USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 54
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the repair crew, and he continued in the active service of the road until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, feeling that his first duty was to his country, he enlisted among the boys in blue as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Scventy-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry. He joined the command October 18, 1862, and was in active service for nine months, being hon- orably discharged in August, 1863. After his return from the war Mr. Miller resumed his po- sition in connection with the railroad company, and was acting as brakeman when, on the 16th of February, 1865, he again responded to his country's call for aid, being enrolled at that time as a member of Company E, Twenty-first Regi- ment Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. With his command he was engaged in a number of the leading battles up to the close of the war, his heaviest fighting being around Petersburg, Vir- ginia. After the cessation of hostilities he was honorably discharged, and once more resumed active connection with the railroad company in the capacity of a brakeman. In 1866 he was made fireman, and served in that way until Oc- tober, 1870, when he was promoted to the posi- tion of engineer, thus running upon the road until 1893. Throughout that entire period he never met with an accident attributable to negli- gence on his part. In the year mentioned he withdrew from the company's service and spent several years in merchandising, but in 1899 again entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Rail- road Company, and is acting as watchman at the present time. Forty-two years connection with the same railroad line is proof indisputable of his fidelity to the interests of the company, and his capability in the discharge of his duties.
Mr. Miller has long been numbered among the progressive and public spirited citizens of the borough of Weatherly, and has held the offices there of school director and judge of elections, but has never been active in seeking political preferment, desiring rather to give his attention to his business duties. Socially, he is a member of Lodge No. 69, I. O. O. F., in which he has twice served as noble grand. He is also con- nected with James Miller Post, No. 273, G. A. R.,
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and his religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Lutheran church, in which body he has served as elder for a number of years, that being his present official connection with the denomination.
In 1868 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Annie Cooper, daughter of James and. Martha Cooper, of Weatherly, Pennsylvania. For his second wife he wedded Miss Mary Gehring, who was born at Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, in 1855, and gave him her hand in marriage July 4, 1874. She is a daughter of William and Sophia Gehring, who emigrated from Germany in 1850 and were married in this country. They became the parents of ten children, seven of whom are yet living, namely: Mary, Caroline, Emma, Catherine, Matilda, Elizabeth and Sarah. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born two children : Iola May, born May 7, 1877; and William O., on the IIth of June, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Miller occupy a very pleasant home which he erected in 1876.
ROBERT STECKEL, now deceased, but for many years well known as a representative of mercantile and agricultural interests in Lehigh county, ranks among those citizens who uphold the public stability and moral, material and in- tellectual progress of their respective commun- ities.
He was born in Allen township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1823. His father, Peter Steckel, was a son of John Steckel, who married a Miss Newhardt. Peter Steckel was married twice; his first wife. being a Miss Hartman, by whom he had a daughter Sally, who became the wife of Sanford Stevens, and had six children : John, who married a Miss Walter, and had one daughter, Salley, who married Mr. Jordan, and had one child, Charles, who married Annie Haas, and has one child; Winfield, who married Sallie Snyder, and had one daughter, Sallie, who became the wife of Mr. Dubbs, and has two children; Sanford, who married and re- moved to Philadelphia, had no children ; Solomon, who married Alice Appel, and had one son, John, who married Miss Snyder and had one child,
who died ; and Sarah who married James Geise- inger and has one son. After the death of his first wife, Peter Steckel married Esther Burkhalter, a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Biery) Burk- halter. By the second marriage there were four children, of whom Robert is the eldest. The others are Amanda, Annie, and Reuben. The first named is the wife of Peter Mohr, and has two children: Sarah, who married Allan Bank- ard, and has four children, namely : Robert, Cora,. Katie, and one dead; and Annie, wife of Lewis Deifenderfer, and has four children, Hattie, Jen- nie, Harvey, and Esther. Reuben Steckel mar- ried Maria Deifenderfer, and they have one child, Annie.
Robert Steckel, having attended the public schools in his youth, concluded his education in the Allentown Academy, and subsequently went to New York city, where he entered a wholesale- grocery house of which his uncle was the owner. He continued there for some years and then re- turned home, assisting his father in the operation of his farms for a time, and then taking entire charge. On the death of his father he became the- owner of two of the finest farms in the Lehigh Valley, and continued to engage in their operation. for twenty-five years, his e forts attended with signal success. He then removed with his family to Allentown, where he had built a beautiful home on North Sixth street. At that time he- gave up active farm work, and resumed merchan- dising as a member of the hardware firm of M. S. Young & Co., remaining in active connection with the trade interests of the borough until his death, August 30, 1886.
Robert Steckel was united in marriage to. Miss Hannah Frederick. Her paternal grand- parents were Charles and Magdeline (Ebert) Frederick, and her maternal grandparents were- Conrad and Hannah (Kratzer) Haas. Her par- ents, George and Hannah (Haas) Frederick, had seven children : Mary Magdalene, who married" Solomon Biery and had one child ; George, who married Elizabeth Richard and has six children; Nathan, who married Lavina Keichel and has four children; Thomas, who married Catherine Biery and had three children ; Owen, who married
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Ann Jeanette Bogardus and has four children ; Mrs. Steckel; and Pauline. The last named be- came the wife of Owen Diefenderfer, and they had five children: John married Eliza Luchen- bach and has two children, Pauline and Edna; James wedded Mary Bough and has two children, Edwin and Minnie; Thomas married Alice Cole and has a daughter, Miriam C .; Maria married Reuben P. Steckel, and has one child, Annie ; and Hannah married Walter Schaadt, and has nine children-Helen, Marguerite, Robert, James, Carrie, Samuel, Frederick, Thomas and Lillian.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Steckel had but one child, Robert Peter, who married Rebecca Hen- ninger and has one daughter, Esther A. Steckel. Since her husband's death Mrs. Steckel has continued to occupy the beautiful home which he provided for her in Allentown, and she and her son belong to the Reformed church, of which Mr. Steckel was also a loyal member for many years. His interest in political affairs was that of a pub- lic spirited citizen who recognizes that it is a duty as well as a privilege to exercise his right of franchise and support those measures which he deems will promote the greatest good for the greatest number. He voted with the Democracy, and was called to local office, serving as a member of the board of school directors for a number of years. Still greater distinction, however, was conferred upon him, for he was twice chosen to represent his district in the state legislature, where his course reflected honor upon the com- munity that had honored him. While Mr. Steckel was recognized as a most capable business man and a most trustworthy official, it was not alone his success in agricultural and mercantile pur- suits nor his prominence in political circles that won him the respect and love of his fellow men. but his kindly, benevolent spirit, which prompted his generous assistance to the poor and needy, and his fidelity to his friends.
REV. J. WILLIAM KNAPPENBERGER, who for more than a quarter of a century has been identified with the educational and moral progress of Pennsylvania, and who since 1892 has been president of the Allentown College for
Women, was born in Delmont, Pennsylvania,. July 31, 1848.
His primary education was acquired in the public schools and was supplemented by prepara- tory training in Delmont Academy and in the academy in Harrison City, Pennsylvania. His collegiate course was pursued in Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated with the second honors of his class. He determined then to devote his life to the ministry, and to this end matriculated in the theological seminary at Lancaster, com- pleting his course with the class of 1876. His. first pastorate was in the Reformed church at Delmont, and he later labored with churches. of that denomination at Pittsburg and Mercers- burg, Pennsylvania, his service in this direction covering a period of thirteen consecutive years. It was during that time that Rev. Mr. Knappen- berger was married, Miss Ellen L. Smith, of Meriden, Cennecticut, becoming his wife on the IIth of June, 1879. She has since been an able assistant to him in all of his work, and is closely associated with him in his educational labors in connection with Allentown College for Women. In the year 1888 Rev. Knappenberger met with an accident in Mercersburg, which resulted in the- loss of his left limb.
It is a widely acknowledged fact that the most important work to which a man can direct his energies is that of teaching, whether it be from the pulpit, from the lecture platform, or from the. schoolroom. Its primary object is ever the same, the development of ones latent powers that the duties of life might be bravely met and well per- formed. The intellectual and moral nature are so closely allied that it is difficult to instruct one without in a measure influencing the other, and certainly the best results are accomplished when the work goes hand in hand. Christian instruc- tion is having an influence for the world that few can estimate, for it is in youth that the life of the individual is marked out, his future career decided, and his choice as to the good or evil made. It is to this work of instructing the young that Rev. Knappenberger has devoted his
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time, energies and thought since 1890. He taught for one year in Greensburg Seminary, where he was also vice principal of the institu- tion during the year. In the succeeding summer he made a trip to Europe, visiting England, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and France. After his return to his native land he entered the ministry and continued to preach till he met with his accident in 1888 at Mercersburg. He became well known as a pulpit orator, clear and logical in his reasoning, and presenting his cause with the earnestness that arises from a deep conviction. Into the field of literature he also ex- tended his efforts as a writer for church periodi- cals, and his labors have been continued along the various lines of authorship, pastoral ministra- tions and educational work. He taught in Mer- cersburg College from 1890 to 1892. In 1892 he was chosen president of Allentown College, and has put forth strong and effective effort toward the upbuilding of this institution, which under his guidance has made continued and satis- factory progress, becoming a potent element in the intellectual and moral development of the Lehigh Valley,
Allentown College for Women was estab- lished in 1867. The founding of the institution grew out of a desire on the part of certain broad- minded and prominent citizens, including Judge Laubach, Aaron Reninger, Hon. Robert E. Wright, Sr., and others, to provide better facili- ties for the education of young women of Penn- sylvania and adjacent states. The college is situated on one of the most attractive streets in Allentown, and surrounded by an ample campus affording abundant room for exercise and out- door games. The building is a structure of brick. four stories in height, is heated by steam, lighted by electricity and provided with both hot and cold water. Due attention is paid to the light- ing and sanitary conditions, and in all such par- ticulars the school is a model one. In connec- tion with the institution is a library for refer- ence and general reading purposes, while the studio is one of the attractive rooms of the build- ing. A commodious chapel not only furnishes a
place for public devotions, but is also well adapted and equipped for lectures and entertainments. The college gymnasium is one of the best in the state, and an excellent museum has also been inaugurated. All of these departments are in addition to the excellent courses of study which throughout the existence of the college have been maintained. In the course of its scholastic years Allentown College for Women has had five presidents, the first being Rev. Lucian Court, A. M., who continued in office for less than a year, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. R. Hofford, D. D., who remained with the institution until 1883. His successor was Rev. Walter E. Krebs, D. D., who ere a year had passed was succeeded by Rev. W. M. Rily, Ph. D., who remained in charge until 1892, when Rev. J. W. Knappen- berger, A. M., was elected to the presidency. The history of the school as viewed from a finan- cial standpoint has been like that of most institu- tions. There have been years of prosperity and adversity, but throughout the entire time the school has made steady progress in its methods of teaching and has maintained a continuous growth in its influence and effectual work. In recent years it has received assistance through prospective endowments. It has been the dis- tinctive aim of the college to develop character as well as intellect, to cultivate the Christian graces, to prepare young women for usefulness and efficiency in whatever sphere of life they may be placed. The college now has an able and efficinet faculty, each teacher being selected on account of exceptional qualifications and be- cause of a special fitness for giving instruction in the branches assigned. Literary, classical and scientific courses may be pursued, and instruction in all of the arts may be received in this institu- tion. The board of trustees constitutes eighteen members, including some of the most prominent, successful, professional and business men of Al- lentown. When Rev. Knappenberger was called to take charge he made a thorough study of the conditions of the school, its advantages and its possibilities, and throughout his administration has maintianed a high standard for intellectual
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and moral culture. He has promoted progress along practical lines, has extended the curri- culum of the school, and has increased its ef- ficiency until it is a strongly recognized power for good in the Lehigh Valley and in the various com- munities to which its alumni have gone, carry- ing with them the influences of its educational and religious training.
FREDERIC AUGUSTUS RAUCH BALD- WIN, for more than forty years an active and prominent member of the Lehigh county bar, practicing his profession in the city of Allen- town, was born in Bloomfield, Essex county, New Jersey, February 7, 1842. He traces his ancestry to Richard Baldwin, who was the father of a son, Richard Baldwin, who in turn was the father of a son, Richard Baldwin, whose will, dated December 23, 1630, and proven in the Ecclesiastical Court of Bucks County, England, May 16, 1633, names three sons-Timothy, Na- thaniel, and Joseph -- the last named being under age when the will was executed.
Joseph Baldwin, youngest son of Richard Baldwin (3), and founder of the Baldwin fam- ily in America, was born in Cholesbury, Buching- hamshire, England. His name appears as a free planter in Milford, Connecticut, November 20, 1639, and later he removed to Hadley, Massa- chusetts, where the remainder of his life was spent. He was a weaver by occupation, and was among the pioneer settlers of the two towns in which he resided. He was married three times, and was the father of four sons and five daugh- ters. His first wife was Hannah , who joined the church at Milford in June, 1644, and at the same time her four children were baptized ; his second wife was Isabel, widow of James Northam, and her death occurred December 8, 1676; his third wife was Elizabeth Hitchcock, widow of William Warriner, of Springfield. Jo- seph Baldwin died November 2, 1684, survived by his third wife, who passed away April 25, 1696. He left his property in Milford, Connecti- cut, to his three eldest sons, to whom he had formerly given it.
Benjamin Baldwin (I), second son of Joseph Baldwin, was born in Milford, Connecticut, about 1642. He married Hannah Sargeant, daughter of John Sargeant, of Branford, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin went with a large colony from Branford and Guilford to found the city of New- ark, New Jersey, and their names appear on the records there in 1668. His homestead contained six acres in the heart of the city, and in addition to his occupation as farmer he followed that of weaver. He was a just and upright man, and his half-bushel measure, it is said, was made the standard in Newark. His will was dated 1726, and he was survived by three sons and one daughter.
Benjamin Baldwin (2), youngest son of Ben- jamin Baldwin (I), was born in Newark, New Jersey. There is very little authentic informa- tion about him, but by a partition deed it appears that with his brother Joseph he owned in com- mon a large tract of land on Third river, in what is now the town of Bloomfield, five miles north of Newark, and covering the mill sites, which were in the possession of the family for several generations. At his death he was survived by three sons and one daughter.
David Baldwin (3), son of Benjamin Bald- win (2), was born in 1715. He was united in marriage to his cousin, Eunice Dodd, who bore him eight sons and two daughters. With several of his sons and one of his daughters he united with the First Presbyterian church of Bloom- field, New Jersey, having been one of the original members. He died July 3, 1803, survived by his widow.
Ichabod Baldwin (4), youngest son of David Baldwin (3), was born January 25, 1757. He was a tanner and currier by trade, which occu- pations he followed in the town of Bloomfield, and he also conducted a paper mill there in part- nership with his brother, Jesse Baldwin. He participated as a private in the Revolutionary war, aiding to the best of his ability in the strug- gle for independence. He was particularly fond of theological study, and he was the owner of quite an extensive library, for that early period,
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on such subjects. He was a member of the Pres- byterian church, and served as elder for thirty- five years. His wife, Hannah (Dodd) Baldwin, born March 19, 1762, bore him four sons and four daughters. Mr. Baldwin died August 30, 1839, survived by his wife, who passed away January 9, 1848.
Caleb Dodd Baldwin, third son of Ichabod Baldwin, was born June 15, 1795. He was pre- pared for college in the village academy, and intended entering an advanced class at Prince- ton, but delicate health caused him to abandon the purpose. Subsequently, in association with his cousin, Ira Dodd, he began engineering and pub- lic contract work, which they conducted for sev- eral years, during which time they built locks, viaducts and bridges on the Schuylkill and Mor- ris canals, and portions of the Morris & Essex and Boston & Providence railroads. After the financial panic of 1837 he became conservative, settled down in his native village, where he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, and for more than thirty years, in association with his brother, con- ducted a paper mill. He took a prominent part in the establishment of private schools for both sexes, for which Bloomfield was noted previous to the organization of the common school system. On May 4, 1831, at Morristown, New Jersey, Mr. Baldwin was married to Susan M. Moore, daughter of Loammi and Huldah (Byram) Moore. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom now survive. Mr. Baldwin died February 4, 1868, and his wife, who through her mother was a lineal descendant of John Alden, of the "Mayflower," died August 31, 1892. Both were members of the First Presbyterian church at Bloomfield.
Frederic A. R. Baldwin, son of Caleb Dodd Baldwin, received his early education in the ex- cellent private academies of Bloomfield, New Jer- sey. In September, 1858, he entered the sopho- more class of Lafayette College, and was grad- uated therefrom with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1861. He began the study of law with William S. Marx, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, in September, 1861, but his studies were inter-
rupted the following September, when he went out with the Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment of Militia to repel the rebel invasion of the state, serving until his discharge. He was admitted to the Lehigh county bar on August 8, 1863, and the following year he attended a course of law lectures at Harvard, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1864, and that of Master of Arts from Lafayette College the same year. He was the first city solicitor when Allentown became a city, serving from 1867 to 1869, and from that date to the present time (1904) his attention has been given exclusively to the pro- fession of law ---- mostly office practice, with hand- ling of real estate. Mr. Baldwin has been earnest in his endeavor to cultivate public spirit in all directions, and he has contributed materially to the building up and improvement of the city of Allentown. He adheres to the principles of Re- publicanism, but has never sought or held public office. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and for several years has served on the board of trustees. In 1892 he became a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Suns of Revo- lution ; in 1896 became a charter member of the New York Society of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America; in 1897 became a charter member of the Pennsylvania Society of the same order, and served as states' attorney of the latter during the years 1897-98.
On October 16, 1873, at Orange, New Jersey, Mr. Baldwin was married to Frances Hallock Hutchings, daughter of the Rev. Samuel and Elizabeth C. (Lathrop) Hutchings, who were missionaries of the American Board of Congre- gational Foreign Missions in India for ten years, 1833-43. The latter named was a lineal descend- ant of Elder Brewster, of the "Mayflower." Five children were born of this union, namely: I. Henry Moore, born August 12, 1874, at Allen- town, Pennsylvania, was a student at the public and private schools of his native city, and from 1890 to 1894 pursued his studies at Lafayette College; he is now in the employ of the Title Guarantee and Trust Company, of New York. 2. Lathrop Hutchings, born June 21, 1877, at
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Allentown, Pennsylvania, was educated in pub- lic schools and Lehigh University, attending the latter institution from 1893 to 1897, and receiv- ing the degree of Mechanical Engineer; he is now employed by the Vermont Marble Company, Proctor, Vermont. 3. Traill Green, born June 26, 1879, at Allentown, died March 8, 1880. 4. Howard Leffingwell, born January 17, 1883, at Allentown, Pennsylvania, attended the public schools and Lehigh University, in the latter in- stitution pursuing a civil engineering course from 1899 to 1903. 5. Alden Welling, born July 2, 1887, at Allentown, Pennsylvania, attended the public schools and the Bordentown Military In- stitute, where he graduated in June, 1904.
HARRISON BORTZ, superintendent of the Lehigh Iron Company, with which organization he has been actively identified for the long period of thirty-one years, is one of the influential and public-spirited citizens of Allentown, Pennsyl- vania, and a representative of a family of Ger- man origin who were among the pioneer settlers of Berks county, Pennsylvania. He is a son of Owen and Hannah (Wenner) Bortz, and grand- son of Solomon and Mary (Hoffman) Bortz, who were the parents of nine children : Gideon, Owen, Jonas, William, Nathan, Benneville, Ed- win, Fianna, and Caroline. Solomon Bortz (grandfather) was a native of Rockland town- ship, and later a resident of Long Swamp town- snip, where he engaged in. the occupation of farmer and miller.
Owen Bortz (father) was also a native of Rockland township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, and in this vicinity he was reared to manhood and obtained a practical education in its common schools. He learned the trade of miller, and subsequently removed to Lehigh county, where for seven years. he was successful in the opera- tion of a mill. He then turned his attention to farming, which line of work he conducted for many years, achieving a fair degree of success through perseverance and industry, and during the latter years of his life he gained a lucrative livelihood by engaging in the coal business at
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