USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 82
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Jacob Brinker (father) was born in Forks township, Northampton county, in 1809. During his entire active career he followed agricultural pursuits, which proved both a pleasant and lucra-
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tive means of livelihood. He was a member of the Reformed church, and throughout the com- munity in which he resided was honored and esteemed for his nobility of character. His wife, Susanna (Wilhelm) Brinker, a native of Easton, Pennsylvania, and a member of the Reformed church, bore him eight children, namely: Jacob, who married Miss Stecher, both now deceased, having left several children. Sarah, who became the wife of Llewellyn Knecht, and among their children were the following: Emma, the wife of David Pritchard; Edwin, Amanda, and Allen. David, who was the father of two children, Ed- win and William Brinker. William, who mar- ried Miss Zeiner, and they reared a family of children. Jeremiah, who died in childhood. Sa- bina, who became the wife of Mr. Henry, of In- diana, and their family consists of two sons and two daughters. Joseph, who married Matilda Kern, and their children are: Edna, Frank, Flora, Jennie, William, John and Ray Brinker. Adam, mentioned hereinafter. Jacob Brinker, father of these children, died in 1849, aged forty years, when Adam Brinker was only eighteen months old; his wife passed away at the age of sixty-seven years.
Adam Brinker, the youngest member of the family of Jacob and Susanna Brinker, was reared in various towns in Northampton county, and acquired his education in the Millgrove school and the Nazareth school. The Civil war broke out soon after he completed his studies, and he en- listed in the Union army in September, 1862. He served for nine months in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment of Pennsylvania Volun- teers. After his discharge from the army he learned the saddler's trade at Bethlehem, and from the expiration of his term of apprenticeship until 1867 he worked as a journeyman. He then established a shop of his own on Second street, making harness by hand, and after two years his business had increased to such an extent that he required the services of two men. He remained at this location for four years and then removed to a larger store at 120 Third street, where he carried a full line of robes and whips. During his eighteen years of occupancy of that store he
built up an extensive business, and in 1887 re- moved to his present location, giving constant employment to five men in the manufacture of harnesses by hand, and carries the largest stock in that line in the Lehigh Valley, consisting of ten thousand dollars worth of all kinds of har- nesses, robes, whips, sleighs, in fact, everything used in connection with the driving of horses. The business is conducted under the name of Adam Brinker & Co. Mr. Brinker is the owner of the building where his business is conducted, having erected it in 1887; it is twenty-seven by eighty-five feet, and the basement and first floor is devoted to the harness store, the office is located on the second floor, and the third floor is used as a lodge room.
Mr. Brinker is far-sighted, alert and enter- prising in all his business connections, and for a number of years he has been associated with many of the principal enterprises that have contributed to the commercial development and prosperity of his adopted town. In 1880 he organized the firm of Brinker & Wagner for the buying and handling of all kinds of stone and building ma- terials, which firm still continues, and during the intervening twenty-four years they have built. twenty-nine houses in the city of South Bethlehem. He was one of the organizers of the South Bethle- hem National Bank in 1888, was elected director, in 1889 was elected vice-president, and in 1900 president. In 1894 he was one of the organizers of the Lehigh Cold Storage Company, and was appointed president at that time, which position he still holds. In the same year he organized the Artificial Ice Company, which makes thirty-two tons of ice per day, and of which he is president. Two years later he added the coal and lumber business to this company, making it one of the leading industries of the town.
In affairs pertaining to the municipal inter- ests of South Bethlehem Mr. Brinker is also active. In 1878 he was elected a member of the borough council, and has served continuously up to the present time (1904), his term extending until 1906, and for a short period of time he was the incumbent of the office of burgess of South Bethlehem, filling out the unexpired term of H.
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S. Goodwin. During the years 1898, 1899 and 1900 he was president of the South Bethlehem council. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having joined in 1870, and held the of- fice of treasurer in 1871. He assisted in the or- ganization of the Golden Eagles in 1887, and has served as treasurer ever since. He was also one of the organizers of the Independent Order of Red Men, and served in the capacity of treasurer for a number of years. He is a member of Rob- ert Oldham Post, No. 527, Grand Army of the Republic, and also of the Moravian church.
Mr. Brinker was married to Lydia Sloyer, a daughter of Michael and Margaret (Fehr) Sloyer. Their children are: Martha S., widow of Emile Schremple, late of South Bethlehem, and their children are Frederick and Walter Schremple. Lilly J., wife of Oliver L. Peisert, who is engaged with Mr. Brinker in the coal and ice business.
JACOB W. KLINE, M. D., son of Benjamin M. and Sarah (Knauss) Kline, representatives of families whose early history is closely inter- woven with that of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, is one of the eminent medical practitioners of Martins Creek, Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, and has gained success in his chosen call- ing and won a high reputation for skill and ability. He is a native of Bowers, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being Feb- ruary 23, 1869.
Jacob W. Kline resided in the vicinity of his birth-place until he was four years of age, and then his parents removed to Easton, Pennsyl- vania, where he acquired a liberal education, which is such an essential attribute to success in the pursuit of a profession or trade. He obtained a knowledge of the fundamental principles of education in the public schools of Easton, later was a student at Trach's Academy, then entered Lafayette College, from which well known and noted institution he was graduated with high honors in the class of 1891, and the following year was graduated from the Medico Chirurgical Medical College or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began the active practice of his profession in
the city of Easton, and for one and a half years put to a practical test the theoretical knowledge he had obtained during his collegiate course. At the expiration of this period of time he located in Martins Creek, and during the intervening years has built up an extensive practice, which is the result of a thorough knowledge of medicine and surgery and close and careful attention to the best interests of his patients. Dr. Kline is an energetic and enterprising man, and the commun- ity finds in him a valued citizen, who manifests a commendable interest in everything pertaining to its welfare and advancement. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Easton, Easton Lodge, No. 153, Easton Chapter, No. 173, R. A. M., and Martins Creek Lodge, No. 735, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand.
Dr. Kline was united in marriage, in 1891, to Catherine Laubach, daughter of Owen and Elizabeth Laubach, of Easton, Pennsylvania, who was born in Easton, July 27, 1869, and two chil- dren have been the issue of this union-Sarah E. and Edgar L. Kline. A complete history of the ancestors of Mrs. Kline will appear elsewhere in this work.
MILTON D. ACKERMAN, of Edelman, Pennsylvania, was born at Ackermansville, March 3, 1870, his parents being Jacob J. and Ruphena (Paul) Ackerman.
The student of history can not carry his in- vestigation far into the annals of Northampton county without learning of the family of which Milton D. Ackerman is a representative. Of German lineage, the first representatives of the name in America crossed the Atlantic at a very early period in the colonization of the new world, and the family home was established in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. The descendants of the original progenitor became quite numerous there. But one of the number, Jacob Ackerman, becom- ing dissatisfied with his surroundings, sought a home further north, walking from Bucks county to Easton, where he remained for a very short period, and thence proceeded to Forks township, along the Bushkill. He did not, however, find a location with which he was entirely pleased
31
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until he reached the site of what is now the vil- lage of Ackermansville. There he built a small house in the midst of the wilderness, purchasing land a mile square, and soon afterward erected thereon a gristmill which he operated for his own use and that of the people of the neighborhood. There he toiled and prospered, carrying on ag- ricultural pursuits in connection with the mill- ing business. He married, and his children were six in number-Jacob, Henry, John, David, Abraham and George. His son, Jacob Ackerman, became the grandfather of Milton D. Ackerman, and was born in Ackermansville. He received the educational privileges afforded at that time, but his knowledge was largely acquired through experience and observation. He engaged in farming and milling, as had his father, and was an industrious, energetic man. He belonged to the Mennonite church, being an ardent supporter of its doctrines .. Politically, he was a Republican, and a worthy and respected citizen. He mar- ried a Miss Kolb, and their children were: John, Isaac, Jacob J., Susan, Mary, Lydia, Barbara, Rebecca and Kate.
Jacob J. Ackerman, the father of Milton D. Ackerman, was born at Ackermansville, January 16, 1819, and there spent the days of his boy- hood, pursuing a public school education and gaining practical experience in business methods through his work on the farm and in the mill. He followed both occupations, owning and op- erating seventy-four acres of land, and also con- ducting a gristmill, in which he did quite a large business. He also built a hotel and conducted it for a short time, when he operated a sawmill. His business interests were thus extensive and varied. He held the office of assessor and super- visor in Washington township, Northampton county, and in matters of citizenship always gave a loyal support to whatever pertained to the pub- lic welfare. He belonged to the Reformed church, was active in his work, and was a man unusually popular with his fellow citizens, who respected him for his upright life. Jacob J. Ackerman was twice married. He first wedded Lydia Hahn, and they became the parents of eight children : Kate A., Ellen, George E., Caro-
line, Jacob I., and three that died in infancy. Mrs. Lydia H. Ackerman passed away in August, 1863, and Jacob Ackerman was again married in 1864, his second union being with Miss Ruphine Paul. They became the parents of five children : Minerva, Arvilla, Milton D., Isaac S. and Albert E. The father died in August, 1898, and his widow now resides in Ackermansville.
Milton D. Ackerman early became familiar with agricultural pursuits upon his father's farm, assisting in the cultivation of the fields from early boyhood days. Not wishing, however, to make farm work his life occupation, he has turned his attention to merchandising, and since 1898 has been proprietor of a general store at Edelman, where he carries a good line of goods and has secured a gratifying patronage. At the time he opened his store he was also made post- master of the town, and is still acting in this capacity.
In 1894 Mr. Ackerman was married to Miss Minnie E. Gruver, who was born in Flicksville, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Aaron and Eveline Gruver. Unto this marriage have been born two children : Lottie E., born in 1896; and Marly J., born in 1902.
SOLOMON FLORY. The expansion of the trade interests of a city and its growth and sub- stantial development depend upon the energy, activity and keen foresight of its representative men-they who can comprehend the business sit- uation of the present and also understand the con- dition which points to future conditions. It is to this class that Solomon Flory belongs, and he stands today as one of the representative men of Bangor, having for many years been an active factor in trade circles. He established and de- veloped two of the most important industrial con- cerns of the city, and he still has important and profitable business interests. His life has been a busy and useful one, his aim being to use his time to the best advantage, and while he has prospered in his undertakings he is also a repre- sentative of that class of American men who while advancing individual success also promote the general welfare.
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
The Flory family has long been established in Pennsylvania. The grandfather of Solomon Flory removed from Bucks county to North- ampton county at an early date, and followed the occupation of farming, residing in Upper Mount Bethel township. To him and his wife were born the following named children: John, Jacob, George and Peter. All of the sons, with the ex- ception of Peter, were farmers, and he followed blacksmithing.
Peter Flory, the father of Solomon Flory, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Siselach, and they became the parents of the following named children : William, Absalom, Simeon, Solomon, Harriet, Polly and Rebecca. Of this number only Polly, Solomon and Simeon are now living.
Solomon Flory, whose name introduces this record, was born in Upper Mount Bethel town- ship, Northampton county, August 15, 1829, and in his early life followed agricultural pursuits, with which he became familiar in his boyhood days. Later he removed to Plainfield township, where his attention was directed to the butcher- ing business. There he remained until 1872, at which time he removed to Bangor, Pennsylvania, remaining an active representative of commercial and industrial interests in this city until 1901, when he retired from business life, having in the meantime steadily advanced to a position prom- inent among the substantial citizens of the north- ern part of the county. On locating in Bangor, he continued to conduct a meat market, and also began dealing in coal and wood. He further ex- tended the field of his operations by engaging in the milling business, and for thirty years con- ducted his market and for fifteen years his mill, thus taking an active part in supplying needed commodities to the citizens of this place. In 1880 he began the manufacture of machinery on a very small scale, employing but three workmen, but his enterprise soon developed an industry of larger proportions and one which became very profitable. In 1883 he turned the grist mill over to his son Milton, and later gave the machine shop to the charge of his son Samuel. Both enter- prises have grown far beyond the expectations of both himself and his sons. In the machine
shop today three hundred and twenty-five men are employed. The business has been organized and incorporated, and is a most prominent factor in the industrial life of the city. The plant cov- ers about four acres of ground, and is located along the tracks of both the New Jersey Central and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Rail- roads. All kinds of mining and quarry machin- ery are manufactured, and the output is shipped to various sections of the country. The enter- prise is conducted under the name of the S. Flory Manufacturing Company, of Bangor. The grist mill has also expanded greatly, being one of the paying industries of the city. It was established in 1858, remodeled in 1890, and rebuilt and en- larged to its present extensive proportions in 1900. It is operated by both steam and water power, the former being seventy-five horse power, and the latter ninety-five horsepower. The ca- pacity of the mill is one hundred and fifty bar- rels every twenty-four hours. The product of the mill is one of very superior grade, as is at- tested by the large local demand and the extensive shipments made. Solomon Flory not only es- tablished these enterprises upon a successful basis, but has also been the promoter of other enterprises of importance, showing him to be a man of great natural business ability and of marked resources. He has been engaged in the slate development. He was a director and stock- holder of the First National Bank of Bangor for several years, and is now the owner of consider- able real estate in Danielsville, which he has upon the market and for which he is finding a ready sale. In public affairs he has been quite promi- nent and his fitness for leadership has occasioned his selection for many public offices in his town. He has been elected to the position of chief bur- gess and of councilman, and in the discharge of his duties has ever manifested the same prompt- ness and fidelity which characterized his business career. Bangor, in other ways, has also been greatly benefited by his efforts. He has erected as many as fourteen dwellings in one year here, and has opened up many of the quarries which are now being profitably worked, selling these as an advantageous opportunity was presented. He
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began life at the very bottom round of the ladder, and step by step has climbed upward. His is a business record which any man might envy, not alone on account of the success he has achieved, but also because of the unassailable reputation he has gained. He has never incurred an obliga- tion that he has not discharged or made an en- gagement that he has not met, and by his business associates is held in the highest regard.
Mr. Flory was first joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah A. Bruch, and to them were born the fol- lowing children : Benjamin, now deceased; Sus- anna, Christian, Samuel, Enos, who has also de- parted this life; Kate, deceased; and Milton. For his second wife Mr. Flory chose Miss Susan Albert. No family to this union.
J. CALVIN SHIMER, of Mt. Bethel town- ship, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, a rep- resentative of one of the oldest families of the Lehigh Valley, is that rare type of farmer who combines an appreciation of nature in her gentler aspects with a practical, scientific knowledge of agriculture. Indeed, since giving over the work of the farm a few years ago, he finds an unfailing source of interest in the study of plant life, in- cluding its relation to soils, and in the study of local geological formations.
The great-grandfather of Mr. Shimer was Jacob Shimer, who was settled on a farm of con- siderable pretensions in Bethlehem township. He married a woman named Bial, whose father gained celebrity for his religious work among the soldiers during the Revolutionary war. Jacob Shimer and his wife were both persons of conse- quence in their community, where they were ex- amples of probity and upright living. Seven children were born to them, namely: John, Jo- seph, Elizabeth, Jacob, Edward, Samuel, and Abraham. The sons all became farmers, and were prosperous and respected.
Of these children, Joseph, the second child and second son, was born on his father's farm, near Freemansburg, May 2, 1795. He was edu- cated at home by private tutors, and was a man of more than usual capacity. He married Cath- erine, youngest child of Abraham and Susanna
Hubler, of Martins Creek, Northampton county, who was born July 25, 1800. Abraham Hubler, who came to Lower Mount Bethel in 1792, was a large property owner, and he gave his daughter on her marriage to Joseph Shimer a goodly dower in land and money. The land, about four hun- dred and fifty acres, was in two sections, a part lying along the Delaware river, and the re- mainder being situated near Bath, Pennsylvania. Later, Mr. Hubler added to this gift of land, bringing the acreage up to nine hundred and making Joseph Shimer one of the largest land holders of that region. Mr. Shimer settled on that portion of the estate on the banks of the Delaware, and spent his remaining years there. The stone house in which he first lived was built about 1750, by a landed proprietor who was also a slave-owner. Many interesting traditions remain with the family, in connection with these early times. Upon the southern portion of this estate was at one time a large village of Delaware Indians, and their primitive implements and other relics are still to be found by excavations on the old site. It is said that David Brainerd, the celebrated missionary to the Indians who died in 1747, preached to this tribe of Delawares. Catherine Hubler used often to watch from her father's house, which was a few rods north of the old stone house where she began her married life, the deer passing fearlessly out from the wooded bluffs, cross the low lands, swim the Delaware river and disappear in the scrub oaks of the barren New Jersey shore. The traveling of that time was mostly on horseback, and Mrs. Shimer as a young girl frequently formed one of a party of thirty or forty young people who rode from Martins Creek to church at Centerville, or went on pleasure excursions about the sparsely settled country. Joseph Shimer and his wife were leading members and liberal supporters of the Lutheran church. Mr. Shimer was one of the most active among those who were instrumental in the erection of the Lutheran and Reformed church near Martins Creek in 1834, giving largely to the cause, in both money and labor, and after the organization of the society, being honored with offices of trust. Joseph Shimer
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died August 13, 1878, his wife having died about ten years before, on March 5, 1868. The chil- dren of this couple were as follows: Jacob, born January 18, 1819; Abraham, born August 25, 1820; Edward, born September II, 1822; Eliza- beth, born October 30, 1824; Susanna, born Feb- ruary 5, 1827; Mary, born August 18, 1829; Sarah, born March 15, 1832; Hubler, born March 19, 1834; Joseph D., born October 12, 1845.
Abraham, second child and second son of Joseph and Catherine (Hubler) Shimer, was born August 18, 1820, on his father's farm at Mar- tins Creek, and was educated in the public schools of the township. From his father he inherited one hundred and fifty acres of land, situated near the south forks formed by the Delaware river and Martins Creek. He added to this two adjoin- ing farms, making in all three hundred and thirty acres, the estate being subsequently divided among his three sons. His own farming opera- tions were conducted on a large scale, and with much intelligence. He sustained the interest which his parents showed in religious matters, and like his father was instrumental in building a church. He contributed one thousand dollars to the fund for the erection of the Lutheran church in 1864, and was one of its most liberal supporters up to the time of his death. He was active in all departments of the church, having held almost every office from trustee to super- intendent of the Sunday-School. At this church the Brainerd Society of Lafayette College, of Easton, Pennsylvania, have erected a memorial to David Brainerd, it being almost on the site of the hut he erected there in 1744, and in which most of his remarkable journal was written. December 8, 1842, Abraham Shimer married Sarah A., daughter of John Rosenberry, of Mar- tins Creek. Three children were born of the mar- riage: John Calvin, Joseph R., and William.
John Calvin, oldest child of Abraham and Sarah (Rosenberry) Shimer, was born on the homestead at Martins Creek, April 5, 1844. He was educated in the local public schools, and also studied at the Belvidere (New Jersey) Academy. After his marriage, in 1867, he completed a course in the C. L. S. C., and from this time he
has been a student of scientific agriculture, giv- ing especial attention to the nature and adapta- bility of soils. He inherited from his father a farm of one hundred and ten acres, which he has made a notable example of intensive agriculture. He believes that the same amount of labor ex- pended on a large farm under ordinary cultiva- tion, may be applied to half the land with better return, if it is applied with foresight and intel- ligence. He retired from active farm work in 1900, but he keeps up his interest in botanical studies, and is an expert in the flora of his county. From his early years he has been an active member of the Lutheran church at Martins Creek. He became organist there at the age of fourteen, and filled the position for twenty-five years. He has held various offices in the church organization during his long membership.
He married Maria Engler, of Martins Creek, December 5, 1867, and five children have been born, namely, Arthur B., born April 8, 1869; Herberg, April 17, 1872; Flora V., September I, 1874; Chester E., September 26, 1877; and Blanche, February 20, 1885. The sons have al- ready made good records in professional lines. Arthur B. was graduated from Lerch's prepara- tory school at Easton, after elementary training in the neighborhood schools. He then became a clerk in Semple's drug store in Easton, subse- quently going to Philadelphia where he held a similar position, at the same time matriculating in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He fin- ished his course in the College of Pharmacy in 1893, and in 1896 was graduated from the Chir- urgical Medical College. In the year of his grad- uation he received an appointment as resident physician in the Atlantic City Sanitarium. Af- ter a year in this position, he entered upon active practice in the city, and has since been appointed to the staff of the Atlantic City Hospital. Her- berg received his preparatory instruction at Lerch's Academy in Easton, and entered Gettys- burg College. Failing health obliged him to give up his college work, and he spent three years on his father's farm in out-of-door occu- pations, doing some teaching meanwhile, in the effort to regain his strength. He was afterward
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