USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 66
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
at St. Joseph's Hospital, Philadelphia, and for a year and a half served in the same capacity in St. Luke's Hospital in South Bethlehem. Janu- ary 1, 1898, he came to Bath, where he succeeded to the practice of the late Dr. J. O. Berlin. Here he has since remained, building up from year to year an extensive and lucrative practice, and constantly increasing his reputation as a scien- tific, skillful and conscientious physician. He is a member of the Northampton County, Lehigh Valley, and State Medical Societies. Dr. Hahn is attentive to all the essential duties of citizen- ship, to which he gives as much time and consid- eration as the absorbing and imperative nature of his professional duties will allow. In the sphere of politics he follows in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, adhering faithfully to the Dem- ocratic party. He is a member of the Presby- terian church.
Dr. Hahn married, April 16, 1900, Jennie, born in Steubenville, Ohio, daughter of William S. and Jessie (Glen) Hanson. Dr. and Mrs. Hahn are the parents of two children : Carl Will- iam and Richard Glen.
PHILIP FINE INSLEY. The mention of the name of Philip Fine Insley recalls the memory of one who for nearly half a century was num- bered among those residents of East Allen town- ship who, by reason of the possession and exer- cise of those qualities which go to the making of useful men and good citizens, have earned the cordial regard and sincere respect of their neighbors.
Godfrey Insley was born in New Jersey, where he passed his life as a farmer. His was the peaceful and happily uneventful existence which a century ago usually fell to the lot of a pros- perous husbandman. Mr. Insley was a member of the Lutheran church, and was deservedly re- spected by all. He married Barbara Fine, and they were the parents of a son, Philip Fine, men- tioned at length hereinafter. Mr. Insley lived to an advanced age. He left behind him the mem- ory of an honest, kindhearted man.
Philip Fine Insley, son of Godfrey and Bar-
25 ×
386
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
bara (Fine) Insley, was born April 7, 1800, in New Jersey, and passed his boyhood and youth on the paternal farm, receiving his education in the common schools. In 1830 he moved to Penn- sylvania and settled in Northampton county, mak- ing his home in East Allen township, where he purchased the old Horner homestead. Here for the remainder of his life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he prosecuted with a degree of success which was the result of in- dustry, perseverance, practical ability, and strict adherence to the principle of honesty in all his dealings. He took the interest of a good citi- zen in all township affairs, always giving his in- fluence to the side which proved itself to his best judgment as that of right and justice. Politi- cally, he was a Democrat, advocating by his voice and vote the doctrines and candidates promul- gated and supported by that party. He attended the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Insley married Elizabeth Barber, whose birthday, by a remarkable coincidence, was the same as his own. They were the parents of three children: Isaac Barber, who was born Septem- ber 8, 1822; Mary Margaret, who was born Sep- tember 9, 1824 ; married Nesmuth F. Manly, and moved to Wisconsin, where both she and her hus- band died; Elizabeth, who was born March 15, 1826, and died in childhood. Mrs. Insley, the mother of these children, died, and Mr. Insley married Henrietta, born December 5, 1814, daughter of James Horner. By his second mar- riage Mr. Insley was the father of the following children : Jane, who was born March II, 1836, and became the wife of George J. Kuntz ; Esther Ann, who was born October 5, 1838, and is the widow of Samuel J. Burger, of Bath; Maria, who was born December 1, 1842, and resides on the homestead; Emma, who was born April 2, 1846, and is the wife of Colonel John Craig, of Lehigh Gap; Alice, who was born July 18, 1849, and resides on the homestead, with her sister, mentioned above; Clara, who was born July 18, 1851, married Frank Warner, and has one daughter, Bessie; Martha, who was born March 21, 1856, and died April 20, 1889.
The death of Mr. Insley, which occurred May I, 1878, was mourned as that of a man of his character deserved to be, his family having the sympathy of the whole community in their af- fliction. He was survived more than twenty years by his wife, who passed away March 19, 1901, sincerely lamented by all who knew her.
GEORGE H. DECH. Among the farmers of Upper Nazareth township none stands higher than George H. Dech, who for more than half a century has been recognized as a leader and authority in all matters pertaining to his calling. His talents as an agriculturist are part of his inheritance from a long line of successful farm- ers, who have, each in his day and generation, contributed to the prosperity and well-being of the community in which they resided. The fam- ily of the Dechs was planted in the township in which they have so long lived by Jacob Dech, who during the latter part of the eighteenth century purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land in Upper Nazareth and there established a home. This estate has remained ever since in the pos- session of his descendants. He married Chris- tina Best, and they were the parents of five children. Jacob Dech closed his long and useful life at the advanced age of eighty-four years.
John Dech, son of Jacob and Christina (Best) Dech, succeeded, in due course of time, to the pos- session of the homestead, which he cultivated and managed with an extraordinary measure of suc- cess, adding two farms to his father's first pur- chase. He married Elizabeth Oberly, and three children were born to them : Rudolph, mentioned at length hereinafter ; Christina, who married Isaac Switzer; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jacob Rohn. John Dech, like his father before him, ended his days on the homestead.
Rudolph Dech, son of John and Elizabeth (Oberly) Dech, was born in 1802 on the home- stead in Upper Nazareth, where, like his father and grandfather, he passed his life. From boy- hood to old age he was engaged in the care and cultivation of his paternal acres, first as assistant to his father, and afterward as owner of the
387
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
estate. His days passed peacefully, filled with the healthful labors and tranquil enjoyments of a successful farmer. His interest in local affairs was always keen, and his participation such as he could conscientiously make it in view of the press- ing nature of his duties as a farmer. Politically, he was during more than half his life an old line Whig, but later became a Republican. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church, in which he held the office of elder. He married Saloma, daughter of Abraham Fogel, of Lower Nazareth township, and they were the parents of three children : George H., mentioned at length hereinafter ; Elizabeth, who married James Keck, and is now deceased; and Sarah Ann, who is the wife of Franklin Deyly. On the death of Mr. Dech, which occurred in 1881, it was felt by all that a truly good man had passed away. His wife died in 1895 at the advanced age of eighty- nine years. Her family in their affliction had the sympathy of the many friends by whom Mrs. Dech was sincerely loved and respected.
George H. Dech, son of Rudolph and Saloma (Fogel) Dech, was born December 26, 1829, on the old homestead, where he was trained to the agricultural pursuits which had formed the occu- pation of his forefathers. His education was ob- tained in the public schools of his native town- ship. With the lapse of time his ancestral home passed by inheritance into his hands. Under his management it is needless to say, the estate suf- fered no depreciation in any respect whatever, but rather increased in value, being conducted ac- cording to the most improved, and scientific methods, maintained in a high state of cultiva- tion, and rendered profitable in every sense of the word. He gave in all fifty years to the care of the homestead, which he then surrendered to his son and retired to his present abode, there to spend the remainder of his days actively, but somewhat less arduously than had formerly been his wont. Mr. Dech has never failed in the duties of a citizen, but has discharged all his political obligations in an earnest and disinterested spirit. His political principles have always been those of the Republican party. He is an elder in the Lu- theran church of Bath.
Mr. Dech married in 1856, Elizabeth, daugh- ter of George and Elizabeth (Kreidler) Best. The former, who was the son of John Best, b. longed to one of the old families of Upper Nazar- eth township. Mr. and Mrs. Dech are the pa- rents of the following children : Ella Amanda, who was born in 1857 and is the wife of James Gernert; Sarah, who was born in 1862, married Charles Edleman, and is the mother of one child, Preston ; Llewellyn, who was born in 1866, mar ried Laura Bittenbender and now resides on the homestead, to the cultivation of which he de- votes himself with the same assiduous industry and enlightened practical skill with which it was maintained by his ancestors. These acres, which were the birthplace and the lifelong abode of three generations of the Dech family, are now in the possession of one who represents a fourth generation, and when in the natural course of events they cease to be his, it is to be hoped that they will become the inheritance of still later representatives of the race.
ALEXANDER C. P. LAURY, the genial and popular agent at Laury's Station, that well known and much frequented summer resort for pleasure seekers, is a worthy representative of American manhood and citizenship. He was born at Laury's Station, Lehigh county, Pennsyl- vania, June 26, 1849, and is a son of Judge David, a sketch of whom is given in this work, and Maria (Klein) Laury, also natives of Lehigh county. The family is of Scotch origin, the pro- genitor of this branch having emigrated to this country at an early day.
Alexander C. P. Laury attended the com- mon school of his native village, where he ob- tained an excellent preparatory education which was supplemented by a course at the Allentown Academy, where he completed his studies in the. year 1864. He then became an assistant to his father, who was the first station agent of the Le- high Valley Railroad at that place, and on the death of the latter in 1883 he assumed full con- trol of the office. In addition to this important position he is agent at Cherryford, an office he
388
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
has held since 1884; is the leadil. merchant in the village; is the incumbent of the office of post- master, which he has filled for a period of twenty- one years ; and for a similar number of years has fulfilled the duties of express agent. During his lifelong residence in the village he has ever proven himself to be true to his convictions, faithful to his country, and a friend to his fel- low-men, and he enjoys the respect and esteem of a host of friends. He is an earnest advocate of the principles of Democracy. The hotel erected at Laury's Station by Judge David Laury in the year 1829 was conducted by Alexander C. P. Laury from 1871 to 1875. Mr. Laury is a mem- ber of Catasauqua Lodge, No. 284, Free and Ac- (cepted Masons ; Allen Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons ; and Allen Commandry, No. 20, Knights Templar.
In September, 1871, Mr. Laury was united in marriage to Mary R. Hirst, daughter of Thomas and Mary Hirst, of Bethlehem, North- ampton county, Pennsylvania. Their children are : Bessie, wife of Samuel R. Thomas ; Helen, wife of William D. Schantz ; and Marion Laury. .
WILLIAM H. KRIEDLER. The name of William H. Kriedler is a familiar one to all resi- .dents of Lower Nazareth township, where it is always mentioned with the respect due to an energetic and successful farmer and public-spir- ited citizen. He belongs to one of the old fam- ilies of the township, where his ancestors were landholders at least as early as the middle of the eighteenth century.
Conrad Kriedler was born on the homestead in Lower Nazareth township, was educated in the common schools, and all his life was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married, and was the father of one son, Edward, who was also educated in the common schools of the township, and then became a farmer on the homestead, to the ownership of which he in time succeeded, and . on which he passed his life. He married Mary Boyer, of the same township, and several chil- · dren were born to them.
Andrew Kriedler, son of Edward and Mary
(Boyer) Kriedler, was born on the homestead, and followed substantially the same plan of life as his father and grandfather, attending the dis- trict schools, and acquiring even in boyhood a knowledge of the calling to which he was in after years to devote himself. Inheriting the homestead, he made the care and cultivation of his paternal acres the business of his life, achiev- ing the success which always crowns the efforts of industry, when joined to ability and genuine worth of character. Politically, he was a Demo- crat, but declined to hold office. He attended the Reformed church. He married Sarah Beesh, of the same township, and they were the parents of two children: Mary, who was born April 4, 1860, is the wife of Charles Dech, and has one child ; and William H., mentioned at length here- inafter. Mr. Kriedler, the father, died after a life of useful and honorable endeavor.
William H. Kriedler, son of Andrew and Sa- rah (Beesh) Kriedler, was born November I, 1863, on the old homestead, and received his edu- cation in the common schools of the township. He is now the owner of the farm which has been the birthplace and lifelong home of so many gen- erations of his ancestors, and the flourishing con- dition in which, under his skillful management, it is maintained, promises well for those who are to come after him. Although devoting his best en- ergies to the care of his estate, Mr. Kreidler has nevertheless mingled actively in public affairs, and has been honored by his townsmen with several offices of trust and responsibility. His political connections are with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Knights of Malta.
Mr. Kriedler married, in 1890, Semia, born in 1868, daughter of Nazen and Matilda Franken- field, the former a farmer of Forks township. Mr. and Mrs. Kriedler are the parents of one child, named Asher, who was born in 1892.
ABRAHAM D. STAUFFER, well-known as an agriculturist of Bethlehem township, North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, is also identified with local political interests. His father, born in
389'
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and his grandfather had been resident there before him, and left him the heritage of a good name which he well sustains.
David Stauffer, the grandfather, was a farmer, and his wife was Barbara Driespaugh. He died when his son David, who was born in Bucks county in 1795, was only three weeks old, and his widow subsequently married John Kunsman, of Lower Saucon township. The child David was brought up in the family of his stepfather, and given a common school education. He learned the carpenter's trade, and worked for many years as a carpenter and cabinet-maker. About 1829 he settled in Bethlehem township, where he bought twenty acres of land which he worked in a small way in connection with his regular em- ployment. He also figured as a funeral director in the days when undertakers themselves made coffins. He married Mary Magdalene Deemer, and had a family of three children, namely : Sus- anna, deceased, who was the wife of William H. Coleman ; Jacob, deceased, a farmer who married Annie Knecht; and Abraham D., who is spoken of at more length. Mr. and Mrs. David Stauffer were devoted members of the Lutheran church. He died in 1865, and his wife died in 1880, at the age of eighty years.
Abraham D. Stauffer, youngest child of David and Mary (Deemer) Stauffer, was born in Bethle- hem township, December 19, 1833. He obtained a good education in the public schools, and was a teacher for a short time before he took up farming and gardening, which have been the oc- cupations of his life. He has made gardening a science, and has given much attention to the finer details of farm work. He maintains a lively interest in public affairs, and has served the township as school director and justice of the peace, still holding the latter office. He has been prominent in local politics, having been clerk of the orphans' court in 1896, 1897 and 1898, as well as county auditor for the three years follow- ing 1874. He is a Democrat, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Patrons of Hus- bandry. He belongs to the Lutheran church, and
is a trustee and liberal supporter of the church society. Mr. Stauffer is possessed of an in- tegrity and earnestness that make him valued in, every relation of life.
He married Sabilla Fogel, in August, 1857- She was a daughter of George Fogel, born in Lower Nazareth township, who married Julia Ann Koch, and had four daugh- . ters-Sabina, Eliza, Sabilla and Marietta. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer are the parents of ten chil- dren, as follows: Lucinda, who died at the age of a year and a half; Susanna Clara, who mar- ried William P. Lerch, and has a son Asher ; Marietta, who married Milton T. Lerch, and is the mother of two children, Bertha and Homer ; Jeremiah Franklin, who married Ida Halteman ; Elmer David, who married Laura Kuhn; Sarah Ann, who married James W. Moore, and has two. sons, Robert P., and William; Ida Sabina, who married Marcus Uhler, and is the mother of three children-Wilmer, Miriam and Florence; Asher Victor, who married Jennie Clause, and has three children-Florence, Warren J. and Susana ; Cora, who married Irwin P. W. Eatter, and has one child, Paul; Ellen, who married Warren D. Hal- teman, in 1904.
JOHN N. LAWFER, throughout the period of his business career actively and prominently connected with one of the leading department stores, that of W. R. Lawfer & Co., of Allen- town, was born in Kreidersville, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1860, and is an honored representative of one of the old Ameri- can families whose connection with the new world dates back to the seventeenth century.
His great-grandfather was Peter Lawfer and his grandparents were Jacob and Leah (Steckel) Lawfer, natives of Northampton county, Penn- sylvania. Jacob Lawfer was a farmer by occupa- tion, and conducted his operations for many years: on the old family homestead in Moore township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Among the children born to him was a son, William R. Lawfer.
William R. Lawfer, father of John N. Lawfer,
390
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
was born August 5, 1838, on the old homestead in Moore township, Northampton county ; he died at Allentown, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1900, and his remains were interred in Fairview Ceme- tery, Allentown. The days of William R. Lawfer's boyhood and youth were passed in the usual man- ner of farmer lads. He assisted in the labors for which his age and strength fitted him, and at- tended the common schools until thirteen years of age, when he entered upon his business career as a clerk in the store of his uncle, Aaron Steckel, with whom he remained for six months. He was employed by Stephen Raeder, of Bath, Pennsyl- vania, in the spring of 1851, and continued in that position until the business was sold, after which he remained with Flick & Smock, successors of his former employer for four years. Desirous then of enjoying better educational privileges than had previously been afforded him, he became a pupil in the select school taught by Dr. Thomas G. Apple, and subsequently continued his studies in the Phillip Lehman select school, at Easton, Pennsylvania, taught by John H. Oliver. Resum- ing his place in the business world he was em- ployed in the general store of Joseph Wana- maker, (a relative of John Wanamaker, the fa- mous Philadelphia and New York merchant) in · Kreidersville, Pennsylvania, and afterwards by A. H. and Amos Hahn, in Bath, with whom he continued for eight years. During the year 1865- 66 he was a salesman in the store of Hon. Joseph Laubach, Stemton, Pennsylvania, and in the lat- ter named year became a resident of Allentown, and entered into partnership with W. R. Steckel under the firm style of Lawfer & Steckel. They carried a large stock of dry goods and groceries, and the business was continued by the original partners until 1874, when Mr. Steckel disposed of his interest to George W. Hartzell, and in 1876 Mr. Hartzell was succeeded by Jacob Lawfer, a brother of William R. Lawfer. At the expiration of three years' time the sons of Will- iam R. Lawfer-J. Harry, John N. and Alvin W. -entered the firm. They conducted an extensive department store, covering acres of floor space, which is still one of the leading mercantile enter- prises of the city. Mr. Lawfer was a director
in the Allentown National Bank, a member of the board of trustees of the Allentown College for Women, and one of the charter members of the Allentown Hospital, and was interested in all matters calculated to advance the welfare of the community. He was very active in religious and benevolent work, held membership in the Zion Reformed church, represented the congregation as delegate elder at meetings of classes and synod, and also served as superintendent of the Sunday school connected therewith for many years. He was a member of the board of directors of the Bethany Orphan Home of the Reformed church at Womelsdorf, Berks county, Pennsylvania.
In 1858 William R. Lawfer was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Kleppinger, a daugh- ter of John Kleppinger, a prominent and success- ful farmer near Siegfried's Bridge, Pennsylvania.
John N. Lawfer, son of William R. and Han- nah (Kleppinger) Lawfer, was reared in Allen- town, Pennsylvania, acquired a knowledge of the rudimentary branches of study in its public schools, later was a student at Muhlenberg Col- lege, and completed his education at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He received his business training in his father's store, and after serving in the capacity of sales- man for some time was admitted to a partnership. Mr. Lawfer, who is clear-headed, enterprising and discriminating in his business methods, be- came quickly recognized as a progressive mer- chant, and his keen sagacity and strong purpose, which were salient elements in his career, com- bined with strict integrity, won for him a prom- inent place in the commercial circles of Allentown, where his word is considered as good as his bond. The enterprise with which he is connected is conducted along modern business lines, and its great increase in trade during recent years is in : large measure due to the capable and efficient efforts of John N. Lawfer. Aside from his ex- tensive business interests, Mr. Lawfer devotes considerable of his time and means to benevolent work, more particularly in behalf of orphans, be- ing an active and potent factor in the manage- ment of the Bethany Orphans' Home of the Re- formed church at Womelsdorf, Berks county,
391
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
with which his father was for so many years ac- tively identified. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Phoebe Deaconess' and Old Folks' Home of Allentown. He is a mem- ber of St. John's Reformed church, and served in its board for a number of years. Mr. Lawfer enjoys the acquaintance of a wide circle of friends who admire him for his many excellent characteristics, and he and his family occupy an enviable position in the social life of Allentown. Mr. Lawfer so closely resembled his father in looks, disposition and physique that he was often taken for his brother.
John N. Lawfer was married to Miss Irene C. Saeger, daughter of Henry J. Saeger, and they became the parents of five children : Emily M., Charles H., who died in infancy; Harold S., Marian S., who also died in infancy ; and William R. Lawfer. Mr. Lawfer is a faithful and de- voted husband, a kind and indulgent father, and his home is noted for the utmost hospitality.
CLARENCE A. WOLLE, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, one of the reresentative men of the Lehigh Valley, has operated along many lines that have led to individual success and to public prosperity.
The earliest known ancestor of the Wolle fam- ily to which Clarence A. Wolle belongs, was John Frederick Wolle, who was born in Posen, Poland. Among his children was Peter Wolle, born in Schwerzenz, Posen, November 6, 1745. He re- moved to Herrnhut, Germany, where in course of time he tendered his services to the Brethren's church and received an appointment by lot as missionary to the negro race in the Danish West Indies. He was married by lot July 21, 1783, to Anna Rosina Geyer, who was born in Ottenhain, Saxony, Germany, January 19, 1761, a daughter of Christian Geyer, who was born in Ottenhain,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.