USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 7
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The late Joseph J. Lewis, of West Chester, in 1828, wrote an amusing account of the "soul- drivers," the name given to those men that drove redemptioners through the country with a view of disposing of them to farmers. They generally purchased them in lots of fifty or more from captains of ships, to whom the redemptioners were bound for three or more years of service in pay- ment of their passage. For a while the trade was brisk, but at last was relinquished by reason of the numbers that ran away from these dealers
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
or drivers. These ignominious gangs disap- peared about the year 1785. The story is told how one of them was tricked by one of his men. This fellow, by a little management, contrived to be the last of the flock that remained unsold, and traveled about with his master. One night they lodged at a tavern, and in the morning the young fellow, who was an Irishman, rose early, sold his master to the landlord, pocketed the money and hastened off. Previously, however, to his going, he took the precaution to tell the purchaser that, though tolerably clever in other respects, he was rather saucy and a little given to lying ; that he had even been presumptuous enough at times to endeavor to pass for master, and that he might possibly represent himself as such to him.
Though this system of servitude possessed its advantages, especially to a people residing in a new and unsettled country, it had its attending drawbacks. It was a relic which originated in the long past of Europe, and, like slavery, was continued and enforced in the colonies. For the main facts concerning the redemptioners we are indebted to William J. Buck, esquire, in the "His- tory of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania."
These redemptioners were, in the main, hon- est men, and feared God. They were not social- ists, anarchists, or others of that ilk. They were satisfied with their condition, and had an idea that property that belonged to others did not be- long to them. They came to this country to make a home for hemselves, and took great pride in the fact that they became American citizens, and for this reason they were always honored and re- spected. Redemptioners were not confined to Pennsylvania alone. They were to be found in all of the colonies, and represented nearly all the nationalities of Europe.
After this time Henry Geck (now spelled Keck) came to what is now Lehigh county and settled on the tract of land in Salisbury township, which he subsequently purchased, and is still owned by one of his descendants. There was on the place a clearing. a log barn, apple orchard, and a log house. About ten or fifteen years after his purchase he built a two-story stone house which stood until 1818, when it was torn down
by his grandson, Solomon Keck, who built an- other stone house on the site, and which is still standing. When Henry Keck first came to Le- high county, and for several years after, all his grist was taken to White Marsh, Sandy Run (now Montgomery county), to be ground. In 1828 he purchased four hundred acres of land adjoining his farm.
John Keck, one of the sons of Henry Keck, was on the first grand jury that was held in Le- high county. Andrew Keck, who was born Jan- uary 10, 1753, and died May 13, 1828, purchased the old homestead farm, where he resided until his life's labors were ended in death, when he was seventy-six years of age. He married Bar- bara Blank, a daughter of George Blank, of Sau- con township. His second wife was Susanna Scheetz, who was born December 22, 1768, and died January 15, 1853. His children were George, mentioned hereinafter ; Solomon, Andrew, John, Jacob, David, Charles, Maria, who became the wife of Solomon Knauss ; and Elizabeth, who be- came the wife of William Horlocher. With the exception of Andrew, who went to Indiana, all settled in Salisbury, now Allentown.
George Keck, eldest son of Andrew Keck, was commissioned one of the justices of the peace of Lehigh county in 1823. This was at a time when the governor of the state always selected the leading citizens, and they were commissioned for life. He married Elizabeth Levan, of Maxa- tawney, Berks county, Pennsylvania, whose great- grandfather was Jacob Levan, the founder of the Maxatawney branch of the family. He was the owner of two large tracts of land at Maxatawney, and parts of Kutztown and Eagle Point are now built on what was once his property. He was the founder and owner of the first gristmill west of the Skippack, and was one of the judges of the Berks county court from the time of the organiza- tion of that county in 1752 until 1762. The Lev- ans were a French reformed family commonly known as Huguenots. They left France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and came to Pennsylvania in the early period of the eighteenth century. Colonel Sebastian Levan was the son of Jacob Levan, was an officer of the Revolutionary
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war, and also a member of the colonial assembly. To George and Elizabeth Levan were born the following children : Stephen, who married Harriet Huebler; Fretta, who married Jacob Shimer ; Eliza, who married Joseph B. Jones ; Mary, wife of John Appel ; Solomon, who married Ann Sea- ger ; Charles L., who married Ellen King; and Matilda, the wife of James W. Wilson.
Andrew Keck, son of Andrew Keck, had a
SO11 Andrew, a resident of Dresden, Missouri. John Keck, son of Andrew Keck, Sr., mra- ried Lydia Greisermer, and their children are : Abraham, who married Margaret Stahr ; Mrs. Mary Ganner; Mrs. Caroline Hoff- man ; and Charles. Solomon Keck, son of Andrew Keck, married Margaret Knauss, and their children are: Jesse, who married Judith Ueberoth; Hannah, wife of John Erdman ; Ann, wife of Enos Erdman; Moses, who married Telia Dubbs; Edwin; Solomon, who married Matilda Hartman ; Eliza ; Louise, wife of John Ochs ; and William, who married Cecelia Rounds. Jacob Keck, son of Andrew Keck, married Magdalena Weiand, and their children are: Edward; Sarah, wife of Peter: Romich; Rebecca, wife of Henry Pearson ; James, who married Eliza Dech; and Clarissa, wife of Charles B. M. Sell. David Keck, son of Andrew Keck, married Christina Stahler, and their children are: Mrs. Eva Smith; Simon ; and Lizzie, wife of Frank Stettler. Mary Keck, daughter of Andrew Keck, became the wife of Solomon Knauss, and their children are: Jesse ; Charles; Mrs. Elizabeth Butz; Mary, wife of Ephraim Bigomy; and Abigail, wife of John Bo- gart. Elizabeth Keck, daughter of Andrew Keck, became the wife of William Harlacher, and their children are: Joshua H., who married Maria Eberhard; Mary ; Lovina, wife of G. Fred Bech- mann; Edward, who married Sophia Wickerts; Louisa; John, who married Rachel Sell; Aaron ; and Lizzie.
Charles Keck, youngest son of Andrew Keck, was born April 6, 1807, in Lehigh county, and in early life followed farming and milling. Subse- quently he was one of the proprietors of the Lchigh Patriot, a German newspaper, since con- solidated with the Register. He was elected
treasurer and subsequently one of the associate judges of Lehigh county. As a citizen he was ever alert, earnest and conscientious, keenly alive to everything which concerned in any way the well being of his town and county.
Charles Keck was united in marriage to Mary Gangewere, who was born March 24, 1812, and died April 3, 1894. Their children were : Eme- line S .; Colean A. G., who married Katherine Stetler ; Mary A. B., wife of Thomas F. Berger ; Allen B., who married Matilda Boas; Ella E .; Malenda J., wife of L. C. Berkemeyer ; Molton D .; Sarah A., wife of the Rev. J. J. Kuntz ; Win- fried S., who married Alice M. Getz; Charles M. W., mentioned at length hereinafter; Frank E .; and Adelaide J., wife of Thomas F. Gross.
Charles M. W. Keck, son of Charles Keck, was born on his father's farm in Salisbury town- ship, Lehigh county, September 28, 1850. When but two years of age his parents removed to Al- lentown, where he attended the grammar and high schools until he attained the age of fourteen years. He then entered upon his businss career as an employe in the Allentown Rolling Mills, where he remained for ten months, when he ac- cepted a clerkship in a general store. He after- ward pursued a commercial course in Eastman's Business College of Poughkeepsie, New York, where he remained for five months, and upon his return to Allentown he accepted the position of bookkeeper with M. J. Kramer, with whom he remained for two years. Since August, 1868, he has been connected with the Allentown National Bank, and consecutive promotion has advanced him to the position of cashier, to which he was unanimously elected on May 12, 1885. His knowledge of banking and his business enterprise and energy have been important factors in the suc- cessful conduct of this institution. Mr. Keck was instrumental in the organization of the Mu- tual Building and Loan Association, and for about five years was treasurer of the corporation. He has in varied lines actively contributed to the business development of Allentown, while in his own business career he has illustrated the force of energy, perseverance and laudable ambition. He is most earnest and zealous in his advocacy of
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
the Republican party, but has never sought the re- ward of office in recognition of his party fealty.
He was married October 24, 1872, to Miss A. P. Newhard, a daughter of E. R. Newhard, of Allentown, and they occupy one of the beauti- ful homes of this city. Their children are : Ray N., who married Almada Butz, and has three chil- dren : Thomas B., Margaret and Eleanor ; Helen G .; Frank M .; and Charles W. Keck.
COLONEL JOHN CRAIG. The ancestral history of Colonel John Craig, of Lehigh Gap, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, is one of distinc- tion and honor. From an early epoch in the colonization of Pennsylvania, members of the family have figured prominently in military and civil life, and the record of Colonel Craig is in har- mony with that of his forefathers, he having served his country with loyalty and capability upon the field of battle and in the halls of legis- lation, as well as through the avenues of business activity leading to the substantial upbuilding and material progress of the state.
The pioneer ancestor of the family emigrated thither from Ireland about the close of the seven- teenth century and settled in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. Thence, in 1728, Colonel Thomas Craig removed to Northampton county, locating in what was afterward known as Craig's, or the Irish Settlement, this tract of land being the prop- erty of William Penn and later that of his son, Thoinas Fenn. The name of Colonel Thomas Craig appears upon the roll of the Synod of Phil- adelphia for the first time in 1731, and by it we learn that he occupied the office of elder. As it was in the year 1731 that the Presbyterian church was organized in the settlement, it may be reason- ably supposed that he was the original elder.
Thomas Craig, son of Colonel Thomas Craig, was but a lad when his father came to Craig's. During his boyhood days he assisted in clearing the land and tilling the soil, and after attaining manhood engaged in farming for himself.
The next in the line of descent was Thomas Craig, whose birth occurred in the year 1740. In 1771, at the breaking out of the Bennamite war, he was appointed to the rank of lieutenant in the
Pennsylvania militia and during his term of service won a reputation for gallant and heroic conduct. He was an active champion of the col- onies from the opening of the Revolutionary war, and on January 5, 1776, was commissioned cap- tain, being assigned to Colonel St. Clair's Penn- sylvania Battalion. After several engagements in the Canadian campaign he was promoted to the rank of major, September, 1776, and in the sum- mer of the following year became colonel of the Third Pennsylvania Regiment of the line. He performed meritorious service under the command of Washington in the state of New Jersey, and subsequently participated in the battles of Brandy- wine and Germantown. In the storming of Fort Durkee near Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, in 1771, Captain Craig, grandfather of Colonel John Craig. led the van with such impetuous rush and gave the first alarm by springing into the midst of the astonished multitude, when he commanded a company under Ogdon. He stepped lightly in ad- vance of his men, and speaking in a low tone and in friendly terms to the sentinel, threw him off his guard, knocked him down, and entered the fort. Early in the Revolutionary war he led a company into service under Washington, and rose to the command of a regiment. Not only was he brave, but constitutionally impetuous. He was at Quebec, at the battles of Germantown and Monmouth, and at the surrender of Lord Corn- wallis. His intrepid and humane conduct in the storming of the fort and preserving the prisoners from slaughter entitled him to the esteem of all. Though brave as either, in his social walk he re- sembled Mark Antony rather than Scipio. Hav- ing quit the tented field he sought excitement and pleasure amid the lilacs and the roses with the blonde and brunette beauties of old North- ampton.
On the afternoon of December 2, 1777, the British adjutant-general, who had his headquar- ters directly opposite, called at the famous old Loxley house, at the corner of Second and Little Dock streeet, Philadelphia, and notified (Mrs.) Lydia Darrah to have fire and candles lighted in a certain room which he had appropriated for a council chamber there. "And be sure." he added.
your Backas John Craig.
COL. JOHN CRAIG IN WAR TIMES
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
"that your family are all in bed at an early hour." The Darrahs were members of the Society of Friends, and William, the husband, was a school teacher. Lydia obeyed instructions, doubtless with her husband's consent and co-operation, and at the appointed hour admitted the officers, being told by the adjutant that he would call her when they were ready to go. She then withdrew to an upper chamber. Friend though she was, her heart sympathies could not be silenced, and she trembled l'est this secret council might bring to her friends and kindred some serious disaster. Slipping off her shoes and gliding noiselessly down the stairs, she approached the entrance of the officers' room, and placing her ear against the door, eagerly listened. At first she could only hear a murmur of voices then ensued a long conference, followed by a deep silence, broken at last by the loud voice of an officer reading an order from General Howe for an attack upon Washington's position at White Marsh on the evening of December 4. Not waiting to hear more, she tremblingly made her way back, and had scarcely closed the door when the adjutant knocked. Pretending not to hear until he had repeated the alarm for the third time, she answered the summons, drowsily rub- bing her eyes, as though just aroused from sleep, and let the officers out.
It was cold next morning, and there was snow on the ground; but, making the excuse that she needed flour, and could not spare the servant to go for it, Lydia secured a pass and set out for Frankford, a distance of five miles. Reaching the mill and leaving her sack to be filled, she speeded on until near the American lines, when she met Lieutenant-Colonel Craig, a mounted scout to whom she was well known and who inquired her errand. As he was at the head of a company she answered evasively, saying she was in search of her son, who was an officer in the American army. Then she added, in a lower tone : "I have something important to say to thee." He at once dismounted and, walking slowly beside her, re- ceived the startling information gratefully ; then assuming a careless air, bade her good-by, when
she unceremoniously departed, returning to the mill for her flour and hurrying home.
Resuming her household duties as though nothing unusual had occurred, she waited the out- come, calmly noting the departure of the British soldiers on the evening of December 4; listened to the distant booming of cannon on the morning of the 5th ; and three days later witnessed their hasty return to camp, when the generally dis- turbed surroundings told her that they had been repulsed. Following this reverse, a cloud of sus- picion settled upon the place, and strict inquisi- tion was made to locate the spy or traitor there. It was whispered that he had been concealed in the Darrah house. The adjutant-general sent for Lydia, and, locking the door, questioned her sharply, but without eliciting any incriminating evidence. Indeed, he was convinced of her inno- cence. "Thee knows," she said, in conclusion, "that we were alone, and that all but myself had retired." "Yes, I do know," he replied, after a pause. "And you, yourself, were asleep, for I had to rap loudly three times before I could awaken you, and you were almost dreaming when you came to let us out. Still, it is quite plain that we were betrayed. Strange! very strange!" Thus Lydia Darrah's daring deed, tradition tells us, saved Washington's army-perhaps the coun- try-and thus she became a heroine in American history.
On April 12, 1778, at Valley Forge, Colonel Craig addressed a letter strongly appealing for clothing for the soldiers, this fact showing their destitute condition in that respect. In the battle of Monmouth his regiment displayed, unusual courage, which fact was attributed to the coolness and bravery of their leader, who was eminently qualified for the high position he occupied.
After the close of hostilities Colonel Craig returned to Northampton county, and in July, 1783, was appointed lieutenant. The following year Montgomery county was formed from Phil- adelphia, and he was appointed associate judge, clerk of the courts and recorder, all of which positions he held until 1789, a period of five years. For several years he was major-general of the
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
Seventh Division of Pennsylvania militia. In 1789 he removed to Towamensing township, but a few years previous to his death, which occurred in 1832, at the advanced age of ninety-two years, he lived with his daughter, Mrs. Kreamer, at Al- lentown, Pennsylvania. His remains were in- terred in Fairview Cemetery, Allentown. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Dorothy Breinig, bore him six children : Charles, Thomas, Eliza, Mary, Harriet and William Craig.
Thomas Craig, second son of Thomas and Dorothy Craig, was born at Stemlersville, Tow- amensing township, Carbon county, in 1796. He attended the common schools of the neighbor- hood, which in that early day were limited to the elementary branches ; Wolfe's Academy, and a school in the Irish Settlement for a few months. About 1822 he accompanied his father's family to Lehigh Gap, Carbon county, where he was the proprietor of a hotel in the management of which he achieved a large degree of financial success, and subsequently turned his atttention to agricultural pursuits and the lumber business, both of which enterprises proved lucrative. He, too, was prom- inent in public affairs, and in 1828 became cap- tain of what was known as the Troop of Horse in the Pennsylvania militia. Mr. Craig was mar- ried twice. His first wife was a Miss Kuntz, who bore him two sons, Thomas and Samuel. His second wife was Catherine Hagenbach, daughter of John Hagenbach, then proprietor of a hotel at Lehighton, Pennsylvania. Their children were: Thomas, deceased, who represented his district four years in the house of representatives, and three years in the senate; John, mentioned at length hereinafter : Eliza, who became the wife of General Charles Heckman, an officer in the Mex- ican and Civil wars, and a resident of German- town : Hon. Allen, for many years a leading attor- ney of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, and the in- cumbent of the office of district judge : William, a resident of Nebraska ; Robert, a graduate of West Point Military Academy, now a lieutenant- colonel in the regular army stationed at Washing- ton, D. C. Thomas Craig, the father of these children, died in 1858: his wife, Catherine ( Hag- enbach) Craig, died in 1871.
Colonel John Craig, second son of Thomas and Catherine (Hagenbach) Craig, was born in Lehigh Gap, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 23. 1831. In boyhood he attended the schools of the district, and in 1850 went to Eas- ton, Pennsylvania, where his education was com- pleted at the private school conducted by the Rev. John Vanderveer. He then became connected with his father in the lumber business, and after the death of the latter, in 1858, devoted some time to the settlement of the estate, and also con- tinued the management of the business. In 1857, at the age of twenty-six years, he was elected cap- tain of a cavalry company, which position he held up to the time of the Civil war. He was one of the first volunteers in the defense of the govern- ment, enlisting April 22, 1861, for three months service, and was commissioned captain of Com- pany I, Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, which took part in the military operations in Vir- ginia and Maryland. On August 30, 1861, he re-enlisted and was commissioned captain of Com- pany N, Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Infanry, which was afterward merged into Com- pany C, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Regi- ment. Among the battles in which he participated were those of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettys- burg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Chattanooga, and the various engage- ments from Atlanta to the sea under General Sherman, including the battle of Peach Tree Creek. Enlisting as a captain, he was promoted successively to the rank of major, lieutenant-col- onel and colonel. He participated in the grand review in Washington, D. C., and July 15, 1865, was honorably discharged from the service of the United States government, in whose behalf he labored long and faithfully during the darkest days of its history.
Resuming the life of a civilian, Colonel Craig formed a partnership with his brother in the gen- eral mercantile business under the style of J. & W. Craig, at Lehigh Gap, Pennsylvania, and this business relationship continued until 1882, when W. Craig withdrew his interest, since which time Colonel Craig has been sole proprietor. In addition to the management of this extensive en-
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John Dranco
Saml Drake
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
terprise he is also a dealer in coal, lumber and fertilizers. In 1866-67 he contracted for and built four and a half miles of the Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad which was in course of construction at that time. Since 1880 he has been the president of the Carbon Metallic Paint Com- pany, and a director of the National Bank of Slatington since its organization in 1875. He is a shrewd and capable business man, and all his transactions have been characterized by fairness, integrity and justice, which fact is the secret of the success he has attained during his entire career in the business world. He has always taken a keen interest in every measure calculated to promote the welfare of the citizens and the interests of the county, especially along educa- tional lines. For more than five years he served as school director; was the incumbent of the ·office of postmaster of Lehigh Gap for a number of years ; and from 1884 to 1886 represented his district in the lower house of the state legislature. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, whose candidates and measures he has sup- ported since attaining his majority. He holds membership in Loyal Legion, Pennsylvania Com- mandery, at Philadelphia ; and Chapman Post, No. 61, Grand Army of the Republic, at Mauch Chunk.
In the fall of 1866 Colonel Craig was united in marriage to Emma Insley, daughter of Philip and Henrietta Insley, residents of the Irish Set- tlement, near Bath, Northampton county, Penn- sylvania. The following named children were the issue of this union : Thomas, Charles, P. In- sley, H. Tynsdale, Henrietta, wife of T. Griffin ; Mary, Allen D., and John D., deceased. The family occupy a prominent place in the social circles of the community in which they reside.
DRAKE FAMILY. The Drake family of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and particularly its members in the Lehigh Valley in the latter named state, are of English-Scotch-Irish origin and of long established ancestry in America, the founders having come from Exeter, Devonshire, England, in the sixteenth century. They were two brothers, descendants of Sir Thomas Drake,
the brother of Sir Francis Drake, and settled first in New Hampshire. Their descendants moved to what is now North Easton, Massachu- setts, and members of that branch moved to New Jersey, and settled along the banks of the Piscatawa river near where is now the city of Rahway. From this settlement sprang the War- ren county settlement, and it is with this branch we have to deal. Imla Drake, with whom this narrative begins, was born May 1, 1751, mar- ried Temperance MacPherson, who was born Oc- tober 15, 1750, and their deaths occurred respec- tively January 3, 1826, and January 13, 1826.
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