USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 70
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principles have brought to him a large degree of financial success, and he is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county.
In 1865 Mr. Mauser was married to Anna A. Beaver, daughter of Henry Beaver, a native of Bath, Pennsylvania, and now deceased. Their chilren are : Elsie, wife of Dr. Horace F. Livin- good, of Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania; J. Mark, vice-president of the Mauser Milling Company ; Stella M., wife of Harry J. Lerch, of Treichler's ; and George B., secretary of the Mauser Milling Company. Mr. Mauser was a resident of Laury's Station for eighteen years, and in 1879 removed with his family to Treichler's, where he has since made his home. The family are valued and prominent members of the Lutheran church.
J. WALTER SINGMASTER, one of the most enterprising young business men of Macun- gie, belongs to the firm that, under the name of the Macungie Brass and Manufacturing Com- pany, owns and operates a plant that was estab- lished here in 1903.
Like a great majority of the most worthy and substantial citizens of Pennsylvania, he is of Ger- man lineage, his ancestors having come from the fatherland, establishing their homes in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. The first of the name in America was John Adam Singmaster, and our subject is a representative of his descendents in the sixth generation. The time of his arrival in this country was 1759. His son, John Adam Singmaster, was the first of the family to locate at Millerstown, now Macungie, Pennsylvania. He had been born in Bucks county, and was a tanner by trade, being one of the early representatives of that pursuit in the Lehigh Valley. He won an excellent reputation for reliability as well as skill in business, and his labors brought to him a good living. He married a daughter of the Rev. Van Buskirk, who was a contemporary of Washing- ton, and served in the Revolutionary war. Unto John Singmaster and his wife were born eight children, one of whom was a daughter. The seven sons all became tanners and manufactured a high grade of leather. One of the number also bore the name of John, and he was the great-
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grandfather of J. Walter Singmaster. He was born in Macungie, Lehigh county, and like the others of the family devoted his attention and energies to the transforming of hides into finished leather. He likewise engaged extensively in agri- cultural pursuits. He married Miss Hester Weiler, and they became the parents of five chil- dren, of whom Alexander is the only one now living.
James Singmaster, the grandfahter, was born in Macungie, and was an extensive dealer in coal and lumber. He, too, was a tanner, and was one of the progressive men of his day, carrying for- ward his business interests with activity, and at the same time bearing his full share in the duties of citizenship that contributed to the general progress and upbuilding of the community. He married Miss Sarah Mattern, and they became the parents of four children, as follows: Mrs. Ella Weaver, Rev. Alden Singmaster, Walter F. and one that died in young manhood. Of this number Rev. Alden Singmaster and Mrs. Weaver are yet living.
Walter F. Singmaster, the father of J. Walter Singmaster, was born in Macungie in 1850. He was employed by his father in his extensive busi- ness, and the energy and busines acumen char- acteristic of the family were noticeable in his career. He married Miss Ida Baughman, an accomplished lady and one of the successful teachers of Macungie. She was born in Ship- pensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1855, and they became the parents of two sons, J. Walter and Howard M. The father died in 1882.
J. Walter Singmaster was born in Macungie, on the 20th of September, 1881. He was reared under the parental roof, pursued his early edu- cation in the common schools of his native borough, and subsequently attended the Cumber- land Valley State Normal School, in which he was graduated in the class of 1899. He afterward pursued a course in chemistry at Gettysburg Col- lege, and in 1903 he became connected with his present business as a member of the Macungie Brass and Manufacturing Company. His part- ners are H. F. Neumeyer and Howard M. Sing- master, and they established their plant in 1903.
They employ a force of eight workmen, and turn out an excellent line of brass plumbing and water supplies, which are handled by jobbers all through the United States. Mr. Singmaster possesses keen business discernment and unfaltering enterprise, which traits have come down to him through a long line of progressive ancestors who have won. success in the world through honest and arduous toil. Socially, he is connected with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Phi Delta Theta fraternity
PROFESSOR PHAON B. OSWALD, well known in educational circles in Lehigh coun- ty, comes of a family which for several gener- ations has been represented in this part of the state. His paternal great-grandparents resided in. Lynn township, and upon the old homestead farm there Benjamin Oswald, the grandfather, was. born and reared. He attended the common schools through the winter months, and during the remainder of the year assisted in the operation of the fields. When he had attained his majority, he began farming on his own account, and fol- lowed that purusit throughout his entire life. He- was married and among his children was John Oswald, the father of Phaon B. Oswald. His birth also occurred on the old homestead farm in Lynn township, the year of his nativity being 1824. At the usual age he entered the public schools, and after putting aside his text books he devoted his entire attention to farming operations . for many years, until his labors had brought him a comfortable competence, when he retired in order to spend his remaining days in the enjoy- ment of the fruits of his former toil. He died in 1901 at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Polly Heintzelman, is still living. She was a daughter of George Heintzelman, who followed farming in Lynn township. Two sons, Amandus Oswald and Phaon B. Oswald were born of the marriage of John and Polly (Heintzelman) Oswald.
Phaon B. Oswald was born in Lynn township. February 4, 1859. Liberal educational advantages were afforded him which he improved, and thus became well qualified for the educational work
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to which he has devoted his energies. He mas- tered the elementary branches of learning in the common schools, and subsequently attended the Kutztown State Normal School and Palatinate College at Myerstown, Lebanon county, Pennsyl- vania, prior to becoming a student in Ursinus College at Collegeville, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, but before graduation took charge of the schools at his native place. His entire life has been devoted to educational labor, and follow- ing his return home he engaged in teaching in the district schools for several terms. In 1874 he was elected to the office of principal of the schools of Lynn township, and during thirty years has served in this capacity, his efforts being effective in promoting the welfare of the schools and ad- vancing the standard of education in this locality. He is zealous and earnest in his work, and under his supervision the schools have made continuous and satisfactory progress.
Professor Oswald gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, and by his ballot supports its men and measures. He has held several town- ship offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity and he is now a notary public. He belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics and the Patriotic Order of Sons of America. He holds membership in the Reformed church, and he and his family are regular attendants upon its services.
In 1877 Mr. Oswald was united in marriage to Miss Matilda G. Grosscup, a daughter of Charles Grosscup, of Lynn township. They be- came the parents of one son, Gus E. Oswald, who married Miss Allie Witmyer, of Denver, Lancas- ter county, Pennsylvania, and who is now prin- cipal of the Hokendauqua schools, of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. They have one son, Bruce Ruskin, by name.
HENRY L. ROMICH. The Romich family, long and favorably known in the Lehigh Valley, was founded in America by three brothers who emigrated from Ittlinger, near Heilbrow, in the Palatinate of Germany, in 1732. They were re-
presentatives of the Platt Dutch, or south Ger- man people.
These brothers settled in Philadelphia, where they remained for some time, and afterward re- moved to Berks county, Pennsylvania. At a later day two of the brothers sought homes in more western districts, while the third remained in Pennsylvania, becoming the founder of the family which is now so numerous in the historic Lehigh Valley. He was the great-grandfather of Henry L. Romich, Peter Romich, born June 28, 1769, in Northampton county, Macungie township, and died the 9th day of August, 1844, aged seventy- five years, one month and twelve days. His wife was Butz, born the 17th day of May, 1773, died August 4, 1847, aged seventy-four years, two months and sixteen days. His two sons were Peter and John. The former, recog- nized as a man of more than ordinary intelligence and of marked ability, served one term as com- missioner of Lehigh county. He married Miss Salome Wenner, and they became the parents of twelve children : Owen, Reuben, Charles, Alfred, Samuel, James, Edmond, Mary, Catherine,. Phiana, Serena and Amanda.
Reuben, father of Henry L. Romich, was born in Whitehall township, Lehigh county, Pennsyl- vania, August 24, 1826, and died April 7, 1901. He was a practical farmer, extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, and held membership in the Reformed church of Salisbury, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He married Miss Mary Weiand, who was born in Lower Macungie township, October 16, 1829, and died January II, 1902. They became the parents of five children : Henry L., Sarah, Catharine, Ellen and Marietta. Their eldest daughter became the wife of Clinton Kem- merer, while Catharine married Edwin Lorentz : Ellen became the wife of Charles Reinhard : and Marietta was married to Milton C. Keck.
Henry L. Romich was born February 24. 1856, in Lower Macungie township, Lehigh county, and in his boyhood days worked on his father's farms, while after attaining man's estate he chose farm life as a preferred occupation. Subsequently, he abandoned general farming for the dairy business, keeping a high grade mixed
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
herd of fifteen cows. He also operated one of his father's farms of seventy acres and continued in the dairy business for twenty-two years until 1901, when his father died. He then retired to private life and established his home at Emaus, where he is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil. Mr. Romich. while living in Lower Macun- gie township, served for eight years as school director. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church, of which he is now treasurer, and in which he has served as trustee, elder and deacon.
He was married December 16, 1879, to Miss Sallie E. Stonebach, of Philadelphia, who was born December 5, 1856, and is a daughter of Samuel Stonebach, of Philadelphia.
JACOB FRIEBOLIN, a prosperous farmer of Heidelberg township, Lehigh county, was born in Baden, Germany, on the 30th of October, 1833, his parents being Jacob and Regina Frie- bolin.
In the land of his nativity he began his edu- cation in the common schools, and when eight years of age he crossed the Atlantic to America, sailing from the fatherland in 1842. It was before the days of steam navigation, and four months had passed ere he reached the American port. Landing in New York, he went to Easton, Penn- sylvania, and afterward removed to his present home in Heidelberg township, Lehigh county. Here he worked at the carpenter's trade, and at the same time conducted a good farm. In his business career he prospered, conducting his farm along progressive lines which led to his success. When he had acquired sufficient capital to enable him to put aside business cares he left the man- agement of his land to others, and is now prac- tically living retired. Mr. Friebolin gives his political support to the Democracy, and is deeply interested in its success. He has held the offices of school director and supervisor, served as treas- urer of the school board, and was county and state tax collector for a number of years, and as a pub- lic-spirited citizen has put forth effective effort for the welfare of his town. He and his family attend the Reformed church.
Mr. Friebolin was married on the Ist of May, 1853, to Miss Adline Smith, a daughter of Phillip S. Smith, a farmer of Heidelberg township, Le- high county. Unto them have been born the fol- lowing named children: Henry L., who married Ellen Handwerk and has seven children; Benja- min F., who married Ellenora Laubach, by whom he has one child; Louise, who is the wife of Aaron Bitner, by whom she has three children; Sarah, who married Benjamin F. Ritter, and has two children ; Mary A., who wedded Henry German, by whom she has four children; and Anna M., who married Owen Funk and has one child.
SYLVANUS J. KERN, steward of the Le- high County Home, and well and favorably known throughout the community in which he resides as a man of exemplary character and rare intellectual attainments, was born in Lehigh coun- ty, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1858, a son of Moses and Mary (Moore) Kern, and grandson of Essie and Annie ( Bastian) Kern.
Essie Kern (grandfather) was born, lived and died in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and during the many years of his active life was recognized and esteemed as a public-spirited cit- izen who was foremost in promoting all measures that conduced to the growth and development of this section of the state. He was a stone mason by trade, and to this occupation he devoted his entire time and attention, thereby gaining a pro- fitable livelihood. He married Miss Annie Bas- tian, daughter of Thomas Bastian, of Wescosville, Pennsylvania, and their children were: Helena, who became the wife of James Moore; Moses, mentioned hereinafter ; Catherine, who became the wife of Addison Wimd; Mary, who became the wife of Jacob Ott; Matilda, who became the wife of Benjamin Boger ; and Leanda, who became the wife of Marvin Henniger.
Moses Kern (father) was born near Wescos- ville, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1830. He was educated in the common schools adjacent to his home, and in early life learned the trade of stone mason, which he followed in connection with agricultural pursuits until April 3, 1886, when he was elected steward of the Lehigh Coun-
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ty Home, which position he held until his demise, discharging the duties of the same in a most ef- ficient and creditable manner. By his marriage to Mary Mohr, daughter of Captain John Mohr, the following named children were born: Caro- line, wife of Wilson J. Woodring; Uriah; Syl- vanus, mentioned hereinafter; Rossie, who died in 1885; Owen, deceased ; Ellen, wife of Harvey Heckman ; Laura, deceased; Flora, wife of Mor- ris Miller ; and Amanda, wife of Wilson Walbert. Moses Kern, father of these children, died Sep- tember 28, 1895.
Sylvanus J. Kern obtained his preliminary education in the common schools in the neigh- borhood of his home, and this was supplemented by attendance at the Weaversville Academy, the Kutztown State Normal, and the California State Normal, from which he was graduated. At the early age of fifteen years he began teaching school in Lower Macungie township, which proved both a pleasant and remunerative means of income. In 1885 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace in Lower Macungie town- ship, but resigned the following year in order to accept a position as assistant steward of the Le- high County Home, a position he held until the death of his father, when he was elected his successor, and is still the incumbent of the same. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, to which he gives an earnest support.
Mr. Kern was united in marriage to Ellen J. Landenschlager, and to this union were born three children, namely : Jacob J., born October 4,1879 ; Florence, who died at the age of four years ; and Rossie I., born September 8, 1886.
TILGHMAN FOGEL is the owner of a good farm of one hundred and seventeen acres of land in Lower Nazareth township, and is successfully conducting a dairy.
Five generations of the family have been re- presented in Northampton county. His grand- father, Abraham Fogel, was born in Lower Naza- reth township, where the father had settled in early colonial days. Abraham Fogel acquired a common school education, and throughout his
entire life was identified with agricultural pur- suits in Northampton county. His political sup- port was given to the Republican party. He mar- ried a Miss Fox, of Lower Nazareth township, and among their children was Charles Fogel, the father of Tilghman Fogel. He was born on the old family homestead in 1813, and his life record covered eighty-four years, his death occurring in 1897. He enjoyed such educational advantages as the schools of the early part of the nineteenth century afforded, and throughout his business career he carried on agricultural pursuits, but lived retired for a few years prior to his death. In politics, he was a Republican, taking an active interest in the work of the party, but held no office. He married Anna Ruch, a daughter of Christian Ruch, a farmer of Saucon township, Northampton county. Their children were : George, who was born June 10, 1856, and died May 17, 1902; he married Jane Vogel, and had four children. Elizaetta, born May 20, 1862, the wife of Thomas Walker and has one child. Charles A., born April 3, 1864, married Hela Woodring, and has four children.
Tilghman Fogel, the other member of the family of Charles and Anna Fogel, was born on the old family homestead in Lower Nazareth township, September 18, 1850, and as a student in the common schools became familiar with the branches of learning which prepare one for life's practical and responsible duties. He afterward returned to the home farm which he has since- conducted, and he now owns one hundred and seventeen acres of rich land. His place is im- proved with modern buildings and equipments, and everything about his farm is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his progressive methods, practical ideas and enterprising spirit. He keeps thirty-five head of cows for dairy purposes, and the products of his dairy find a ready sale upon the market because of their excellent quality.
Mr. Fogel is a Republican of strong faith in his party, and is recognized as one of its leaders in his township. He holds the office of school director, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He and his family attend the Lutheran church at Hecktown. He was married
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in 1876 to Maria C. Clewell, a daughter of Owen and Katherine (Herman) Clewell, the former a farmer of Lower Nazareth township. By this marriage there are two children: Franklin G., born in 1877, and Howard H., born in 1883.
NOAH WIESS, widely known in Northamp- ton county as proprietor of the Mount Vernon Hotel, was born in Spinnersville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and is of German lineage. His great-grandfather in the paternal line was Killian Wiess, one of the first representatives of the name to emigrate from Germany to America. The members of the family have since been useful and loyal citizens of the Republic, and in the various localities in which they have lived they contribute to local advancement and improvement, being especially well known in the beautiful and picturesque Lehigh Valley.
Christopher Wiess, grandfather of Noah Wiess, was born in Upper Milford, Lehigh coun- ty, and carried on general farming. He married Miss Schantz, and they had five children: Abra- ham, Jacob, John, Mrs. Joseph Staufer, and Mrs. Elizabeth Staufer. Abraham Wiess was born in Upper Milford, Lehigh county, and in early life engaged in teaching school, but afterward be- came a cigar manufacturer, carrying on an ex- tensive and profitable business. He married Miss Anna Shelly, who was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and they had five children : David, Daniel and Mary, being now deceased, while Abraham and Noah are yet residents of Penn- sylvania.
Noah Wiess was only. five years of age when his parents removed from Spinnersville, Penn- sylvania, to Steinsburg, Pennsylvania, and his education was acquired in the common schools at Steinsburg. In early life he was connected with the hotel business, and afterward he ex- tended his labors to other fields of business activity. Removing to Allentown, he was there engaged in the manufacture of cigars for three years, and on the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Philadelphia, where he spent seven years in a similar enterprise. He next en- gaged with the Hurdick Coach Company, remain-
ing in that employ for three years, and for the same length of time he was connected with the J. S. Shimmel Preserving Company. During a four years' residence at Siegfried, he was pro- prietor of the Allen House, and in 1897 he built the Mount Vernon Hotel, which is one of the finest in this part of the state. Its dimensions are eighty by one hundred feet, and it stands on a lot one hundred and fifty by one hundred and fifty feet. The hotel contains twenty-eight sleep- ing-rooms, in addition to the parlors, office, dining room, kitchen and storerooms. He has made a close study of the needs and wishes of the public, and as a hotel proprietor has won favor with his guests, putting forth every effort in his power to promote their comfort and convenience. Mr. Wiess possesses marked mechanical ingenuity and artistic skill. He is one of the most expert hand carvers in wood now known to the public, and carves out life-size figures which he afterwards paints, doing all the work himself. His master pieces are the Crucifixion and the Lord's Supper. His skill, however, does not end here, for he is an expert taxidermist and many proofs of his handiwork adorn the hotel.
Mr. Weiss was married to Miss Jennie A. Kepp, a daughter of Aaron and Mary (Wick) Kepp, and they have one son, Howard, whose birth occurred in 1869 and is now acting as man- ager of the Mount Vernon Hotel.
Mr. Wiess is a Republican and his son has been very active and is well known as a thirty- second degree Mason, also a Shriner, and a mem- ber of Kensington Lodge No. 211, of Philadel- phia ; Caldwell Consistory, S. P. R. S., and Rajalı Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He has been in the silk business for many years.
ROBERT D. E. FOLLWEILER, M. D., of Siegfried, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, is one of the leading physicians of his town, where he has established a growing and lurcative prac- tice. He is a descendant of an old and well known family of that name who settled in Lehigh county in the year 1770. The progenitor of this branch of the family was Bernhard Follweiler, a native of Switzerland, who, accompanied by two
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brothers, emigrated to this country in the above named year, landing in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania.
Bernhard Follweiler, great-great-grandfather of Dr. Robert D. E. Follweiler, was one of the first settlers of Lynn township, Le- high county, and he was a potent factor in the development of the resources of that locality. He
was an earnest and consistent Christian, and aided largely in the erection of the first church at Jacksonville. Tradition in- forms us that he fought single-handed eleven Indians, killing one and routing the others. The gun which he used on this occasion was of Swiss manufacture, was brought with him from his native country, and is still in the possession of his descendants. Bernhard Follweiler was the father of two sons: Daniel and Ferdinand Foll- weiler. Daniel will be mentioned at length in the following paragraph. Ferdinand was born Feb- ruary 17, 1765, died April 1, 1844, aged seventy- nine years
Daniel Follweiler, great-grandfather of Dr. Robert D. E. Follweiler, was born October 2, 1769, and died February 14, 1847, aged eighty- seven years. He was a lifelong resident of Le- high county, Pennsylvania, and was a farmer of considerable means. He married Marie Dorothea Leiser, daughter of Frederick Leiser, who was at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the war of 1812, when the British threatened to capture the Liberty Bell. His team and wagon were used to convey the bell from that city to Allentown, but on arriving at Bethlehem one of the wagon wheels broke, thus necessitating the removal of that his- toric relic to another mode of conveyance. The children born of this union are as follows: Dan- iel, John, David, Jesse, Mollie, Elazabeth, Doro- thea, and Esther.
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