USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 71
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David Follweiler, grandfather of Dr. Robert D. E. Follweiler, was born in Lynn township, April 7, 1807. He was a blacksmith by trade, but, being a natural genius and well versed in me- chanics, it was not necessary for him to confine himself to his trade. He was a man of influence in the community and held many prominent offices in his township. For thirty-five years he offici-
ated as justice of the peace; was one of the first commissioners of Lehigh county ; and in his ca- pacity as director for the poor for Lehigh county assisted in selecting the site of the county alms- house. During his young manhood he was cap- tain of a company of state militia for several years and later was appointed major. By his marriage to Catherine Wannamaker, a distant rel- ative of the well known millionaire merchant of New York, Philadelphia and Paris, thirteen chil- dren were born, eleven of whom grew to years of maturity, and ten of whom are now living, namely: Matilda, Edward, Mary, Violeta, Si- billa, Sally, David W. W., Catherine, Hannah, and Missouri. David Follweiler, father of these children, who was a life long resident of Lynn township, died in the year 1888, his wife having passed away in the year 1864. They were hon- ored and respected members of the Reformed church.
Dr. David W. W. Follweiler, father of Dr. Robert D. E. Follweiler, was born in Lynn town- ship, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1841. He received his literary education at the common schools of the township, Allentown Academy, and Kutztown State Normal School He taught school several terms, and during the summer vacations he read medicine with Dr. D. D. S. Shade, of Steinsville. In 1868 he matricu- lated at Bellevue Medical College, of New York City, from which he was graduated in 1870. He immediately returned to Lynnport and at once established an office for the practice of his chosen profession, but subsequently returned to the med- ' ical college and took a special course in general medical practice. During his professional career he has gained a reputation for ability and skill, and accordingly his practice increased steadily, proving most lucrative. In addition to his home property in Lynnport he is the owner of one hun- dred and twenty-four acres of valuable land. He has served in the capacity of school director of Lynn township, and in the performance of his duties has displayed the utmost efficiency. He is a member of Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 249, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has served as noble grand, and of which his fa-
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ther was a charter member. Dr. Follweiler mar- ried Mary J. Hartman, daughter of the late Elias Hartman, who was for many years a resident of Lynnport. Their children are: Robert D. E., born in 1871, mentioned hereinafter; and Clara L., born in 1876, a graduate of Stroudsburg State Normal School, who has been engaged as a teacher since she attained her sixteenth year. The family are members of the Reformed church of Lynnport.
Dr. Robert D. E. Follweiler is a native of Lynn township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools of his native township, and the knowledge thus obtained was supplemented by a course at the Stroudsburg State Normal School. He then entered Jefferson Medical College, graduating therefrom in 1898, and in 1900 he was graduated from the Baltimore University. He then established an office in Siegfried, Northampton county, where his skill in medicine has gained for him the full confidence of his growing patronage. He is a member of the Masonic farternity, being affiliated with Portia Lodge, No. 284; Catasauqua Chapter, R. A. M .; and Allen Commandery, K. T. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Independent Order of Red Men.
Dr. Follweiler was united in marriage to Irene Laubach, and they are the parents of one son-Alfred D. Follweiler, born September 4, 1902.
WILLIAM EDGAR ERDELL, general su- perintendent of the Whitehall Portland Cement Company at Cementon, Pennsylvania, is de- scendant in the fourth generation of John Erdell, a native of Paris, France, who with his family crossed the Atlantic to America, landing at Phila- delphia. His son, John Erdell, grandfather of William E. Erdell, was sixty-five years of age when he died. He was reared in the city of Phil- adelphia, learned the shoemaker's trade in his youth, and on starting out in life on his own ac- count established his home in Upper Macungie, Pennsylvania, where he followed shoemaking for some time. He afterward became connected with
the operation of the limestone quarries, and with his father removed to Fogelsville, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1861. He had been reared in the Catholic faith, of which church his father was a communicant, but John Erdell, Jr., became a member of the Lutheran church. He married Christiana Stern, a daugh- ter of Morton Stern, a native born American citi- zen. She departed this life in 1883, when in her eightieth year. She was the second wife of John Erdell, and unto them were born three children : Francis, Eugene C. F. and William H. The last named married Mary Geidner, and they had three children. Edgar E., the eldest, married Annie Bloss, and had three children : Ralph, Leon- ard, and Russel, and after the death of his first wife he married a Miss Peters, and had one child, Hazel. Bertha, the elder daughter of William and Mary Erdell, became the wife of John Meyle, and had two children: Ro- land, and Willie. Lizzie, the younger daughter, married Frank Oswald, and had three children ; Harold, John and Mary.
Francis Erdell, son of John and Christiana Erdell, was born in Upper Macungie, Lehigh county, April 10, 1845. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Fogelsville, and acquired his education there by attending the public schools. He was but sixteen years of age when in 1861 he enlisted in Company G, Third Penn- sylvania Heavy Artillery, and the following year he was transferred to Company E, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania In- fantry. He participated in many important en- gagements, including the battle of Drury's Bluff, Virginia, May 16, 1864, and Cold Harbor from the Ist to the 6th of June of that year. In the. last conflict he was wounded in the neck, and was carried unconscious from the field by his comrades and sent to Whitehouse, Virginia, and thence to Washington, D. C., where he remained until his wound was healed. The bullet had gone. entirely through the neck, and his is the only recorded case of recovery after such a wound. He was mustered out of service at Fortress Mon- roe, Virginia, June 20. 1865. Returning to Catasauqua he entered the employ of the Catasau-
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qua & Fogelsville Railroad Company. When he had served in the repair shops for two months he was made brakeman, and in 1872 was appointed baggage master on the local passenger train, thus serving until February, 1891, when he was made conductor on that train. In the railroad service he has become widely known, and his courteous, obliging treatment of the patrons of the road has gained him many friends. Socially, he is con- nected with Fuller Post, No. 378, G. A. R., of which he is a charter member, and in which he has served as quartermaster for three years. He is also identified with the Knights of Honor. In politics he is a stanch Republican, while in his religious faith he is a Lutheran.
Francis Erdell was married August 18, 1866, to Miss Catherine Reinhart, who was born in South Whitehall township, February 18, 1846, and is a daughter of Ephraim and Mary ( Wetzel) Reinhart. Her father was born in Lower Mil- ford, Pennsylvania, and in his youth learned and followed the shoemaker's trade. His death oc- curred, however, in South Whitehall township, Lehigh county. His wife was a daughter of George Wetzel, who served as a member of the partiot army throughout the entire period of the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Catherine Erdell was the second of a family of three children. Her brother, Francis R., married Miss Frey, and had two children, Edwin and Katie. Alexander mar- ried Matilda Kirschner, and had one child, Har- vey, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Er- dell became the parents of nine children : Ellen, who resides in McAfee Valley, New Jersey ; Wil- liam Edgar ; Harvey, who died in infancy ; Mary C., who is the widow of Milton Sell, of Bethle- hem, Pennsylvania, and has two children, Allen and Wilmur ; Henry F., who died at the age of ten years; Alice, who died in infancy; Charles W., Edith V., and Clayton H.
William Edgar Erdell was born September I, 1868. He attended the public schools of Whitehall township, was afterward graduated from the Hokendauqua high school, and later attended the Allentown Business College, where he completed his education. Entering business life, he was employed at different places for about
two years, and then secured a position as office boy with the American Cement Company at Egypt, in 1888. He remained with that company for thirteen years, or until 1901, and through his close application, unfaltering energy and devotion to the interests of the house he won continued promotion and when he severed his connection therewith he was occupying the position of as- sistant superintendent. He resigned, however, in 1901 and accepted a position as general superin- tendent with the Whitehall Portland Cement Company at Cementon, Pennsylvania. In this capacity he now has supervision over the labors of three hundred and seventy-five workmen, and the product of the plant is about three thousand barrels of Portland cement daily. Mr. Erdell is well qualified for the responsibilities of his im- portant position, owing to his thorough and prac- tical training in the business, and as general su- perintendent he has contributed in large measure to the success of the corporation which he rep- resents.
In his social relations Mr. Erdell is connected with the Masonic fraternity and with the Living- ston Club. In his religious views he is a Lutheran and politically, is a very stanch Republican, in- flexible and unfaltering in his adherence to the party.
William Edgar Erdell was married April 22, 1896, to Miss Minnie E. Peck, who was born in Jordan, New York. Her paternal grandparents were Bennett and Sallie (Cain) Peck. Her fa- ther, Smith Peck, was a stonemason and con- tractor of Jordan, New York, where he conducted a prosperous business for many years. He be- longs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His wife bore the maiden name of Lorinda Cor- nish, who was a daughter of Seymour and Ellen (Gardinere) Cornish. Smith and Lorinda Peck had three children : Hattie, Minnie and Fred, Minnie being the wife of William E. Erdell.
WILLIAM V. GODLEY. The career of this representative citizen of Cedarville, Easton. Pennsylvania, stands in evidence of the fact that he possesses great versatility of talent, and that exactness and thoroughness characterized all his.
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business efforts. On the paternal side he is de- scended from an old and honored English ances- try who first settled in Virginia, but later located in New Jersey, and on the maternal side he traces his origin to a Dutch ancestry. William V. God- ley, only child of William, who died before the birth of William V., and Anna ( Vanderbilt) Godley, daughter of Jacob Vanderbilt, was born in Alexander township, Warren county, New Jersey, July 25, 1817. His mother, Anna (Van- derbilt) Godley, subsequently married Joshua Souders, and their children were: Elizabeth and Phebe, twins, both of whom are now deceased.
In 1830, when William V. Godley was thir- teen years of age, his parents removed from New Jersey to Saucon township, Pennsylvania, and in this locality he began his business career. His entire time and attention was devoted to farming pursuits until 1856, when he settled in Williams township and engaged extensively in mine oper- ating. The Glendon Iron Company leased the mines which were located on the Best Estate, but failed in their efforts to make mining a prof- itable enterprise. At this time Mr. Godley, hav- ing severed his connection with the Glendon Company, discovered a vein of ore which devel- oped into a profitable field, and this he operated until 1865, employing as many as thirty hands and several teams, and by his judicious and care- ful management of all details he realized a large profit from his labors. He then established a milk route in Easton, but after a short period of time abandoned this line of industry and removed to Saucon township, where he accepted the su- perintendency of a mine which, however, proved unprofitable and was soon abandoned. Mr. God- ley has spent the greater part of his life in the development and operation of ore mines in the neighborhood of his present residence. He has the entire confidence of his fellow citizens, and has held several township offices to his credit and the benefit of the friends who elected him. He is a member of the Order of United American Mechanics, and Columbia Council, No. 13.
In 1842 Mr. Godley married Anna Bones, of Williams township, a descendant of a German ancestry. They were the parents of fourteen
children, all of whom attained years of maturity. John B. was a member of the Fifty-first Reg- iment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Petersburg, July, 1864; Charles, served in the One Hundred and Seventy- ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infan- try, and after the close of hostilities between the north and south was honorably discharged from the service of the United States; Edmund; Annie ; Martha ; William ; Ellen ; Emma ; Albert ; Elizabeth; Herbert, who was the first man to run the Black Diamond Express and make time; Mary ; Jennie, and Maggie Godley. Shortly after their marriage Mr. Godley erected a handsome and substantial residence in Cedarville, where he is now spending the declining years of his life, his wants being carefully attended to by his two daughters, who reside with him. Mrs. God- ley died in 1901, beloved by all who had the honor of her acquaintance. She, with her hus- band, was confirmed in the old Reformed Church at Easton, of which she was a consistent member up to the time of her decease, her husband hold- ing membership in the same at the present time (1903).
PROFESSOR PHIL. J. LAWRENCE, in- ventor of the seventh and seven and one-third octave organ in piano cases, whose genius and ability have placed him in front of all reed organ manufacturers, is one of the most talented mu- sicians of the Lehigh Valley, and his art as well as his personal characteristics has made him very prominent and popular in his section of Penn- sylvania.
He was born at East Orange, New Jersey, a son of N. and M. Elizabeth Lawrence of that place. He pursued his literary education in the public schools there, and when only seven years of age he took up the study of music, having prior to this time displayed natural aptitude and marked talent in the line of the art. He was placed under the direction of Professor J. O. B. Harrison, of Orange, New Jersey, a celebrated musician of his day. A great artist, like the poet, is born, and not made, and nature gave to Pro- fessor Lawrence splendid gifts of a musical
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nature. However, untiring application and close study have ever been the means of the develop- ment of talent, and it is in this way that Pro- fessor Lawrence has won for himself a dis- tinguished position in connection with musical circles in Pennsylvania. When sixteen years of age he began the mastery of piano tuning and became tuner for the Peloubet-Pelton Company, who were awarded the first prize at the centennial exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. In 1880 he signed a contract with the Hon. Daniel F. Beatty to tune fifteen hundred organs per month. Un- der this contract he tuned 47,000 instruments. In 1884 he built a three-story brick factory, Nos. 320-322 South Tenth street, Easton, Pennsyl- vania. Here he began the manufacture of six, seven and seven and one-third octave piano case organs, under the trade mark name of Lawrence Brothers. He it was who first introduced this style to the world. In 1885 he was awarded a diploma upon seven and seven and one-third octave organs by the Jury of Awards at the Pennsylvania State Fair, Easton, Pennsylvania. The banner, which floated over the space occu- pied by his exhibit: WE LEAD, OTHERS FOLLOW, has been preserved, and the world of organ makers have fallen into line, and today are manufacturing six, seven and seven and one- third octave organs in piano cases.
ERASMUS F. KERN, one of Slatington's most progressive business men, is a descendant of one of the oldest and best known families of the Lehigh Valley. The founder of the family in America so far as is known was William Kern, and early records say that they held three hun- dred acres of land in what is now Washington township, Lehigh county. Little is known con- cerning his early life, but it is thought that he emigrated from Holland. It is not known, however, whether he was accompanied by other members of the family, and his descendants can trace their lineage no further back. William Kern, however, had one son, Nicholas, who mar- ried and had three sons-David, Paul and Rob- ert. The last named was the father of Erasmus F. Kern, and was born in Washington township,
Lehigh county, December 30, 1833. He was reared upon the home farm and acquired a com- mon school education during his early years. Public-spirited and progressive as a citizen, he was called upon to fill various positions of public trust and responsibility. In politics he was a Democrat, and among other positions tendered him by the party was that of mercantile appraiser, in which position he served for a term. He was a member of the Reformed church and later of the Evangelical church and in the latter he acted as a trustee. He married Julia, daughter of Jo- seph Peter, of Washington township, Lehigh county. She was also active in church work, and like her husband left the Reformed church in early life and identified herself with the Evan- gelical church. Their children were as follows : Erasmus, Henrietta, Oliver, who married Alice Kuntz; Ida, who married John W. Roth; Flora, the wife of Osville Peters; Robert A., who wedded Mary Person ; and Weston H., who mar- ried Flora Knecht.
Erasmus F. Kern was born on the old home- stead, March 10, 1854. He acquired his educa- tion by study in the common schools, supple- mented by an academic course and by training in a business college. In early life his preference seemed to be for mercantile pursuits, and at the age of eighteen years he entered the general store of W. K. Peters, of Saegerville, where he con- tinued for two years. He then secured a posi- tion with Harry Williams, at Williamstown, Pennsylvania, and left his employ three years later to take charge of a store for W. K. Peters & Co., at Slatedale, Pennsylvania. A few years later Mr. Kern, desiring a change of occupation, accepted the position of clerk in the American House at Mauch Chunk. The following year he went to the west and was clerk in the St. James Hotel of Kansas City. He afterward went to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he filled a similar position until 1885, when he returned home. He purchased a general store which he has since con- ducted on upper Main street, in Slatington, and the enterprise has brought to him good profits. In 1892 he became interested in the slate business, but later sold out.
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Mr. Kern is the supporter of many progres- sive measures for the general welfare, and in his political affiliations has always been identified with the Democratic party. Several times he has been chosen for the office of director of the poor. He is identified with various fraternal organiza- tions, including the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, in which he has long been treasurer of the local lodge. He likewise is con- nected with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Malta and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church, and both have been very active in its work, Mr. Kern serving for some time as deacon. On the 14th of February, 1885, Mr. Kern wedded Mary Fusselman, a daughter of Philip and Caro- line (Sussaman) Fusselman, of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Their children are Viola Julia, Helen Caroline, Ida May, Morris Nicholas, who died in infancy ; David E., Luther F., and Jeffer- son L.
FRANK P. MICKLEY. Every one who has studied the structure of society knows that there is a class of men who, in whatever com- munity their lot may be cast, are always to be found in positions of trust and responsibility, and are destined by executive ability, intellectual acuteness and force of character, to be the pillars of the financial and political fabric. Of such men Lehigh county has its full share, and conspicuous among them is Frank P. Mickley, of North Whitehall township. The Mickley family has long been resident in the county, having been planted there by John J. Mickley, who emigrated from Germany and settled in Whitehall township, where he passed his life as a farmer. His wife was of the same township, and among their chil- dren was a son, Christian, who was born on the homestead, educated in the common schools of the township, and became a lifelong farmer, as his father had been before him. He married Elizabeth Deshler, and they were the parents of one son, Peter, mentioned at length hereinafter ; and four daughetrs. Mr. Mickley, the father, was known throughout the township as a suc- cessful agriculturist.
Peter Mickley, only son of Christian and Elizabeth (Deshler) Mickley, was born in 1794 on the homestead, and was educated in the best schools of that period. From boyhood he was trained to the labors of the farm, and in the course of time succeeded to the ownership of the homestead, which he maintained in its former prosperity, increased by the improvements and facilities of a later generation. He was active in township affairs, and for many years held the office of school director. In politics he was a stanch Republican. He married Annie Butz, of the same township, and the following children were born to them: Abraham, Caroline, Alfred, and Frank P., mentioned at length hereinafter. Mr. Mickley continued in the active management of his estate until forced by advancing years to relinquish his labors. His death occurred in 1877, and his wife passed away in 1881. Both left a memory which is a precious legacy to their de- scendants.
Frank P. Mickley, son of Peter and Annie (Butz) Mickley, was born March I, 1832, on the old homestead in Whitehall township, which had been the birthplace of his father and grandfather. He received his primary education in the schools of his native place, afterward attending Easton Academy. After leaving school he returned home and engaged in the mining of iron ore, which he found in no inconsiderable quantities embedded in the soil of his ancestral acres. He continued this for some years, finding it a fruitful source of pe- cuniary profit, and then turned his attention to agriculture, which he made the business of his life, and in which he proved as successful as his. forefathers. Not many years since he retired from the active labors of the farm. He was one of the founders of the Union Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company, of Pennsylvania, and has been for forty years one of the directors. In many banks and corporations he holds the same office. He takes an active interest in educational work, and has served for many years as school director .. He is a stanch member of the Republican party, and earnest in his attention to the affairs of the organization. He and his family attend the Re- formed church.
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Mr. Mickley married in 1854, Sarah A., daughter of Enoch Butz, of the same township, and they are the parents of five children: Ellen, Anna, Laura, Howard P., who is a well-known physician of Neff, Pennsylvania ; and Charles F. Mr. Mickley is a man whose character commands universal respect. His experience, foresight and sound judgment cause him to be frequently con- sulted on various matters of importance, and those seeking his advice always find in him a friendly and sagacious counsellor.
ISAIAH MARTIN, superintendent of the Pen Argyl Valley Mill Company and a resident of Pen Argyl, is a son of William and Grace (Reed) Martin, the former born in Cornwall, England, the latter in Devonshire, England, and in 1856 they emigrated to America. The father was an experienced man in the development of slate in- dustries, and followed the same pursuit in this country to good advantage. He became a faithful and loyal citizen of his adopted country, and served his township for several terms as tax col- lector, filling other minor positions as well. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, con- tributed generously to its support, and took an active and helpful part in its work.
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