learned the trade of bricklaying and plastering. Although he was absent from Easton at various times he always made this city his home. He was united in mar- riage to Miss Catherine Derr, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living, namely: Mrs. Harriet Lattig, Will- iam P. F., Mrs. Emma West and John B.
It was in Easton, on the Ist of January, 1842, that William P. F. Randolph was born, and his education was acquired in the public schools, where he made the necessary progress that fitted him for a life of future usefulness. On putting aside his text books he apprenticed himself to the machinist's trade, which he followed for some time, and on the outbreak of the Civil war, when the country needed the aid of its loyal sons to preserve the union, he put aside business and per- sonal considerations and offered his services, en- listing in August, 1862, as a private of Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, with which he served for nine months. His regiment participated in the following battles : Bull Run, Antietam, Freder- icksburg and Chancellorsville, and was honor- ably discharged on the field of batttle in 1863.
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