USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 32
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Professor Landis was born in Lower Saucon township, Lehigh county, February 24, 1876, ac- quired his preliminary education in the common schools near his boyhood home, and then entered the Keystone Normal School at Kutztown, Penn- sylvania, from which institution he was gradu- ated with the class of 1898. His alma mater con- ferred upon him the degree of Master of Science, in 1900, and in 1901 he there pursued a post- graduate course which eminently qualified him for the vocation of an educator. He taught for five years in Lower Saucon township, and in 1901 was called to take charge of the high school of Emaus, where his excellent work as an instruc- tor has given entire satisfaction to the school board and the general public.
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Professor Landis is a member of the Evan- gelical church, and socially, is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America.
BENNEWELL CHRISTMAN. The busi- ness interests of Macungie are well represented by Bennewell Christman, who for almost one- third of a century has been engaged in conduct- ing a wholesale busines as an ice cream manu- facturer and a dealer in oysters. His business methods have ever been such as commend him to the confidence and patronage of his fellow townsmen, and for many years he has enjoyed a gratifying patronage. He was born and reared in Macungie, and the period of his business career has been here passed. Like many of the worthy sons of Pennsylvania, he is of German lineage, the family having been founded in America by his paternal great-grandfather, who emigrated from Germany to America at an early epoch in the development of the Keystone state. John H. Christman, the grandfather, was born in Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, where his father had located, and when a young man he removed to Lehigh county. As the years passed he be- came an extensive landowner, making judicious investments in real estate. He married Maria Raeder, by whom he had eleven children, and to each he gave a large farm.
Daniel Christman, the father of Bennewell Christman, was born in Macungie township, Le- high county, in 1811. He received from his father a tract of land, and as his financial re- sources increased he added to his property until he, too, had extensive holdings. He was a man of influence, well known and highly respected. He married Susan Kerchner, whose birth oc- curred in Macungie township in 1811, and they became the parents of six children-Maria, who has passed away; Thomas W., Daniel, Sallie, Bennewell, and Henry A. Of these Thomas W. is a farmer, while Daniel and Henry A. are shoemakers.
Bennewell Christman acquired his education in the public schools of Macungie. and in early
life learned the shoemaker's trade, which he fol- lowed for a number of years, but in August, 1861, prompted by a spirit of patriotism he re- sponded to his state's call for aid, as it seemed that the rebel troops would invade Pennsylvania. He was enrolled as a private of Company K of the state militia to repel the attack of the invad- ing army, and when the emergency crisis had passed was honorably discharged. The war, however, was still in progress, and not satisfied with his former experience nor with the duty which he had rendered to the Union cause, he offered his services to the government, and on the 3d of February, 1863, became a member of Company F, First Pennsylvania Light Artillery, with which he served for three years, or until the close of the war. He was subsequently trans- ferred to Battery B of the First Regiment of Rhode Island Artillery, and participated in the engagements of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and many others of minor importance. Later he was transferred to Battery A of the same regiment, and with that command participated in the battle of Ream's Station and others. When again transferred he became a member of Battery B, First Regiment of Light Artillery, and took part in the battles of Fort Stedman, the Weldon Railroad, the siege of Petersburg, terminating in its fall, and Fort Haskell. He was very fortunate in escaping wounds and imprisonment, nor did he suffer from ill health during the service. He was honorably discharged June 9, 1865, and with a creditable record for bravery and continued loyalty returned to his home.
For thirty years Mr. Christman has been en- gaged in the manufacture of ice cream, and has enjoyed a large and ever increasing patronage, for his product is of excellent quality and thus finds favor in the market. He also carries a high grade oi oysters in seasons. In local polit- ical circles he has also figured prominently, and on his return from the war to civil life he was unanimously elected to the office of constable, the duties of which position he creditably discharged for ninteen years. He has likewise been judge of elections. Socially, he is connected with the
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Knights of Malta, the Patriotic Sons of America, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Ladies Auxiliary of that society. Religiously he and his family are connected with the Reformed church.
On the 21st of January, 1866, Mr. Christman was married to Miss Maria Hill, a daughter of Charles and Mary Hill, and they have become the parents of ten children, as follows : Mary S., Ella J., William H., Elizabeth V., John T., Jacob R., Robert B., Walter T., Florence I. and Annie M., the last named now deceased.
MAJOR MARSHALL HOWELL, of Pen Argyl, traces his ancestry back to Holland. His great-grandfather, Jonah Howell, came to Amer- ica with two brothers from the land of the dikes prior to the Revolutionary war. They were cap- tured by pirates on their voyage to the new world, but being good sailors they assisted in the work in connection with the management of the craft, and thus escaped death. Jonah Howell finally became a resident of Warren county, New Jer- sey, was married and reared a large family, his descendants in America now being very numer- ous. His son, John Howell, the grandfather of Major Howell, was a resident of Warren county, New Jersey, where he owned and operated the farm that is yet in possession of representatives of the name. He had a brother who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, valiantly aiding in the cause of independence. John Howell married Lyda Whitsell, and among their children was Abraham S. Howell, father of Major Howell, whose birth occurred on the old homestead in Warren county, New Jersey. There he followed farming, becoming well-to-do through his enter- prising efforts in business. He married Rachel West, also a native of Warren county, and to them were born eight children : Marshall, Caleb, John, William, Anna, Emma, Elizabeth and Abbie. Six of the number are yet living, but Major Howell is the only one in Pennsylvania.
Major Howell was born in Hope, Warren county, New Jersey, November 30, 1837, and was reared on his father's farm there, while his educa- tion was acquired in different schools in that lo- cality. He was connected with agricultural pur-
suits up to the time of his enlistment in the Civil war on the 3d of October, 1861. He became a private of Company H, Ninth New Jersey Vol- unteer Infantry, for three years, and in the early part of his service was promoted to the rank of corporal. He served for four years in the same company and regiment, having re-enlisted after being discharged on the 25th of November, 1863. His final discharge came on the 12th of July, 1865, after the close of the war, at which time he was holding the rank of major. He served with the First Brigade, Second Division, Eighteenth Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac, and was with his command in every engagement in which the regiment participated, numbering for- ty-seven, including Roanoke Island, Newbern, Fort Macon, Young's Crossroads, Rowell's Mill, Deep Creek, South West Creek, Kingston, White- hall, Goldsboro, Comfort Bridge, Winton, Deep Creek, Cherry Grove, Port Walthall, Proctor's Swift Creek, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, a ten- day battle; Free Bridge, Petersburg, Gardner's Bridge, Porter's Bridge, Butler's Bridge, South West Creek, Wise's Fork, Goldsboro, and many other battles and skirmishes not mentioned in this list. The regiment marched altogether seven thousand five hundred and sixty-two miles, and lost in battle two hundred and sixty-two men. At the battle of South West Creek, Major Howell had an ankle broken, and at the battle of Port Walthall received a bayonet wound and was struck on the head as he was scaling the breast- works of the enemy. He has no hospital record, for although he was injured he continued with his command, performing every duty as it fell to him whether it called him into the thickest of the fight or stationed him on the lonely picket line. He became well known as a most brave and in- trepid soldier, and his valor was often a subject of comment in the camp. More than once it was said of him "Howell leads a charmed life. There is not enough lead in the confederacy to kill him." At one time, desiring to learn if the enemy had rebuilt the railroad destroyed by Storeman's cav- alry, Corporal Howell was selected to perform the dangerous undertaking. He started from camp and in twenty-four hours returned with the
Major Marshall ? hallowell
-
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desired information. Three others were sent out with him and two of them were captured; Cor- poral Howell and his companion became separ- ated, and he then returned to camp alone. In recognition of his valuable service and bravery, he received from General B. F. Butler a gift of five hundred dollars. This is only one instance in which he displayed great daring and per- formed acts of fearlessness for the cause that was so dear to his heart. Upon his return to civil life Major Howell resumed the occupation of farming, following that pursuit until 1886, when he removed to Pen Argyl and for thirteen years was connected with the slate industry. He is now living a retired life, having through years of ac- tivity gained a very comfortable competence. He belongs to the Albert Jones Post, No. 383, G. A. R., and takes a deep and active interest in its work and in everything pertaining to the wel- fare of the old soldier.
Major Howell was married November 27, 1866, to Miss Anna M. Cassidy, a daughter of Eleazer and Martha Cassidy, of New Jersey. She was born December 15, 1842, and died June 2, 1903. Their children were: William V., born in 1869; and Leslie A., in 1873. The former is engaged in the slate business, and the latter is a conductor on the Lehigh & New England Rail- road. He married Miss Mary J. Sanders, and William V. Howell wedded Miss Harriet Broof.
ORVILLE E. GRUVER, the leading mer- chant at Cementon, where he has conducted busi- ness since 1892, was born and reared in Lehigh county, his natal day being July 7, 1868. The family is of German extraction, and his ancestors were worthy citizens of Bucks county. His father, Joseph M. Gruver, was born in that county, but removed to Lehigh county about 1864. He be- came a school teacher of considerable prominence and at one time served as justice of the peace, discharging his duties with strict fairness and impartiality. He married Miss Josephine Laury, also a native of Lehigh county, and they became the parents of six children, four of whom are living : Orville : Mrs. Ada C. Guth; Ellsworth J., and Marvin L.
In the public schools of his native county Orville E. Gruver acquired his education, and when a lad of thirteen years he entered upon a mercantile experience in the capacity of a clerk. He has since continued in this line of business, and began merchandising on his own account in 1892, since which time he has developed a large and constantly growing business which has proven a very profitable investment. He carries a well selected line of goods, and has an exten- sive and very desirable patronage. He has also been active in community interests along other lines, and has co-operated in many movements for general progress and improvement. On at- taining his majority he was elected justice of the peace of South Whitehall township, being the youngest incumbent in that office in the state. In 1901 he was chosen for the position of justice of the peace in Cementon, and is now acting in that capacity.
On the 28th of September, 1890, Mr. Gruver was united in marriage to Miss Lillie A. Jacoby, of Lehigh county, and to them have been born five children : Edwin J., Lottie M., Harry R., Hilda R. and Joyce F. The parents and children are members of the Lutheran church. The Lu- theran and the Reformed congregations worship in the same church edifice and Mr. Gruver acts as organist for both, and also holds the office of treasurer for both churches. Numbered among the progressive citizens of Cementon, he has con- tributed in a noticeable degree to the material, social and moral upbuilding of the community.
H. M. SCHELL, D. D. S., a well known and successful representative of the dental profes- sion, located at Macungie, is also classed among the representative and progressive residents of the borough, where his efforts and co-operation have done much to promote the welfare of this attractive place. He was born in Upper Milford, Pennsylvania, June IT. 1849. Several genera- tions of the family have been residents of Penn- sylvania. His paternal grandfather, George Schell, living in this state, married a Miss Schuler, and unto them were born fourteen chil- dren, eleven of whom reached years of maturity,
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but only one is now ( 1904) living, Mrs. Sarah Fegely, of Allentown.
George Schell, Jr., the father of Dr. Schell, was born in Upper Milford, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1813. He was a cigar-maker by trade, and followed that pursuit with profit for a number of years, manufacturing and selling his own goods. He also followed other lines of ac- tivity, such as coopering and the stone-mason's trade, and possessed considerable mechanical genius. When thirty-three years of age he mar- ried Miss Lydia Mohr, who was born on the old Mohr homestead in Upper Milford township, Lehigh county, in 1822, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Fisher) Mohr. Her father was a well- to-do and influential farmer, and in his family were three children, of whom was Mrs. Schell, who died May 23, 1904. At the time of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Schell, which oc- curred when he was thirty-three years of age, they took up their abode upon the old Mohr homestead, and he thereafter devoted his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred September 10, 1892. His widow died at the advanced age of eighty-one years. They were the parents of but two children, and the daughter, Mrs. Adaline Schreiber, died in 1882.
Dr. Schell was educated in the common schools of his native town and in Muhlenberg College at Allentown, Pennsylvania. After com- pleting his literary education in that institution he took up the study of denistry under Dr. A. Griesemer & Son, of Allentown, and after practicing with his instructors he removed the following year to Upper Milford, his native place, where he remained in practice for three years. In 1874 he removed to Macungie, where he has lived continuously since, following his profession with excellent success, having a well equipped office and employing in his practice the most modern methods of dentistry.
Dr. Schell has been active in public affairs and his labors have been a helpful factor in the development of the borough. He held the office of auditor for three years, was school director for nine years, and borough treasurer for six years. Religiously, he is a member of the Re-
formed church, and has been very active and in- fluential in its work, serving as superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty-four years.
On the 30th of September, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Amy C. Mosser, a daughter of C. K. and Annie E. Mosser. They occupy a fine modern residence in Macungie, which is the property of Dr. Schell, who is also the owner of a farm of eighty-two acres of fine land, which has been in possession of the family for one hundred and fourteen years.
OSCAR P. KNAUSS, editor and proprietor of the Macungie Progress, is well known in jour- nalistic circles in his part of the state, and because of his connection with the profession which has important bearing upon public progress and ad- vancement, as well as through his connection with one of the oldest pioneer families of Lehigh county, he is well entitled to representation in this volume. Comparatively few can claim a longer ancestral identification with the development and upbuilding of this portion of the state. When civilization had its beginning in Pennsylvania, when the primeval forests were traversed only by the native Indian, and there were found only a few settlers located at the "Forks of the Dela- ware," the progenitor of this family, Ludwig Knauss, with his two sons, Sebastian and Jo- hannes Heinrich, settled in what is now known as Emaus, the place so named by the Moravians in 1732. Little is known, however, concerning the father, Ludwig Knauss. Johannes Heinrich made his way further into the interior of the state, and only meager records are obtainable concerning his life history, but it has been ascertained that his descendants now number over two thousand.
Sebastian Knauss, who was the progenitor of the larger branch of the family, was born in Tittlesheim Wetteravia, in the Palatinate, near Mannheim, Germany, on the 6th of October, 1714. His parents were Ludwig and Anna (Goerlich) Knauss, and he was about eighteen years of age when he accompanied them on their emigration to America in 1732. On the Ist of January, 1741, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna C. Tran- sou, who emigrated from Pfalz, Germany, to
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America, in 1730. Soon after 1741, when the Moravian missionaries were branching out in every direction and making converts to their faith in various parts of the country, Sebastian Knauss became deeply impressed with the teachings of Count Zinzendorf. Later he left the Reformed faith, however, and joined what was then termed the Society of the Brethren. In 1747 a congre- gation was organized in Lehigh county, and the place was called Emaus. He was one of the num- ber who walked to Bethlehem over the Indian path and subsequently became one of the seven who were organized into a separate church of which he became steward, acting in that capacity until his death, which occurred at half past four o'clock in the afternoon on the 26th of February, 1776. His remains were interred in the old Mo- ravian cemetery at Emaus. The records of the Historical Society gave the names of Jacob Eh- renhard and Sebastian Knauss as donors jointly of one hundred and two acres of land for the building thereon of a Moravian hamlet, including a site for the church and schools in adjacent grounds. The village was surveyed and laid out in 1759, and in April, 1761, officially received the name of Emmaus, which has since been corrupted to its present form of Emaus. Sebastian Knauss was a farmer and wheel- wright. He learned his trade under the direction of Henry Antes, a pious layman of Frederick township, through whose instrument- ality he became acquainted with the Moravian Brethren and their work. Sebastian Knauss mar- ried Ann Catherine Transou, and they became the parents of thirteen children, five of whom were daughters, and of them it is recorded that "They were small of stature, beautiful of form, and ex- ceedingly entertaining." At the date on which the widow of Sebastian Knauss died there were then living seventy-three grandchildren and thir- ty-two great-grandchildren.
The eldest son, Johannes Knauss, had a son, to whom he gave his name and who was called Johannes Knauss, Jr. He became the grand- father of Oscar P. Knauss, of this review. His birth occurred at Emaus, Lehigh county, and as the years passed he was engaged extensively in
farming, owning large tracts of land. He was also active and prominent in community interests, and was elected to the office of county commis- sioner of his native county, where he discharged his duties with the promptness and fidelity that won him high commendation and favorable re- gard. He married a Miss Tool, and to them were born four sons and a daughter-Paul, Will- iam, John, Aquilla and Mrs. Frederick Iobst. Aquilla Knauss, the father of our subject, was born at Emaus in 1819, and spent most of his life in that pioneer village, one of its faithful and valued citizens. He was proprietor of the Eagle Hotel there for many years, and entertained the traveling public in a most acceptable manner, putting forth every effort in his power to promote the welfare of his guests. He also engaged in merchandising for some time. He served as postmaster at Emaus, and was for some time agent for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company. While living at Emaus he likewise filled the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. In 1863 he removed to Macungie, where he became weighmaster for the Allentown Iron Company and other companies. He married Miss Mary E. Weiler, and unto them were born eleven children -Mrs. S. Q. Brumer, Mrs. H. J. Balliet, George "F., Oliver J., Mrs. H. Jarrett, Oscar P. and Albert W., and four who have passed away. The father died in 1896, and the mother is still living in Macungie, having attained the advanced age of eighty-two years. She is surrounded by the loving care and attention of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the last representing the ninth generation of the descendants of Lud- wig Knauss. In the vicinity of Emaus there are more than three hundred members of this family.
Oscar P. Knauss was born at Emaus, Penn- sylvania, on the 4th of September. 1859, and in 1863 he was taken by his parents to Macungie, where he acquired his education in the public schools. He has, however, been identified throughout his business career with a calling that has continually broadened his knowledge. In early life he became a reporter for various daily papers, and proved very capable in that line of
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activity. The first printing done in Macungie was by L. F. Roth in 1876. Mr. Roth issued a month- ly paper, and also did a jobbing printing business. Subsequently, he sold out to Captain Levi Smoyer, who, with R. J. DeLong as editor and manager, issued a monthly paper called the Macungie In- dependent .. This afterward became the property of R. J. DeLong and O. P. Knauss, and the paper was conducted under the firm name of Knauss & DeLong. Mr. DeLong soon retired, while Mr. Knauss continued in the office, doing job work. He conducted that part of the business until 1888, when he purchased the entire plant, made many additions and improvements, and now has a splendidly equipped office in which he publishes one of the cleanest and best country newspapers in Lehigh county, known as the Macungie Pro- gress. This has a paid up subscription list of eight hundred, and he does a large amount of job work which adds materially to his income. Mr. Knauss is a stalwart Republican in politics, and has been honored with the office of school director and judge of elections. He has followed the religious faith of his fathers, and is a member of the Moravian church. Socially, he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Macungie Ben- eficial Organization, and has served as secretary of the Macungie Industrial Association.
Mr. Knauss was married in 1889 to Miss Sarah L. Kemmerer, a daughter of Christian and Sarah Kemmerer, of Hanover township, Lehigh county. They had one child, Eugene P., now deceased.
DR. WILLIAM B. ERDMAN, who in the successful practice of medicine and surgery in Macungie is demonstrating his thorough knowl- ledge of the science and his ready adaptability of his learning to the needs of suffering humanity. was born in Upper Saucon township, Northamp- ton county, on the 13th of March, 1838.
The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Germany, where lived John Yost Erdman, a native of Darmstadt, who became the progenitor of the Erdmans of Pennsylvania. He crossed the
Atlantic about 1737. One of his sons, Andrew Erdman, however, had preceded him, coming to America in 1732. This Andrew Erdman mar- ried a Miss Seigfried, and their children were Jacob, Andrew, Johannes and John G., in addi- tion to several daughters. Jacob Erdman, the grandfather, became a farmer of Upper Saucon township, and married Catherine Romig, of that place. Their children were Jacob, John, Isare, Aaron, Elizabeth, Catherine, Theresa and Judith.
Of this number Aaron Erdman was the father of Dr. Erdman. He was born in Upper Saucon township, November 8, 1813, and in early life learned the trade of weaving stockings, which he followed for a number of years. In 1838 he removed to Macungie, or Millerstown, as it was then called. Here he engaged in merchandising, and not only dealt in dry goods, but also be- came a dealer in coal and lumber. He success- fully followed that pursuit until 1876, when he transferred his business to his son John and his son-in-law, A. K. Desch, and afterward lived retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He served his borough as councilman, and his fellow townsmen placed great confidence in his judgment as well as in his public-spirited in- terest in the general welfare. He held member- ship in the German Baptist church of Macungie. He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Anna Breinig, who was born in Breinigs- ville, Lehigh county, and who died on the 4th of February, 1844, leaving two children, William B. and Jacob. The latter was born January 29. 1844, and is a graduate of Pennsylvania Col- lege, class of 1868. He was admitted to the Philadelphia bar in 1870, and to the Lehigh county bar in 1885, since which time he has en- gaged in the practice of law in this part of the state. He wedded Miss Mary Weider, of Upper Milford township, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Sa- rah, Mary, Emma, and John. The father died January 21, 1895. The great-grand- father of Dr. Erdman in the maternal line was George Breinig, who was a leading and influential resident of his community. He served as a col-
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