USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 42
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Mr. Arbogast was married in 1876 to Miss Emily Haas, daughter of Charles and Mary Haas, whose children were: I. Charles, married ; they are the parents of two chil- dren, and reside in New Jersey: 2. William, married Kechline; they are the parents of seven children. 3. Emily, who became the wife of Wilson Arbogast. 4. Mary, now the wife of Lewis Schwindt, and the mother of three chil- dren. To Mr. and Mrs. Argobast were born five children: I. Porter B., born in Allentown; he graduated from the high school, and then spent two years in study abroad, during which time he received masterly instruction upon the violin, in Liege, Belgium. He is engaged in the Arbo- gast & Bastian Company's establishment. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and an
Walter Eugene Bastian, vice-president of the Arbogast & Bastian Company, was born in East Texas, Lower Macungie township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, a son of William Jonas and Rebecca (Werner) Bastian. His great- grandfather, Michael Bastian, was a native of France, who came to this country in company with two brothers, one of whom went south and the other to the northwest. Willam J. and Re- becca Bastian were the parents of nine children, of whom the following named five are now liv- ing : I. Alfred, who lives in Ohio. He was twice married. His first wife, Amanda Litzenberger, bore to him two children, Harvey and Earnest. His second wife, Mary Sieberling, became the mother of two children, Anna, and an infant who is deceased. 2. Sarah, became the wife of George Knerr, and their children are Martha and Ed- ward. 3. Frank, deceased; he married Leander Stevens, and their children were Sarah, Kate, William, Emma and Elda. 4. Stella, deceased. 5. Charles M., married Catherine Housman, and their children are Hattie, Alvin and Edward. 6. George J., deceased. 7. Morris Clinton, further mentioned hereinafter. 8. Walter Eu- gene, previously and again to be mentioned. 9. George, deceased ; he married Emma Fehr.
Walter Eugene Bastian obtained a thorough practical education in the common schools of his native village. In his youth he assisted his brothers in work on the paternal farm. Later he was engaged in farming in Wescoesville from 1885 to 1891. In the latter year he came to Al- lentown and took a situation as driver for Arbo- gast & Bastian, serving in that capacity until 1902. He had acquired a small interest in the business and in the latter year, when the Arbo- gast & Bastian Company was incorporated, he was elected vice-president. Practical and pro- gressive in his business methods, he is known as a most capable man and enjoys an enviable repu-
Morric le Bastian
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tation for integrity. He is a member of the board of education of Allentown. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he is a meniber of the order of Heptasophis. He and his family are members of the Evangelical church.
Mr. Bastian married Miss Victorine Har- locher, daughter of Hiram and Levina (Ruff) Harlocher, whose other children were: 1. Mich- ael, who married Sarah Schaffer; no issue. 2. Allen, who married Lizzie Haines and their chil- dren are Mabel, Lulu, Lila, and. Harold. 3. Lil- lie, who became the wife of John Koch, and the mother of three children-Alden, Edward, and Annie. 4. Amanda, who became the wife of Wil- liam Kohler, and the mother of seven children. 5. Fred, who married Odelia Kehlner ; no issue. 6. Bessie, who became the wife of John Shrady, and their children are Walter, Leon, William, Raymond, Hiram, Norman and Miriam.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bastian were born two chil- dren-Harry, and Myrtle.
Morris Clinton Bastian, treasurer of the Ar- bogast & Bastian Company, is a brother of Walter Eugene Bastian, and was born June 21, 1859. His early education was limited to attendance at the public schools of his native neighborhood during the winter months, the remainder of the year being devoted to assisting with the work on the home farm and working in the ore beds. At the age of seventeen years he went to Millers- ville, where he was for a year a student in the normal school. After returning home he again aided his father in the cultivation of the farm, and was an inmate of the parental home until he was almost twenty-five years old. He then estab- lished a general store in Allentown, which he con- ducted with reasonable success for two years. In 1887 he became associated with Wilson Ar- bogast in instituting the firm of Arbogast & Bas- tian, and bore a full share in the labors and re- sponsibilities of bringing its business to its present high prestige. At the incorporation of the Arbo- gast & Bastian Company in 1902 he was called to the position which he now occupies, that of treasurer, and in which he has displayed the best qualities of the masterly financier. As in. the case
of him who has been his partner from the incep- tion of their great enterprise, his success has been attained through no adventitious circum- stance, but is purely the logical reward of persistent and well directed effort. Mr. Bas- tian is highly regarded in the commun- ity for his personal excellencies of char- acter as well as for his commercial value to the city. He is a member of the United Evangelical church, and is a Republican in pol- itics. He holds membership with the Masonic fraternity.
Mr. Bastian married Miss Emma Schuler, daughter of Damus and Maria (Lowrie) Schuler, who were the parents of two children: Mrs. Bastian ; and Harvey, who married Anna Stevens, and to whom were born three children-Emily, Lillie, and Harris. To Mr. and Mrs. Bastian were born four children-Blanche, Marjorie, Emily and Walter.
William Joseph Moessner, secretary of the Arbogast & Bastian Company, is a native of the city of New York, born October 12, 1870. He was the fourth child of Ernest F. and Catherine (McKenna) Moessner, and his mother was a daughter of James and Catherine (Comiskey) McKenna. The children of these parents were: I. Anna, unmarried. 2. Thomas F., who mar- ried Catherine Gibson, and to whom were born two children-Harold, and Thomas, Jr. 3. Pauline, who became the wife of Thomas M. Gartland, and the mother of one child, Ignatz. 4. William J., the immediate subject of this menoir. 5. Louise, unmarried. 6. Mary, who became the wife of William F. Koehler ; no issue. 7. Louis, who married Ellen Brett; no issue. 8. Josephine, unmarried. 9. Agnes, unmarried.
William J. Moessner was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native city and at St. Francis Xavier's College in the same place. He was too intent to enter upon mercantile pursuits to be con- tent to remain in college to the completion of the collegiate course, and when well grounded in a liberal and practical education he entered the employ of the Swift Packing Company, with which he remained for four years, working indus- triously, and closely investigating all the methods
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of that house, mechanical and managerial. In 1894 he located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he engaged with the firm of Arbogast & Bastian in the capacity of salesman and head bookkeeper, and he occupied this twofold position until the incorporation of the Arbogast & Bastian Com- pany in 1902, when he was chosen to his present position of secretary. During these years he has witnessed the growth of the business of the house from its early annual receipts of $150,000 to $200,000, to the immense sum of one and a quar- ter million dollars. His methods in keeping in hand the innumerable and complicated accounts necessary to this large business gave him a repu- tation as a masterly accountant, and his intimate knowledge of all the details not only of the office but of the mechanical departments, enables him to keep closely in touch with both producer and buyer. Deeply immersed in his duties, he has devoted his entire attention to the house with which he has been so long identified, holding aloof from both political and club life. He is, however, loyally devoted to the city which is his home, and affords willing aid to the furtherance of every community interest. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Moessner married Miss Maud L. Starr, a daughter of Walter and Alice (Gangewere) Starr. Their children are: Maud L .; Irene, who is the wife of Frank R. Halligan, and to whom were born two children-Irene and Frank ; Wahneitah, who is the wife of Frank Maury ; and Erma, unmarried.
Mr. and Mrs. Moessner have the following children : Josephine, William, Catherine and Allice.
JACOB H. BECK. The Beck family is one of the oldest and best known in Upper Mount Bethel township, Northampton county. John George Beck, who was born in Germany on the 4th of May, 1705, and died in 1775, left the fatherland and established his home in the new world. The son, John Jacob Beck, was also born in Germany, his natal year being 1736. He ac- companied his father on the emigration of his family to the new world in 1750, being at that
time fourteen years of age. He married Anna Maria Weidman, who was born in 1755, and his death occurred in 1819, while his wife passed away in 1821. Their children were Philip, Jacob, Ludwig, George, Henry, Daniel, Mrs. Jacob Reimel, Mrs. Joseph Emerich, Mrs. Philip Pear- son, Mrs. Jacob Brodt, Mrs. John G. Correll, Mrs. Henry Schoch and Mrs. Daniel Nicholas.
Henry Beck, father of Jacob H. Beck, was born in Upper Mount Bethel township, North- ampton county, in 1794. He was engaged exten- sively and successfully in farming, and owned and operated three hundred acres of land, com- prised, however, in three separate tracts. His life was characterized by industry and integrity, and his honorable and indefatigable labor brought him success. Through several years he was elected and served as supervisor of his town- ship. In 1815 he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Correll, and his death occurred in 1865 at the age of seventy-two years, while his wife passed away at the very advanced age of ninety-three years. They were consistent mem- bers of the Lutheran church, in which Henry Beck held the office of deacon and elder. Their children were thirteen in number, of whom nine reached years of maturity, namely: Jacob H., Joseph H., Reuben, William, Henry, Mary, Sarah, Catherine and Eliza.
Jacob H. Beck was born May 18, 1817, in Upper Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, and his boyhood days were spent in that locality, where his education was acquired in the public schools. He early became familiar with farm work, which he has successfully fol- lowed as a life occupation. At one time he was the owner of two hundred acres of very valuable farming land, and he now has one hundred and thirty acres of land adjacent to Stone church, but leaves its cultivation to others ; while he is enjoying a well merited rest. Activity and en- ergy characterized his career in former years, and were the foundation upon which he builded his present prosperity. In matters of citizenship he has been progressive, and his labors have contributed to the general welfare. He belongs to the Reformed church at Stone Church, and
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has been honored with the offices of deacon and elder in that congregation.
In 1853 Mr. Beck married Miss Mary A. Ott, who died on the 18th of December, 1873. For his second wife he chose Miss Lavina DeWalt, a resident of Pennsylvania, the wedding taking place in 1875, but on the 18th of March, 1902, Mr. Beck was again called upon to mourn the loss of his wife.
WILLIAM BECK, owner of a well tilled farm in Upper Mount Bethel township, was born October 3, 1828, and like his brother, Jacob H. Beck, whose history is given above, he was reared under the parental roof and is in- debted to the public school system of his neigh- borhood for the educational privileges he en- joyed. He has always followed farming, and is now the owner of a small but well tilled tract of land. He also gave his attention to merchandis- ing, which he followed for five years with good success. Mr. Beck is a worthy member of the Lutheran church, has served as one of its dea- cons, and was president of the cemetery board.
Mr. Beck was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Mann, a daughter of Abraham Mann. She died in 1886, and in 1891 he wedded Re- becca Reimer. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Beck adopted a son, Frank, who was born in 1873, and who becarne a great com- fort to them. He is a graduate of the East Stroudsburg State Normal School, Pennsylvania, and for eight years he was successfully engaged in teaching. On account of failing health, how- ever, he abandoned educational work and is now connected in the operation of a flour mill with his father-in-law, Mr. Seguine.
He was married to Miss Josie Seguine, of Upper Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, and they have a daughter, Blanche, who was born in 1902.
WILLIAM B. SEBRING, well known and highly respected in the borough of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, where he has resided since 1895, is a member of a numerous ancient and distin- guished family of the Lehigh Valley. His paternal great-grandfather was Cornelius Sebring, a native
of Holland, who prior to the Revolutionary war immigrated to this country and located in the vicnity of Lambertsville, New Jersey. He was well-to-do financially in his own country, and launched immediately into business in his adopted nation, and being a well informed man was enabled to exert considerable influence. Later in life he removed to Bartonsville, Northampton county, where he died at the age of ninety-four years. His children were: Richard; a son who removed to Michigan; a son who removed to Canada ; and John, who remained with his father. Their births occurred in New Jersey, near Lam- bertsville.
John Sebring (grandfather) was a large land owner in Bartonsville (now Monroe county), Pennsylvania, followed the occupation of a farm- er, and was an inveterate hunter. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which body, as well as out of it, he exerted a powerful and lasting influence which he used for the high- est and purest purposes. His wife was Ann E. (Rible) Sebring, a native of New Jersey, to whom the following named children were born: Will- iam, who was a soldier in the Franch and Indian war, and was stationed at Sandy Hook, where he contracted a disease which subsequently cost him his life; James, whose business career was de- voted to agricultural pursuits, and whose death occurred at the age of sixty years ; John, men- tioned hereinafter ; Anthony, a farmer by occu- pation, who went into the woods and cleared for himself a fine and productive farm; George, who was also a farmer of considerable note; Mary, who became the wife of John Brink; Abbie, who became the wife of Jacob Bisbing ; and Rebecca, who became the wife of William Bellis.
Rev. John Sebring (father) was born at Bartonsville, now Monroe county, Pennsylvania, in 1796. He was an active business man, equally successful in the occupation of lumbering and farming, and was the first local preacher sent out in Monroe county. He presented the claims of the Gospel for sixty-seven years, this long period of time taking him up to within a few days of his death. He was blessed with a won- derful and retentive memory, was a forceful and
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convincing speaker, and his work in this field was productive of much good. The esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens was evidenced by the fact that he was elected to fill numerous township offices, the duties of which were per- formed in an eminently satisfactory manner. His affiliations were with the Democratic party. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Bush, daughter of Thomas Bush, bore him the follow- ing named children: Harrison, deceased; Will- iam B., mentioned hereinafter ; George, deceased; Joshua ; Margaret and Mary A. Sebring. The mother of these children died in 1835, and the Rev. John Sebring married for his second wife Mrs. Susan Smith, who bore him one daughter, Bernice, now deceased. His death occurred in 1880, in the eighty-fourth year of his age.
William B. Sebring was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1827. He was reared and educated in his native county, after which he served an apprenticeship at the trade of millwright. In 1870 he removed to Car- bon county, purchased a large tract of land in the vicinity of Mauch Chunk, which contained about two hundred and forty acres, and on this land built trout ponds which were a source of large revenue to him. He finally disposed of this prop- erty and purchased a farm which is now included within the limits of the borough of Lehighton, the purchase having been made in the year 1895. The plot contained about eighty acres, which are now cut up into building lots and on the market for sale. Prior to this event he cultivated the land, and the product found a ready sale in the nearby markets. He was the incumbent of sev- eral township offices, and discharged the duties of the same with credit to himself and his con- stituents. He has been a worthy and active mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church for over sixty years, and by his straightforward and hon- orable life has won the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact, either in business, political or social relations.
Mr. Sebring was united in marriage in 1852 to Mary Hufsmith, of Monroe county, Pennsyl- vania, who was born in 1832. Eleven children were the issue of this union, six of whom attained
years of maturity, namely : I. George, who mar- ried Ann Bailer, and their family consists of the following named children : Ida, Lilly, Harry, John, Minnie, William, Ann and George. 2. Jacob, who married Kate Kunkle, and she bore him six chil- dren-Lula, Martha, Emily, William, Florence and Mary. 3. Harrison, who was united in mar- riage to Irene Grover, and their children are, John M. W., Esther, Wetherell E., Edith M., Ruth E., Ethel Estella. 4. Emma, wife of Charles. Buskirk, and they are the parents of one son, Allen, now engaged in the capacity of bank clerk. 5. Sarah, wife of Gilbert P. Price, and mother of three children-Milton, Carrie and George. 6. Ella, wife of Harry Drumbor, and their family consists of three children-Mary, Helen and Wil- bur. Mrs. Mary (Hufsmith) Sebring, the mother of these children, died February 15, 1901, at the age of seventy years.
STEPHEN SAMUEL EMERY, contrac- tor, street railroad builder and agriculturist, is closely identified with industrial and business in- terests that have contributed to the progress and upbuilding of Butztown and Northampton county. He was born in Butztown, March 2,. 1860, a son of Joseph and Anna Malinda (Der- heimer) Emery. His paternal grandparents were Samuel and Mary (Laubach) Emery, while his maternal grandparents were Joseph and Mar- garet (Eckhart) Derheimer. In the family of Joseph and Anna Malinda Emery were four chil- dren : Mary M. is the wife of Reuben Kemmerer, and has had a family of six children. Joseph D. married Agnes Stahre, and had one child, now deceased. Susan is the wife of Jacob M. Barsch, and has ten children. Stephen S. completes the family.
Stephen Samuel Emery acquired his early education in the public schools of Butztown, and while not engaged with the duties of the school- room assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. Early in life he displayed excellent ability in management, and after completing his- education in the Weaversville Academy he as- sumed charge of one of his father's farms, com- prising one hundred and forty acres. This he-
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operated on the shares when but nineteen years of age, remaining in control of the property eight years. He then purchased a farm of one hun- dred and three acres, which he still owns and which is cultivated under his supervision. After making the purchase and renting his farm to good advantage, he turned his attention to con- tracting and building, and now owns three of the most attractive homes on the main street in Butz- town, the rental therefrom bringing to him a good income. He next extended his labors to the field of street railway construction and began building trolley lines, becoming one of the most successful promoters of the interurban transit in Pennsylvania. His marked ability in handling men has enabled him to secure the right of way on many occasions at comparatively small ex- pense, and in the work of construction he is un- surpassed in securing maximum results at a min- imum cost. He is the president of the Lansdale & Norristown Railway Company, operating a line fourteen miles in length, and is a director of the Chambersburg & Gettysburg Railway Company, owning a line twenty-three miles long. Both of these roads were built under his personal super- vision, and their equipment is modern in every particular. Excellent service is afforded the public, so that a liberal patronage is secured, and that the public recognize and appreciate his serv- ices in this regard is shown by the fact that upon the entrance of the first car into Chambersburg the people of that city presented him with a hand- some taken of their regard in the shape of a fine diamond ring. Mr. Emery is a man of keen discernment and seems to have accomplished at any one point of his progress the possibilities for attainment at that point. He utilized his time and means to the best advantage, and in this way has accomplished results, indicating superior managerial power, and at the same time promot- ing the public as well as individual prosperity. In politics, he is an independent Republican, and in religious belief has adhered to the faith of his parents, that of the Reformed church.
In 1879 Mr. Emery was united in marriage to Miss Anna Lawall, a daughter of John and Susanna (Mauser) Lawall, in whose family were
three children. Isabella became the wife of William Ritter, but both are now deceased. They had one son, Harry L. Ritter, who married Lizzie· Wach and had two children, Walter and Lynford. Mrs. Annie Emery was the second of the family. Alice Georgia is the wife of George J. Halter- man, and has one son, Byron Daniel. Mr. and Mrs. Emery had two children, but lost one in infancy. The other, John D. Emery, is now engaged in business in Allentown. He married Miss Alice Leahy, and they had one daughter, Leanna Geneva Emery, and a son, John D. Emery.
FRANKLIN MUFFLEY, representing the mercantile interests of Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, comes of a family whose connection with the state dates from the colonial epoch in American history. The family was established in Pennsyl- vania, near the foot of the Blue mountain. A son of the founder was Simon Muffley, whose birth occurred in Upper Mount Bethel township. He was an industrious, energetic man, and was the owner of considerable land. His sons also be- came tillers of the soil, and were loyal citizens of the commonwealth. Simon Muffley married Miss Cathrine Rotgel, also a native of Upper Mount Bethel township, and their children were : Jacob, Peter, William, Charles, Elizabeth, Cath- erine, Margaret, Marietta, Sarah and Lewis.
Lewis Muffley, the father of Franklin Muffley, was born in Upper Mount Bethel township, near North Bangor, Pennsylvania, in 1843. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits until attaining manhood, but for the past thirty-five years has been engaged in slate quarrying. He was mar- ried to Miss Frances Mann, who was born in Upper Mount Bethel township, in 1847, and died in 1890. Her children were six in number, all of whom are living, namely: Franklin, Callie, Alberta, George, Clara, and Herbert.
Franklin Muffley is a native of North Bangor, Pennsylvania, born on the 27th of March, 1874. The public school system afforded him his edu- cational privileges, and when his school days were over he began earning his livelihood as a salesman in a general store of North Bangor,
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where he remained for three years, faithfully dis- charging his duties to his employer and gaining a good knowledge of mercantile methods. In 1893 he joined Christian Speer, of Bangor, in a partnership, and they purchased a business block and a stock of goods and carried on the enter- prise together under the firm stylc of Speer & Muffley, securing a large and profitable trade, and their business annually increased because of their straightforward methods and their earnest desirc to please their customers. On April 1, 1903, Mr. Muffley purchased Mr. Speer's interest in the business, and conducted it entirely in his own interests until October of the same year, when he disposed of the business. On January I, 1904, he purchased an interest in and became general manager of the firm of Masters & Co., Pen Argyl, the firm conducting a large mercan- tile business in that borough. He served in the North Bangor postoffice, as assistant postmaster for eight years and was postmaster up to the date of his removal to Pen Argyl, in 1904. He is a progressive, young business man, who is in sym- pathetic touch with all of the improvements of the twentieth century.
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