USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 69
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Matilda Louisa Heller, the youngest of the family of Jacob and Susanna (Butz) Heller, was born March 1, 1823, and was married October 12, 1845, to Melchoir Hay Horn. They had seven children : (1) Susan Butz Horn, born September 15, 1846, was married April 21, 1874, to Martin L. Dreisbach, who was born September 6, 1843. They have two children : Matilda E., born July 4, 1875, and John Martin, born November 26, 1878. (2) William H., born December 2, 1847, now in Mexico. (3) Edward Trail Horn, born June 10, 1850, a minister of the Lutheran church at Reading, Pennsylvania. He married June 15, 1880, Harriet Chisolm, who was born November IO, 1861. They had seven children : Robert C., born September 12, I881 ; William M., born November 28, 1882; Isabella T., May
4, 1884; Harriet E., October 22, 1885; Edward T., September 23, 1887; Mary G., January 10, 1889; and M. Hay, who was born May 12, 1892, and died September 20, 1893. (4) Frank Melchoir Horn, born Octo- ber 16, 1852, now cashier of the National Bank of Catasauqua. He was married January 18, 1882, to Elizabeth F. Williams, whose birth occurred October 7, 1856, and they have four children : Melchoir Hay, born November 4, 1884; Emma Williams, born January 12, 1887; Susan, born August 13, 1889; and Eleanor Trail, born August 22, 1894. (5) Harry Yohe Horn, the fifth of the family. (6) Isabella Trail Horn, born February 4, 1861, died February 5, 1882. (7) Charles Robert Horn, born October 16, 1863 ; was married June 23, 1886, to Blanche Thomas, who was born April 6, 1863. Their children are: Isabella T., born September 18, 1887; Mary, who was born October 18, 1888, and died on the 15th of No- vember, following ; Catherine R., born July 19, 1890; James Thomas, born March 19, 1892; Blanche, May 13, 1894 ; and Helen, born Decem- ber 22, 1896.
Dr. Harry Y. Horn began his education in the schools of his native town and completed his literary course in Lehigh University. He after- ward attended Jefferson Medical College of Phila- delphia, in which he was graduated in the class of 1879. The same year he entered upon the prac- tice of medicine at Laury's Station, but after a year he removed to Coplay, where he has secured a lucrative and growing practice. He is now a man of broad experience in his profession, well read on the principles of the science of medicine, careful in the diagnosis of a case, and very suc- cessful in combating disease. He is surgeon for the Lehigh Valley Railroay Company, and con- sulting surgeon for the Allentown Hospital, and is also a member of the Lehigh County Medical Society, the Lehigh Valley Medical Society and the State Medical Association. In 1900 he opened a drug store, in which he is also conducting a prosperous business.
In 1881 Dr. Horn was married to Miss Annie Heller, a daughter of Peter Heller, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of six
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children-Matilda H., Isabel T., George P., Rob- ert T., Annie H. and Harry Y. Mrs. Annie Horn died in 1887, and for his second wife Dr. Horn chose Florence Heller, a daughter of Charles Heller, of Allentown. Their children are Fannie H. and Charles W.
Fraternally, Dr. Horn is a member of the Im- proved Order of Red Men. He takes an active and helpful interest in community affairs, has served his borough as a member of the school board, has been chief burgess of Coplay, and is a member of the council at the present time. His citizenship is characterized by a progressive and public-spirited interest in all that pertains to gen- eral welfare and improvement, and he has ever exercised his official prerogatives for the support of all movements that he deems of benefit to the community.
DAVID O. SAYLOR. While most of our readers are fully aware of the important relation which the Lehigh Valley sustains to the industrial wealth and enterprise of the state and country, but few have a clear conception of the extent, capacity and value of some of the establishments that have contributed to make the Lehigh Valley famous as a manufacturing region.
An establishment whose importance is per- haps less generally known than that of more pre- tentious institutions is the Coplay Cement Com- pany, which was organized in 1866 for the pur- pose of manufacturing hydraulic cements. The stockholders of the company were David O. Say- los, Esaias Rehrig and Adam Woolever, with David O. Saylor as president. The property of the company, consisting of thirty acres, was pur- chased in 1867. The excellence of the cement and the rapid increase in the demand for the produc- tion required the company to enlarge their fac- tory, which they accordingly did in the year 1869. In 1870 they opened a new quarry, and the fol- lowing year built an additional stock house. Up to this time only natural cement was made, but in 1872 Mr. Saylor discovered a process by which an improved cement was manufactured known as "Anchor Cement." In 1875 he invented Saylor's Portland Cement, which was the principal pro-
duct of the Coplay Cement Company, and the Pioneer Brand of American Portland Cement. In the year 1877 three additional kilns were built. In 1879 they erected seven more kilns, and six iron grinding mills with a new steam power and crushing plant. Five years later three kilns and ten mills were built. At this date seventeen kilns were brought into use, thirteen of which were used in making Portland Cement and four in making the "Anchor" brand. In 1884, the year of Mr. Saylor's decease, the output had increased to 104,000 barrels per year, while at the present time ( 1904) the yearly output is 800,000 barrels. In 1903 the total production of Portland and nat- ural cements in the United States amounted to. 28,454,140 barrels, having a value of $30,364,34I. Of this amount 20,897,973 barrels were Port- land Cement, valued at $26,146,319; 7,030,27 I barrels were Natural Cement, valued at $3,675,- 520, and 525,896 barrels were Slag Cement, valued at $542,502.
To Mr. Saylor is due the credit of introducing Portland Cement into this country, a cement highly recommended and universally used by the most prominent architects and engineers. This great and useful man, whose industry, enterprise and genius was instrumental in aiding humanity, was born in Hanover township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1827, a son of Samuel and Margaret ( Paules) Saylor. Samuel Saylor conducted a general store at Schoenersville, in the management of which David assisted. His parents subsequently removed to Allentown, leav- ing the store of their son, David O. Saylor, who conducted it until the year 1863, when he disposed of it and removed to Allentown. Here he en- gaged in truck farming, dsposing of his produce- in the Allentown markets. In the winter of 1866 he was about to engage in the slate business, but becoming acquainted with Mr. Esaias Rehrig, to whom reference has been previously made, he ar- ranged to engage in the cement business at Cop- lay. Mr. Saylor was also interested in the fire brick works of Ritter & Saylor, was a stockholder in the Blue Vein Slate Company of Slatington. and largely instrumental in securing to Allentown the Peerless Adelaide Silk Mills, in which he took
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a great pride. He was a member of the Allen- town Board of Trade; an active member of St. John's Lutheran church, since his residence in Allentown; and an honored member of Barger Lodge No. 333, Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Saylor was a man of sterling qualities, unswerv- ing integrity and tenacious adherence to his fixed principles. He was of pleasing manner, unaf- fected in his demeanor, and was nighly respected by his hosts of friends, and estcemed by all who knew him.
On June II, 1867, Mr. Saylor was united in marriage to Emma M. Saeger. Five children were the issue of this union, four of whom are living, namely: Miriam M., wife of Charles H. Moyer ; Alice J., wife of W. W. Kneath ; Mary F., wife of Harry Jennings, and George S., mar- ried to Jennie M. Sacks.
David O. Saylor died July 21, 1884, aged fif- ty-six years, nine months and one day.
ALFRED C. ALBRIGHT. The ancestors of Alfred C. Albright have been residents of the Lehigh Valley for more than two hundred years. The first settlement was made in Lehigh county, and representatives of the name are now not only found in various parts of Pennsylvania, but also in many states of the Union, where they have be- come useful members of society, active and prom- inent in different professional and business lines. Solomon Albright, the grandfather of Alfred C. Albright, was born in Lehigh county and resided near Trexlertown, where he owned and success- fully operated a large farm. In fact, he became quite wealthy, amassing a fortune through his close application to business and careful manage- ment, but his great liberality was the cause of his losing much of his possessions, and he died at a comparatively early age. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Baldwin, and they became the parents of four children, Solomon, Edward, Lydia and Mary Albright.
Solomon Albright was born in Macungie township, Lehigh county November 1, 1822, and in his youth learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for many years. He was a man of inflexible integrity, and his life was in harmony
with his professions as a member of the Lutheran church, in which he held the positions of elder and deacon. He married Rebecca Gangenwehr, who was born in White Hall township, Lehigh county, June 20, 1824. His death occurred May 4, 1878, and she survived until 1879. Their chil- dren are Alfred C .; Achilles, born November 4, 1846; Sylvester, born May 10, 1850, now de- Iceased ; and Mrs. Alice Reinhardt, born in 1853.
Alfred C. Albright, a native of Upper Macun- gie township, Lehigh county, born May II, 1848, . was reared to the occupation of farming, and afterward followed that as his chosen vocation for about twenty years. In 1902, however, he left the farm and removed to Emaus, where he purchased a home in one of the most beautiful residence districts of the borough. He is now engaged in general contracting.
Mr. Albright was married October 10, 1870, to Miss Sarah L. Deibert, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Deibert, of Lowell township, Lehigh county. She was born August 15, 1849, and by her marriage has become the mother of twelve children, namely : Edwin H. B., John S., Harris T., Phaon A., William A., Seth E., Jacob S., Annie S. A., Minnie L., Charles M., Elsie A. and Mary A. R., The family are members of the Lutheran church, in which Mr. Albright has served as deacon. They enjoy the confidence and respect of the community in which they live, and have many friends in Emaus.
HENRY A. SCHERTZINGER, justice of the peace of Slatington, was born in Saegersville, Heidelberg township, Lehigh county, on the 27th of April, 1855. The family to which he belongs is of German lineage. His father, Gordon Schert- zinger, was born in Germany in 1827, and in 185I came to the United States, where he continued to follow the jeweler's trade that he had learned in his native land. His political support was given to the Republican party. He was twice married, the first time in Germany. His second wife was Hilaria Blessing, who was also born in the father- land, and their children were as follows: Ed- mond, Rebecca, Amelia, Laboldena, Henry Charles, Mary, Minnie, Julius, Edward, Lillian,
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Estella and three that died in infancy-Thomas, Caroline and Otto.
Henry A. Schertzinger acquired his education in the common schools, and under his father's direction learned the jeweler's trade, which he fol- lowed in the shop in his native town until 1864, when the family removed to Slatington. About that time he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, with which he con- tinued for nine years. Then, desirous of engaging in business for himself, he learned the trade of a cigar maker, and later went upon the road, sell- ing the product of his own factory. In 1891 he returned to Slatington, where he was elected to the office of borough assessor, which he filled most creditably until 1895. He was then elected jus- tice of the peace, and on the expiration of his term was re-elected to the same office. In addition to his legal duties as magistrate he represents sev- eral prominent life insurance companies.
Mr. Schertzinger is a stanch Republican in politics, and is a prominent member of the Royal Arcanum and the Slatington Social Club. He also belongs to the United Evangelical church and takes an active and helpful part in religious work.
In July, 1896, he married Emma C. Heintzel- man, a daughter of David Heintzelman, a retired resident of Slatington. Four children have been born to this marriage-Caroline, Carl, Leah and Marie.
JAMES W. PETERS, one of the enterpris- ing young business men of Egypt, now success- fully conducting a general mercantile establish- ment, was born in 1861 in this town, and is a son of Nero and Serena (Schierer) Peters, both natives of Lehigh county. The father, who in former years was actively and extensively en- gaged in farming, is now living a retired life in Egypt. In matters of citizenship he has man- ifested an active and helpful support, and the sterling traits of his character have demanded for him uniform confidence and regard of his fellow men.
James W. Peters was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, and his boyhood days
were spent upon his father's farm, where he early became familiar with agricultural pursuits, as- sisting in the care of field and meadow while not engaged with the duties of the school room. Hav- ing put aside his text books he entered business life as a clerk, and was thus employed for a num- ber of years, and until the capital he had ac- quired through his own labors enabled him to- engage in business for himself. He then opened a general mercantile store in Wisconsin, con- ducting the enterprise for three years, after which he went to the south and engaged for a year in a similar enterprise in Louisiana, north of New Orleans. Later he was located in the state of Washington for some time, and through his busi- ness connections he gained a comprehensive and extensive knowledge of his native country. In 1893, he returned to the east, and again taking up his abode in Egypt he has here succeeded beyond. his most sanguine expectations.
In 1901 Mr. Peters was joined in wedlock to Miss Clara Kohler, a daughter of Lewis A. and Paulina Kohler, and they have one child Helen.
A. D. LEVAN, a manufacturer of Coplay, whose business interests have contributed to the commercial progress and substantial upbuilding of his borough, was born August 3, 1877, and is- descended from French Huguenot ancestors who because of their fidelity to their religious faith, suffered persecution in France and were exiled from their native land. There were three brothers. who came from France to America, and after spending a short time in Philadelphia removed to Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where they became the progenitors of a prosperous and large family noted for their loyalty to the interests and insti- tutions of their adopted country. In course of time their descendants removed to Schuylkill county, and thence the representatives of the fam- ily in the present generation came to Lehigh county. W. F. Levan, father of A. D. Levan, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and in 1872 removed to Coplay, where he established a general mercantile store, which he has since con- ducted. He has also served as postmaster of the borough, and for several years has filled the posi-
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tion of borough treasurer. He married Miss Leanora A. Dengler, also a native of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and they became the par- ents of two daughters and a son: Catherine, Adele and A. D. Levan.
Reared in Coplay, A. D. Levan attended the public schools until he completed the full course by graduation from the high school. He after- ward spent five years as a clerk in the office of the American Cement Company, and then estab- lished a knitting mill which he has since owned and operated. He manufactures all kinds of ladies' underwear, and the motive power for the machinery is furnished by a twenty horse power engine. The plant is supplied with modern equipments ; employment is furnished to thirty operatives, and the industry adds much to the business enterprise and commercial activity of the borough. Mr. Levan is recognized as an en- terprising young business man, possessing laud- able ambition, strong determination and sound judgment. He is an acceptable member of the Reformed church, and is popular in social circles in his native town.
JOHN W. FAUST, a progressive, practical farmer of Macungie township, is in both the pa- ternal and maternal lines descended from prom- inent families of this part of the state. His pater- nal grandfather, Peter Faust, was a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and was a successful, enterprising farmer. He married Miss Margaret Niece, and they had six children: Sam- uel, Margaret, Peter, Jesse, Jonathan and Sarah.
Captain Peter Faust, the father of John W. Faust, was born in Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania, March 24, 1835, and died in Lehigh coun- ty, November 26, 1900. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the Union cause and became cap- tain of Company A, One Hundred and Seventy- ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, in which command he served his country faithfully and well. On the expiration of his term of service he was honorably discharged. Throughout his business career he engaged in farming, in deal- ing in horses and in the manufacture of gun- powder, and these various lines of activity proved
excellent sources of income to him. He married Miss S. Amanda Kerchner, a daughter of John and Mary (Christman) Kerchner, and a granddaugh- ter of William Kerchner. The latter was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in which place his German ancestors had located at an early day. He later removed to Lehigh county, and took up his abode in Macungie township, upon the farm which is now occupied by his great-grandson, John W. Faust. He there purchased land, erect- ed thereon a fine brick residence, and successfully carried on agricultural pursuits. He had but one son, John Kerchner, who was born in Long Swamp township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1804, and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Miss Mary Christman. He then erected a house near his father's home, and this is used to-day by his grandson, John W. Faust. He departed this life July 25, 1888, while his wife, who was born November 4, 1805, died on the 15th of September, 1874. He was a very prosperous agriculturist, taking a deep interest in his work and following that pursuit throughout his entire life. His was an upright and honorable career, in consistent harmony with his con- nections with the Reformed church, in which he held a number of offices. Unto him and his wife were born the following named : John A., William, Frank, Jacob, S. Amanda, Mary Ann, Salome and Eliza. Louisa, the wife of John A. Kerchner, was born October 14, 1845, and died October 23, 1870. William Kerchner was born March 28, 1831, and died February 4, 1879. His wife, Lavina, was born October 16, 1833, and died July 20, 1902. John H. Kerchner, a son of William and Lavina Kerchner, was born October 28, 1860, and died April 12, 1885. Mrs. S. Amanda Kerchner Faust was born February 28, 1836, and died on the 3d of February, 1895, while Captain Faust, her busband, passed away November 26, 1900. They were the parents of eight children : John W., Mary A., Sallie A., Peter J., Maggie A., Kate J., I. Franklin, and J. Newton.
John W. Faust was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of April, 1866, and spent his boyhood days in his parents' home.
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He attended the public schools of Lehigh county to some extent but principally acquired his edu- cation in Norristown, Pennsylvania. By close application and arduous study he fitted himself for teaching in the common schools, and capably followed that profession for nine terms, two being spent in Berks county and seven in Lehigh county. Since that time he has given his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, and in 1889 took up his abode in Lehigh county, at which time his father be- came owner of the Kerchner homestead. Mr. Faust of this review now owns the old homestead property, containing seventy-two acres of choice land lying adjacent to the borough of Macungie, and upon this he raises excellent crops.
In 1895 Mr. Faust was united in marriage to Miss Annie L. Bortz, and they are the parents of two children, Elden Q. and Claude B. P. Mr. and Mrs. Faust are worthy members of the Re- formed and Lutheran churches, respectively, and are highly respected by their many friends.
HENRY S. KERN, proprietor of a general store at Shimersville, Lehigh county, is a direct descendant of Frederick Kern, who emigrated from Germany and settled upon a tract of land of about one hundred acres at Shimersville, es- tablishing his home here prior to 1796, for it was in that year that he made purchase of his farm. Unto him and his wife, Elizabeth, were born three sons, one of whom was Mathias Kern, the grand- father of Henry S. Kern. His birth occurred on the old family homestead, and there he spent his entire life, devoting his attention to its develop- ment and cultivation. He was an honest indus- trious man, respected in his community, and his fellow townsmen called him to several local offices. He also held office in the Reformed church, of which he was a member. He married Christiana Stahler, and their family numbered nine children: Susan, Lydia, Mary, Henrietta, Christiana, Harriet, David, Jones and Thomas.
The last named, Thomas Kern, was the father of Henry S. Kern, and was born in Upper Mil- ford township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1816. He owned and operated a small farm, mak- ing that his life work. His death occurred in 1896.
He had married Miss Sarah Shuler, a daughter of Sophia Shuler, and they became the parents of seven children: Louisa, deceased ; Elvina, Aman- dus, Willoughby, David, Henry S., and Wesley, deceased.
Henry S. Kern was born at Shimersville, in October, 1853, and after acquiring his education in the public schools accepted a position as a sales- man in a mercantile establishment, acting in that capacity until 1902, when he became proprietor of his present store, in which he carries a large and well selected line of general merchandise. He is also the postmaster at Shimersville, having occupied the position since the opening of his store, and in 1880 he served as census enumerator. Socially, he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Order of the Golden Eagles.
February 14, 1878, Mr. Kern was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Burkhalter, who was born December 28, 1856. They have two chil- dren : Charles B. and Jennie M. The former, born May 12, 1880, is a graduate of a veterinary college of Ontario, Canada, and is now practicing his profession at Beloit, Kansas. The daughter, born May 3, 1885, is a teacher at Shimersville. The family hold membership with the Zionville Reformed church.
JACOB B. MAUSER, president of the Mauser Milling Company, who own and control two extensive and well known gristmills, one at Treichler's and one at Laury's Station, of which his sons, J. Mark and George B., are vice-presi- dent and secretary, respectively, has won this re- sponsible position at the head of one of the lead- ing productive industries in Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania, through earnest and honorable effort, and his reputation in business circles is a most enviable one. He was born June 14, 1837, in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, a son of Adam and Maria Mauser, natives of Germany and the state of Pennsylvania, respectively.
Jacob B. Mauser was reared to manhood in the vicinity of Easton, and in the schools of that city acquired a good English education. In 1856, at the age of nineteen, he emigrated westward to Kansas, locating in Allen county, where he
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was employed at various kinds of labor and re- mained until the fall of 1860. He then returned home and taught school in Northampton and Car- bon counties, in which capacity he served eight terms and was eminently successful. In 1863 he was appointed superintendent of what was then known as Laury's gristmill, which was owned by the firm of Schall & Horn, and shortly after en- tering upon his duties he became financially in- terested in the concern, which changed its name to that of the Lehigh Grain, Coal and Lumber Company. Mr. Mauser acted as secretary of the. enterprise during its existence, and at the same time superintended the operation of Laury's mill. In 1879 the firm of George S. Mauser & Company came into existence, and was afterward changed into the Mauser Milling Company, they being now the largest flour producers in the Lehigh Valley. Their two large flouring mills are equip- ped with the most modern machinery, producing six hundred barrels per twenty-four hours, the principal brand of flour being called the "Ban- ner." The company employs about twenty-five hands, all skilled and expert mechanics, manu- facture their own barrels, and the supplies which keep these mills in operation come principally from adjacent farms, while the western states supply the wheat for a superior brand of flour for which the Mauser Milling Company is noted. In connection with their plants they have a com- modious storehouse for their produce, which sup- plies both home and foreign markets. The mill at Laury's Station is on the site of an old mill which was erected by the late David Laury in 1829, later passed into the hands of J. B. Schall, of Allentown, from whom Mr. Mauser purchased it in 1890, and immediately improved and enlarged it. It is now operated by a one hundred and twenty horse power turbine wheel. The mill at Treichler's which was built in 1870 and enlarged in 1891, is run with a ninety-five horse power turbine water wheel, and also contains the im- proved roller process. In addition to his duties as the head of this great enterprise, Mr. Mauser is a director of the National Bank in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. He is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity. His shrewd business
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