USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 30
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Mrs. Rosina Schall was educated in the Mora- vian Seminary in Bethlehem, and was gradu- ated with the class of 1841. At the time of her death she was the only living alumnus of that
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year, and she regularly attended the annual meet- ings of the college. She was a very benevolent and charitable lady, and a number of families were dependent upon her bounty, which was most generously bestowed. In the church she was long an earnest and devoted worker, and her Christian faith was the permeating influence of her life. She died August 10, 1904.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schall four children were born. Mary C., the eldest, became the wife of Constantine J. Erdman and had two children : Max, who married Clara Biery ; and Constantine. Rosina, their second child, married Tilghman H. Diehl and had four children: Edward S., who married Mary Snyder and has a son, Henry ; John Fogel, who married Jennie Troxell, and has one child, Francis ; Samuel J. D., who mar- ried Minnie Knauss ; and Carrie. Charles David, the third child of John R. and Rosina Schall, married Minnie Nonnemacher and has three chil- dren, Helen, Nancy and John Rupp. Harry B., the fourth, married Jennie Blank.
HENRY BUZZARD, actively and promi- nently identified with the agricultural interests of Washington township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, is a worthy representative of an- cestors of German extraction who emigrated to Bucks county, Pennsylvania, early in the eigh- teenth century, and from thence to Northampton county early in the nineteenth century.
The earliest ancestor of the Buzzard family of whom there is any authentic record was John Buzzard, great-grandfather of Henry Buzzard, who was an influential citizen and land-owner, and a close neighbor of the Rutt family, who resided west of him. He was a successful farmer and conducted general operations on a five hun- dred acre farm which was cultivated and im- proved to a high state of perfection. John Buz- zard and his wife, whose maiden name was Eliza- beth Berkey, were the parents of seven children -Mrs. Lockard, Mrs. Reimer, Garrett, George, Harmon, Jacob and Mrs. Shaum.
Garrett Buzzard, grandfather of Henry Buz- zard, was a resident of Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, to which vicinity he removed with his
parents when a young boy. He made good use of the opportunities for a practical education which were offered him in the common schools of the neighborhood, became well informed in the various branches of study, and in due course of time became an efficient and capable teacher. Later he turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits, being the owner of a farm consisting of about one hundred acres of rich and fertile land, and this occupation proved a lucrative means of livelihood for the remainder of his days. Being a man of superior intelligence and education for those early days, he was recognized as a leader in the community, and exerted a powerful influ- ence for good among his fellow citizens. He was a consistent member and faithful worker in the Mennonite church, and contributed liberally toward its support. He married Susan Landis, who bore him five children, three of whom at- tained years of maturity, namely. Joseph, Jesse and Jonas Buzzard.
Jonas Buzzard, father of Henry Buzzard, was born in Washington township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1834. Here he was reared, acquired a common school edu- cation, and spent his business career, which was devoted to the cultivation and tilling of the soil. He was united in marriage, August 25, 1855, to Sarah A. Beck, who was a native of the same township, her birth having occurred July 28, 1831. To this union were born the following named children : Susanna, born March 5, 1856, deceased; Emma, born October 7, 1857 ; Henry, born December 5, 1859; William, born June 9, 1862; Margaret, a twin with William ; Franklin, born December 15, 1864; Mary E. and Sarah E., twins, born July 31, 1866; Alice, born Febru- ary 15, 1869, deceased ; Ellen, born September 25, 1870, deceased ; and Catherine, born June 23, 1873, deceased. Jonas Buzzard, father of these children, died in 1882: his wife passed away in the year 1902. They were both active and hon- ored members in the Lutheran church, Mr. Buz- zard serving in the capacity of deacon and elder for many years.
Henry Buzzard, eldest son of Jonas and Sarah A. Buzzard, was born in Washington township,
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Northampton county, Pennsylvania, December 5, 1859. He pursued his studies in his native township, and upon the completion of his educa- tion his tastes and inclinations led him to adopt farming as a vocation. He has followed that line of industry from that date to the present time (1903), has been successful in his operations, and now owns and cultivates fifty-six acres of valuable farming ground located a short distance out of the borough of Bangor, Pennsylvania. Mr. Buzzard is energetic and enterprising, alive to the best interests of the community, and has gained the esteem of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. He served as a member of the school board of the township for nine years, and during his tenure of office was earnest in advocating a more liberal education and better schoolhouses.
In 1883 Mr. Buzzard married Elizabeth Kline, who was born January 18, 1864, a daugh- ter of Henry and Eleanor Kline, and the follow- ing named children were the issue of this union : Alvin C., born October 2, 1883, died February 16, 1885; Laura M., born September 27, 1887; Arthur H., born July 11, 1889; and Floyd V., born April 27, 1891. Mr. Buzzard and his fam- ily hold membership in the Lutheran church of Flicksville, Pennsylvania in which he is a mem- ber of the board of deacons. Mrs. Buzzard is a member of the Stone church.
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HUGH EDWARD CRILLY, connected with one of the great constuctive industries of the Lehigh Valley, is designated as one of the fore- most citizens of Allentown. He has developed a business of considerable magnitude, and his labors have been of a character that have con- tributed not only to individual prosperity but also to the improvement of the state.
He was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and is a son of the late James Crilly, who came to America with his family during the early boy- hood of Hugh Edward Crilly. The latter at- tended the public schools of Catasauqua and Al- lentown, and when ten years of age began earn- ing his own living as an employee in the Crane Iron Works at Catasauqua, his duties being in
connection with the operation of the blast furn- aces. He remained in that employ for some time, after which he came to Allentown, and for a number of years was in the service of the Allen- town Rolling Mill Company. His fidelity and close application to the tasks intrusted to him won him a ready recognition which resulted in promotion, and he found in each forward step a wider business outlook and still greater oppor- tunity for advancement. He thoroughly mas- tered every task assigned him, gaining the broad and comprehensive practical knowledge which has been an important element in his success along other mechanical constructive lines. When he severed his connection with the Allentown Rolling Mill Company, he left the iron business and entered upon an independent career as a con- tractor and builder, and has taken and executed the contracts for nearly all of the public works of Allentown. His principal contracts have been for the building of bridges and steam roads, and some of the most difficult and perilous work of this character in the county has been successfully executed by him. In 1891 he built the first trolley road of Allentown, and he has also constructed twenty-two miles of electric railway line for the Industrial Improvement Company of Boston. The Allentown road was afterward paralleled by the Johnson line, and subsequently they were merged into one, becoming the property of the Lehigh Valley Traction Company. The road is one hundred and twenty miles in length, and of this Mr. Crilly built all but twelve miles.
Mr. Crilly has long manifested a deep inter- est in the welfare of Allentown and its upbuild- ing, and this has taken tangible form in active co-operation in movements that have promoted the general good, or in original and unassisted labor for the substantial improvement of the city. In 1902 he built one of the best hotels in the county, known as the Bellevue. It was erected without regard to expense, and is superior to many of the most modern hotel properties of the larger cities. Municipal affairs have elicited his earnest attention and, strongly opposed to any- thing like misrule in public affairs, he has put forth effective effort to secure in his city munici-
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Hugh & Grilly
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pal administration that favors reform, progress and substantial development. Upon his party ticket, the Democratic, he was nominated in 1902 as candidate for mayor, but was defeated by a small majority.
Mr. Crilly was married to Miss Mary M. Cannon, and they have one son, Hugh E. Crilly, Jr. In their religious views, Mr. Crilly and his family are devoted Catholics. In his career, Mr. Crilly has been concerned with questions of both poverty and property. It was amid unfavoring surroundings and circumstances that he entered business life, but the limited condition of his fin- ances proved a stimulus to his energy and am- bition, rather than an obstacle to his career, and, utilizing the opportunity which surrounds every American youth, he has proved to his life record the force of industry and strong determination as potent elements in the acquirement of success.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS FOX, the owner of a farm in Bethlehem township, Northampton county, traces his ancestry back to John Conrad Fox or Fuchs, who was the first of the name in this country. He had a son, John Philip Fox, the father of Feter Fox. The last named had a son John, who was born March 22, 1796, and became the grandfather of John Quincy Adams Fox. John Fox was united in marriage to Elizabeth Schleppy, and they became the parents of four children : Peter, Julia Ann, Isaac and Samuel. The daughter became the wife of Conrad Koeh- ler and had four children, as follows : Emeline, married Charles Rockel, and had two children- Sarah, wife of George A. Kleppinger, and an- other ; Maria, married John Ernst and had a daughter, Emma, who is now the wife of Irvin Knecht, by whom she has two children, Ruth and Paul; Sarah is deceased ; Milton married Sarah Lerch, and has two children, Clinton and Pres- ton. Isaac, the third child of John and Elizabeth (Schleppy) Fox, married Eilzabeth DeWald, and had four children : Samuel A., who married Lucy Yeager, and had four children-Annie E., Laura, deceased, Arthur S. and Clara ; Maria, the wife of Henry Strauss; Amanda, the wife of Zeno Wack, by whom she has two children-
Lizzie and Laura; and John W., who married Elnora Buss. Samuel, the youngest child of John and Elizabeth (Schleppy) Fox, was born February 27, 1825, and married Diana Brinker.
Peter Fox, the eldest son of John and Eliza- beth (Schleppy) Fox, was educated in the public schools and afterward engaged in teaching with good success for seven terms in the winter sea- sons, and through the summer months worked upon the home farm. He then started in busi- ness for himself, engaging in general farming upon a tract of land of seventy-five acres. At one time he served as a member of the board of school directors, and he was a member of the Hecktown Lutheran church, while his political allegiance was given to the Republican party. He married Sarah Engler, a daughter of John George and Maria (Reiswig) Engler. To Peter and Sarah Fox were born three children : Rich- ard Harrison, who died at the age of seven years ; John Q. A., of this review; and Anna Eliza Elizabeth, who married George Laubach and had six children-Sarah, Hiram U., Etna, since dead; Asher P., Celesta and Granville.
John Quincy Adams Fox was a student in the public schools in his boyhood days, and through the summer months he assisted his father upon the old homestead until he was enabled to begin life on his own account. He has since devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, and his home is now in Bethlehem township, where he is cultivating about seventy-five acres of land. He served for three years as county auditor, and he gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and fraternally, is connected with Silver Crescent Council, No. 572, Junior Order United Ameri- can Mechanics ; with Goodwill Castle, No. 75, Knights of the Golden Eagle; and with the Shepherds of Bethlehem. October 29, 1870, Mr. Fox was married to Julia A. Fehr, a daughter of David and Lucy (Rau) Fehr, the former a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Von Heimer) Fehr. Four children have been born of this union ; Howard, who was born in 1872 and died in 1877 ; David P., who married Rosa Frankenfield, a daughter of R. and Edna Frankenfield, by whom
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he has three children-Warren since dead ; Claude, and Edna Julia; Morris W .; and Flor- ence M. Morris W. has since graduated in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and holds a prominent position in a well known drug store in South Bethlehem. Florence M. is still at home, and is an expert dressmaker in the employ of Lerch & Rice of Bethlehem.
JAMES O. HOLLENBACH. Among the successful business men of Lehigh county, James O. Hollenbach, of Heidelberg township, holds a prominent place. Mr. Hollenbach is, as his name denotes, the descendant of German ancestors. The family was founded in America by Feter Hollenbach, who emigrated from the Father- land and first set foot on the soil of the new world in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. He was naturally attracted to the region where so many of his countrymen had found a home, and settled in Lowhill township, Lehigh county. He was a farmer, and by his industry and thrift laid a foundation for the prosperity of those who were to come after him. He married, and among his children was a son named John, who was born on the homestead in Lowhill township and re- ceived his education in the common schools of his native place. Like his father, he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Moser, of the same township, and they were the parents of a large family.
David Hollenbach, son of John and
(Moser) Hollenbach, was born July 17, 1835, on the homestead, and was educated in the com- mon schools of his native township. He then engaged in farming, but after a short time aban- doned it in order to become the proprietor of a hotel in Washington township. When the Civil war broke out he yielded a ready response to his country's call, and in 1861 enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. As a soldier he was distinguished for gallantry, participating in many battles, and being always found in a post of dan ger. He was captured by the Confederates and endured a confinement of some months in Libby prison. He received from his captain testimonials
in regard to his bravery. Some years before his death he retired from business and moved to Allentown, where he passed the remainder . o. his life. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Veteran Legion. In politics he was a Republican, always taking a quiet but earnest interest in the affairs of the or- ganization. He married Mary Geiger, of Heidel- berg township, and the following children were born to them: Henry; James O., mentioned at length hereinafter; Richard; Wilson, who is deceased, and Benjamin. After the death of hi wife he married Lucy A. Werley, and by this marriage was the father of one child who died in infancy. The death of Mr. Hollenbach oc- curred in 1898 at his home in Allentown. He left a reputation which is cherished by his de- scendants as that of a man whose conduct throughout life was such as to command univer- sal respect. In alluding to his bravery as a sol- dier it was said by the papers of Allentown that "he was a man who faced death many times and never showed the white feather." He is survived by his widow and four of his five sons.
James O. Hollenbach, son of David and Mary (Geiger ) Hollenbach, was born October 30, 1861, at his father's hotel in Washington township, and obtained his education in the common schools of his native place. Soon after completing his course of study he went to Ohio, where for three years he was employed in farming and also in railroad work. He then returned home and after a time went to Slatington, where he was employed until 1884. In that year he settled at Saegersville, where he has since resided, and accepted a position in the general store of L. M. Holton. He subsequently purchased the store and contents, and has since conducted the busi- ness in such a manner as greatly to strengthen and increase it. Mr. Hollenbach is a recognized township leader, possessing to the fullest ex- tent the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. He is one of the county committeemen, holds the office of auditor, and has served for many years as school director. In politics, he is a strong Republican. He is a member of the Patriotic Sons of America, the Independent Order Odd
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Fellows, and the Sons of Veterans. He and his family attend the Lutheran church, in the wel- fare of which he is deeply interested.
Mr. Hollenbach marricd, in 1886, Cora, daughter of Eli Metzger, a farmer of Heidel- berg township, and they are the parents of the following children : Ida V., Albert J., Raymond, Frederick, Charles, and Paul. Mr. Hollenbach is a man who has travelled somewhat extensively, and is possessed of a large fund of general in- formation.
HENRY SCHWEITZER. Enterprise, per- severance and industry are the prominent char- acteristics in the business career of Henry Schweitzer, a representative farmer of Butz- town, Pennsylvania, who has engaged in various enterprises both in his native state and New York, in which he achieved a large degree of financial success. He was born in Bethlehem township, July 16, 1825, a son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Gangewere) Schweitzer, and grandson of Leonard Schweitzer.
Leonard Schweitzer (father) was a native of the state of Pennsylvania, obtanied a liberal edu- cation in the public schools in the neighborhood of his home, and followed the occupation of gen- eral farmer throughout the active years of his long and useful life. He was a lieutenant in the volunteer militia, and a member and elder in the Lutheran church. Leonard Schweitzer and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gangewerc, daughter of Andrew Gangewere, were the parents of two children : Catherine, who became the wife. of Josiah Jones, and two chil- dren were born of this union-William, deceased, and Morris Jones; and Henry, mentioned at length hereinafter.
The educational advantages enjoyed by Henry Schweitzer were acquired in the public schools of Bethlehem township and the private school con- ducted by E. F. Bleck in Bethlehem. The two years following the completion of his studies he served in the capacity of school teacher, from 1845 to 1847, and then for a short period of time he assisted his father with his extensive farm-
ing operations. In 1850 he entered into part- nership with Mr. Frankcnfield in the management and operation of a gencral mercantile establish- ment, which connection continucd for ten years, after which Mr. Schweitzer removed to New York and for nine years devoted his entire time and attention to the sale of producc. He then returned to his native state and located in Free- mansburg, where he has since conducted general farming operations on a farm consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land. During his entire business course Mr. Schweit- zer has borne an enviable reputation in com- mercial circles, and won the respect of all with whom he was brought into contact either in a business or social relation. For a number of years he served as a member of the town council. He is a member and elder in the Lutheran church, and his political affiliations are with the Republican party.
Mr. Schweitzer has been married twice. His first wife, whose maiden name was Gertrude Baker, a daughter of Nathan and Lucy (Queer) Baker, bore him two children-Mary A., un- married ; and Wilson H., who married Ann Rice, and they are the parents of four children-Edgar, Leonard, Hattie and William. On November 15, 1858, Mr. Schweitzer married Aranesta Straub, a daughter of Samuel and Mary ( Miller) Straub, and four children have been the issue of this union-Estelle Elizabeth, unmarried ; Samuel, un- married; Harry S., who married Mary App; and Martha, wife of Charles F. Hammond. Sam- uel Straub, father of Mrs. Schweitzer, was a son of Christian and Regina (Sandt) Straub, and her mother, Mary (Miller) Straub, was the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Harlacher) Miller.
ELIAS K. GILDNER, whose mercantile in- terests are represented by a leading shoe store of New Tripoli, Lehigh county, is a native son of this county, his birth having occurred on the old homestead farm in Lynn township on the 3Ist of October, 1851. Several generations of the fam- ily have lived in that township. Peter Gildner,
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the grandfather, was one of its early settlers and became a well known agriculturist of that com- munity. His education was acquired in the com- mon schools, and he then took up farming as a life work. He married, and among his children was Jonas Gildner, whose birth occurred in Lynn township, Lehigh county, in 1832. At the usual age he became a pupil in the public schools, and after putting aside his text books he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in connec- tion with agricultural pursuits, the dual occupa- tion yielding him a comfortable living and bring- ing to him the competence which now enables him to live retired, his home being in New Tripoli. He married Miss Mary Kessler, who was a native of Lynn township and died in 1895. They were the parents of six children : Jonas K., Mary A., Emma, Sarah A., Rose and Elias.
Elias K. Gildner, having spent several years in the acquirement of a good practical English education in the public schools, began learning the shoemaker's trade under the direction of his father, and followed that pursuit for a time, after which he opened a shoe store at New Tripoli, where he has since conducted business with good success. His study of the political questions of the day has led him to give a stalwart support to the Republican party. Socially, he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Golden Eagles, and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He belongs to the Lu- theran church and with his family attends its services.
In 1873 Mr. Gildner was united in marriage to Miss Mary Louisa Snyder, a daughter of Jonas F. Snyder, of Lynn township, and unto them have been born three daughters and two sons : Frances ; Charles ; Ellen, who is the wife of Clinton Leiby ; Laura and Edna, at home.
JOHN C. PEARSON. The family name is of German origin, and was originally spelled Bearson. Three brothers of the name emigrated to the new world, and their descendants have since become numerous in America. One brother settled in Springtown, Pennsylvania, a second in Saucon township, Northampton county, and
a third in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. The last mentioned was William Henry Bearson, who was twenty-two years of age when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. One of his sons, Philip, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and was the first of the name to come to Northampton county, his death occurring here in 1852. He was a carpenter and cabinet-maker by trade, but after following those pursuits for some time he turned his attention to farming, and purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land. He married Miss Sarah Beck, and they became the parents of ten children: Philip, George, Henry, Jacob, William, Jessie, Eliza- beth, Mary, Catherine and Malinda.
Philip Pearson, father of John C. Pearson, was born in Upper Mount Bethel township, Sep- tember 12, 1802, and died September 3, 1882, at the age of seventy-nine years and twenty-two days. He was a successful farmer who owned and operated a tract of land of one hundred and fifty acres, and his business career was char- acterized by strict and unfaltering integrity. He held friendship inviolable, and in matters of citi- zenship was always alert and progressive. With firm faith in the principles of the Reformed church, he aided largely in its work, as well as contributing generously to its support, and he filled the office of elder. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Datesman, was born in 1799, and died December 20, 1883, at the age of eighty-four years. Their children were John C., Sarah C., Maria M., Jerome and Lorenzo.
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