USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 85
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John Adam, eldest child of Daniel and Cath- erine (Laubach) Danner, was born in the ances- tral home in Moore township, in April, 1828. He was reared upon the parental farm, and was a farmer throughout his life. His education was limited to such as was afforded by the neighbor- hood schools, but he was a man of strong char- acter and excellent judgment, and prospered in his worldly concerns, at the same time enjoying the respect and confidence of the community. He was married in 1847 to Polly Graver, also a na- tive of Moore township, born in 1830, a daugh- ter of George and Maria (Krock) Graver. Born
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of this marriage were the following named chil- dren : 1. George V., born September 26, 1848. He received an academical education, after which he taught school for some years, finally taking up the trade of painter, in which he still continues. He is now serving as a magistrate. He married Mary A. Bachman, and to them have been born two children-Ellen, and Elmer Thomas Danner. 2. Thomas D., to be referred to at length herein- after. 3. Mary, who became the wife of Charles P. Smith. 4. Sarah, who became the wife of Val- entine Nagel.
Thomas Daniel, second child and son of John Adam and Folly (Graver) Danner, was born at the family home in Moore township, September 15, 1851. He spent his early years upon the parental farm and bore such part in its working as his years would warrant. He began his educa- tion in the public schools in his native village, and pursued advanced course in the Weaversville Academy and the State Normal School in Kutz- town, and to such good purpose that he for some years rendered such acceptable service as a teacher as to afford assurance that he would at- tain eminence in that calling if he should persist in it. He was, however, determined upon a legal career, and he entered the famous Law Depart- ment of the University of Michigan, at Ann Ar- bor, from which he was graduated in 1879. He was at once admitted to practice in the courts of Michigan, and was there occupied in his profes- sion for something more than ten years. In 1890 he returned to Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, was admitted to the bar, and has since that time made Easton his home and the principal field of his professional effort. Entering upon his work with enthusiasm and unflagging indus- try, he soon received signal recognition of his ability. In 1892, only two years after entering upon practice in Easton, he was chosen solicitor to the board of inspectors of the Northampton county prison, which position he held for a period of ten years. In 1898 he was elected slicitor of the city of Easton, and at the expiration of his two years term was re-elected. His personal practice meantime grew to large proportions, and he has gathered to his care the interests of as
large and important a clientele as any member of the bar of his county.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Danner has per- formed party service of the highest usefulness, and with great credit to himself. In 1900 he was elected chairman of the Democratic committee of Northampton county, and he was chosen to succeed himself in the two annual elections fol- lowing. In this position he displayed excellent powers of leadership, and in 1903 was nom- inated by his party as a candidate for the state senate, and conducted his campaign with so much enthusiasm that he defeated his Republican oppon- ent by more than two thousand votes. Mr. Dan- ner succeeded to the seat of the late Senator Kemerer, who died during the session of the leg- islature in 1901, after attending only a few meet- ings of the body to which he had been chosen. Senator Danner was at once placed upon a num- ber of the most important committees, an unusual distinction for a member in his first term-the committees on corporations, education, insurance, judiciary general, judiciary special, library, mines and mining, public printing, and railroads. While industrious in the discharge of duty con- nected with all these several bodies, Senator Danner was particularly valuable on the judiciary general committee, his deep knowledge of law and his clear judicial judgment affording him a most effective equipment in a position where real legal ability can not but be conducive to the pub- lic interest, and where lack of this quality would work incalculable injury. Throughout the ses- sion Senator Danner had charge of the formula- tion of much salutary legislation, and acquitted himself in such manner as to receive the sincere commendation of his colleagues, without respect to political considerations.
Senator Danner is a leading member of the Pomfret Club, of the Jacksonian Democratic As- sociation, and is an honorary member of the A. O. M. With his family, he is a member of the Reformed church of Easton.
He was married, in 1879, to Miss Sally A. Howell, daughter of Theodore H. Howell, of Seigfried's Bridge, Allen township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. The children born of this
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marriage were Samuel H., John H., Susie L., Mamie L., and Harriet M. Danner. Mrs. Dan- ner, a woman of lovely character, and a most de- voted wife and mother, died December 26, 1891, deeply mourned, not only in the immediate circle of relatives and friends, but in the church and community at large.
SOLOMON STERN BACHMAN, M. D. Occupying an enviable position in the ranks of the medical fraternity of Easton, Pennsylvania, is Dr. Solomon S. Bachman, a son of William and Julia Ann (Stern) Bachman, whose birth oc- curred in Riegelsville, Durham township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1836.
Solomon Bachman, grandfather of Dr. Bach- man, was a miller by trade and pursued this oc- cupation for a number of years in Hellertown, Northampton county, subsequently removing to Bucks county. He was an upright, conscientious man, and faithfully performed the duties of hus- band, father and citizen. He married Anna Atherholdt, and the issue of this union was nine children, as follows: Mary, Anna, Levina, John, Solomon, William, Samuel, Jacob, and Sarah Bachman. Mr. Bachman was formerly a mem- ber of the Mennonite church, and later held mem- bership in the Reformed church.
William Bachman, father of Dr. Bachman, was born in Durham township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the schools of that neighborhood, reared upon a farm, and resided with his parents until his marriage to Julia Ann Stern, October 8, 1834. He then set- tled on a farm near the town of Riegelsville, Bucks county, which he successfully conducted for many years, and reared a family of seven chil- dren, all of whom grew to manhood and woman- hood. Their children were: Solomon Stern, born December 28, 1836; Emeline, born July 9, 1839; William Henry, born March 14, 1840, served his country during the trying period of the Civil war ; Isaac S., born October 5, 1841 ; Owen, born September 15, 1844; Felix, born May 8, 1848, died in the service of the United States govern- ment during the Civil war: Anna Salome, born October 8, 1850. Mr. Bachman, the father of
this family, was a member of the Reformed church, a Democrat in politics, and his death oc- curred in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Solomon S. Bachman obtained his pre- liminary education at the Allentown Seminary, and this was supplemented by attendance at Muh- lenberg College, from which institution he was graduated in 1862. His first business experience was gained as a teacher in Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania, which position he retained for six or seven years. He then resolved to prepare for the practice of medicine, and to this end entered the Medical Department of the University of Ver- mont, and later matriculated in the Long Island College Hospital. In 1870 he located in Easton, Pennsylvania, opened an office for the practice of medicine and surgery, and since that date has steadily advanced until he now occupies a posi- tion of distinction equaled by few. In addition to his extensive and lucrative practice Dr. Bach- man serves as examiner for several life insurance companies, and for nine years was a physician to the coroner of Easton. He was a member of the school board for six years, four of which he also served in the capacity of chairman of that body. He is a prominent member of the North- ampton County Medical Society. In politics he is a staunch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and in religion adheres to the tenets of the Reformed church, in which organi- zation he has held membership for many years.
On September 29, 1863, Dr. Bachman married Emma Louisa Worman, daughter of Abraham Worman, of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Their children are : Edgar Daniel, Annie E., and Mor- ton W., Doctor of Dental Surgery.
GEORGE WASHINGTON COLEMAN, who resides on a well cultivated and productive farm of eighty-five acres situated between Beth- lehem and Easton, in Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, is a thoroughgoing and enterprising business man, honest and reliable in all his trans- actions, and is respected by all who come in con- tact with his either in a business or social relation. He was born in Palma township, July 27, 1845, a son of William H. and Susanna (Stauffer) Cole-
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man, grandson of Benjamin Coleman, who was twice married, his first wife having been Cathe- rine Schwartz and his second wife Mary Stecker, and a great-grandson of John Coleman, a public- spirited and prominent citizen of the state of Pennsylvania.
William H. Coleman (father) was actively identified with the various enterprises of Falma township, where he resided for many years, and in this section of the state he and his wife Su- sanna (Stauffer) Coleman, daughter of Abra- ham D. and Mary (Deemer) Stauffer, reared a family of four children, all of whom attained years of maturity and led lives of usefulness and activity. Their children are: I. George WV., men- tioned at length in the following paragraph; 2. D. L., at the present time (1903) one of the leading ministers of the city of Easton; he mar- ried Miss Brot, and they are the parents of three children; 3. Levi J., married Emma Webber ; 4. Susanna, wife of Philip Heil, one of the pros- perous farmers of Bethlehem township, and formerly a member of the state legislature; their family consists of three children: I. Elizabeth Susanna, wife of F. D. Reagan, and their chil- dren are: Philip Heil, Elizabeth Susanna, and Arthur G. Reagan ; 2. William Henry, who mar- ried Mary Bochman ; 3. Samuel Heil.
George W. Coleman acquired his rudimen- tary education in the public schools of Palma township, later was a student at the Bethlehem Academy, and subsequently completed his course of instruction in the academy at Easton. During the period of time that he was pursuing his stud- ies he assisted his father with the duties of the farm, thus becoming thoroughly proficient in that line of industry, and upon the completion of his school term he devoted his entire time and atten- tion to this occupation, remaining with his father for fifteen years. He then purchased four acres of ground on which he erected a modern and substantial house which is one of the most taste- ful and handsome homes between Bethlehem and Easton, and in addition to this he became the owner of eighty-five acres of rich and arable land which he now operates for general farming pur- poses. In 1883 Mr. Coleman entered into an-
other enterprise in connection with his agricul- tural pursuits, the sale of agricultural implements on commission for some of the most extensive houses in the country, and subsequently he estab- lished a like business on his own account, carry- ing a complete line of everything requisite for modern farming purposes. Although his busi- ness interests claim the greater portion of his time, he is not neglectful of his duties as a citi- zen and he also devotes considerable attention to matters which are calculated to advance the wel- fare of the community. Mr. Coleman has served as a member of the board of education, and also as town auditor, and during his administration the duties of both offices were discharged in a capable and efficient manner. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and his political views are strongly in favor of the principles of the Re- publican party. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.
Mr. Coleman was united in marriage to Ellen E. Edelman, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Buss) Edelman.
ISAAC O. PERSON, of South Bethlehem, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, is one of the energetic and prosperous farmers of the sec- tion. His immediate predecessors in the family line have been farmers for several generations, and he has an inborn love of country life and a prepossession for productive labor.
His grandfather, Henry Person, married Mary Reigle, and had a family of four children, as follows: Philip, who married a woman named Harwich, and had two sons ; Henry, who is men- tioned at more length in the following paragraph ; Jacob, who married Elizabeth Byle, and was tlie father of four children; Abraham, whose wife was Harriet Taylor, and whose family consisted of seven children.
Henry, second son and second child of Henry and Mary (Reigle) Person, was born about 1790. He was one of the earliest settlers of Bucks county, where for many years he was a well known citizen. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was stationed with his regiment at Mar- cus Hook, near the city of Chester. After the
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close of the war he returned to Bucks county and started a blacksmithing and wheelwright business, which he carried on for many years in connection with his farm. He was pushing and industrious, and trained his sons in his various lines of work. He held strong convictions, and was ever ready to uphold them either in argu- ment or in conduct. He was a member of the Reformed church, and belonged to the Demo- cratic party. He married Sarah Overbeck, and had a family of seven children, as follows: I. Mary Ann, who married Samuel Leith, and is the mother of one son; 2. Hannah, who married Da- vid Knecht, but who has no children; 3. Isaac, whose name appears as the heading of this article ; 4. Sarah, who married Jacob Leith and became the mother of five children; 5. Catherine, who married Isaac Koebling, and is the mother of seven children ; 6. Melinda ; 7. Emeline.
Isaac. O., third child and first son of Henry and Sarah (Overbeck) Person, was born in Bucks county in 1821. He acquired a practical educa- tion in the public schools, and early began his life work as a farmer. He has been a good manager and has made a study of scientific methods of agriculture, and his business has prospered. In 1858 he bought the farm he now occupies, then known as the old Lynn farm, which at the time comprised one hundred and thirty-five acres. He cultivated this land for many years, raising a gen- eral line of farm crops, but recently he has sold portions of it, thereby reducing the holding to forty-two acres. The farm as now operated is under the management of his oldest son.
Isaac O. Person married Elizabeth Wagoner, a daughter of Jacob and (Reinsheimer). Jacob, who was a son of John Wagoner, had a family of nine children as follows: I. Susan, who married a man named Engleman and had five children ; 2. Kate, who married John Steh- ler, and is the mother of three children ; 3. Sarah, who married Samuel Lerch, and is the mother of nine children ; 4. Mary, who married Levi Boehm and had seven children; 5. Elizabeth, who mar- ried Isaac O. Person; 6. Charles, who married Miss Steimier, and is the father of four children ; 7. John, who married Elizabeth Stewer, and is the
father of twelve children ; 8. Jacob, deceased ; 9. Abraham, deceased.
Isaac O. and Elizabeth (Wagoner) Person are the parents of four children. Milton, the oldest child, now manager of his father's farm and a member of the board of education at South Beth- lehem, married Lucinda Reigle. She is descended through her mother from the Oberly family, well known in that portion of the state since the earliest settlement. The founder of this family was Rudolph Oberly, a German settler of the early part of the eighteen century. He mar- ried Margaret Harbell, and had six children, of whom Anthony was the third child and second son. Anthony Oberly was married twice, the first wife, Rebecca Freeman, being the mother of two sons. John, the second of these sons, mar- ried a Christman, and had a family of seven chil- dren, Elizabeth being the youngest child and fifth daughter. Elizabeth Oberly married William Rei- gle, and became the mother of the following four children: Preston H., who married a Fatzinger ; Elmina, who married James Hoover and is the mother of four children; Lucinda, who became the wife of Milton Person, and has one child, Hattie Reigle; Mary, who married Morris Diehl, and is the mother of nine children.
Minerva, second child and first daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Wagoner) Person, became the wife of Titus Weaver. She is the mother of four children, namely: Irvin, who married Cora Stauffer, and has one child, Paul; Edward, who married Lizzie Ruth ; Emily, who married Stuart Reigle ; Clara.
Robert, married Emma Mease, and six chil- dren have been born: Clifford, deceased, Mabel, Carrie, Isaac, Marion, and Russell Stewart.
Mary, married C. B. Weaver and is the mother of six children, namely: Margaret, de- ceased, Harriet, George, Elizabeth, Martha, and Helen.
CHARLES EDWARD MILSON, a capital- ist with extensive and varied investments in en- terprises of Catasauqua and the Lehigh Valley, is of English lineage, a grandson of Charles and Rachel (Thomas) Milson, natives of England
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and Wales respectively. The former was born in Bristol about the year 1791, and at an early age removed to Wales, where he engaged in the butchering business. He married and spent the greater part of his life in that country. About 1869, however, he came to the United States to visit his son Daniel, with whom he remained for seven years, returning to Wales in 1876. There his death occurred in 1884. His wife was a na- tive of Bryncock, Glamorganshire, Wales, and to them were born fourteen children, of whom seven are now living: Daniel, Prudence, Elizabeth, Mary, Margaret, Ann, and Charles.
Daniel Milson, the father of Charles E. Mil- son, is the only one of the children living in Amer- ica. He was born at Neath, South Wales, Feb- ruary 28, 18-, and when a young man sailed for the new world, taking passage in 1852 upon a westward bound sailing vessel which after a voy- age of three months and three days dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. Before leav- ing his native country he had learned the boiler- maker's trade as an apprentice to his uncle, Jo- seph Thomas, serving at the Neath Abbey ship- yards in Wales. Making his way direct from New York to Philadelphia, he secured employ- ment at his trade in the shop of Merrick & Son, and later worked in the ship department of the United States navy yard at League Island for about two years. In 1854 he came to Catasauqua, where he was first employed by the Crane Iron Company, and subsequently secured work at the plant of the Thomas Iron Company, aiding in the construction of their works. In 1863 he answered the emergency call for troops to repel the invasion of the Confederate forces into Penn- sylvania, and served for two months. Not long after his military experience he went to Ohio with David Thomas, and after assisting in the building of a furnace there he returned to Cata- sauqua. In 1865 he established a boiler shop, and in addition to job work took contracts and built furnaces. He soon developed a large business, which he conducted with success for many years, but is now living retired.
Daniel Milson was married January 28, 1861,
to Miss Elizabeth Davies, of Baltimore, Mary- land, who was born in Neath, Glamorganshire, Wales, April 22, 1837. They became the parents of eleven children: I. Thomas H., born Janu- ary 8, 1862, married Angeline Lacey Johnston, the wedding ceremony being performed at Beth- lehem, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1888, by the Rev. Walter Colley. Their children are: Joseph, born May 17, 1893; and Thomas H., born April 18, 1896. 2. Charles Edward, mentioned hereinafter. 3. Annie, born September 25, 1865, was married March 12, 1901, to John W. Thomas. 4. Eliza- beth, born February 5, 1868. 5. Daniel K., born December 25, 1869, died May II, 1877. 6. Min- nie, born November 5, 1871, was married March 12, 1901, to William R. Thomas, Jr., and they have one son, Daniel M., born April 25, 1903. 7. Joseph, born June 31, 1873. 8. Daniel, born July 22, 1875. 9. Henry D., born February 7, 1878, died August 23, 1892. 10. Mabel, born November II, 1879. II. Eleanor, born Novem- ber II, 1881, was married February 5, 1902, to John Morton Fitzgerald, and they have one child, Hubert M., born August 16, 1903.
Charles Edward Milson was born at Catasau- qua, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, Au- gust 10, 1863. He acquired his early edu- cation in the public schools there, and afterward entered Lehigh University, where he completed his literary course. He then entered upon prep- aration for the medical profession as a student in the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then engaged in practice in Cata- sauqua, but after his marriage he gave up his pro- fessional work in order to devote his time to the management of his varied investments and to the control of his wife's estate. He was for a time engaged in the operation of extensive lime stone quarries in the vicinity of Catasauqua.
Charles Edward Milson was married to Ca- milla Eleanor Deily, a daughter of Francis J. and Sarahi Ann (Dech) Deily, and they had four children, but the youngest, Marie, born Septem- ber 6, 1896, died May 15, 1903. The three liv-
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ing are: Gertrude, born September 24, 1888; Helen, born July 22, 1892 ; and Ruth, born March 2, 1894.
Francis J. Deily, father of Mrs. Milson, was born at Allentown, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1824, a son of Jacob Deily, who was also a native of Allentown, and an old resident of that city. He was a farmer by occupation, achieving large financial success from his extensive operations. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was the father of nine children, only one of whom is liv- ing at the present time (1904) Mrs. Robert Yea- ger, of Allentown. Francis J. Deily ( father) resided for a number of years in Catasauqua, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a large land owner, having invested the pro- ceeds of his labor in extensive real estate pur- chases throughout the county. He resided on what was known as the Deily farm, near Cata- sauqua, and the latter years of his life were spent in retirement. He was a member of the Reform church, and a Democrat in politics. His death occurred at his home in Catasauqua, October 9, 1897. His wife is living with her daughter, Mrs. Milson, who was the only child born of the union of Francis J. and - Deily.
WILLIAM EVANS ROBERTS. Among the representative citizens and successful business men of Freemansburg is William E. Roberts, pro- prietor of the most extensive general department establishment between Bethlehem and Easton. He has been a prominent factor in commercial circles for many years, and as a result of his en- terprising business management and strict integ- rity in all transactions he has accumulated a goodly competency, and has gained an enviable reputation among his business associates. He was born in Blairstown, Indiana county, Penn- sylvania, December 6, 1855, a son of John and Sarah Ann (Hendricks) Roberts.
John Roberts (father) is a resident of Beth- lehem, Pennsylvania, where for the past few years he has led a retired life, enjoying the ease and rest which is a fitting sequel to years of activity and toil. For many years he was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the capacity of con-
tractor, worked on the portion of the road near Altoona, and assisted in the construction of many of its perilous places ; later was an employee of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and subsequently entered the service of the Northern Pennsylvania Railroad. Upon the completion of this road he received the appointment of supervisor on the division between Bethlehem and Philadelphia, and the onerous duties of this position he ful- filled faithfully and efficiently until he attained the age of seventy-two years, when he retired from an active business life. He is a man of high principles and character, well esteemed by all who have the honor of his acquaintance, and has al- ways been accounted thoroughly trustworthy and reliable in all the relations of life. Mr. Roberts married Sarah Ann Hendricks.
William E. Roberts obtained his preliminary education in the public schools adjacent to his home, and this course of instruction was sup- plemented by attendance at a private school in the town of Bethlehem which was conducted by Professor Schwartz, an eminent and noted in- structor. After the completion of his studies he located in Freemansburg, and at once entered the employ of G. and A. Bachman, who at that time conducted one of the largest general stores on the Lehigh & Susquehanna Canal, having in connection with his establishment a boat building department which was fully equipped with canal boat supplies. During his six years connection with this business Mr. Roberts served an excel- lent apprenticeship in the management of a gen- eral mercantile trade, and also as a boat manufac- turer, but at the expiration of this period of time ill health compelled him to relinquish his posi- tion. He then accepted a position as school teacher, and served in this capacity until he at- tained his majority, at which time he purchased the trade and good will of a grocery store which was formerly conducted by J. W. King. He achieved a large degree of success during the three years he was proprietor of this store, and after disposing of the business he purchased the Steckle property, which had been originally in the family of John Warg, who was the grand- father of Mrs. Roberts on the maternal side.
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