USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 36
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C. A. Rex, having obtained his education in the public schools, spent much of his early life in assisting his father, and for two years was a mes- senger for the Adams Express Company. In 1866 he entered mercantile circles in Mauch Chunk as a member of the firm of Ritter & Rex. After a short time he withdrew from the partnership and began business on his own account with a small stock of goods, his capital being limited. Through capable management and sound business judgment, however, he was enabled to enlarge his store in order to meet the growing demands of his trade, and has developed an enterprise which now enables him to take a place in the foremost ranks of the merchants of Lehigh valley, being proprietor of the largest department store in Car- bon county. Intricate business problems he readily masters, and his keen discrimination, sup- plemented by unflagging energy and unfaltering enterprise, have formed the foundation upon which he has builded his prosperity. He is a di- rector of the Mauch Chunk National Bank, and was one of the organizers and directors of the Mauch Chunk Electric Light Company. He also owns and conducted a large dairy farm in Ma- honey Valley.
His interest in the city has been manifest by his active co-operation in many movements for the general good along social, intellectual and
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moral lines. He was chief burgess of Mauch Chunk for three successive terms, and he is the president of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, and was chairman of its building committee when its present beautiful building was erected. For thirty-one years he has been superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school at East Mauch Chunk, and is a steward of the church and a trustee of the same congregation. He and his wife take a deep interest in missionary work, and have been helpful factors in every de- partment of church activity. He believes it the duty as well as the privilege of every American citizen to support the political measures which he deems to contain the best elements of good gov- ernment, and his study of the issues of the day has led him to give his allegiance to the Repub- lican party. He belongs to the Patriotic Order of Sons of America. Mr. Rex has traveled quite extensively, having been eight times in Europe, and around the world, visiting the many places of modern and historic interest in the orient and the occident.
Mr. Rex was first married to Harriet Knicker- bocker, a daughter of George Knickerbocker, of East Mauch Chunk. Three children of this union all died in childhood, and the mother died in 1871. In 1873 Mr. Rex wedded Miss Mary E. Behee, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Behee, and of their two children, one died in infancy. The surviving son, Harry Lloyd Rex, was educated in the common schools and in Chelt- enham Military Academy, and is now engaged in business with his father. He married Albert Sims, of Waco, Texas, a daughter of Colonel Albert Sims, of Ohio, and later of Waco, Texas.
WILLIAM G. FREYMAN, attorney at law, of Mauch Chunk, a leading member of the Car- bon county bar, is a native of Mahoning town- ship, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, and was born July 4, 1838. He is the son of George and Cath- erine (Kistler) Freyman, both natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father was a farmer and carpenter, and also engaged in merchandising, and spent his last days in Carbon county, where he died in 1849.
His paternal grandfather, Jacob Freyman, and his wife, were both natives of Northampton county. John Kistler and his wife, maternal grandparents of William G. Freyman, were also natives of Northampton county. They were of German lineage, their families having immigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania in a very early day.
William G. Freyman was educated in the pub- lic and high schools of Carbon county, and taught school for five terms. He entered the army dur- ing the war of the Rebellion, and served as order- ly sergeant of Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. After his discharge he was commis- sioned lieutenant and recruited a company, but before it was mustered into service the war closed and he returned home.
Mr. Freyman spent twelve years as a surveyor and civil engineer, and also engaged in merchan- dising. He pursued his law studies under Gen- eral Charles Albright, at Mauch Chunk, entering his office in 1871, and in 1873 was admitted to the bar. He then became associated as a partner with his former preceptor, under the name of Albright & Freyman, and continued in that relation until the death of General Albright, in 1880. This firm was engaged in the celebrated Mollie Maguire trials. After practicing alone for several years, Mr. Freyman formed with Mr. James Keifer, who had been a student in his office, a copartner- ship which continued five years under the name of Freyman & Keifer. He next farmed a partner- ship with Mr. Horace Heydt, who had been a student in his office, under the name of Freyman & Heydt, which continued until the introduction into the firm of Mr. Eugene O. Nothstein, a nephew of Mr. Freyman, who was also a student in his office, when the firm name was changed to Freyman, Heydt & Nothstein. Since September, 1901, when Mr. Heydt was appointed president judge by the governor, the practice has been con- ducted under the name of Freyman & Nothstein. The practice of the firm, general in character, has embraced a wide range of important cases and has been, perhaps, more extensive than that of any other firm in the county. Special attention has
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been given to litigation involving original land titles both in Carbon and adjoining counties.
Mr. Freyman, although an active Republican, has never sought or held political office. He has been very successful as a lawyer and financier. He is attorney for several corporations, a director of the Prince Manufacturing Company, and of the Carbon Metallic Paint Company, and vice- president of the Mauch Chunk Trust Company. He is also interested in four farms and in other enterprises. Some years ago Mr. Freyman pur- chased a portion of the mountain side behind and above his residence, and commenced to terrace it, and has now a very productive garden on what was before a barren and cheerless waste. There are twenty-two of these terraces, and they are connected by a flight of stairs three hundred and fifty-three in number. The height of the upper terrace above the street is about two hundred feet, and at an elevation of about one hundred and fifty feet an arbor is located which commands a fine view of the town in both directions. A portion of the terrace is devoted to flowers and fruit and ornamental trees, while the remainder is used as a vegetable garden. Mr. Freyman has met with great success in the cultivation of plums, peaches, grapes and strawberries, and all other small fruits. This is probably the only garden of its kind in the country. Constructed as it is on the side of a very steep mountain, it is an object of curiosity to strangers visiting the town for the first time. Just behind the fence at the top runs the famous "Switch Back," which attacts thousands of peo- ple annually.
In 1865 Mr. Freyman married Miss Matilda Gilbert, daughter of Mr. George Gilbert, an en- terprising farmer of Mahoning township, Car- bon county, Pennsylvania. They have no chil- dren living.
JOHN THOMAS, deceased, of Hokendau- qua, was for many years a prominent representa- tive of the iron industry in the Lehigh Valley. He was a son of David Thomas, who may be regarded as the father of the anthracite iron man- ufacturing interests of America. David Thomas
was born in South Wales on the 3d of November, 1794, and became connected with the iron indus- try in 1812. After following that business in his native country at various places, including Ynis- cedwin, Wales, he emigrated to America in May, 1839, reaching New York on the 5th of June. Mr. Thomas brought with him his entire family, in- cluding his wife Elizabeth and their five children.
One of these children was John Thomas, who was born at Yniscedwin, South Wales, on the Ioth of September, 1829, and was therefore a lad of ten years when brought by his parents to the United States. The family home was maintained in Allentown for a short time, but the parents soon afterward removed to Catasauqua, Pennsyl- vania, where he spent his youth. He was edu- cated in Allentown, and subsequently became a pupil at Nazareth Hall in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, where he perfected himself in various branches of English learning, and the knowledge thus acquired fitted him for a life of future usefulness. Having completed his studies he determined to acquire a thorough knowledge of the business of an iron master, and with that end in view entered the blacksmith shops of the Crane Iron Works. Having mastered this part of the business, he next entered the machine shop, and also worked in the furnaces, thus gaining a thorough and practical knowledge of the indus- try in every department, becoming qualified for the direction of the company's extensive busi- ness. On the retirement of his father, David Thomas, he succeeded him to the superintendency of the entire plant. This position he held and filled with ability until 1867, and his efforts there were so capably directed that almost phenomenal success attended the enterprise. In the year mentioned he resigned to accept the general su- perintendency of the Thomas Iron Works at Hokendauqua. Expressions of deep regret were heard when he left the Crane Iron Works, for he not only had the full confidence of the company, but also the unqualified respect and good will of the employes, because of his business ability, his social manner and his consideration for those who worked under him. Under the management of Mr. Thomas two new furnaces were built by the
John Thomas
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Thomas Iron Company, and a high degree of prosperity attended this great productive indus- try. He continued in the superintendency until his death, which occurred March 18, 1897. Mr. Thomas was also largely identified with other en- terprises and business interests of his locality. He was a director of the Catasaqua & Fogelsville Railroad, was president of the Catasaqua Manu- facturing Company, and a director of the Upper Lehigh Coal Company. The social and moral in- fluence of his presence and that of his family also had a salutary effect on the moral atmos- phere of Hokendauqua, and he left the impress of his individuality upon many lines of public progress and improvement there. For a number of years he served as one of the school direc- tors of his borough. In politics he took an active interest, especially as the promoter of local ad- vancement in behalf of the Republican party, but he sought or desired no political preferment for himself. In religious faith he was a member of the Presbyterian church of Hokendauqua, and contributed most liberally to its support. His wife and children are also identified with that church.
Mr. Thomas was united in marirage to Miss Helen Thomas, a daughter of Hopkin Thomas, of Catasaqua, May 7, 1855. Hopkin Thomas was born at Glamorganshire, South Wales, in 1793, and died May 12, 1878. In his native country he was united in marriage to Miss Cath- erine Richards, who was born at Merthyr-Tydvil, South Wales. They emigrated to America in 1834, and Hopkin Thomas was for many years a master mechanic at the Crane Iron Works. He possessed an intimate knowledge of the business and a broad experience that well qualified him for the important position he occupied. As a citizen he exerted strong influence in behalf of public improvement, and he was both an honorable and honored man. To him and his wife were born the following named : William R., James Thomas, of the Davies Thomas Company, Mrs. Mary McKee, Mrs. Helen Thomas, Jane, and Mrs. Kate M. Fuller. The surviving children of John and Helen Thomas are David H., who now has
charge of the company's furnaces ; Miriam, Bes- sie H., Samuel R., Catherine V., and John W.
David H. Thomas, son of John and Helen Thomas, was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Reader, and their children are David R., Eliza- beth R. and J. R. Thomas. Samuel R. Thomas, the second son of John Thomas, married Miss Bessie Laury, a daugher of A. C. Laury, and a great-granddaughter of the Hon. David Laury, of Laury, Pennsylvania. They have one daugli- ter, Miriam. John W. Thomas, the third son of John Thomas, married Florence Snyder. Mi- riam, the elder daughter of John Thomas, is the: wife of Colonel Perry Harrison and their chil- dren are Helen, Elizabeth, Thomas, and John Harrison. Catherine V. is the wife of E. P. Wilbur, Jr., and they have three children : Lockhart, Helen and Stella Wilbur.
WILLIAM H. STROH, a representative and. public-spirted citizen of Mauch Chunk for many years, was a man of probity and honor, who pos- sessed in a marked degree the characteristics which insure success in business life. His entire life was spent in the borough in which he resided, and those who knew him from boyhood were numbered among his staunchest and truest friends, a fact which indicated an honorable and upright career. The date of his birth was Jan- uary 9, 1827. His parents were Abraham and Mary (Keim) Stroh, the latter named having been the daughter of James Keim. Abraham Stroh (father) was a native of Pennsylvania, a resident of Mauch Chunk, a wheelwright by trade, and a prominent member of the Masonic fra- ternity. He met with an acident which caused his death in 1830. His wife survived him many years, passing away in 1855. Five children were born to Abraham and Mary Stroh, namely : Amos, Edward K., Harriet, William H., and Abraham.
Being deprived by death of his father when only three years of age, William H. Stroh obtained but a very limited education, having to start out to make his own way in the world at the age of ten years. The first five years he worked at what ever offered itself for a boy of his years and
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strength, and at the expiration of this period of time he served an apprenticeship at the trade of shoemaker, which line of work he followed until 1848. He then engaged in business on his own account, and after conducting the same for six- teen years he disposed of it to Frank Inkman. With General Charles Albright he purchased the Mauch Chunk Iron Works, of which he became sole proprietor upon the death of the former in September, 1881. They did contract work in making shot and shell for the government during the Civil war. They later were engaged in the manufacture of steam engines, steam pumps, duplex steam pumps, jigs, and all kinds of ma- chinery and castings, which are still manufactured at the works. In 1877 he established a shoe man- afactory which he conducted alone until 1880, in which year he admitted his son, William R., to partnership. They manufactured misses' and children's shoes, had an extensive wholesale and retail shoe store, and their business was one of the leading industries of the borough. By his well directed efforts and careful and capable management he accumulated a competency, which enabled him in his declining years to enjoy a period of ease and rest from active business pursuits.
Mr. Stroh was one of the organizers of the Second National Bank, in which organization he served for many years as a director. He was ap- pointed associate judge by Governor Beaver to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. R. Leonard; was a delegate to the national conven- tion at Minneapolis, Minnesota, that nominated General Harrison to the presidency ; served as burgess for thirteen years; and was also the in- cumbent of several minor township offices, the duties of which he performed in an efficient and high creditable manner. He was a stanch adherent of the principles of Republicanism. He was ever a prominent factor in the various enter- prises which conduced to the growth and welfare of the borough, and well merited the esteem and confidence reposed in him by all who enjoyed his acquaintance.
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Mr. Stroh married, in 1850, Mary Brelsford, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Brelsford.
The surviving members of their family of seven children are as follows : Julia L., Nettie E., Will- iam R., and Abraham L.
JACOB C. LOOSE, the junior member of the law firm of Craig & Loose, of Mauch Chunk, was born in Meyerstown, Lebanon county, Pennsyl- vania, July 6, 1866. That county and Berks wit- nessed the birth of the members of the family through at least three successive generations. His grandfather, Gabriel Loose, was a native of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, pursued his edu- cation there, and throughout his entire life fol- lowed farming. He was married, and among his children was Jacob A. Loose, whose birth oc- curred at Meyerstown, Lebanon county, in 1839. He completed his education in the public schools, and then entered the mercantile business, in which he was engaged for many years, at Palmyra, Pennsylvania, but at length, putting aside business cares, is now living a retired life. He married Emma E. Spangler, a daughter of C. C. Spangler, a merchant of Meyerstown, Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of five children: Jacob C., Sarah M., Emily E., Edna J., and John G.
Jacob C. Loose acquired his early education in the common schools, and afterward studied under a private instructor preparatory to enter- ing Dickinson College, in which he was graduated in June, 1887, on the completion of the classical course. In the same year he came to Mauch Chunk and entered the law office of Craig & Loose as a student, the junior partner in that firm being his uncle. For two years he applied himself closely to the mastery of the principles of juris- prudence, and in January, 1890, was admitted to the Carbon county bar. After practicing for some time in Mauch Chunk, he removed to Shen- andoah, Virginia, where he continued in the pro- secution of his profession for a few years. In 1893 he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the produce commission business until 1896, returning in that year to Mauch Chunk. In January, 1898, he became the junior member of the firm of Loose, Craig & Loose, of which his uncle, James S. Loose, was senior member. On the death of his uncle in
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July, 1898, the firm became and now is Craig & Loose, the other member being Douglas Craig. They have gained a distinctively representative clientage and annually transact a large amount of legal business in the courts of Carbon county and adjacent counties. Mr. Loose is possessed of an analytical mind which enables him to thoroughly master the salient features of his cases and the strong points in an opponent's argument, while his own clear concise presentation of his case never fails to impress court or jury.
Mr. Loose is a supporter of the Republican party and is filling the position of secretary to the city council of East Mauch Chunk at this writing, in the fall of 1903. He is also solicitor of the East Mauch Chunk borough. His social rela- tions are with the Odd Fellows, the Royal Arca- num and the Mohegan Club, and several college fraternities. He and his family attend the Epis- copal church.
Mr. Loose was married on the 17th of No- vember, 1892, to Miss Alice M. Bear, a daughter of Henry A. Bear, of Bear Lithia Springs, Vir- ginia, the owner of the famous Bear Lithia Springs located at that place. There were two sons born of this marriage. One, James B., died in infancy. The other, Alan S., was born March 16, 1899.
WILLIAM KLINE, who has been success- fully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Washing- ton township, Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, since attaining young manhood, is an es- teemed and leading citizen of the community with whose interests he has been so long identified. He is a descendant of a family who removed from Bucks county and settled in what is now known as Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, where they were active and prominent in its various interests and enterprises.
Jacob Kline (grandfather) removed with his family of growing children to this section of the state, and in due course of time became the owner of about one hundred acres of land in Upper Mt. Bethel, but subsequently removed to Pen Argyl. He was twice married, his first wife having been Miss Hile, and three sons and one daughter were
the issue of this union-David, Joseph, Jonas and Mary ; by his second marriage to Miss Shoe- maker, he became the father of seven children. Mr. Kline and his family were members of the Lutheran church. His birth occurred in 1780, and his death in 1850.
Jonas Kline ( father) was born in Bucks coun- ty, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1811. Upon reaching man's estate he chose the occupation of farming, conducted his operations on an exten- sive scale, and these proving most remunerative he became the owner of a one hundred acre farm in Washington township, Northampton county, and also considerable real estate in the borough of Bangor. During his young manhood days he was a lieutenant in a militia company ; he was a member of the Lutheran church, in which he served as deacon and elder, also president of both boards. Jonas Kline and his wife, Catherine (Schoch) Kline, were the parents of ten chil- dren-William, Henry, Jacob, Jeremiah, Matilda, Sarah J., Mary, Josephine, Elmira, and Alice. Jonas Kline, father of these children, died in 1894, having attained the advanced age of eighty-three years ; his wife died in 1883, in the sixty-ninth year of her age.
William Kline, eldest son of Jonas and Cath- erine Kline, was born in Lower Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1836. He pursued his studies in the schools adjacent to his home, and being reared upon a farm was thoroughly familiar with the duties pertaining to that line of industry. The first farm he purchased was located in Wash- ington township and consisted of sixty acres ; after he disposed of this property he purchased another farther south in the same township, which he eventually sold, after which he purchased the farm upon which he now resides which contains eighty-eight acres of rich and arable land. In ad- dition to this farm, he is the owner of consider- able real estate in Bangor. He has been honored by his fellow-citizens by election to the office of school director, and he also served as assessor for one term. He is a member and elder in the Lutheran church, and president of the cemetery board of trustees.
Mr. Kline was united in marriage June II,
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1859, to Anna M. McCammon, who was born March 13, 1836, a daughter of ex-County Com- missioner McCammon. To this union there were born three children-Emma F. Hahn, decased; Florence Hartzell, and Elmer J., now engaged as a miller. Mrs. Kline died December 15, 1876. Mr. Kline chose for his second wife Mrs. Susanna A. Snyder, to whom he was married October 13, 1877, and the issue of this union was the follow- ing named children : Clara A., Alvin, Dayton W., Estella, Daisy P., and Irwin, deceased.
HORACE HEYDT, presiding judge of the courts of Carbon county, Pennsylvania, is one of the foremost representatives of the legal pro- fession in the Lehigh valley.
He was born in the northern part of Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1856, and is of Pennsylvania German lineage. His great-great-grandfather, George Heydt, was the founder of the family in America. By occupation he was a farmer, and he married and had one son who was also named George. The father of Judge Heydt also bore the name of George, and was born in the lower part of Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1830. He obtained a common- school education, and afterward engaged in teaching for some time, while subsequently he learned the brick layers' trade which he followed for many years. He voted with the Republican party, and joined the Evangelical church. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Heydt, was a daughter of John Dotterer, of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and her children were as follows : Horace ; Helen, who died in infancy: Sybilla, the wife of H. J. Glick : Wilson, who died at the age of seventeen ; Samuel, who married Sarah Becker: Mary, the wife of Peter Yost: Elizabeth ; and George and Edward, who died in infancy.
Judge Heydt was only three years old when his parents removed to Berks county, where he pursued his education in the public schools, and then entered the State Normal School at Kutz- town. He was graduated in that institution on the completion of a full course of study in 1878 and next entered Lafayette College, where he was graduated in 1884. During his senior year in
the latter institution he became a law student in the office and under the direction of William G. Freyman, of Mauch Chunk. with whom he con- tinued his reading until admitted to the bar of Carbon county in 1885. In 1901 he was appointed presiding judge of the Carbon county courts and in 1902 was elected for the full term, and is now the incumbent in the office. He brings to bear sound professional judgment upon the points in litigation, and his decisions are strictly fair and impartial.
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