USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 84
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
took a great interest in educational matters, and was one of the promoters of the Weaversville Academy. His death was caused by an accident while superintending the construction of a dwell- ing on his farm at Trichlers, Lehigh township, August 20, 1879. Mr. Trumbower was twice married. His first wife, Maria, who died March 23, 1853, was a daughter of Michael and Mag- deline (Fatzinger) Weaver, the former named having been a prominent tanner and merchant of Weaversville, Northampton county, and a soldier of the war of 1812. Mr. Trumbower was married second to Elizabeth (Swartz) Heistand, in 1855, and she died in August, 1888. The children of Stephen J. and Maria (Weaver) Trumbower were:
I. Fannie M., born April 9, 1842, was edu- cated in the public schools and Weaversville Academy. September 16, 1862, she became the wife of William L. Odemvelder, of South Easton, later of Lower Nazareth township, who after farming a number of years moved to Bath, Penn- sylvania, where he engaged in the flour and feed business, and later associated with his nephew, Daniel Odemvelder, and they became the pro- prietors of the Bath Knitting Mills. At his death, October 9, 1902, he was a prominent mem- ber of the Reformed church, and president of the Bath National Bank. No children were born of this marriage. Mrs. Odemvelder, at the present time (1905), resides with her brother, John W. Trumbower, at Nazareth.
2. Mary, born in 1843, died at the age of five years.
3. John Weaver, whose name heads this. sketch, mentioned at length hereinafter.
4. Laura, born in August, 1847, attended the public schools and Weaversville Academy. Jan- uary 6, 1869, she became the wife of Ausbon Dech, of Shimer's Station, Northampton county, who at the time of their marriage was engaged in the mercantile business at Bethlehem, Pennsyl- vania. Later they moved to the old homestead at Shimer's Station, where they now live retired. They are the parents of three sons : Walter, who attended the public schools, graduated from. Le- high University at Bethlehem, and is now a pro-
fessor in Myerstown College. He married a Miss Oplinger, and three children have been born to them : Paul, Allen, and an infant. Howard, who was educated at the public schools and Le- high University, graduating from the latter named institution. For a number of years he was mechanical engineer with the Dupont Fowder Company, and is now engaged in the construction of smokeless furnaces. He married Miss Henrietta Regie, and they have one child, Ausbon R. Dech. Herbert, who was educated at the public schools and Myerstown College, and is now a minister of the United Evangelical church at Portland, Oregon. He married Miss Bertha Bradenberg, a native of that state, and they are the parents of one child, Homer Dech.
5. Anna, born in March, 1851, attended the public schools and Weaversville Academy. No- vember 27, 1868, she became the wife of Dr. Ben- jamin T. Boyer, of Kreidersville, Allen township, Northampton county. While attending Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the Two Hundred and Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and became lieutenant of Company F. At the close of the war he took up the medical profession and is now practicing at Springtown, Bucks county, Penn- sylvania. They became the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom three are deceased : Emily, wife of Warren Long, a lawyer of Doylestown, Penn- sylvania ; Mrs. Long is a graduate of Millers- ville State Normal School, and taught in the pub- lic schools for a number of years. Howard, who was educated in the public schools and Lehigh University, graduating from the latter named; he is now weighmaster in the Brooklyn Navy Yard ; he married a Miss Eisenhart, and they are the parents of one child, Rebekah. Elizabeth, wife of William Whittie, a graduate of Nazareth Hall, now engaged in the museum of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania under direction of Dr. Hilprecht, the renowned Egyptian explorer ; Mrs. Whittie is also a graduate of Millersville State Normal School; they are the parents of two children, William Everett and Julia. Calvin, who is a graduate of Millersville State Normal School and of the Law School of the State Uni-
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versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor ; he is now practicing law at Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Carrie, who resides with her parents, devoting her time to the care of her invalid mother. Nellie, a graduate of Millersville State Normal School, and is now a teacher at Doylestown, Pennsyl- vania. All the children of this family have been successful teachers in the public and other schools.
6. Stephen Jacob died May II, 1872.
7. Walter Samuel, born March 28, 1853, died April 20, 1854.
John W. Trumbower, eldest son of Stephen Jacob and Maria (Weaver) Trumbower, at- tended the public schools, Weaversville Academy and Freeland Seminary, thereby acquiring an ed- ucation which qualified him for the responsibili- ties of life. He resided under the parental roof until 1868, when he entered the store of his brother-in-law, A. W. Dech, at Bethlehem, as clerk, and later engaged in business for himself in the same place. In 1878, owing to the great industrial depression at that time, he abandoned his business, that of general storekeeper, and moved to his father's farm in East Allen town- ship, Northampton county, but was compelled to leave a congenial occupation on account of the poor health of his wife. In 1880 the family moved to Nazareth, and two years later, when the B. & P. R. R. was built to this town, Mr. Trumbower engaged in the coal, lumber and grain business, which he conducted until 1888, since which year he has lived a retired life. He is a member of the Lutheran church; exercises his right of franchise in support of the Repub- lican party ; has served in the various borough offices ; was for many years a director of the old Nazareth Water Company; and at the present time (1905) is a director of the Nazareth Na- tional Bank, Nazareth Canning Company, and Nazareth Improvement Company.
November 8, 1870, Mr. Trumbower was mar- ried to Miss Amanda E. Koehler, of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, born January 27, 1849, second daughter of Peter and Susan (Young) Koehler, the former named having been a leading farmer in Lower Nazareth township, later moved to Naz-
areth, and retired from business pursuits in 1866. Mrs. Trumbower is the only survivor of three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Koehler, the others having been Mary Ann, wife of William Schortz, of Nazareth, who died without issue; and Emeline, who died at the age of fifteen years. The Koehler homestead, located about a quarter of a mile outside of the borough limits, has been in the Koehler family for over a century, and is in the limestone and cement belt, which has made Nazareth and the surrounding country so pros- perous of late years on account of the numerous large cement plants erected in this vicinity. The following named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Trumbower :
I. Anna Susan, born at Bethlehem, Penn- sylvania, December 15, 1873, was educated at the public schools and Maryland College. No- vember 17, 1901, she became the wife of Dr. Jacob A. Fromfelder, of Easton, Pennsylvania, who has an extensive practice at Nazareth, and they are the parents of one child: Anna T., born March 28, 1903. 2. Amanda Adelia, born at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1875, at- tended the public schools of Nazareth and Mary- land College. She became the wife of the Rev. Wallace H. Wotring, of Nazareth, pastor of Dry Land Charge, composed of St. John's Re- formed congregation of Nazareth, and Dry Land Reformed congregation of Hecktown. Dry Land is the strongest charge in the East Pennsylvania Classis, and numbers over twelve hundred mem- bers. He has served the charge since August 2, 1891. Rev. Wotring was graduated from Ur- sinus College, and also from the Theological De- partment of the same institution. They have one daughter, Esther, born May 7, 1897. 3. Peter Stephen, born near Jacksonville, East Allen township, May 1I, 1878, attended the Nazareth public schools, the Nazareth Hall Military School for two years, and Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1899. After leaving college, find- ing that his eyesight, which had caused him con- siderable trouble might prevent him from close application to his studies, he abandoned his atten- tion of entering one of the professions and turned
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
his attention to business pursuits. He engaged in the retail coal business the same year at Nazar- eth, and his trade steadily increased in volume and importance. In the summer of 1902, when the Lehigh and New England Railroad entered the town, he opened an additional yard on this road, which is equipped with a stone crusher. He is popular among a wide circle of friends, and is prominently connected with a number of secret societies and social organizations.
JOHN DAVIS, master mechanic for the Le- high Coal and Navigation Company at Lansford, Pennsylvania, was born in Carbondale, Lack- awanna county, this state, February 28, 1839. His paternal great-grandfather was a soldier of the English army during the contest between England and the American colonies, was wounded at the battle of Germantown, and was then sent back to England. David Davis, the grandfather, served as a musician in the British army. His parents were David and Rebecca (Bown) Davis, both of whom were natives of Wales and came to this country in 1830, their marriage being celebrated after their arrival in the United States. David Davis was an experienced miner and one of the pioneer settlers at Carbondale. This fam- ily numbered ten children, six of whom are liv- ing, namely: Ruth, John, David B., Martha, Frederick and Jane. Of this number Frederick B. Davis was a veteran of the Civil war. He served as corporal of Company E, Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylania Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Antietam, Chancel- lorsville, Gettysburg, Nashville, and many others of minor importance, receiving an honorable dis- charge at the close of the war.
John Davis received but limited educational privileges, but in the industrial world has made the most of his opportunities and his ability has enabled him to attain to a position of respon- sibility which also returns to him a good income. Early in life he manifested a desire to identify himself with mechanical interests, and when six- teen years of age took charge of an engine for the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. In 1850 he came with his parents to Lansford, and
since that time has been continually in the em- ploy of the company. He lived through the Mollie McGuire troubles without suffering any injury, although his dearest friend and compan- ion, John P. Jones, was assassinated by them. He maintained the respect of all by his fearless- ness and fidelity to duty, and these qualities have also been manifested in his citizenship. He has been elected four times as chief burgess of Lans- ford, three times as school director, and is now acting in the latter capacity. Previous to the time that the charter of the borough was obtained he was instrumental in causing Lansford to be set aside as an independent district. He has filled the position of school director for six years, and his incumbency will continue for three years ad- ditional. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he has done much to promote the interests of the schools in this locality. In his religious faith Mr. Davis is a Baptist, and in the church to which he belongs is now serving as a deacon. He is prominent socially in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is now filling the position of district deputy grandmaster.
In 1859 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Ann M. Jones, and to them have been born three children: James E., who is engaged in merchandising in Lansford ; David L., the edi- tor of the Lansford Leader; and Florence R. Davis. Mr. Davis and his family are living in his own home, which is one of the best in Lans- ford and was the first brick residence erected in that borough.
DAVID F. FERREN is one of the oldest and most trustworthy engineers in the service of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. The family is of Irish lineage. His father, William Ferren, was born in Ireland and emigrated to America in 1831, locating at Summit Hill, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the butchering business. Later he removed to Packerton, this state, where he established himself in the same line of busi- ness. He was a man of sterling qualities who enjoyed the high esteem of all who knew him. He married Miss Sarah Rhodes, who was born in Packerton in 1824 and who belonged to one
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
of the old families of the Lehigh Valley. Wil- liam Ferren passed away in 1879. His children were Daniel ; John; Thomas and James, both de- ceased; Michael; George ; and Sarah and Lizzie, who have passed away.
David F. Ferren was born at Packerton, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1844, spent the days of his boyhood and youth there, and as a pupil in the public schools acquired his education. In early youth he assisted his father on the farm and in the butcher shop, but in 1863 turned his atten- tion to railroad work in the employ of the Lehigh Railroad Company. He worked in the shops for a short time, and lias been continuously connected with the corporation since 1866. He went upon the road as a brakeman, and the following year was promoted to a position in the round-house, while a few months later he was made a fireman. He continued at that post of duty until 1870, at which time he was given charge of engine No. 43 as an extra engineer. After three months he was put upon the road as a regular engineer on the same engine, his route being between East Penn Junction and Easton. He continued on that run until 1876, and was then transferred to a new route between Packerton and Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He was on that run until 1882, when he was transferred back to the Lehigh division, be- ing thus employed until 1894, when he was given his present position in the Packerton yards. Dur- ing his career as an engineer he has met with various experiences such as every railroad man must encounter. On one occasion he ran into a train, and in order to save his life jumped out of the cab window. The accident was through no fault of his, however, as there was no signal to indicate the danger ahead. He has never re- ceived a reprimand in all the thirty-nine years of his service, nor been suspended from duty, nor has he ever been guilty of any act of negli- gence or carelessenss. During that time he has passed through two strikes, meeting experiences that he hopes never to have again.
On the 22d of April, 1866, Mr. Ferren was married to Miss Harriet O'Brien, a daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Handwork) O'Brien. Mrs. Ferren was born in Lehighton, March 1, 1847,
and was one of a family of seven children, but only two are living, the other being her brother, Joseph O'Brien. Mr. and Mrs. Ferren are the parents of six children : William H., deceased ; Thomas R., a machinist ; Harriet E., Mary L., Bertha B. and Katie E.
CHARLES W. WENTZ. The ancestral history of the Wentz family can be traced back to Burfelden, Germany, where representatives of the name were connected with the brewing busi- ness. There were three brothers: Bur Jockel, Bur Jost and Bur Michael. Jost Wentz, whose full name was Johann Jost Wentz, was born in 1749, and in 1773 he came to America with his son, John Peter Wentz. His wife was Ann Cath- erine Wentz, and they had other children in America. John George Wentz, the third son of Johann Jost Wentz, was born in Upper Milford township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, April II, 1778. After his marriage he removed to Weissport, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1846. He was married in 1800 to Miss Salome Andreas, of Heidelberg town- ship, Northampton county, who died in the year 1858. Their children were: John, Sally, Wil- liam, Elizabeth, Daniel, Catherine and Mary A.
Daniel Wentz, a grandson of John George and Salome Andreas Wentz and the grandfather of Charles W. Wentz, was born in Berlinsville, Pennsylvania, August 12, 1806. He was a black- smith by trade, a man of strong purpose and hon- orable principles, and exerted a potent influence for good in the community in which he made his home. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to serve in several important local positions such as justice of the peace, conveyancer, overseer of the poor and supervisor. He was also very active and influ- ential in the Evangelical church, in which he held membership and in which he served as exhorter, class leader and steward. He died at Parryville, Carbon county, February 2, 1882, when in the seventy-sixth year of his age, and his wife passed away in that borough August 5. 1877. She bore the maiden name of Rebecca Driesbach, who was born in Lower Towamensing township, Carbon
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county, March 16, 1828. They had three chil- dren: Harrison, born in 1829; Dennis; and Simon, born in 1836. Of this family Dennis Wentz was born June 2, 1832, and is now one of the well known and highly respected residents of Franklin township, Carbon county, where he has lived for many years. He owns one hundred and twenty-two acres of good farming land which has been in the possession of the family for about seventy-seven years. His home is now included within the corporation limits of the borough of Parryville. The members of the Wentz family have been large lumbermen in the years gone by. Both Daniel and Dennis Wentz owned extensive timber tracts, containing eighteen hundred acres of land. After the death of his father, Dennis Wentz continued in control of this property until 1882, and since that time has lived retired, save that with the assistance of his son, Charles W., he is operating an extensive farm. Like others of the family he has always been well known for his uprightness of life and his strength and purity of character. He has held the office of council- man of the borough, overseer of the poor and treasurer of the borough council. He is a mem- ber of the United Evangelical church, in which he is a class leader and exhorter and he has also held the office of steward, discharging the duties of these various offices in a manner that has pro- moted the welfare and upbuilding of the denom- ination. He was married January 31, 1856, to Miss Henrietta Belford, of Parryville, who died March 16, 1882. Their children were: Sarah J., who was born in 1857 and is now deceased ; Charles W .; James A. L., who was born in 1865 and has passed away ; and Ella P., who was born in 1870 and is also deceased.
Charles W. Wentz, the only surviving mem- ber of the family, was born in Franklin township, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, in 1859. He learned the carpenter's trade in Parryville, where the days of his boyhood and youth were passed and where his education was acquired as a stu- dent in the public schools. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade, but when he had mastered the business he turned his attention to agricul- tural pursuits, and in addition to the operation
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of his farm he has a grist and cider mill, supply- ing the custom trade with the products thereof. His cider mill is equipped with one of the best improved hydraulic processes, and Mr. Wentz is regarded not only as a capable farmer, but also as a good mechanic and one whose business abil- ity is widely recognized. He has served as coun- cilman of Parryville for two terms, and is now discharging the duties of a third term. He has also been supervisor for two years.
Charles W. Wentz was married January 5, 1881, to Miss Amanda Rehrig, of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of three children : Warren, born in 1881 ; William D., in 1883; and Charles W., in 1885. The mother died January 5, 1886, and on the 15th of July, 1893, Mr. Wentz was joined in wedlock to Mrs. Emma Wentz, the widow of James A. L. Wentz, and a sister of his first wife. She was born April 2, 1862, and by her first marriage she had a daughter, Ida M., born November 1, 1885. By the present marriage there are five children : Granville S., born October 4, 1894; Mary A., born in 1895; John D., born May 31, 1898, and now deceased; Carrie E., born February 17, 1900; and Ellen S., born April 3, 1902.
JACOB BEGEL, who carries on general farming in Franklin township, Carbon county, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, December 8, 1844, and is a son of Adam and Christiana Begel. The father was born in Germany, December 21, 1821, while his wife was born in 1825. In 1854 the father crossed the Atlantic to America, and after making preparations for a home for his- family he was joined the following year by his wife and son Jacob, who is their only child. He was a carpenter by trade, and also devoted con- siderable attention to agricultural pursuits, and for some time followed boating on the canal. His death occurred in 1892 and he is still sur- vived by his widow.
Jacob Begel spent the first nine years of his- life in his native land, and then accompanied his- mother on her emigration to the United States. They sailed in 1855 and joined the husband and father in Pennsylvania, locating in Montgomery
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county, where the family remained for three years. They then removed to Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Begel learned the trade of cigar-making. In 1861 they came to Franklin township, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, where Jacob Begel and his mother have since resided. He has had various business experiences and connections. For five years he was engaged in boating on the canal, and for twelve years was employed in the Lehigh Valley Railroad Com- pany as a brakeman. At the end of that time he was promoted to the position of conductor and acted in that capacity until 1875. In 1873 he purchased a small farm, and after he left the road in 1875 he turned his attention to the dairy business, establishing a milk route in Mauch Chunk. Two years later he sold his first farm, and in 1877 purchased his present place, consti- tuting sixty acres, covering one-half of the old Maria Furnace property. He continued as a milk dealer for twenty-five years, and now gives his attention to general farming. He has been hon- ored with a number of township offices, and has proven himself a worthy citizen of his adopted country.
In 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Woolbert, a daughter of Barnet and Eva Woolbert. Her death occurred in Tanners- ville, Monroe county, Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Begel have been born six children: William, who is a conductor on the Lehigh Valley Railroad; Araminta; Augus- tus, a conductor in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad ; Adam, who follows carpenter- ing; George B., who is connected with mercan- tile circles ; and Winfield Scott, who is agent for a sewing machine company.
HON. THOMAS D. DANNER, a leading member of the Northampton county bar and a member of the senate of Pennsylvania, is widely recognized for his ability in his profession and his activity and earnestness in the advocacy of those principles and policies which he holds as essential to the best citizenship and public service.
He comes from an ancestry which for several generations has been honorably associated with
the history of the commonwealth. His family was planted by three brothers-Michael, Byron and Melchoir Danner,-who came from Germany about the middle of the seventeenth century, set- tling at Reading, Pennsylvania, whence they re- moved to Moore township, Northampton county. There they passed the remainder of their days as industrious farmers and irreproachable citizens, rearing families from whom have descended all of their name in Northampton and contiguous counties.
Bernhardt Danner, great-grandfather of Hon. Thomas D. Danner, was born in Moore township, Northampton county, and there passed his life: He was a farmer and blacksmith, and accumu- lated considerable property. He possessed more than ordinary education and intelligence, and was a revered member of the Reformed church. His wife was Hannah Lay, who bore him several children, a number of whom died in early child- hood.
Daniel, son of Bernhardt Danner, was born at the family home, January 16, 1805. He followed the same occupations as did the father, and inher- ited the paternal traits in marked degree. He married Catherine Laubach, a native of Allen township, and to them were born a family of five children: John Adam, to be further mentioned ; Lydia, who became the wife of Frank Bartholo- mew ; Sarah Ann, who became the wife of Aaron Danner, and two children who died in infancy. The father of this family died March 30, 1887, and he and his wife repose side by side in the Old Stone Church Cemetery in Lehigh township.
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