USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 64
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curred June 5, 1858, in the eightieth year of his age.
Nathan Miller (father) was born in Lehigh township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 18II. He acquired the limited education afforded by the common schools of that day, and by dili- gent and careful study at home he became a well educated man. He served an apprenticeship with his father at the tailoring trade, and subsequently established a tailor business at Siegfried's Bridge, where he rapidly gained a large and lucrative trade which necessitated the constant services of six experienced employees. In addition to the management of this line of business he was the proprietor of a general merchandise establishment and a well known and popular hotel, and these various enterprises he conducted successfully until 1838, when he disposed of them. He then purchased the property on which the Miller Slate Quarries are located and the farm land adjoining from James McCraig, and in 1854, having dis- covered that the land contained a superior quality of slate, he opened a quarry which was the first located in this section of the country, and suc- cessfully conducted the same until 1867, after which he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He first leased the quarries to George S. Zeigenfass, who conducted them for a short period of time, and then an Easton company took a lease of the property.
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Nathan Miller was united in marriage to Eliza Butz, who was born in the vicinity of Cedar- ville, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1809, a daughter of Peter Butz. Their children were: Edwin, who resided on the homestead with his parents until his death which occurred in 1889; Sarah Jane, widow of Abraham Landes ; Mary Ann, wife of W. H. H. Stewart; William H., mentioned at length hereinafter ; Stephen, a veteran of the Civil war, and now a resident of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller was a member and elder in the Reformed church, in which his wife also held membership, and was a staunch Republican in his political views. His death occurred April 2, 1885 ; he was survived by his wife who passed away August 31, 1901.
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The educational advantages enjoyed by Will- iam H. Miller were obtained in the common schools adjacent to his home, and by a careful and systematic course of study and reading at home. His entire business career has been devoted to farming on land purchased by his father in East Allen township, and the operation of the slate quarries, at the present time (1903) serving in the capacity of superintendent of the latter named industry. He is held in high esteem by his friends, neighbors and business associates for his many excellent characteristics, and is a man of prominence and influence in the community His church relations are with the Reformed denom- ination, in which body he holds membership, and his political affiliations are with the Republican party.
November 2, 1862, Mr. Miller married Su- sanna Bartholomew, who was born in Moore township, August 27, 1839, a daughter of Philip and Susan (Danner) Bartholomew. Four chil- dren were the issue of this union: I. Sarah Le Anna born, in 1863, became the wife of Hugh R. Jones, and they are the parents of the following named children : Annie Catherine, Rob- ert Daniel, Mabel Mary, William H., Helen Susan, Howard D., and John Wilson Jones. 2. Nathan Henry, born August 12, 1865 died in childhood : 3. Annie Jane born February 2, 1867, died in childhood ; 4. Ellen Susanna, born in 1874, died in childhood.
WILLIAM JACOBY, deceased, was born in Lower Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, July 17, 1827, and through many years was actively connected with agricultural interests in his part of the Lehigh Valley.
His paternal grandfather, William Jacoby, coming from Germany to the new world, settled in Lower Mount Bethel township. His family numbered the following named : Henry, George, John, Peter, James, Jeremiah, Mary, Mrs. Welsh, Mrs. Snyder and Daniel. The last named' was the father of William Jacoby, and was born in Lower Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, June 5, 1804. In early life he became
familiar with the work of field and meadow on the old family homestead, but later learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for a num- ber of years. Subsequently, he purchased a farm and again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was a man of straightforward pur- pose, honorable in all his relations with his fel- low men, and endeavored to make the Golden Rule his life motto. His daily conduct was in constant harmony with his professions as a mem- ber of the Lutheran church. He married Miss Eve Miller, a daughter of Jacob Miller. She was born in 1800, and died in 1882 at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Her husband survived until 1888, and died at the age of eighty-four years. Unto this marriage were born the fol- lowing named : William, who was born in 1827; Reuben, in 1828: Sarah, in 1830; John, in 1834; and Daniel, in 1843.
William Jacoby was reared in his parent's home and acquired his education in the public schools. He early became familiar with farm life- and gave his attention to that work until he had become the owner of a very comfortable home and large farm. His enterprise and capable man- agement were salient features in his career. After living for some time in his native township he removed to Upper Mount Bethel township, where he purchased a farm constituting one hundred and twenty and a half acres, upon which was erected one of the oldest stone houses in that part of Northampton county. It was built in 1809, and was formerly the property of J. Dates- man, and came into possession of Mr. Jacoby in 1870. In 1887 there had been developed upon this farm a slate quarry which is still in opera- tion.
Mr. Jacoby was an earnest Christian gentle- man and a firm believer in the doctrines of the new Lutheran church. He held a number of offices in the organization with which he was connected, and exemplified his belief in his daily conduct. He kept well informed on all general topics of interest and in the political questions of the day. Socially, he was identified with Mount Bethel Lodge, No. 732, I. O. O. F.,
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of which he was a noble grand, and during his incumbency in that office, the lodge grew and prospered.
On the 17th of April, 1852, Mr. Ja- coby was united in marriage to Miss Pau- lena Beck, a daughter of George and Eliza- beth (Raisley) Beck, of Stone Church, Pennsyl- vania. Her father was a native of Upper Mount Bethel township, and her mother was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Their children. were Jacob, Philip, George, Henry, Ephraim, Catherine, Paulena, Sarah A. and Margarett. Mrs. Jacoby was born at Stone Church, North- ampton county, in 1833, and by her marriage had fifteen children, namely: Edwin J., Sarah A., Mary C., Effie J., George, William H., Emma E., Rose E., Philip E., Anna B., Laura D., Susan E., Paulena, Minnie R. and Ida M. Of these Laura D. is now deceased. The others are all married and are in comfortable circumstances.
BARNET LAUBACH, a resident farmer of Lower Nazareth township, has for seventy- one years been a resident of Northampton coun- ty, where several generations of the family have previously resided. His great-grandparents were citizens of the county, and Adam Laubach, his grandfather, was born upon a farm in Saucon township. He was educated in the public schools there and became a well known farmer of his community. His wife bore the maiden name of Odenwelder, and their children were Jesse, Eliza- beth and John.
John Laubach, the father of Barnet Laubach, was born on the old homestead in Saucon town- ship, May 9, 1804, and acquired his own educa- tion as a student in the public schools. He after- ward engaged in teaching in the public schools of his township for several years. During the greater part of his life, however, he carried on agricultural pursuits, and in 1830 became the owner of the tract of land upon which his son Barnet now resides. He gave a stalwart support to the Republican party, but never sought or de- sired office for himself. He married Anna Walter, a daughter of Barnet Walter, who followed farm-
ing near Easton, Pennsylvania. His death oc- curred December 16, 1867, and his wife survived until January 29, 1884. Their children were: Adam, who married Marietta Haupt and had two children ; John, who wedded Matilda Johnson, by whom he had two children ; William, who mar- ried Sarah Knecht and had three children ; Richard, who married Matilda Fenner, by whom he had two children ; Robert, who died when quite young ; Reuben, who married Sarah A. R. Koeh- ler, by whom he had thirteen children ; Mary C., who married John Rohn ; Diana, who first wedded Amandus Hellick and later Amandus Buss ; and Barnet, whose name introduces this review.
Barnet Laubach, born on the old homestead farm of the family, in Lower Nazareth town- ship, August 30, 1832, was a student in the public schools near his home and in a private school at Easton, Pennsylvania. After com- pleting his own education he devoted six years of his life to teaching in the township schools, proving a capable educator. He then returned to the old homestead which has since been his home and the scene of his labors. He is recognized as one of the progressive agriculturists of his community, and is highly esteemed by friends and neighbors because of his integrity and his fair- ness in all business transactions. A Republican in politics he has been called upon to serve his fellow townsmen as auditor and as assessor. He is a member of the Dryland Reformed church of Hecktown.
Mr. Laubach was married December 30, 1855, to Eva A. Wagner, who was born November 7, 1835, a daughter of John and Susan (John- son) Wagner, the former a farmer of Lower Nazareth township. Their only child, William H., born May 25, 1857, died October 13, 1864.
WILLIAM LANDES, who has long been prominently identified with the agricultural in- terests of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, first as a farmer and now as proprietor of the Bath Creamery, comes of a family long resident in that section.
The first Abraham Landes, great-grandfather .
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of William Landes, was one of the very earliest settlers in this region, and the farm he cleared has since been known as the Landes homestead. He was a member of the Mennonite church. He married Eve Zeigler. He had a family of seven children, namely: Samuel, Abraham, Margaret, Barbara, Eve, Mary and another daughter who became the wife of a man named Shelly.
The second Abraham Landes, second son and second child of Abraham and Eve (Zeigler) Lan- des, was born on the old homestead in 1797. He afterward came into possession of the old place and spent his life there as a farmer. He and his wife, Nancy Landes, were members of the Men- nonite church. The grandfather of Nancy ( Bech- tel) Landes was Martin Bechtel, born January 2, 1735, and who died April 5, 1777 ; his wife, Anna Reasser, who was born October 17, 1739, died July 22, 1826. Abraham, son of Martin and Anna (Reasser) Bechtel, was born in Springfield town- ship, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1765. He married Catherine Yelles, June 22, 1795. She was born December 22, 1776, and died January 27, 1824. The children of this marriage were as follows: Henry, born June 18, 1796, died De- cember 3, 1802 ; Abraham, born August 16, 1798; Anna, born January 27, 1800, died December 29, 1884; John, born July 9, 1802, died January 12, 1849 ; Margretta, born November 1I, 1804; Cath- erine, born March 7, 1807 ; George, born June 20, 1809; Jacob born June 13, 1812; Henry, born March 3, 1815, died October 25, 1885 ; Folly and Hannah, twins, born February 7, 1818; Sally, born March 29, 1820; Fanny, born June 9, 1822. Nancy, wife of Abraham Landes, was the daugh- ter of Abraham Bechtel, second son of the fore- going family. The children of Nancy (Bechtel) and Abraham Landes were as follows: Henry, Abraham, George, Jacob, Jonas, and Kate. Nancy (Bechtel) Landes was born in 1800 and died in 1884, her husband having died in 1840.
The third Abraham Landes, second child and second son of Abraham and Nancy ( Bechtel) Landes, was born on the old homestead in East Allen township, Northampton county, in 1831: He learned the trade of tinsmith as a young man, but later became a farmer. He was a member of
the Reformed church, and a Republican. He married Sarah Jane Miller, daughter of Nathan Miller, of Siegfried's Bridge, and became the father of six children, as follows: William, al- ready mentioned ; George, of Akron, Ohio; Abra- ham, of La Fonis; Eliza, who married Henry Edwards; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of George Laubach; Ellen, the wife of John T. Jones of Bath. Abraham Landes, father of this family, died September 18, 1902.
William H., oldest child of Abraham and Sarah Jane (Miller) Landes, was born in East Allen township, Northampton county, September 29, 1854. His education in the public schools of East Allen township, was supplemented by a course in the Weaversville Academy. As a young man he went to Delaware, where he en- gaged in farming for five years. At the end of that time he returned to East Allen township, where he was occupied as a farmer until 1892. He was pushing and energetic, always looking for the most advanced and scientific methods in his work. He gave special attention to the dairy business and strongly felt the local need of a better way of disposing of the milk supply. Ac- cordingly, in 1892, he established at Bath the creamery which he now operates. It is fitted up with modern machinery and all the latest appli- ances for butter-making. He does a large busi- ness, the superior quality of the product com- manding the highest prices on the market. He is a Republican, and has been health officer in Bath for six years.
He was married January 30, 1878, to Mary J. Laubach, born in East Allen township, a daughter of Peter and Emma (Becker) Laubach. Four children have been born of the marriage, of whom two died in infancy. Two sons are living, of whom Albert N. is in the creamery business in California, and William Howard is in business with his father at Bath.
JOHN L. LAUBACH, who follows general farming in Lower Nazareth township, North- ampton county, is a great-grandson of Jacob and Catherine (Odenwelder) Laubach, both of whom were natives of Saucon township, and were well
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known farming people. At least one preceding generation of their respective families must have resided in Northampton county, which indicates that the ancestors of J. L. Laubach came to Pennsylvania in the colonial epoch in American history. Jacob and Catherine Laubach had three children-Jesse, Elizabeth and John.
John Laubach, the grandfather, was born on his father's farm in Saucon township, May 9, 1804, and after acquiring a good education in the public schools engaged in teaching for a num -. ber of years in the township schools. On abandon- ing the work of the schoolroom he took up farm- ing and in 1830 purchased a tract of land in Lower Nazareth township, Northampton county, now owned and occupied by his son Barnet. He at- tended the Lutheran church and voted with the Republican party, but sought nor desired politi- can preferment. He was married to Anna Walter, who was born in 1803 and died January 29, 1884, while his death occurred December 19, 1867. Her father, Barnet Walter, was a farmer who resided near Easton, Pennsylvania. The children of John Laubach and his wife Anna were ten in number.
John Laubach, the second in order of birth in that family, and the father of John L. Laubach, was born on the old family homestead in Lower Nazareth township in 1829, and died in 1891. Following his school days he devoted his attention to general farming throughout his life. He voted the Republican ticket but held no political office. His wife, Matilda Ann Johnson, now deceased, was a daughter of William Johnson, a farmer of Lower Nazareth township. The children of this marriage were John L. Laubach and Asher W. Laubach.
John L. Laubach was born September 16, 1859. At the usual age he entered the public schools, and since putting aside his text books has given his undivided attention to farming. For a time he lived on the old homestead, and then removed to a farm in Lower Nazareth township near Newburg. He is a Republican in politics, and has held some minor township offices, but has preferred to give his attention to his business
affairs. He belongs to the Knights of Malta, and attends the Reformed church at Hecktown.
In 1882 John L. Laubach wedded Ida A. Walton, a daughter of George and Mary Ann (Barnet) Walton, the former a resident farmer of Bethlehem township. There are three children of this marriage: Emma, born in 1887; Ezra, in 1891; and Elwood, in 1895.
JAMES MONROE DREISBACH is a leader in financial, commercial and political cir- cles in the Lehigh Valley, and is now the presi- dent of the Mauch Chunk Trust Company, of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. Honored and re- spected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in connection with busi- ness affairs in this portion of the state than does James M. Dreisbach, not only because of the bril- liant success he has achieved, but also because of the honorable methods he has ever followed. His labors have contributed largely to the upbuilding and substantial improvement of his community, and he is a representative of that class of Amer- ican citizens who, while promoting individual success, also advances general prosperity.
Mr. Dreisbach was born at Lockport, North- ampton county, January 4, 1847, his parents be- ing Solomon and Mary (Mummey) Dreisbach. His paternal grandfather, Michael Dreisbach, was born April 1, 1779, and became a cooper and wheelwright by trade. He married Susanna Shaffer, and died October 15, 1868. Solomon Dreisbach was born in Lehigh township, North- ampton county, in 1822, and his business train- ing was received in a mercantile establishment. Early in life, however, he engaged in boat-build- ing, also conducting a boatman's stable and store. In 1850 he removed to East Mauch Chunk, where he built the Central Hotel, which was the first hotel in the town. He served in various local positions, and was a member of the Re- formed church. He was married to Miss Mary Mummey, who was born near Berlinsville, Penn- sylvania, November 9, 1828, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Master) Mummey. Mr. and Mrs. Dreisbach were the parents of six children : James
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M .; Joseph B. ; Franklin A .; Ellen I .; Mary H., the wife of Rev. William C. Shaffer of Chambers- burg, Pennsylvania; and Emma J., the wife of Harry Larnish, of Harrisburg. Mr. Dreisbach died August 14, 1880, and his wife March 3, 1889.
James Monroe Dreisbach was but three years of age when his parents removed to East Mauch Chunk, and his education was obtained in the pub- lic schools of that borough. In the latter part of the year 1863 he entered the employ of the Hazelton Coal Company as a clerk at Penn Haven, at which time the town was one of the best ship- ping points in eastern Pennsylvania. General William Lilly was then in charge of the affairs of the Hazelton Company at Penn Haven, and a strong friendship sprang up between the two gentlemen that has since continued. During the spring and summer months of 1865 Mr. Dreis- bach was shipper for Shoup, Weigs & Company, and for Cocks Brothers & Company, miners and shippers of anthracite coal, making shipments by way of the Lehigh canal, with headquarters at Mauch Chunk. In the winter of 1865 and the spring of 1866 he was a student at a business col- lege in Philadelphia, and in March, 1867, he en- tered the Second National Bank at Mauch Chunk as bookkeeper. Subsequently he was promoted to the position of teller ; in 1880 was elected cash- ier ; from 1897 until January, 1901, served the institution as vice-president, and in the latter year was elected president of the bank, with which his connection has covered a period of thirty-four years. On the 3Ist of December, 1902, the char- ter of the Second National Bank expired by lim -. itation, and the Mauch Chunk Trust Company was then organized on the Ist of January, 1903, with Mr. Dreisbach as president.
His life has been one of marked activity in financial circles, and he has been the promoter of many movements and enterprises that have proven of great value to the communities in which they have been established. He was a director of the East Broad Gap Railroad and Coal Company, and he has been actively interested in the develop- ment of varied coal and iron industries. He was the acting executor of the estate of General Will- iam Lilly, the millionaire coal operator, and has
been executor of many other important estates. He was the assignee in the settlement of the af- fairs of the Miners' Bank of Summit Hill, Fenn- sylvania, and succeeded in securing for the cred- itors seventy-five per cent. of their claims, although at first it was supposed that the deposi- tors would lose everything which they had in- trusted to the keeping of the institution. Mr. Dreisbach has been secretary and treasurer of several successful building and loan associations in his section of Pennsylvania, and the system of building and loan bookkeeping in force at the present time was originated by him many years ago. His name is indeed an honored one in finan- cial circles, and his integrity in business affairs is above question.
In early life Mr. Dreisbach was a member of various secret societies both fraternally and bene- ficially. In later years he affiliates with only two-Carbon Lodge, No. 242, F. and A. M., of which he is a past master, and Mauch Chunk No. 76, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand. He is also a trustee of both fraternities. The field of politics furnished him both pleasure and excite- ment in the earlier years of his manhood and he gave to the party of his choice the loyal support of a patriotic and public-spirited citizen. In later years he has never aspired to nor held offi- cial positions. His prominence, however, in- creases as the years pass by. At different periods he held the office of treasurer of the borough of East Mauch Chunk, and in 1870 he was active in the establishment of the East Mauch Chunk post- office, being appointed in May of that year its first postmaster. He named Elwin Bauer as his deputy, for the duties connected with the Second National Bank made too great demands upon his own time and attention to allow him to perform the duties of the postoffice. Winning recognition in political circles because of his effective labor in behalf of his party, he was many times ser as a delegate to county and state conventions, and frequently was chairman of the Republican committee. In 1896 he was elected a delegate to represent the eighth congressional district in the Republican national convention held at St. Louis, and in 1900 he was again sent as a delegate t
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the national convention at Philadelphia. He was active in securing the necessary legislation in 1901 for the creation of Carbon county as a sep- arate judicial district, and in the establishment o the offices of prothonotary, clerk of the courts, register of wills and recorder of deeds, the duties of these different positions having before been combined in one office. In May, 1902, he re- ceived from the department of public construction a commission as a trustee of the East Stroudsburg public schools, but declined the honor. His influ- ence in political circles, has been a potent factor . in Republican successes, and his activity in busi- ness affairs has contributed largely to commercial activity in Mauch Chunk.
THOMAS M. LESHER. The industrial and financial history of the Lehigh Valley would be very incomplete and unsatisfactory without a personal and somewhat extended mention of those whose lives are interwoven closely with the de- velopment of this portion of the state. The sub- ject of this sketch finds an appropriate place in this history of the men of business and enterprise in Pennsylvania whose force of character, sterling integrity and good sense in the management of complicated affairs have contributed in an emi- nent degree to the improvement of the Lehigh Valley. His career has not been helped by acci- dent or luck, wealth or influential friends, and he is in the broadest sense of the term a selfmade man, being both the architect and builder of his own fortunes.
His ancestral history can be traced back to Johannes Lisher, who was born in Wittgenstein, Hesse, Germany, in 1719. He emigrated to the United States in the ship "Hope" in 1734, in company with his mother, his father having prev- iously died in his native land. They located ir Berks county, Pennsylvania, where Johannes Lisher became acquainted with members of the Moravian sect and with them he cast in his lot. In 1743 he was baptized into their faith and be- came a missionary to North Carolina, making two trips in the interest of that church to that state. Sometime subsequent to that day he located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where on the 16th of
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