USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 13
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In the tax list of 1675 to raise money for the sup- port of the ferry at Windsor, he is mentioned as having "family, horse and four oxen." He mar- ried, October 28, 1658, (or 1657) Dorcas, born in 1638, daughter of Henry Burt, of Springfield, Massachusetts. Stiles, the historian, relates a tradition that her mother before she came from England, was laid out for dead, and put into her coffin. At the funeral, signs of life appeared, and she recovered and came to New England, set- tling in Springfield, Massachusetts; she was the mother of nineteen children, among whom was Dorcas. John Stiles (2) died at Windsor, Con- necticut, December 8, 1683, aged about fifty years. He was the father of five children.
Ephraim (3) was fourth child and second son of John (2) and Dorcas (Burt) Stiles. The date of his birth is unknown, and he died about 1755. aged eighty-five years. He married, August 2. 1694, Abigail Neal, of Westfield, Massachusettts, where he settled. They were the parents of five- children. Of this generation the family histor- ian says: "Here ends the third generation, con- sisting of 123 souls-61 males, 62 females, of
which number 29, or nearly one-fourth, died in infancy. The third generation is four times the number of the second. Of this generation by 1764 are 53 marriages already, of which only one- barren, 7 dead, 7 done bearing, leaving 37 bear- ing families in 1764."
Isaac (4): second child and eldest son of Ephraim (3) and Abigail (Neal) Stiles, was born in Westfield, Massachusettts, October 6, 1696, and died October 4, (or 9) 1790, aged ninety-four years. He married a cousin, Mary Brooks, their- intentions of marriage having been published No- vember 12, 1720, and the ceremony was per- formed by John Ashley, justice of the peace, De- cember 22 following. She died October 21, 1734. and he married (second) Deborah Harmon, of Suffield, Connecticut, in May, 1757. He had seven children, all of his first wife.
Daniel (5) sixth child of Isaac (4) and Mary (Brooks) Stiles, was born in Westfield, January 20, 1732-3. He was the second of his parents": children to bear the name of Daniel, the first, Daniel born October 17, 1729, dying October 12,
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1731. He died in service during the French war. He married Amy Hillyer, of Simsbury, Connecti- cut, about May II, 1754. They were the parents of five children.
Daniel (6), second child and eldest son of Dan- iel (5) and Amy (Hillyer) Stiles, was born in Westfield, January 15, 1757, and is said to have died in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, date un- known. He married (first) Sarah, daughter of Daniel Rogers, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and (second) Charity Lucas, of Sussex, New Jersey. He was the father of nine children.
Lewis (7) eldest child of Daniel (6) and Sarah (Rogers) Stiles, was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, in 1789, and died at the age of fifty-six years, in Town Hill, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer. March 21, 18II, he married Sarah, daughter of John Dod- son, who died in 1875, long surviving her hus- band. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom nine were sons.
John Dodson Stiles (8), seventh child of Lewis and Sarah (Dodson) Stiles, was born in Town Hill, Luzerne county, Fennsylvania, January 15, 1823. He became one of the most prominent men of his day, and lived a life of great usefulness in state and national as well as in community affairs. He acquired a liberal academical education, after- wards studied law, and was admitted to the bar at Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1844, shortly after attaining his majority and on Sep- tember the 5th of the same year he was admitted to the bar at Allentown, in which city he took up his residence, and with which he was prominently identified thenceforth throughout his life. He be- came a leading practitioner and throughout his life conducted an extensive and lucrative prac- tice. His entrance upon public life dates from 1853, when he was elected district attorney for Lehigh county, to which he was elected without any opposition, and in which position he served for three years, acquitting himself most credit- ably. He was a Democrat in politics, and in 1856 was chosen a delegate to the national convention which nominated for the presidency James Bu- chanan, whom he aided largely in obtaining his nomination, and whom he held in honor as a
statesman and in affection as a friend. In that memorable contest the organization of the party was attributable to the young men of Pennsylva- nia, prominent among whom was Mr. Stiles. In his county Mr. Buchanan received a larger in- creased majority than in any other county in Pennsylvania. Mr. Stiles never asked and never received an appointment to office, federal or state.
In 1860 Thomas B. Cooper, Democrat, an intimate friend of Mr. Stiles, was elected to con- gress from the fifth district of Pennsylvania, com- posed of the counties of Lehigh and Bucks, by a majority of one hundred votes, Mr. Cooper er tered upon his duties, but in the beginning of the second session of the thirty-seventh congress, died, and Governor Curtin, fearing that a Demo- crat might be elected, delayed his proclamation for a special election for an unreasonable length of time, but finally ordered an election for the 24th day of May, 1862. Mr. Stiles with great unanimity received the Democratic nomination but a single week before the election. Congress was then in session, and the outbreak of the war caused the election to be one of the most exciting that ever took place in the state. The district had been represented by a radical in the preceding congress, and was considered a doubtful one. Mr. Stiles was elected by. 585 majority, a greater ma- jority than had been given for any Democrat for years. He assumed his seat in the thirty-seventh congress on the 3d day of June, 1862, and at once took an active part in its proceedings. In that body he served upon the committees on expendi- tures in the State Department, and on revolu- tionary claims.
By the apportionment of the state in 1862, his congressional district was changed, Montgomery county having been annexed to Lehigh, and Bucks county with Philadelphia. In the new district of Lehigh and Montgomery, Mr. Stiles was by unan- imous consent placed in nomination for re-elec- tion. The radicals made vigorous efforts to defeat him. His record in congress on the war was made the cause of bitterness, and he was more stren- uously opposed because of his position on the first tax bill, against which he spoke and voted in the thirty-seventh congress. His opponent, Judge
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HISTORIC HOMES . AND INSTITUTIONS.
Krause, who shortly before deserted the Demo- cratic party, was a man of large popularity, and of great ability. He was denominated a "war Democrat" and hoped to receive a sufficient sup- port from the democracy to carry the district. Mr. Stiles received a most flattering endorse- ment, carrying his district against fierce personal opposition by a majority of 3224.
In 1864 Mr. Stiles was not a candidate for re- nomination. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention in 1864 which nominated General McClellan, whom he supported. He took an active part in the ensuing campaign. In 1866 he was a delegate, appointed by the Democratic state central committee to the National Union convention, which assembled in Philadelphia. In the Democratic state convention of 1866 Mr. Stiles though not a candidate, received the vote of his own and several other counties for gov- ernor. In 1868 he was a delegate to the national convention which nominated Mr. Seymour, and in the same year, his county again being entitled to the candidate, he was unanimously placed in nomination, and was elected to the forty-first congress by a majority of 2679. During his en- tire service in congress, Mr. Stiles was favored with prominent positions on the committees of the house. He took an active part in the proceed- ings of the house, no man was more active and determined in the position of the land grant sub- sidies and his course in congress was unanimously approved in his district upon all the great ques- tions which agitated the country during his three terms of service.
Mr. Stiles married, June 11, 1849, Mary Amanda, daughter of John S. and Sarah A. Gib- ons, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, who was born December II, 1826, and died January 23, 1880. The following named children were born of this marriage : 1. John Lewis, born March 17, 1853. 2. Harry Gibons, born December 16, 1856. 3. Mary Amanda, born September 3, 1859. 4. Clar- ence Herman, twin with Mary Amanda. 5. Charles Frederick, born June 20, 1862. 6. Blanche G., born November 20, 1865.
HARRY GIBONS STILES, (9) second -child and second son of Hon. John D_ (8) and Mary A. (Gibons) Stiles, was afforded excellent educational advantages. He began his studies in ·the public schools of Allentown and was gradu- ated from the high school July 30, 1874, at the age of seventeen years. For two years thereafter he pursued special branches in Muhlenberg Col- lege, and then entered the Law School of Harvard University, from which he was graduated in 1878, shortly after attaining his majority. He was also favored with instruction by his father in his pro- fessional studies, and on April 14, 1879, he was admitted to practice at the bar of Allentown, and shortly afterward became associated with the parent in the well known law firm of John D. Stiles & Son. In 1884 he was nominated as a presidential elector, and was the youngest man ever placed on that ticket for that position. In 1889 he was elected district attorney for a term of three years, and acquitted himself with great ability. On the expiration of his term he re- sumed his law practice, and has since conducted a large and lucrative practice, having for l clientele many of the most extensive firms and corporations in the Lehigh Valley, and is rr garded as one of the most thoroughly equipped lawyers at one of the most important bars in the state, conspicuously careful in the preparation of his cases, and logical in their presentation, while his fluency of speech and intense earnestness give him a strong vantage before a jury. A Demo- crat in politics, he has frequently been a dele- gate in state and county conventions, and a force- ful speaker before the public in political cam- paigns. In 1894 he was elected to the state sen- ate on the Democratic ticket. In that year the Republican party had phenomenal victories all over the country, and in Lehigh county every Democrat on the ticket was defeated except Mr. Stiles. In 1898 he was re-elected by the handsome majority of two thousand votes.
Mr. Stiles' father, John D. Stiles, represented his party in the Thirty-seventh, Thirty-eighth anr1 Forty-first congresses of the United States. He
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was a distinguished lawyer and practiced at the Lehigh county bar nearly half a century, and wa one of the best known men in Pennsylvania. Mr. Stiles' maternal grandfather, John S. Gibons, was a member of the Pennsylvania senate in the first half of the nineteenth century.
On the 27th of September, 1889, Mr. Stiles married Miss Annie Yheulon, of Allentown, a daughter of Joseph and Caroline Yheulon, weli known people of this city, where they have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Stiles always gave close, careful and intelligent attention to his public duties. The greater part of his time and attention, however, is devoted to the legal practice, and in the prosecution of his chosen profession he has met with most excellent success.
DR. J. C. KELLER, a physician and surgeon of Wind Gap, is a representative of one of the old families of Lehigh Valley, of German origin, the first American ancestors of Dr. Keller having settled at Delebole, Northampton county. The ancestral history may be found in connection with the sketch of Dr. David H. Keller on another page of this work.
Dr. J. C. Keller was born at Bellevue, Huron county, Ohio, December 26, 1864, and is a son of the Rev. Eli and Emma Keller. His father was a minister of the German Reformed church, serving as pastor of a congregation at Bellevue, Ohio, for eleven years, where he preached with great acceptance to the people. Subsequently he was called to the pastorate of Zionsville Re- formed church in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He has now given up regular pastoral work, but each Sunday occupies a pulpit, his services being in constant demand to fill vacancies throughout Lehigh and adjoining counties. Although he has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he yet displays the vigor of a man of much younger years, and is a factor for good in the various communities in which he labors.
Dr. Keller spent the first nine years of his life in Ohio, since which time he has made his home in Pennsylvania. His education, which was begun in the former state, was continued in
the latter, being largely acquired in Perkiomen Seminary, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. On taking up the study of medicine he became a student in what was then known as the Columbus Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, but which in 1893 was merged into the Starling Medical College. He pursued his studies with much dili- gence and was graduated in 1886, winning his degree in that year. Soon after he located in Bangor, Pennsylvania, where he remained for a short time as assistant to his brother, Dr. David H. Keller. Believing that there was a good busi- ness opening at Wind Gap, in 1886 he removed to this place, and has since been a resident here. He is a close and earnest student of his profession, continually reading along lines that add to his general knowledge of medicine and surgery, and therefore promote his efficiency in the line of his calling. He possesses a laudable ambition, and has gradually worked his way upward until he occupies a foremost place in the ranks of the medical fraternity in his county. His practice is now large and his business profitable, and he enjoys the high esteem not only of the public but also of his professional brethren as well. He fills the office of local examiner for several in- surance companies, including the New York Life, the Mutual and the Pennsylvania Mutual.
Dr. Keller is a member of the Northampton County Medical Society, of which he is now serv- ing as president. He also belongs to the Lehigh Valley Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Fra- ternally Dr. Keller is a member of Pen Argyle Lodge, No. 574, F. and A. M., and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. In matters of citizenship he is public spirited and progressive, and he gives a loyal support to the Republican party, be- lieving firmly in its principles. On this ticket he was elected chief burgess in the borough of Wind Gap, and discharged his duties in a manner that reflected credit upon himself and gave entire sat- isfaction to his constituents.
Dr. Keller was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Leibert, a daughter of George Leibert of Wind Gap. Their beautiful home in this place is justly celebrated for its gracious hospitality.
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
WILLIAM F. KOEHLER is a resident of Fullerton, and a descendant of an old family of Northampton county, whose ancestors came from Germany at an early epoch in the development of the Lehigh Valley. The great-grandfather was extensively engaged in farming, making his home in Hanover township. He reared a large family, and one of his sons was John Koehler, the grand- father of William F. Koehler. He was born in 1777, and died September 22, 1857. A practical farmer, he owned and operated a large tract of land and found in his agricultural activity an ex- cellent source of revenue. He married Elizabeth Bial, who was born in 1778 and died October 16, 1867. Their children were Peter, Samuel, Con- rad, Sally, Elizabeth, Julian and Susan, all of whom are now deceased.
Samuel Koehler, father of William F. Koeh- ler, was born in Hanover township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and after his mar- riage removed to Hanover township, Lehigh county, where he purchased a farm of one hun- dred and seven acres. This he placed under a high state of cultivation, becoming one of the suc- cessful agriculturists of his community. In mat- ters of citizenship he was progressive and public- spirited, and among his friends and neighbors was held in the highest regard. He married Miss Lucy Beiry, and his death occurred in 1892, while Mrs. Koehler passed away in 1875. Their children were Uriah S .; Samuel J .; Theodore J .; William F .; Monroe E .; Sarah A. and Kittie, both deceased ; Amanda ; and Almina.
William F. Koehler was born in Hanover township, Lehigh county, December 9, 1852, and was there reared and educated, being prepared for the duties of life by liberal instruction in public schools. The occupation to which he was reared he decided to make his life work, and some years after his marriage he removed from Han- over to Whitehall township, where he purchased a farm on which he made his home until 1882. In that year he sold the property and took up his abode in Fullerton, where he now owns and oc- cupies a small farm. His entire life has been de- voted to agricultural pursuits, and his capable management and enterprise have resulted in mak-
ing his a successful career. In community affairs Mr. Koehler has also been prominent, and has aided in molding the public policy of his town- ship. He served as commissioner from his town- ship, and has been and now is a director of the Fairview cemetery of Catasauqua. Like others of the family he has strong faith in the doctrines of the Lutheran church, and in the church or- ganization in which he holds membership he has filled every office, and is now acting as elder. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy.
On the 14th of May, 1878, William F. Koeh- ler was married to Miss Rose E. Miller, a repre- sentative of one of the old families of the Lehigh Valley. Her great-grandfather, Adam Miller, emigrated from his native land, Germany, to America in the year 1733, and lived to be ninety- two years of age. His wife was also a native of Germany, and one child was born to them in that country. He was married three times. One of his sons by the second marriage was William Miller, who wedded Maria Paul, and they became the parents of nine children, three sons and six daughters, and made their home in what is now Catasauqua. Their son, Joshua Miller, was the father of Mrs. Koehler. He married Sarah Steckel, and they had four children : Amanda M., now deceased; Robert A., and Rose E., and James E. S. Miller. To Mr. and Mrs. Koehler were born two sons: Amos J., who is now de- ceased ; and Victor R. Koehler, who is living with his parents in Fullerton. ·
GUSTAV ADOLPH HEMM is the young- est member of the bar of Carbon county, being at this writing (in 1903) but twenty-three years of age. He is a young man with bright prospects because of his strong mentality, his laudable am- bition, and his firm determination to win success. He was born in Mauch Chunk, and at the usual age entered the public schools, where he mastered the common branches of English learning. He afterward became a student in East Strouds- burg State Normal School, and when his educa- tion was completed he entered the employ of the Central Railroad Company of New Jersey. Later he engaged in teaching school, being thus em-
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ployed for two years. He took up the study of law under Laird H. Barber, and was admitted to practice in Carbon county in 1901. He is a gen- tleman of excellent intellectual endowments, pos- sessing good gifts of oratory, and in the pre- paration of his cases he displays much care as well as legal ability. He is also the proprietor of the cafe at Flagstaff, and the one at Switch- back.
Mr. Hemm is identified with the Republican party in his political affiliations, and has held the office of borough auditor. In February, 1903, he was elected mayor of his town, and is now filling the office at the present writing, being the youngest mayor in the entire state. His election is certainly an indication of the confidence re- posed in him by his fellow townsmen, as well as of his superior ability. Mr. Hemm is a member of the Mohican Club, and his personal character- istics, his genial manner, kindly disposition and deference for the opinion of others have made him popular with a large circle of friends.
In 1903 he was married to Katherine Weys- ser, a daughter of J. R. G. Weysser, a brewer of Mauch Chunk.
GEORGE I. EVERITT, who was well known in connection with bridge construction in Pennsylvania, and who for a number of years was accounted one of the reliable and highly re- spected citizens of Allentown, his death causing uniform regret throughout this city, was born in Belvidere, Pennsylvania and was one of a family of four children, two sons and two daugh- ters, born unto John A. and Sabia (Ink) Everitt. I. Elizha Everitt, the eldest child, married Eliza- beth Taylor, and had three children-Emma, Charles and George. 2. George, who is the sub- ject of this sketch. 3. Elizabeth Everitt, mar- ried Samuel Dankle, and had five children- Elisha, Dora, Alberta, George and John. 4. Massie, married John Horn, and they had four children-Katie, Floyd, Edith and Mamie.
George Ink Everitt pursued his education in the public schools of Clinton, Pennsylvania, and when not engaged with the duties of the school- room gave the father the benefit of his services
in the operation of the home farm until he was fourteen years of age, when he started out to learn the bridgebuilding trade, mastering the business, and making it his life work. Experi- ence and close application brought him skill and superior efficiency, and for many years he oc- cupied the responsible position of superintendent of the construction department of the Lathrop Bridge Company of Trenton, New Jersey. In this connection he built many of the large bridges across the rivers in New England, and also many which span the streams of Pennsylvania. The old bridge across the Lehigh river was one of his construction. He made a specialty of draw- bridges, and there were none better than those builded under his direction. In1 1878 he went to Arkansas on a business trip, and was there taken ill and died. His illness was of brief duration, and his remains were brought back to Allentown and interred in the family lot in the Allentown cemetery.
Mr. Everitt was married to Miss Catherine Keiper, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Bow- man) Keiper, and a granddaughter of John D. and Margaret (Newhard) Bowman. She was the second in order of birth in a family of six children. Celinda, the eldest, married Daniel Stettler, by whom she had three children, Eugene, Ella, and Frank. After the death of her first husband, Celinda married Charles Bitterling, and they have three children-Hattie, John and Eva. Annie Keiper became the wife of Walter Seip, by whom she had one son, George. Her second husband was Joseph Hunter, and they had one child, Robert. Clara married William Deshler. Emma and Ella Keiper are deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. George I. Everitt were born four children : Sally, died aged six years ; John, who died at the age of twenty-five years; Annie Z., at home with her mother ; and Jessie, wife of John K. Good, by whom she has one son, Everitt.
Mr. Everitt was recognized in his home com- munity as a most stanch and inflexible adherent of the Republican party, having firm faith in its principles, and giving helpful support to the work of the party, yet the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him, his time being
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
fully occupied by his business duties. He be- longed to no lodge or church, but attended services of the Methodist denomination. His leisure hours were given to his family, and his devotion to the welfare and happiness of his wife and children was one of his strong characteristics.
HENRY H. DENT, the president of the Dent Hardware Company, is a native of Eng- land. He was born in 1861, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Hewitt) Dent, who were also natives of England. In 1866 the parents emigrated to the United States with their family, locating in New- ark, New Jersey, where the father carried on business as an architetct and builder. Unto him and his wife were born thirteen children, eight of whom are still living, namely : Mary, Emma, Elizabeth, Sarah, Julia, Nellie, Henry H. and Edwin.
Henry H. Dent completed his education by graduation in the high school of Newark, New Jersey. In his youth he occupied various cleri- cal positions, acting as bookkeeper and in other capacities, and in 1889 he removed to Allentown, where he again accepted a position as bookkeeper. In 1894 he became superintendent of the Allen- town Hardware Company, and the following year on the incorporation of the Dent Hardware Company was chosen president, and has since acted in this capacity, bringing to bear his keen discrimination and unfaltering energy in the suc- cessful conduct of what has become one of the leading productive industries of Allentown.
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