USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 73
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J. A. GERHART, one of the leading repre- sentative business men of Easton, Pennsylvania, is well versed in mechanics and is a thorough and expert artist in several branches of trade which he has pursued for many years, and from the pro- ceeds of which he has accumulated a handsome competence. He was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1840, a son of Philip and Sarah (Boyer) Gerhart, both natives of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where they were reared, spent their lives and died.
J. A. Gerhart attended the common schools of his native county, and by making the best use of his opportunities he qualified himself for a life of future usefulness and activity. His first em- ployment was at mill-stone building, and in the meantime he became an expert miller, which voca- tion he followed with a large degree of success for several years in the vicinity of his birthplace. In 1860 Mr. Gerhart located in the city of Easton, Pennsylvania, and during the progress of the Civil war he served as an emergency man in the Thirty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Militia. After the expiration of his time he was honorably discharged from the service of the United States, and upon his return home again engaged in the milling business, which he conducted for thirty- five consecutive years on the Bushkill Creek, which in former years was called Tatamy's creek and Lehicton creek, but after the abandonment of those Indian names it became known by the name of the township in which it rises and through which it runs.
In 1869 Mr.| Gerhart purchased a piece of property in Easton, upon which he erected his present buildings, which cover an area of seven- ty-two by one hundred and twenty feet, one of the structures being forty-six by twenty-four
feet. He operates a cider mill where the very best quality of apple juice is transformed into cider and vinegar, the capacity of his plant being the large quantity of four thousand gallons per ten hours. In conjunction with this enterprise he deals in boilers, engines and pumps for mining purposes. Mr. Gerhart is thoroughly practical and progressive in his ideas, honest and honor- able in his transactions, and therefore well merits the financial success which has attended his ef- forts. In addition to his mill and private resi- dence, he is the owner of two tenement houses in the vicinity of his place of business. Mr. Gerhart has been employed in New York City, Philadel- phia, and other cities of Pennsylvania, but his principal work has been confined to the city of Easton. He has held several township offices of trust and responsibility.
In 1869 Mr. Gerhart married Ellen Roth, who was born in Palmer township, September 20, 1838. They are the parents of two children-J. Henry and Clara L., now the wife of Mr. Kichline. Mr. Gerhart and his wife are members of the Arndt Union church, in which body Mr. Gerhart is now serving in the capacity of deacon.
BENJAMIN F. SEYBERT is a tin and sheet iron worker of Easton and his marked ability in the line of his calling has gained him prominence. in artisan circles. He was born in Bethlehem township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1829, and was about ten years of age when his parents, Charles and Elizabeth (Hinkle) Seybert, removed to Easton, establishing their home here in 1839. The paternal grandfather,. Adam Seybert, was a native of Germany and be- came the founder of the family in the new world. Crossing the Atlantic to America, he established his home in Philadelphia and became a very wealthy man. His business was so capably di- rected and he manifested such energy and deter- mination in carrying forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertook, that he accumu- lated a handsome fortune amounting to eighty- three thousand dollars, which was a very large sum to be gained by any one man in those days. In matters pertaining to the welfare of his
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adopted country he took an active and helpful part. After the old liberty bell became broken when proclaiming the independence of the United States, Adam Seybert had another bell cast and presented it to the city of Philadelphia, and it is the one which to-day hangs in Liberty Hall and is yet in use. At his demise in 1814 he bequeathed to the city ten thousand dollars for various benev- olent purposes. He also founded a home for poor orphan children of Philadelphia, and was a most charitable man, his generous spirit and kindly na- ture endearing him to all who knew him. His son, Charles Seybert, the father of our subject, was born in the city of Philadelphia and became an agriculturist, practical in his work, and win- ning success through honorable business methods. He wedded Miss Elizabeth Hinkle, who was born in lower Nazareth township, Northampton county, and they became the parents of five chil- dren, of whom two are yet living, Mrs. Caroline Hahn and Benjamin F. Seybert.
The latter spent the greater part of his youth in Easton, and his education was acquired in its public schools. In early life he prepared for a business career, learning the tinsmith's trade, and in 1848 removed to Philadelphia, where he lived and labored for forty-three years, prospering in his undertakings. He gained for himself a very prominent position in trade circles as a represen- tative of the tin and sheet iron business. His patronage was extensive, bringing to him a very desirable income.
In 1858 Mr. Seybert was united in marriage to Miss Julia Quinn, and their union was blessed with eight children, of whom five survive, namely : Benjamin F., Jr., Henry, Joseph, Lavina and Anabelle. His three sons are continuing in the business in Philadelphia which was established by their father, and enjoy a very extended patron- age as the result of their superior workmanship.
After long years of connection with the voca- tion in which as a young tradesman he embarked, Mr. Seybert retired to private life, having gained a handsome competence which now supplies him with all the comforts and many of the luxuries which go to make life worth the living. His business career was ever honorable, and won for
him a good name as well as a desired moneyed re- turn. He carefully planned his work and faith- fully executed every contract, and because of his capability and honorable methods he was accorded a patronage that made him one of the leading representatives in his line in the city of Phila- delphia. He now makes his home in the county of his nativity and in the city to which he came when a youth of only ten years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a past noble grand in his lodge. To the beneficent teachings of this society he has ever been true and loyal, and his life, in harmony with its tenets, has been such as to command the respect and good will of all.
WILLIAM H. SCHORTZ. Through sev- eral generations the Schortz family of which William H. Schortz was a representative was connected with agricultural interests in North- ampton county. It was that occupation which claimed the attention and energies of his grand- father, Abraham Schortz, who was born in Lower Nazareth township, and was educated in the common schools there. He followed farming throughout his entire life, and passed away on the old family homestead at an advanced age. Sam- uel Schortz, the father of William H. Schortz, was born on the old home farm in 1813, and was about eighty-two years of age at the time of his death, which occurred in 1895. The common schools afforded him his educational privileges, and when he put aside his text books it was to take up the occupation of farming, which he fol- lowed throughout his entire business career. He was a man of zare judgment, keen discrimination and unfaltering enterprise, and was so honorable in all of his business relations that he was re- spected by the entire community. He wedded Mary Smeitzer, a daughter of John Smeitzer, a resident farmer of Bethlehem township, North- ampton county. Two children were born unto them, the daughter being Annie E., the wife of George K. Hess, by whom she has two children.
William H. Schortz, the son, was born on the old homestead in Lower Nazareth township, June 30, 1842, and at the usual age entered the public
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schools, there becoming familiar with the elemen- tary branches of English learning. His early mental training was supplemented by a course of study in Muhlenberg College at Allentown, Penn- sylvania, and on completing his course he took up the occupation which had been the work of his an- cestors through several generations. He located upon the home farm and continued to devote his energies to the tilling of the soil for some time, but afterward removed to Bethlehem, where he established a shoe store. He was thus connected with mercantile enterprises there for a number of years, but afterward retired from business life and took up his abode in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where he erected a fine home that is now occupied by his widow. He was a director of the Pcr Argyl National Bank, and the president of the Nazareth Company. He was likewise secretary of the Nazareth Building and Loan Association, and was a man of excellent business ability, keen enterprise and strong determination. He carrier forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, and his business methods were so hon- orable that his entire career would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. His political allegi- ance was given to the Republican party, in which he had firm faith, and he held the office of burgess of Nazareth for eight years.
In 1877 Mr. Schortz was united in marriage to Elmira Lichbenwalner, who was born in Lower Nazareth township, Northampton county, June 25, 1855. Their only child died in infancy. Her father, Daniel Lichbenwalner, was a resident farmer of Lower Nazareth township, and his wife was Susan Scheffler.
JONAS GEORGE, having put aside the bus- iness interests whereby he won a gratifying and honorable competence, is now living a retired life in Allentown. He was born at Low Hill, Lehigh county, a son of Jacob and Lydia (Woodring) George. For nearly seventy years his father was proprietor and owner of the Leather Corner Post Hotel, one of the early hostelries of this part of the state and still an old landmark, which, con- trasted with the modern improvements, indi- cates the onward march of progress in Pennsyl-
vania. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, as follows : Reuben, deceased; Eli, who married Lydia Knauss and had three children, Zenia, Oscar and Calvinus ; Jonas of this review ; Elmina, who married Reuben Deihl and has five children, three sons and two daughters; Eliza- beth, who married Mr. Augur and has two chil- dren ; Jemima, who married Menno Klutz and has five children, three sons and two daughters; Lydia, who married Mr. Fenstermacher and has five children, two sons and three daughters ; Dan- iel, who married Miss Stetler and has six chil- dren ; and George.
Jonas George, the third of the family, was reared upon the home farm and was trained to the work of the fields, and also assisted in the work of the hotel. When his services were not needed on the farm he attended school until eigh- teen years of age, when he came, to Allentown and apprenticed himself to Charles Keck for a term of three years to learn the tailoring business. When he had become proficient in his chosen field of labor he began business on his own account, continuing in the tailoring trade until his estab- lishment was destroyed in the great fire in Allen- town. He then turned his attention to another field of activity, opening an ice cream parlor and restaurant on Hamilton street. Success at- tended the new undertaking, and after remaining at his original stand for several years he found the building too small to accommodate the con- stantly growing trade, and purchased another property on Hamilton street, in which he con- ducted a more extensive business. He thus re- mained a factor in the commercial life of Allen- town until 1898, when he was succeeded by hi son Alfred and retired from business, with a competence earned through diligence, close appli- cation and keen discernment.
For fifty-nine years Mr. George has been ar exemplary member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, true to its teachings and tenets. He also belongs to the Reformed church, and gives his political support to the Democracy. He mar- ried Caroline Newhard, the only child of Jacob Newhard, and they have one son, Alfred, who is his father's successor in the restaurant business.
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THE WILLIAM T. CARTER JUNIOR REPUBLIC. In 1831 (August 23) there was born at Breage, England, a boy whose character as lie developed into manhood was distinguished by many characteristics of honesty and upright- ness in every walk in life, and which ultimately led to his recognition as one of the most success- ful and esteemed men of his time; successful not merely in the sense that he accumulated a large fortune, but rather that his whole career was one of notable achievement, even from the days of his youth to the final relinquishment of the profitable and pleasant duties of daily life; and esteemed because his career from beginning to end was characterized with noble endeavor and honest effort-an example indeed worthy of emulation. And when William T. Carter passed from the temporal life there was that in his splendid record of achievement which impelled his widow to found and maintain in his memory the institution now so widely known as the William T. Carter Junior Republic-a home of juvenile industry where are instilled into young minds and young lives the same principles and aspirations that act- uated Mr. Carter when he laid the foundations of his own career.
In his youth William T. Carter was trained by parents whose notions of life were strict, and they would have shaped his course after their own lives as a model ; but there was a spirit of self- independence in the young man, and a desire to carve out his own future without the parental aid other than a willingness to be guided by their moral instructions as to right and wrong. He was well born, well taught, and never was a dis- obedient son; but he possessed a determined character and a desire for self-reliance. This spirit animated him when in 1850 he resolved to leave the parental roof and emigrate to Amer- ica ; and when, a refusal was the only answer to his suggestion to that end, he procured the neces- sary money from a tradesman, and in the course of a few months was at work in the anthracite coal regions of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Eleven years later he was the owner of a mining operation which he enlarged and developed ; and for the next thirty years he was recognized as one
of the most extensive coal producers in the coun- try. In 1867 he purchased a large tract of land a few miles distant from Easton, Pennsylvania, which in honor of his wife he called Redington, where he erected two large blast furnaces, and and also machine and car shops. Here, for more than twenty-five years afterward, a large sur- rounding population found a comfortable liveli- hood. One success followed another; his in- vestments in various enterprises in his home city, Philadelphia, made him conspicuous in railroad, banking, scientific, art and church circles, and his known consideration for the moral and physical well being of the youth, which mani- fested itself in many ways during his lifetime, won for him the titles of humanitarian and phil- anthropist.
The purposes of the institution founded by Mrs. Carter in memory of her husband are to transform the character of youth and send forth into the world young men imbued with the same spirit which animated him-that of self reliance, self-respect and self-mastery. The Carter Junior Republic requires its citizens, through a compul- sory education law of their own enactment, to attend school half of each day until seventeen years of age. The school is graded according to the grades of the public schools in Philadelphia, and any citizen returning to the city is enabled to enter his or her respective grade without loss of time. The Republic provides both manual and academic training. The educational opportuni- ties range from those of the kindergarten through thorough preparation for any American college. A summer course for nature study is also maintained.
The Junior Republic draws its population from various sources, and considerably from the courts for juvenile offenders; and when once brought under its influence the aim is to trans- form the "citizen," and not to punish severely. Results thus far have been greater than were hoped for, but not every case is satisfactorily cured. Each succeeding year strengthens the faith of those in charge of the institution in the efficacy of the system. The aim in part is to grant to the children limited privileges of self-
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government ; to govern children through them- selves ; to develop the whole being of the child ; in fact to enforce Froebel's great truth of learn- ing by doing ; to place responsibility on the child, and then help him to meet it successfully. The aim, too, is to surround the child with the most helpful environment possible; with all the ad- vantages of a refined christian home; and then, when he is deemed sufficiently strong, to give him a start in life.
In speaking of the republic system, Jacob A. Riis says: "I believe in the plan of the Junior Republic, above all, as a means of teaching the boys what boys most need to-day in our country, viz : respect for law. If our plan of government is to endure, that must be the next great issue. It is the contempt for law which the fellowship of politics and legislation has brought upon us, that makes toughs and largely slums," etc. "Nothing without labor." This motto is the safe- guard of the system. It prevents the mere trans- formation of unfortunates into dependents. The young citizen soon learns that his standing in the community depends upon his labor. His most important lesson is self-control, a hard lesson for most men, to say nothing of a boy whom the world has labelled "good for nothing," yet every year the Republic is sending out into the world young persons who have been taught the useful lesson of honest manhood and honest endeavor.
Mrs. Carter has placed at the disposal of the Republic, for the execution of its varied purposes, one hundred and fourteen acres of magnificent farm land, embracing fifty-five acres in fruit. She has erected a handsome building one hun- dred by sixty feet, installed a complete water plant, fitted the building throughout with the most scientific and sanitary plumbing, and pro- vided ample fire protection.
JAMES STRUTHERS HEBERLING, su- perintendent of the Carter Junior Republic, Red- ington, Pennsylvania, is a lineal descendant of Hon. Daniel Heberling, who was born in North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, a representative of a German lineage, his ancestors having come from Alsace, Germany. Daniel Heberling was a
boat builder and merchant in early life, and a prominent factor in the organization of Carbon county, Pennsylvania, where he ranked among the most substantial citizens. He was an un- flinching Democrat of the Jeffersonian type, was appointed one of the first associate judges of Car- bon county and afterward re-elected for a full term, and served as director in several banks and industrial institutions. Judge Heberling died in 1875 at the ripe age of seventy years, and his re- mains were interred in the family plot at Lehigh- ton, Pennsylvania. He was survived by his wife, Mary A. (Leh) Heberling, who died in 1890.
Daniel C. Heberling (father) was born in Weissport, Pennsylvania, in 1844. He attended the public schools of his native town and com- pleted his education at an academy in New York State. He was one of the leading business men of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, for thirty-five consecutive years, was a Democrat in politics, and now resides retired in Lehighton, Pennsyl- vania, where he is a trustee of the First Presby- terian church. Mr. Heberling was united in mar- riage to Ellen Tolan Struthers, who died in No- vember, 1879, leaving three children: Homer, James Struthers and Daniel Mack, the latter named having died in infancy. In December, 1881, he married for his second wife Margaret Wallace Struthers, who bore him five children, of whom survive Jean, Norman and Helen Heber- ling. Ellen T. (Struthers) Heberling (mother) was the daughter of Hon. James Robb and Elinor Berrill (Tolan) Struthers, the former named having been a lawyer of unusual distinc- tion, for eight years a prominent legislator, a graduate of Lafayette College with second de- gree of Master of Arts, and an orator and scholar of brilliant reputation. James R. Struthers, born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1805, was a collateral descendant of William Wallace, the Scottish chief.
James S. Heberling, second son of Daniel C. and Ellen T. Heberling, was born in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1876. He was graduated in 1892 from the high school in Cata- sauqua, Pennsylvania, with salutatory honors, and the following year graduated from the West
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Chester State Normal School. After teaching school for a short period of time he accepted the position of secretary to George Morris Philips, principal of the West Chester Normal School, and served in that capacity for three years. In 1896 he entered Lafayette College, where he pursued the classical course for four years, grad- uating with honor in 1900, when he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts (A. B.) and three years later received the degree of Master of Arts (A. M.) from the same institution. After his graduation he enrolled as a graduate student at Princeton Seminary, but shortly afterward be- came superintendent of the William T. Carter Junior Republic, Redington, Pennsylvania, which position he is filling at the present time (1903). Mr. Heberling has contributed a number of val- uable articles relating to child study and training which have been printed in the leading magazines and periodicals, and has also lectured on the work before numerous educational and civic societies. He holds membership in the Phi Kappi Psi Fra- ternity, one of the leading college Greek letter societies. He is a member of the Presbyterian church of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, of which his family were charter members, and his political affiliations are with the Independent party.
In the First Presbyterian church, Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1902, Mr. Heber- ling was united in marriage to Laura Whitney Bunting, daughter of the late Dr. Thomas Crow- ell and Elizabeth (Douglas) Bunting. Dr. Bunt- ing was a man of eminent culture, a fine physician of the Homeopathic school, an inventor and painter, and traced his descent through a line of distinguished ancestors beginning with Oliver Cromwell down to Thomas Ffoulke, one of the commissioners sent over with William Penn. Elizabeth (Douglas) Bunting, wife of Dr. Bunt- ing, traced her line through her father, the late A. A. Douglas, for many years one of the most prominent coal operators of Pennsylvania, to Lord Douglas of Scotland. Mrs. Heberling is a member of the Daughters of the American Revo- lution, five of her ancestors having attained dis- tinction in the Revolutionary war.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. James S. Heberling, on November 1, 1904, was a daughter, Emily Hea- ton Heberling.
A. H. LAROS, M. D., engaged in the prac- tice of medicine in Northampton, represents one of the oldest families of the Lehigh Valley. His ancestors were French Huguenots who suffered persecution because of their religious faith. Fidel- ity to their honest convictions has been a strongly marked characteristic of the family from that time down to the present. Henry Laros, grand- father of Dr. Laros, was a farmer of Lehiglı county and married Miss Siegfried, by whom he had ten children, four of whom are yet living, namely : Mrs. Griffith, Mrs. George Lichtenwal- ner, Mrs. Benjamin Rupp, and Jesse S.
Jesse S. Laros, father of Dr. Laros, was born on the old family homestead in Lehigh county, and for a number of years was engaged in mining iron ore. He married Miss Maria Moore. a daughter of Solomon Moore, one of the worthy and prosperous farmers of Lehigh county. Six children were born of this union : Rev. Edwin J. Laros, pastor of the Reformed church at Lans- ford, Pennsylvania ; Rev. Frank F. Laros, pastor of the Reformed church at Pottstown, Pennsyl- vania ; Malcolm P .; Kate E .; Pruella M., wife of Rev. Yeuser, and A. H. The Laros family has long been actively identified with the Reformed church, and its representatives are advocates of the Democracy.
Dr. Laros was born in Lehigh county, De- cember 26, 1879, and was reared and educated in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, to which sec- tion of the state his parents removed in his early childhood. After completing the course of study at the common schools he entered Ursinus Col- lege, where he prepared for admission to- Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, and from the last named institution he was graduated with the class of 1903. He then located for practice in Northampton county, and although one of the youngest representatives of the profession there he has already gained a. good patronage.
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