USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
Judge Heydt is a supporter of Republican principles, and is serving as school director, and also as president of the board at Lehighton, where he maintains his residence. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his family attend the Lutheran church. He was married, January 1, 1880, to Miss Ellen J. Heilman, a daughter of Moses and Lavina (Lauchnor) Heil- man, and their children are: Gertrude, the wife of S. S. Freyman; Helen, who is engaged in teaching school ; and Anna and George, at home.
JOSEPH RUHE, a member of the firm of Ruhe Brothers Company, manufacturers of ci- gars, and an active and influential citizen of Al- lentown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, where he- is widely known and highly esteemed in commer- cial and financial circles for his many manly and honorable characteristics, traces his ancestry on the paternal side to John Christopher Ruhe (great-grandfather), who was born in northern Germany.
The second son of John Christopher Ruhe- was John F. Ruhe (grandfather), a native of Northeim, Germany, who in early life emigrated to London, England, where he engaged in the study and practice of medicine. In 1790, after his marriage, he came to this country. He married Catherine Maria Henrietta Mackenrott in 1777, in St. George's Hanover Square church, London, England. The issue of this union was the fol- lowing named children: Elizabeth Harriet, un- married ; Maria Caroline, died in infancy ; John F., Jr., who married for his first wife Catherine Keiper, and for his second wife Elizabeth Kramer ; Augustus, who died at the age of ten
Joseph Ruhe
213
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
years; George Henry, who died in infancy ; Jo- hanna Louisa, who became the wife of Henry Ebner ; and Charles Augustus, mentioned here- inafter.
Charles Augustus Ruhe (father) was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1794. In 1853 he engaged in the grocery and cigar business, which he conducted until 1861, in which year he began the manufacture of cigars under the style of Charles A. Ruhe & Son, but three years later this was changed to Charles A. Ruhe & Sons. He married Susannah Schirer, and of the twelve children born of this union, five died in infancy and the remainder are as follows : I. Edward, un- married, who was killed during the progress of the Mexican war. 2. Clara, unmarried, now in the seventy-sixth year of her age. 3. Charles H., who married Eliza A. Engleman, and their fam- ily consisted of nine children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Millie, wife of the Rev. W. D. C. Keiter, and mother of two chil- dren, Charles and Ernest Keiter; Edward W., who married Katherine Ingham, and their chil- dren are Dorothy E. and Charles E. Ruhe ; George E., who married Emma Minninger ; John C., who married Jennie Jacoby, and their children are Paul, Russell and Roger Ruhe ; Samuel J., unmarried ; Sallie E., wife of George G. Sykes, and mother' of one child, Edmund Sykes; Nina B., wife of M. S. Hottenstein. 4. Frederic A., who married Julia Ann Kocher, and their children are: Arabella, wife of A. E. Swartz; Jennie, wife of Henry E. Feters; and Margaret, wife of O. R. B. Leidy. 5. Anna C., wife of Benjamin F. Roth, and their children are : Charles Henry, deceased; Herbert Norton, de- ceased ; William G., deceased; Effie Bula, de- ceased ; Gertrude B., deceased; Franklin Joseph, who married Sylvia Guiles, and they are the parents of five children ; Edward B., a resident of Chicago, Illinois; Kate A., wife of Charles N. Wagner, and their children are: Grace, Mi- riam, and Edna Wagner ; and Robert J., unmar- ried. 6. Mary Louisa, unmarried. 7. Joseph, mentioned hereinafter.
Joseph Ruhe, seventh child of Charles A. and Susannah Ruhe, was born in Allentown,
Pennsylvania, February 20, 1837. He attended the public schools of his native town and early in life served an apprenticeship at the trade of cigar making. By the exercise of prudence and thrift during his service as journeyman he was enabled to accumulate sufficient capital to step into busi- ness with his brothers, Charles and Frederick, after the firm of Charles A. Ruhe had been dis- solved, the new firm conducting business under the name of Ruhe Brothers. They established one of the most extensive cigar manufactories in the state of Pennsylvania, their factories being located on Seventh and Eighth streets, Allen- town, and this enterprise gave constant employ- ment to more than three hundred hands. The business steadily increased in volume and im- portance, becoming the leading industry in that section of the state, and the firm remained the same as when first established until the death of Frederick A. Ruhe, twenty years later. The business was then conducted by the remaining members of the firm for a period of eighteen years, when a corporation was formed under the name of Ruhe Brothers Company, with Charles H. Ruhe as its first president, and at the present time (1904) Edward Ruhe is serving in the capacity of president. In 1893 Joseph Ruhe be- came extensively interested in real estate trans- actions, and by the exercise of clear judgment and keen foresight has achieved a large degree of suc- cess, and is now in receipt of a good income from this undertaking. He is a director in the Lehigh Valley Trust & Safe Deposit Company. He has always been upright and honorable in his deal- ings, gained the entire confidence and trust of his fellow-citizens, and both in public and private life has proved himself worthy and reliable. He is a Republican in politics.
Mr. Ruhe married, December 24, 1862, Eliza A. Fenstermacher, deceased, of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. Their children are: Raymond R., who died at the age of three years; Eliza- beth, who died in the thirteenth year of her age ; Robert Joseph, born July 24, 1866, died August 16, 1888; Miriam, an artist of note and distinc- tion, who became the wife of Edward Levin, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Wallace Edgar, a
214
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, now engaged as an architect in Allentown. Mr. Ruhe married for his second wife Mary L. Hartman. The family hold membership in St. John's Re- formed church of Allentown. Mr. Ruhe has erected a handsome memorial chapel in memory of his son, Robert Joseph Ruhe.
GEORGE J. YAEGER, proprietor of a fur- niture store in Mauch Chunk, was born in that city on May 28, 1868. The name of Yaeger has long figured in connection with mercantile in- terests there, for his father, Leonard Yaeger, was his predecessor in business.
The latter named was born in Germany in 1824, and at the age of eight years came to Amer- ica, the family home being established in Allen- town, Pennsylvania, where he acquired his edu- cation in the common school and then learned the trade of cabinet-making. On completing his apprenticeship, during which time he became an expert workman, he removed to his present home in Mauch Chunk, and since 1844 has resided there continuously. He not only followed cabinet-mak- ing, but also opened a furniture store, which has since been conducted, being one of the leading mercantile enterprises of the place. He made for himself an excellent business record and gained a handsome competence that now enables him to live retired, enjoying many of the comforts and luxuries of life because of his activity and energy in former years. He gives his political allegiance to the Democracy, is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and attends the Presbyterian church. He married Miss Catherine Esser, now deceased. She was a daughter of George Esser, a merchant of Allentown, Penn- sylvania. To this marriage were born the fol- lowing named: Mary, who died in childhood ; George J., Hannah, Emma, Milly, and William.
George J. Yaeger pursued his education in the public schools of Mauch Chunk, and on put- ting aside his text-books learned the cabinet- maker's trade under the direction of his father. In 1889 he and his brother William L. succeeded to the business under the firm name of Yaeger Brothers. September 1, 1901, William retired,
and George became sole proprietor of the store and shop. His business 1. . s reached a gratifying annual figure, and he is now numbered among the prosperous merchants of his city. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat, doing everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He was a member of the town council in 1894-97. His social relations connect him with the Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and he attends the Episcopal church.
Mr. Yaeger was married in 1889 to Miss Clara Geissinger, of Tamaqua, a daughter of James Geissinger, a merchant of that place. They became the parents of two children, of whom Raymond, the younger, died in infancy. The sur- viving son is Leonard Yaeger, who is now at- tending school in Mauch Chunk.
LENTZ E. KLOTZ was born in Mauch Chunk in 1850, and died in 1892. He belonged to one of the old Pennsylvania families of German orign. His great-great-grandfather, Jacob Klotz, came to America from Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1749, and settled in Lowhill township, North- ampton (now Lehigh) county, Pennsylvania, where in 1767 he became the owner of a tract of land. A few years later his son, John Klotz, married Fronia Krous, and also became the pos- seccor of a farm in Lowhill township, whereon he spent his remaining days. Christian Klotz, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania in 1789, and about 1814 removed from Northamp- ton county to Mahoning township, Carbon coun- ty, where he was married in 1816 to Elizabeth MacDaniel. Her father was Robert MacDaniel, and her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Kicks) Mac- Daniel, was a Quakeress.
Robert Klotz, their second son, was born in Northampton (now Carbon) county, Pennsyl- vania, October 27. 1819, and during the winter months attended the public schools, while in the summer months he worked upon the home farm. After he had attained his majority he spent six months in a private school in Easton, desiring to supplement the early educational privileges he had received. He has been a leading factor in
215
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
public life in this county, a man of much force of character, of strong individuality and of upright principles. In 1843, when twenty-four years of age, he was elected to the office of register and recorder of Carbon county, and in 1846 he was chosen lieutenant of Company K, Second Penn- sylvania Infantry Regiment for service in the Mexican war, and afterward became adjutant in the same regiment, under command of Colonel John W. Geary. He was with General Scott in his march to the city of Mexico, and took part in the engagements of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. He afterward participated in other important en- gagements of the Mexican war, and under com- mand of General Joseph Lane reached the city of Mexico on the 9th of December, 1847.
After his return to his home in Mauch Chunk he served for two terms as a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, and in 1854 removed to Kansas in response to an invitation of Gov- ernor Reeder of that territory. He aided in mak- ing history in that state during the troublous time preceding its admission into the Union, and his influence was widely felt in behalf of good gov- ernment and against the introduction of slavery. He made his home in Pawnee, and there built the first hotel in western Kansas. He was a mem- ber of the historic Topeka constitutional conven- tion, was the first to sign the free state constitu- tion, and after its adoption became the first sec- retary of state under Governor Robinson's ad- ministration. In 1856 he was a member of the celebrated committee of safety to protect the state from invasion, and was appointed brigadier- general of the state troops at Lawrence. He was largely instrumental in making Topeka the cap- ital of Kansas. Following his return to his native state, Major Klotz served as treasurer of Carbon county for one term, and then, with the same pa- triotic spirit that prompted his defense of his country in the Mexican war, he offered his aid to the government in the Civil war, enlisting at the first call for three months' troops. In 1862 he became colonel of the Nineteenth Pennsyl- vania Regiment Emergency Troops at the time of Lee's first invasion of Pennsylvania.
The efforts of Major Klotz have been no less
effective in promoting the material upbuilding and progress of his community than were his labors in behalf of his country in times of warfare. He became one of the board of managers of the Laughlin and Rand Powder Company of New York, and was financially interested in many other business enterprises of importance. He has been almost continuously in public life since at- taining his majority. For a number of years he was a trustee of the Lehigh University. In 1878 he was elected to congress on the Democratic ticket, and two years later was re-elected, and, during his connection with the law-making body of the nation served on several important com- mittees. During the extra session of congress he prepared and introduced a bill for pensioning soldiers of the Mexican war and the families of deceased soldiers. This bill eventually passed both houses and became a law. At one time he was vice-president of the National Association of Mexican Veterans. In 1849 he married Sarah Lentz, a daughter of Colonel John Lentz.
The only son of this marriage was Lentz Edmund Klotz, whose birth occurred in Mauch Chunk in 1850. His preliminary education was acquired in the common schools, and supple- mented by study in the Lehigh University, where he pursued a course in civil engineering and was then graduated. He afterward assisted his fa- ther, who was interested in mining operations as a civil engineer. He became quite proficient in the line of his chosen vocation, and in business circles won an unassailable reputation, not only because of his skill and success, but also by reason of the straightforward, honorable business prin- ciples that he ever followed. His politcal support was given to the Democracy, and in his social af- filiation he was a Mason, while he and his family attended the Episcopal church.
In 1879 Lentz E. Klotz was united in marriage to Emma E. Laubach, a daughter of the late Judge Joseph Laubach, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Her mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Swartz and was a native of Northampton county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Klotz were born the fol- lowing children : Sallie L., now the wife of Howa d D. Pulsifer, of Philadelphia, a general
216
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
sales agent for Adriona, Platt & Co., of that place ; Robert L., who is residng at Hazleton, Pennsyl- vania ; Mabel, at home ; and Lentz E., a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, at home.
EUGENE H. BLAKSLEE, who is living a retired life in East Mauch Chunk, was born at Wadesville, Schulkill county, Pennsylvania, February 21, 1840. The connection of the family with the Keystone State dates from the eighteenth century. Zopher Blakslee, the grandfather, was a native of Susquehanna county, and received excellent educational privileges for that time. He followed farming throughout his business career. His son, James Blakslee, the father of Eugene H. Blakslee, was born on the old family homestead in 1805, and at the usual age entered the public schools. When his education was completed he began farming on the old homestead, but subse- quently left the cultivation of the fields to others. Later he took up his abode in Mauch Chunk, and joined Judge Packer in a contracting business, following which he was in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, and successive. promotions eventually made him superintendent of the company. He was a man of sound judg- ment, whose advice and aid were often sought by others and all entertained for him the warmest regard and reposed in him implicit confidence. He died in 1901, and his wife, Caroline Ashley, has also passed away. She was a daughter of Charles S. Ashley, of New Hampshire, and their children were: Eugene H., Alonzo P., Asa P., Charles A., and one that died in childhood.
Eugene H. Blakslee was a student in the common schools in his boyhood days, and entered upon his business career as a clerk in a store. He was employed in that way for some time, and in 1857 secured a position under Asa Packer in connection with the Catawissa Railroad Com- pany. He thus served for six years, or until 1863, when he formed a business connection with the Howard Express Company, and was thus em- ployed until 1866. In that year he entered the service of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, with which he continued until 1901, when he re- tired from active life, and now occupies a beau-
tiful home in East Mauch Chunk, where he is resting from further labor in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
Mr. Blakslee votes with the Democracy, and for a number of years has held the office of bur- gess in Mauch Chunk. He is a Mason of high standing, his membership being in Carbon Lodge, No. 242, F. and A. M., of which he is a past master; Lilly Chapter, No. 181, R. A. M., of which he is past high priest; McNair Council, No. 29, R. and S. M., of which he is past thrice illustrious grand master; and Packer Command- ery, No. 23, of which he is past eminent com- mander. He has thus held the highest offices in all the departments of Masonry.
Eugene H. Blakslee has been married twice. In 1865 he wedded Margaret McMullin, who was born in 1846, and died in 1879. Her father was John McMullin, a merchant of Mauch Chunk. The children of this marriage are as follows : Car- oline A., born March 30, 1866; Lucy E., who was born February 9, 1868, and is the wife of Stewart Freeman ; Fannie S., who was born February 21, 1871, and is the wife of Frank Helm, by whom she has two children; John M., who was born January 3, 1870, and died in August of the same year; Margaret, who was born December 12, 1874, and died in March, 1877; Mary P., who .was born in August, 1876, and is the wife of William Twining, by whom she has one child ; and Harry A., born March 12, 1879. In 1881 Mr. Blakslee married Rebecca J. Johnson, a daughter of Henry Johnson, a retired farmer of Easton, Pennsylvania. The only child of this marriage died in infancy. Mr. Blakslee is a prominent member of the Mohican Club, of Mauch Chunk, and belongs to the Episcopal church, in which he is now serving as treasurer and vestryman.
OLIVER O. JARRARD, superintendent of the Electric Light Company of Mauch Chunk, has an ancestral history of close connection with the Lehigh Valley, through several generations. His grandfather, David B. Jarrard, was born in New Jersey, on the state boundary line, and ad- jacent to the city of Easton, Pennsylvania. His
ยท
BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF MAUCH CHUNK. FROM HENRY'S HISTORY OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, 1860.
217
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
education was acquired in the common schools, and he followed farming and blacksmithing throughout his business career.
James Jarrard, father of Oliver O. Jarrard, was born on the old family homestead in New Jersey, May 5, 1828. He, too, pursued a public school course of study, and subsequently engaged in teaching school for several terms. He later became the first accountant in the old Parryville iron furnace, which was built by the Bowman family. He conducted a store in Philadelphia prior to his removal to Mauch Chunk, in which city he became the manager of the American Hotel, managing it up to the time of his death. His personal characteristics endeared him to a large circle of friends, and he was a popular mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and the order of the Knights of Birmingham. His political support was given to the Republican party. In early man- hood James Jarrard married Harriet Bowman, who was then residing near Parryville, Pennsyl- vania, whose birth occurred October 10, 1840. Her father, David Bowman, was a very unique character, carrying out his own peculiar ideas in regard to finances even in his own household. Every penny which he gave to any of his children was charged to their account, and every penny which they made credited to them, so that when the estate was settled up the accounts were brought up in accordance with the terms of the will, and each child received his share, of the property after the individual indebted- ness had been discharged. His father, Jo- hannus, was a man of great bravery and fear- lessness, and the old frame house, the home of the family at Bowmantown in which he fought and repulsed the Indians when attacked by them, is still standing. A daughter of David Bowman, Mrs. James Jarrard, is still living, mak- ing her home with her son, Oliver, in Mauch Chunk, but Mr. Jarrard passed away in Septem- ber, 1899. Their family numbered but two chil- dren, and the elder, Levi D., died in infancy.
Oliver O. Jarrard, the younger son, was born at Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county, Pennsyl- vania, February 9, 1864 and in his early boyhood days accompanied his parents on their removal
to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was edu- cated in the public schools. He afterward served as clerk in a hotel for some time, and later filled a position as bookkeeper there, prior to accepting the position of superintendent of the Electric Light Company of Mauch Chunk, in which ca- pacity he has since served.
On the 14th of October, 1886, Oliver O. Jar- rard was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brown, a daughter of E. R. Brown, who died November I, 1880. They have one child, David B. In Mauch Chunk this family enjoys great popularity, having a very extensive circle of friends. They attend the services of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Jarrard has membership relations with the Odd Fellows, the Royal Arcanum, the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and the Masonic fraternity, and he has taken the Mystic Shrine degrees. His political support is given to the Republican party.
GEORGE S. REX, representing business in- terests of Mauch Chunk as a baker and confec- tioner, was born in that city September 5, 1849. The. Rex family has been represented in the Lehigh valley from a period antedating the be- ginning of the nineteenth centur. The first of the name of whom we have authentic record was George Rex, who lived in Lehigh county. He was a man prominent in local affairs, who served as justice of the peace for many years, giving his political support to the Whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the Republican party. His religious connection was with the Lutheran church. His children were Stephen, Nathan, Thomas, Ephraim, Mary, Sarah and Polly. Ephraim Rex was a native of Lehigh county, born in Washington township in 1813. He was reared on a farm, and in early manhood took up his abode in Mauch Chunk, where he en- gaged in the transfer business. He attended the Lutheran church and voted with the Republican party. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Schadal, and their children were : C. A., Edward, George S., William, Elizabeth and Mary. Eph- raim Rex died in 1878 and his wife in 1895 at the age of seventy-two years.
218
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
His boyhood days were unmarked by an in- cident that does not usually fall to the lot of the American lad of the middle class. He attended the common schools, and afterward began pre- paring for the practical and responsible duties of life by learning the molder's trade, which he followed until 1870. He then enlisted in the regular army as a member of the United States Artillery, and was located at Newport, Rhode Island, where he was engaged in building forts for the government. For five years he remained with the army and upon the expiration of his term of enlistment returned to Mauch Chunk, where he entered his brother's store as a clerk. Later he engaged in the baggage express business, in which he continued until 1896, when he opened his bakery and confectionery store which he is now conducting with profit.
Mr. Rex gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, and upon that ticket has been elected to several local offices in his town. He and his family are communicants of the Episcopal church. He was married in 1872 to Miss Mar- garet Weaver, of West Point, New York, and the children of this marriage are : George : Elizabeth ; Howard J., who married Bessie Solomon; and Herbert M. Rex.
GRIFFITHS H. BACHMAN, who is living a retired life in Weatherly, is a descendant of one of the oldest families of Pennsylvania. The founder of the family in the new world came to America and acted as secretary to William Penn, from whom he received as a gift for his good service the two townships in Northampton county now called Upper and Lower Saucon. He was the progenitor of the Bachman family as it is found today in the Lehigh valley . A large number of his descendants are still residents of these two townships, although some can be found in other parts of the valley, while still others have sought homes in different states of the Union.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.