USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 5
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Almost continuously a resident of Lehigh county, Mr. Thomas has long been recognized as a man of distinct and forceful individuality who has left and is leaving his impress upon the in- dustrial world. For years he has been an im- portant factor in the development of the natural resources of the state, in the upbuilding of his county, and in the promotion of the enterprises which add not alone to his individual prosperity but also advance the general welfare of the town in which he makes his home.
HON. WILLIAM MUTCHLER, deceased, a citizen whose life was useful and character un- blemished, a lawyer of commanding ability, and a statesman of national fame, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. The family from which he sprang was planted in America by two brothers, John and Valentine Mutschler (the original form of the name), who came from the valley of the Rhine, in Germany.
They were of that sturdy stock which, imbued with the ideas of civil and political liberty, came to the new world to be numbered among its most industrious and exemplary people, and to contrib- ute in high degree to the development and mar- velous growth of what is now a splendid nation.
The Mutschler brothers settled in Warren county, New Jersey, in 1752. They took up tracts of land in the locality now occupied by the village of Marble Hill, where they lived, reared their families and died. Valentine Mutschler was a stone mason and farmer, as was also his son Valentine. John, son of Valentine (second), born in 1798, gave the family name its present form of Mutchler. In 1824 he removed to Chain Dam, Forks township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, where he settled upon a tract of land upon which he lived until his death, October 4, 1844. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Mellick, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, and survived him many years, dying about the year 1866. They were the parents of nine sons and two daughters, namely: I. George, who during his early years was a farmer, hotel keeper and merchant, and latterly steward of the county poor house. 2. H. Mellick, who began life as a school teacher, became a lawyer, practicing his profes- sion in Easton, was the first elected district at- torney of Northampton county, and performed honorable army service during the Civil war. 3. Ellen, who became the wife of Peter Best, of Williams township, Northampton county. 4. Valentine, who followed farming until 1860. when he became connected with the Glendon Iron Works as superintendent of its famous stone quarries. Later he divided into lots some prop- erty in the western section of Easton, now known as Mutchlertown. He died April 14, 1901. 5. Jacob, who was a blacksmith. 6. Jane, who be- came the wife of George Clendaniel, who re- moved from Delaware to Pennsylvania. 7. John, who became a carpenter, and is the only surviving member of the family. 8. William, who is the immediate subject of this narrative. 9. James, who was a carpenter by trade. 10. A son who died in infancy. II. Godfrey, who was a car- penter.
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
William Mutchler, eighth child and sixth son of John and Margaret (Mellick) Mutchler, was - born at Chain Dam, Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, December 21, 1831, and was only seven years old when his father died. He had been brought up upon the homestead farm, which he aided his elder brother to cultivate, thus aiding his widowed mother to provide for her family. Even in these tender years, usually of thought- lessness, he displayed those manly traits of self- reliance, industry and unselfish consideration for others which distinguished him throughout his life. As he advanced toward manhood he pro- cured employment on neighboring farms, and devoted his scanty wages to the improvement of the condition of the family, and to the comfort of his mother in her declining days. Meantime he had a few months' schooling during the winter seasons, and he afterwards managed to become a student for two terms at the then famous academy of Dr. Vanderveer, in Easton. His scholastic preparation was meagre, but he had acquired habits of reading and thought, and by judicious use of his spare hours he acquired a fund of knowledge which afforded him an ample founda- tion for his subsequent honorable and useful ca- reer. His studious habits remained with him through all his years, and long before he became widely known he was a deeply read man, well in- formed in all branches of literature, familiar with the works of the great authors, with history and poetry, the arts and sciences. He was particu- larly well versed in the sacred writings, and it afforded him great pleasure to discuss and dis- course upon the books of the Testament both old and new, their origin, history, and influence upon humanity, personally and in the mass.
On leaving the academy Mr. Mutchler entered upon the study of law under the office tutelage of his brother, H. M. Mutchler. While thus en- gaged (in 1854) he received the appointment of deputy sheriff under Sheriff Cope, and served in that capacity for several years, meantime being admitted to the bar. Entering upon practice in Easton he soon made for himself an honorable place among an array of lawyers noted for their ability. As a practitioner his conduct was char-
acterized by a zeal and fidelity that made the cause of his client his own. He was of sound judgment, studious and painstaking to seek the right, and untiring in his efforts to establish and sustain it. Honorable in all his relations with court, bar and client, he enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all, as was attested by the eloquent and sincere tribute of the bench and bar of his county at the time of his death.
It was apparent at an early stage in the career of Mr. Mutchler that he was destined to become prominent in public life. His splendid physique and intelligent countenance indicative of strength of character, power of intellect and largeness of heart, were such as to command admiration in any assemblage, and brought him the respect and con- fidence of the people, as was shown by his re- peated elections by handsome majorities, and it is a highly significant fact that in his own county he was never opposed when his nomination was proposed.
In 1860 he was elected prothonotary of Northampton county, and was re-elected by a large majority, his two terms extending his serv- ice to six years. From 1867 to 1869, under ap- pointment by President Johnson, he served in the capacity of assessor of internal revenue for the Northampton district. In 1869 and 1870 he was chairman of the Democratic state committee of Pennsylvania, and it was in that position that his remarkable aptitude for politics, his clearheaded- ness, astuteness and ability in organization and management first came to be recognized by his party in the state and nation, his conduct in that campaign commanding the attention and winning the admiration of the ablest politicians. From that time forward he took his place among the leaders of the Democracy, and for the remainder of his life was recognized as one of its wisest counsellors, and a most careful and patriotic rep- resentative of the people. He represented the congressional district comprising the counties of Lehigh and Northampton and twelve townships of Bucks county in the Forty-fourth, Forty-sev- enth and Forty-eighth congresses; and, after the new apportionment, the present district consisting of Northampton, Monroe, Carbon and Pike coun-
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
ties, in the Fifty-first and Fifty-second con- gresses; and was re-elected to the Fifty-third congress, but was not permitted to serve out his term, his death occurring shortly after the open- ing of the session. He was a master of congres- sional routine, and his intimate acquaintance with the work of the various governmental departments afforded him an entire knowledge of detail, these two combining to make him one of the most useful members of the national legislature. He served with great ability upon numerous commit- tees of congress, and in 1883 performed distin- guished service as chairman of the committee on civil service reform. He was also chairman of the pension committee, and chairman of the sub-com- mittee on appropriations. He was a zealous par- tisan, but a more zealous patriot, and he did not hesitate to separate himself from his party when his conscience condemned it in an act or policy. Thus, when in the Fifty-first congress his party contended for unlimited silver coinage with almost unbroken front, he denounced its contention and stood with the Republicans against it. Vigorous in debate, his honesty was unquestioned and his logic so closely knit that few men in congress, and particularly of the minority party, as was he, re- ceived so close attention when speaking. A signal illustration of this was seen when, as chairman of a sub-committee, it fell to his lot to prepare and urge the passage of certain reform measures with reference to soldiers' pensions. The dominant party and many members of his own were unalter- ably opposed to any such action, yet he performed his unpopular duty through a long and futile struggle, with quiet firmness and unfaltering cour- age, winning the close attention and sincere ad- miration of his opponents, although he could not command their acquiescence.
The esteem in which Mr. Mutchler was held by the citizens of Easton, his place of residence, is evidenced by the fact that he was chosen many times to serve as a member of the borough coun- cil, and he never met opposition for any position for which he was named. His unswerving fidel- ity to his convictions, his perfect integrity, his courtesy and sincere kindness to every one with whom he was brought in contact-these were the
traits of character which made him before all others the most popular man in the community, and gained for him the support of hundreds of Republicans whenever he was a candidate for office, while his party supporters were animated by feelings of personal esteem as well as political enthusiasm. During the invasion by Lee's army in 1863 he served as adjutant of the Thirty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was a member of the Masonic order, and in his early manhood presided over various bodies-the lodge, chapter, council and commandery. He was broad and liberal in all his views, and a generous con- tributor to all local charities, while his fellows, in illness or distress, never applied to him in vain.
Mr. Mutchler married Miss Louisa Cope, a native of Bushkill township, Northampton county, born May 10, 1837. Her father, Jacob Cope, was of Scotch extraction. He was a farmer, owner of a grist mill and tannery, and served as sheriff of the county and also in the legislature. Mrs. Mutchler survived her husband about six years, dying January 21, 1899.
Mr. Mutchler died at his residence in Easton, June 23, 1893, aged sixty-one years and six months. His death was due to heart failure. He had been slightly ill for some time, but it was not thought that his condition was serious. During his last service in congress, as stated by Mr. Reilly in his obituary address before that body, Mr. Mutchler complained of being unwell, and, the speaker added, "I am strongly inclined to think that his indefatigable labors, his earnest applica- tion to the laborious duties which devolved upon him as a member of the appropriations committee, tended to exhaust his vitality and wear upon his system." After the close of the Fifty-second con- gress, accompanied by his wife, Mr. Mutchler made a trip to Florida, hoping for restored health. He returned apparently improved, and in the June in which he died went on an outing into the mountains of Pennsylvania. Immediately upon his arrival there he was seized with an illness of alarming character, and at once was conveyed to his home, but only to die.
The members of the Northampton county bar
town Auteliten
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
attended the funeral of Mr. Mutchler in a body, and in a formal meeting gave fervent recognition of his worth and high character. Eulogiums were pronounced by a number of the most prominent members. Hon. W. W. Schuyler, president judge, who was of the committee before whom Mr. Mutchler passed his final examination for ad- mission to the bar, mentioned the curious coinci- dence that death had come to him on the twenty- fourth anniversary, to the very day, of that ad- mission, and, testifying to his many virtues, said : "I did love the man and do honor his mem- ory, on this side idolatry, as much as any." Others who spoke in like terms of admiration were Hon. O. H. Meyers, Henry W. Scott, Hon. W. S. Kirk- , patrick, Hon. William Beidelman, Thomas F. Emmens, H. J. Steele, Hon. Howard J. Reeder, and A. C. La Barre. The funeral discourse was delivered by the Rev. Mayne.
Both houses of Congress assembled on Au- gust 8, 1893, to pay tribute to the memory of one held in honor and esteem by all, irrespective of party or of the frictions of legislative conflicts, for his lofty character, brilliant attainments, and dis- tinguished public services. Among the speakers in the House were Mr. Reilly, Mr. Stone, Mr. Breckinridge, Mr. Bingham, Mr. Springer, Mr. Dockery, Mr. Brosius, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sayers, Mr. McAleer, Mr. Wolverton, Mr. Holman, and Mr. Erdman; and, in the Senate, Mr. Quay, Mr. Mitchell, and Mr. Hansborough. The remarks of Mr. Reilly were of peculiar pathetic interest, as coming from one who was a long cherished and intimate personal friend of the deceased. Re- ferring to his personal characteristics he said :
Mr. Mutchler was a man of kindly disposition, social and generous in all his relations. He was a most devoted husband and affectionate father who idolized his family and who worshipped at the hearthstone as at an altar. As a friend he was sincere, unflinching, and unswerving in that loy- alty that he made his own standard of friendship, and as a man he was broad and charitable enough to make all mankind like him. He was a great lover of nature in all its phases, and found much pleasure in communing with it in all its forms. He seemed desirous of delving into and unravel- ing all the great mysteries of nature which sur-
round us, and its study was a source of interest and pleasure to him. He was of that disposition that could "find tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything."
A subject of especial interest to him and one upon which he loved to dilate, was the science of astronomy, with which he was quite familiar. To read the stars, to watch the course of the planets, to admire all the grandeur and beauties and won- ders of the heavens, was always a matter of en- joyment, and nothing afforded him more genuine pleasure than on a clear night, when the heavens were brilliantly studded, to visit the observatory and with the aid of a powerful telescope look in admiring wonder on the grand panorama there presented. The heavens seemed to have an especial attraction for his mind, and the sun, that "great orb of day," the fountain of all light and life, challenged his unbounded admiration, and often he expressed the wish, "When I die, bury me with the setting sun." This wish of the lamented dead was gratified by his family and friends, and as the last remains of William Mutchler were lowered into the cold and silent grave in the beautiful cemetery near his home, the setting sun was sinking below the western horizon.
HON. HOWARD MUTCHLER, of Easton, known throughout the state as an accomplished journalist, and a potent factor in political affairs, is a native of the city which is his place of resi- dence, a son of Hon. William Mutchler, deceased, whom it was his distinction to succeed in con- gress.
He was born February 12, 1859, and was reared to manhood in his native city. He there received a liberal common school education, and afterwards pursued an advanced course in Phil- ips-Exeter Academy at Andover, Massachusetts. He subsequently read law for two years in the office of his father and under his preceptorship. Averse to the legal profession and having a pre- dilection for journalism he never applied for ad- mission to the bar. In 1883 he assumed charge of the Easton Daily Express and the Northampton Democrat, and five years later purchased both these newspapers, which he has conducted to the present time. In this venture he found his true vocation and one in which he has given evidence
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
of a high degree of ability as editor and manager and real accomplishments as a writer. Zealous and uncompromising in his advocacy of Demo- cratic principles, he has made his journals widely influential, and they are recognized as among the most useful and important in the common- wealth. While thus aiding with pen and type in the propagation of principles which he holds to be essential to the highest interests of the state and union, he is also known for his qualities of per- sonal leadership. For seventeen years he has exerted a commanding influence in the counsels of his party, and to such a degree that his judg- ment has often been deferred to in questions re- lating to state politics and also in those entering into national campaigns. His career has ever been characterized by courage, enterprise and fi- delity, and his political action has been unswerv- ingly governed by the same high principles which he has held to in his personal concerns, command- ing the respect of his adversaries, and binding his friends to him as with hoops of steel.
In June, 1893, occurred the death of his hon- ored father, a statesman of consummate ability and highest character, and to the son came such an honor as is without its like in the history of the state, if not of the nation. Little more than a month after the death of the father (on July 27, 1893), the son was elected to fill the vacancy in the national House of Representatives, and it was his proud but sorrowful privilege to sit in the chair of the father in that august assemblage and listen to the fervent eulogiums pronounced upon the lamented dead. In 1900 Mr. Mutchler was elected to the Fifty-seventh congress for a full term, and during the sessions of that body ac- quitted himself with usefulness and honor.
Mr. Mutchler has always taken a deep interest in community affairs, and has ever promoted every enterprise of public benefit-street railways, telephone lines, educational and benevolent insti- tutions, churches, and whatever would be of ma- terial and moral advantage. Fraternally he is a Mason, being affiliated with Easton Lodge, Chap- ter, and Commandery ; the Consistory of Phila- delphia, Scottish Rite ; and Stella Temple, Mystic Shrine ; and he is a member of several prominent
clubs. In religion he adheres to the Lutheran church, the church of his ancestors.
Mr. Mutchler was married November 24, 1884, to Miss Alice Bercaw, also a native of Eas- ton, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Abraham Bercaw, of Easton. No children were born of this union.
THE ADAMS FAMILY. Among the earliest members of the Adams family who emigrated to America were Henry Adams, of Braintree, Mass- achusetts, and Robert Adams of Oxford township, Philadelphia county, and Walter Adams, his brother, all of whom it is said were descended from Lord John Ap Adams, son of Ap Adams, who "came out of the Marches" of Wales. Thomas Adams, brother of Henry Adams, of Braintree, Massachusetts, was one of the grantees named in the charter of Charles I in 1629. He was high sheriff and lord mayor of London.
Henry Adams with his eight sons settled at Mount Wollaston in Braintree, and Walter and Robert Adams were his brothers. It is thought, however, that they came to this country at a later date. They settled in Pennsylvania and, like the majority of the early colonists of that state, Walter was a Quaker.
The earliest record of the English branch of the Adams family is that of John Ap Adams, of Charlton Adams in Somersetshire, who married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress to Lord Gowrney, of Beviston and Tidenham county, Gloucester, who was summoned to parliament as baron of the realm, 1296 to 1307. In the upper part of a Gothic window on the southeast side of Tiden- ham church near Chopston the name of John Ap Adams is still to be found together with "arms argent in a cross gules, five mullets or" of Lord Ap Adam. The design is probably executed on stained glass of great thickness and is in perfect preservation. This church originally stood within the boundary of Wales, but at a later period the boundary line was changed so that it is now upon English soil. The arms and crest borne by the family are described as argent in a cross Gules ; five mullets or, out of a ducal coronet a demi-lion. The legend is "Loyal au mort," a
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
motto commonly used by this branch of the fam- ily is "Aspire, persevere and indulge not," and another, "sub cruce veritas."
The following is the line of direct descent to the Adams family of the Lehigh Valley. (I) Ap Adams came out of the Marches of Wales. Lords of the Marches were noblemen who in the early ages secured and inhabited the Marches of Wales and Scotland, ruling there as if they were petty kings, having their own private laws. These laws, however, were subsequently abolished. (2) Sir Ap Adam, knight lord of Ap Adam, married Elizabeth, daughter of Lord Gowrney; (3) Sir Thomas Ap Adam; (4) William Ap Adam; (5) Sir John Ap Adam; (6) Thomas Ap Adam; (7) Sir John Ap Adam, knight; (8) Sir John Ap Adam, who was the first to attach the letter "s" to his name; (9) Roger Adams; (10) Thomas Adams; (II) John Adams; (12) John Adams ; (13) Nicholas Adams; (14) Richard Adams; (15) William Adams; and (16) Henry Adams, who is said to have emigrated about 1634. In February, 1641, he was granted forty acres of land near Boston, of which Braintree is a part. His brothers were Robert, Thomas and Walter. The last named came to America by way of the Barbadoes, West Indies, and after living there for a time took up his abode in Pennsylvania.
(I) Walter Adams married Elizabeth Their children were: Richard, Anne, William, and Robert. Walter Adams was the brother of Robert Adams, of Oxford township, Philadel- phia, who died in 1719, leaving no children ; he devised the estate to his nephews and nieces, the children of his brother Walter and Elizabeth, his wife.
(II) Richard Adams, of New Providence township, died in 1748. His first wife's name is not known. Second wife was either Eishe or Aishe Withers, and they were married in 1726. His children are as follows: Abraham, married Alse - -; William, of Braken township, Lan- caster county ; Isaac, of Coventry township, Ches- ter county ; Susanna, married Conrad Custard, or Kistard; Catherine, married John Morris ; Mary, married Israel Morris ; Margaret, married Paul Casselberry ; Elizabeth, married Thomas Bull;
Ann, married Jacob Umstadt; Hannah, married Owen Evans.
(III) Abraham Adams died in 1738, and let- ters were granted to Rachel, his daughter, a spin- ster. There is mention of two children, Ann and Abigail.
Walter Adams and his brother Robert were brothers of Henry Adams, who came to New England and was a founder of the Adams family there (at Braintree, Massachusetts). Walter, his son Richard, and his son Abraham were Quakers.
Conrad Custard, husband of Susanna Adams, owned a large tract of land immediately adjoin- ing the tract surveyed to Ensign John Adams, of Nockamixon township, in 1763.
John Adams and James Adams, possibly and probably brothers, lived in Nockamixon township, Bucks county. There are a few records at Doyles- town, Pennsylvania, which bear James Adams' signature. He was also an ensign in the provin- cial service, Associated Companies of Bucks County, in 1747. See Colonial Records, vol. v. p. 209 ; also Pennsylvania Archives, second series, vol. ii, p. 505. This was nine years before John Adams held a like commission in the provincial service in the Associated Companies of Bucks county. There is nothing to establish that James Adams and John Adams were related. Neither can be found any data of their former residence or whose children they were. The only solution is that they were both possibly sons of Abraham Adams, and that they were disinherited on account of their being associated and holding commissions in the provincial service; or else, at the time of Abraham Adams' death, they being very young, were never mentoned in his will. The fact that John Adams held land adjoining that of Conrad Custard is a possible solution, he having been raised by his aunt Susanna.
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