USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 74
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
JAMES F. SCHREIBER, who has retired from business but is yet active in community affairs as a member of the borough council, and as one whose influence has been strongly and beneficially exerted in behalf of public progress and improvement, was born in Lehigh county, September 12, 1836, and is of German lineage.
On the 28th of April, 1733, in the valley of the Rhine, near the French border of the province of Alsace, was celebrated the marriage of John Jacob Schreiber and Magdelene Roth, both of whom were natives of that locality. They im- mediately started for the new world, and in the same year landed at Philadelphia, where they re- mained for some time. Three children were born of this marriage: Philip Jacob, Maria M. and John George.
Philip Jacob Schreiber, the elder son of John Jacob and Magdelene Schreiber, was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, June 13, 1735, and throughout his active business career carried on agricultural pursuits. He lived to the advanced age of seventy-seven years, nine months and twenty-two days, passing away on the 25th of April, 1813. He married Miss Eliza- beth Kern, and they became the parents of eleven children, as follows: Eva C., John P., John P. (second), Maria M., Barbara, John, Susan, Susan (second), Jacob, Elizabeth and Daniel.
Of this family Daniel Schreiber was the grandfather of James F. Schreiber, and was born on the 2d of July, 1785. He, too, followed the occupation of farming, and he owned two hun- dred acres of the original tract which had come into possession of his grandfather, John Jacob Schreiber, the progenitor of the family in Amer- ica. He took a deep interest in the improvement and upbuilding of the community in which he made his home and was a loyal, enterprising citi- zen. He held membership in the Reformed church of Egypt, was active in its work, and filled the positions of deacon and elder for a number of years. He married Barbara Leisin- ring, a daughter of Conrad and Catherine (Grubb) Leisinring. Daniel Schreiber died De- cember 9, 1857, at the age of seventy-two years,
five months and seven days, and his wife, who was born in North Whitehall township, Lehigh county, September 20, 1788, died on the 11th of October, 1865, at the age of seventy-seven years and twenty-one days. Their marriage was cele- brated June 9, 1808, and was blessed with eleven children : Reuben, Aaron, Daniel, David, Peter, Abylonia, Sarah, Maria, Theressa, Christiana and Caroline.
Aaron Schreiber, the father of James F. Schreiber, was born in Whitehall township, Le- high county, August 12, 1810, and became well known in business circles because of the extent and importance of his interests and the success which attended his efforts. He carried on farm- ing and butchering, and also dealt in lumber and coal. He was widely known as one of the most progressive and prosperous citizens of Coplay, and his efforts in behalf of public progress and im- provement were far-reaching and beneficial. He was one of the organizers of the Agricultural So- ciety of Lehigh county, and was for several years a member of the borough council of Coplay. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party, and he was a worthy member of the Ma- sonic fraternity of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Reformed church, in which he held the office of elder. His death occurred Feb- ruary 12, 1888, while his wife passed away on December 2, 1887, previous. He had been mar- ried September 27, 1835, to Miss Catherine B. Biege, born January 25, 1813, a daughter of Michael and Sallie (Lentz) Biege. They had one son and one daughter, James F., born September 12, 1836; and Maria B., born August 31, 1839.
James F. Schreiber is the worthy successor of his father in business circles in Coplay. He was engaged in the butchering business in that borough for thirty-two years, and enjoyed an ex- tensive and profitable trade, but is now living a retired life. He owns a fine property in Coplay. and the land which is in his possession is a part of the original six hundred acres which John Jacob Schreiber purchased in 1735. Mr. Schreiber belongs to the Reformed church of Mickley, in:
28 X
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
which he takes a very active and helpful interest, contributing generously to its support. He also belongs to Porter Lodge, No. 234, F. and A. M., at Catasauqua, Pennsylvania.
PHAON W. MANTZ, who is engaged in general agricultural pursuits in Heidelberg town- ship, belongs to one of the old families of Lehigh county. Through long years the representatives of the name have been connected with agricultural interests in this part of the state. Jacob Mantz, the grandfather, was born in Lynn township, Le- high county, and following the acquirement of his education in the common schools he turned his attention to farming as a life work, and carried on that occupation for many years. He married Miss Anna M. Wertman, of the same township, and to them was born one child, Elias Mantz, whose birth occurred on the old homestead on the Ist of May, 1814. He, too, was educated in the common schools and made farming his life work. His study of the political issues and questions of the day led him to give a stalwart support to the Republican party. His death occurred in 1871, when he was but fifty-seven years of age. He married Miss Anna George, a daughter of Peter George, of Low Hill township, Lehigh county. They, too, had but one child, Phaon W., of this review.
Phaon W. Mantz, who was born on the old home farm in Lynn township, June 9. 1843, be- came familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist when he was still but a young lad. Through the winter months he pursued his education in the common schools, and afterward took up school teaching as a means of livelihood, following that profes- sion in different townships of Lehigh county. At length, however, he established his home in Heidelberg township, where he now resides, and for a number of years he has conducted farming prusuits. He follows progressive methods in his work, and as the result of his energy and capable management is meeting with a fair measure of success. A believer in Republican principles, he always casts his ballot for the men and measures of the party, and he has held several local offices,
having served as assessor, school director and auditor.
On the 6th of June, 1867, Mr. Mantz was married to Miss Senia Snyder, a daughter of Stephen Snyder, of Heidelberg township. Their children are : Elias, who is a practicing physician ; Howard, married Miss Flausa Bachman, and they have one child: Ulysses C., U. S. G., who married Elizabeth Ziegenfuss and has two chil dren, Helen and Wilmer ; Fevillia, who married Quincy A. Stettler, and has three children. Mr. Mantz and his family attend the Reformed church.
NATHAN HANDWERK. Among the leaders of the Lehigh county farmers must be numbered Nathan Handwerk, of Heidelberg township. The Handwerk family has been for several generations represented in the township, and would seem, judging from the name, to have been of German origin. John S. Handwerk was born in Heidelberg township in 17-, was edu- cated in the common schools of his birthplace. and there passed his life as a farmer. He married. and among his children was a son named George, who was born on the homestead and was a very successful farmer, accumulating quite a large amount of property. He married Lydia Metz- ger, of the same township, and the following chil- dren were born to them: Sabina, David, Joseph, Catherine, Owen, Fayana; William, who was killed in the Civil war; Suzana; Nathan, men- tioned at length hereinafter; Vioetta, and Ed- ward. Mr. Handwerk, the father of this numer- ous family, was a man who enjoyed the sincere respect and esteem of all who knew him. His death occurred at the advanced age of eighty- two years.
Nathan Handwerk, son of George and Lydia (Metzger) Handwerk, was born February 8, 1847, on the homestead, and received his educa- tion in the common schools. When the Civil war broke out, notwithstanding his youth, he enlisted in Company I. Thirty-eighth Regiment, Penn- sylvania Militia, for three months' service. Dur- ing this period he was employed in doing guard duty, and on his discharge at once re-enlisted in
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
the Forty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, thus proving that in entering the army he had been inspired not by a transitory boyish impulse, but by true patriotism. He was sent to Louisiana, where he was detailed as mail carrier for the regiment. After the war he returned home, where he has since led the life of an indus- trious and prosperous farmer. He is regarded as one of the best judges in the county in regard to the value of property, and his advice is much sought in all matters pertaining to agriculture and real estate. He is active in the duties of citi- zenship, and for twenty-four consecutive years has held the office of assessor. Politically he is a strong Republican. He and his family attend the Lutheran church.
Mr. Handwerk married, in 1866, Anna M., daughter of Nathan Harter, a farmer of the same township, and they are the parents of the follow- ing children : Richard O., deceased ; Loida C., also deceased ; Oscar A., who married Emma Sen- singer, and has six children; Emma T., who is the wife of James Garman, and has five children ; Ellen T., who married T. O. Garman; Louisa C .; Alvin, deceased ; and Howard W.
FRANK HUTH, of Nazareth, is of German lineage, his ancestors coming from the father- land at an early epoch in the settlement of the new world by the nations of Europe. According to a family tradition, the great-grandfather of Frank Huth was one of three brothers who set- tled in Pennsylvania, there faced the hostile sav- ages and endured the hardships, difficulties and dangers incident to the establishment of homes on the frontier. Not only were their lives in constant peril because of the unfriendly attitude of the red men, but hard conditions had to be met in clearing away the forests and placing the land in cultivable condition, but, like other brave pioneers, the Huth brothers triumphed in the contest for supremacy in this part of the state. They all became tillers of the soil, and were the founders of a hardy, thrifty and industrious race, becoming prominent and influential in the locality in which they cast their lot.
Henry Huth, the grandfather, like his father
before him, engaged in the tilling of the soil. The Huths have ever been advocates of education and mental advancement, and in as far as possible have utilized opportunities for progress in that direction. Henry Huth in early manhood was united in marriage to Miss Regina Biechey, and nine children blessed their union, seven sons and two daughters.
Abraham Huth, the third of this family, was born in the western part of Northampton county in 1835. He acquired his education in the public schools, and at an early age learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. He then purchased a farm of about fifty acres, and has since carried on general agricul- tural pursuits, selling his products in the home market. He still resides on the old home place, and in his declining years is enjoyng the fruits of his former toil. He has always been indepen- dent in politics, but has rather preferred to leave offical service to others. He married Harriet Flory, who was born in 1834 and died in 1894. Like her husband she was a believer in the Re- formed church of the United Brethren, as were their ancestors in both the paternal and maternal lines.
Frank Huth, their only child, was born in Beersville, now Asa, Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, May 26, 1860. After attending the public schools he entered the Keystone State Normal School, in which he spent a year and a half. He also had the benefit of instruction from a private teacher both before and after his normal course. He engaged in teaching, which profes- sion he has followed in various grades in Mon- roe, Northampton, Lehigh and Lancaster coun- ties. He served for sixteen years as principal of the schools of Nazareth, and his administration was characterized by steady improvement in the school and by a marked advance in the standard of education in that place. During four consecu- tive years he was instructor of a class of private pupils who were preparing for the teacher's pro- fession. He gained recognition as one of the leading educators connected with the public school system of the Lehigh Valley, and when he tendered his resignation as principal of the
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
schools of Nazareth the members of the school board and private citizens there put forth every possible effort to induce him to remain, but he had determined to give his attention to other fields of labor. During the period of vacation he had become interested in the insurance busi- ness as a representative of life, fire and general insurance companies, and also had dealt to some extent in real estate. In retiring from the teach- er's profession he continued in these lines of business activity, and has secured a large clientage as a real-estate and insurance agent. He like- wise has other business interests, being at this writing (in 1904) the secretary and treasurer of the Blue Mountain Consolidated Water Com- pany. Experts, after careful analysis, have pro- claimed that the water controlled by this company is purer than any other to be found in the state. It is bottled and shipped far and near for medi- cinal and other purposes, and the company also supplies the town with its water privileges.
Mr. Huth is independent in his political views, giving his support to the men whom he regards as best qualified for office. He has for five years served as secretary of the board of health of Nazareth, and for about four years was a mem- ber of the town council. He has passed all the chairs in the local organizations of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and is one of the prominent Masons of Nazareth, serving as a rep- resentative to the grand lodge in Philadelphia in 1903, when the anniversary of the initiation of George Washington into Freemasonry was cele- brated.
On the 27th of May, 1881, Mr. Huth was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Reinhard, a daughter of Edmund J. and Sarah (Beidler) Reinhard, of the western part of the county. Her father is one of the best known educators and musicians of this part of the county. He has completed a half century devoted to school teaching, and he has been for twenty-three years organist in the Lutheran Reformed church, of which he and his wife are devout members. They are both held in high regard in the community where they make their home and Mr. Reinhard
is particularly influential in educational and musi- cal circles.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Huth have been born four children : Harry Osca, born January 1, 1884, at- tended the public schools of Nazareth, completed the high school course there, and afterward be- . came a student in the Lehigh University ; he is now employed as chemist in a large cement mill in California. Anna Florence, born March 20, 1888; Laura Alice, born December 12, 1889; and Frank Reinhard, born April 8, 1897, are all at- tending school. Mr. and Mrs. Huth and their family are members of the Lutheran Reformed church. They occupy a pretty and attractive home on Mauch Chunk street in the borough of Nazareth.
FRANKLIN M. KRAMER, whose mercan- tile career formed an important chapter in the busi- ness history of Allentown for many years, was born in that borough, January 23, 1822.
His grandfather was Nicholas Kramer, his father, Charles Kramer. The latter married Julia Ann Miller, a daughter of William Miller, and they became the parents of ten children, the eldest of whom was Franklin. The others are as follows : James Allen, married Elemanda Horn, and they have six children: Harry F., who mar- ried Emma Bowlby, and had six children, of whom three are living; Charles N., who never married; Howard, who married Jennie Miller, and has one child, Stanley ; Jennie, who married George Krause, and had three children; Laura, unmarried; and Sallie, the wife of Harry Blank. Tilghman W. Kramer (3) married Mary Guth and they had two children, but both are deceased. Milton J. (4) married Louisa Stettler, and they had one daughter, Mary J., who is the wife of Charles E. Berger, and has one child, Louise. Eliza (5) is the wife of Edward Lawall and has two children, Lizzie, single, and Julia, who is married. Kate (6) is the wife of Edward S. Shimer, and has two children ; Edward, who mar- ried Nora Lichtenwalner, and they have two children, Bessie and Francis; and Alice, who is the wife of Dr. J. D. Christman, and has two chil- dren : Edward and Florence. Maria (7) was
ElCtramen
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
married to Peter S. Wenner, and they have seven children : Sallie, married to Frank Weil; Charles K., who married Bertha Hirner and has two chil- dren ; Robert W., who married Elmina Kistler ; Park B., who married Miss Lefavor ; Edward F., who married Miss Hecker; Thomas P., who is married ; and Harry C., unmarried. Amanda (8) became the wife of Henry Smith and had three children : Charles, who is married ; Harry, deceased; and Mrs. Julia Kleckner. After the death of Henry Smith his widow, Mrs. Amanda Smith, became the wife of Hugh Eschbach, and . had two children: Dr. W. W. Eschbach, who married Miss Krum, and Robert. George N. (9) married Amanda Schwartz, and they have one daughter, Julia Ann. John C. (10) married Kate Leh and has one son, George, who is married.
Franklin M. Kramer was educated in the pub- lic schools and in Allentown Academy, after which he learned the butcher's trade under the di- rection of his father, who was the first one in his line in the city. The business career of Frank- lin M. Kramer was marked by untiring activity and enterprise, and when his son John had at- tained a sufficient age he instructed him in the methods of mercantile life, and himself continued in the business up to the time of his death in 1894. For many years he was a director in the Allen- town National Bank, of which his father, Charles Kramer, had been one of the original incorpora- tors. He held relationship with no secret so- cieties, but was a member of the Lutheran chruch, and gave his political support to the Democratic party.
Franklin M. Kramer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Fry, a daughter of Major William Fry, and his wife Elizabeth (Worman) Fry. Her father was long identified with the state militia and volunteer military service of Pennsyl- vania, and thereby became widely known and prominent. He was born in Bladensburg, Mary- land, in May, 1800, and in his early boyhood ac- companied his parents on their removal to Ger- mantown, Philadelphia, where he learned the carriage-making trade. Later he spent several years in Georgia, and in 1822 he came to Allen-
town, which was then a small village. He was employed at carriage-making for some time, and subsequently became the proprietor of the estab- lishment. His business gradually developed along substantial lines, and he won the success which is the goal of all business endeavor. About 1853 he retired from the carriage-making indus- try and turned his attention to farming and min- ing interests, having previously made judicious investments in several farms and large tracts of land in Salisbury township, including the ground now occupied by the Fairview cemetery and the meadows and lowlands along the little Lehigh creek in the southeastern section of the city. This property afterward became immensely valuable by reason of the demands made for it by manu- facturers, who desired to establish their plants in that locality. Thus from humble financial sur- roundings in boyhood, Major Fry arose to a po- sition of affluence, his estate at the time of his death being one of great value. His educational privileges in youth were limited, but he possessed strong common sense, marked habits of obser- vation, made a careful study of passing events, and by reason of a retentive memory stored his mind with practical knowledge and general in- telligence. He was also remarkable for the en- ergy and activity with which he transacted all business, and his correct judgment and enterprise invariably led to success. Although rather brusk in manner, he possessed a kindness of heart that was well understood by those in his employ and by those who were most intimately associated with him. He was plain and open in his manners, fearless in the expression of his opinions, and yet most warm and devoted in his friendships. He never deserted a friend, and while they fal- tered he remained true. He despised hypocrisy, and there was not the least trace of it in his dispo- sition. In the early years of his residence in Al- lentown he became a member of military organi- zations, and was active in establishing the Lehigh Artillerists, of which company he was twice the commanding officer. He filled other military po- sitions, and in 1835 was elected inspector of the brigade then composed of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon. For a number of years, too, he held
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
the office of burgess of Allentown, and in 1852 he was elected to represent his district in the state senate, where he soon acquired the reputa- tion of one of the most industrious members of that body, and as such he became widely and prominently known to politicians and eminent men in all parts of the state. He gave an unfal- tering support to the Democracy, believing that its principles alone were best calculated to pre- serve and bless our common country. His posi- tion concerning a political question was never a matter of doubt to those who cared to know his opinions, and yet he was esteemed by all parties for his humor and his general good qualities. He married Elizabeth Worman, a daughter of Jacob Worman, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Allentown, and it was of this marriage that three children were born. Mary A., married to F. M. Kramer, who was born May 13, 1827, and died March 2, 1904. She was survived by a brother, George Fry, an alderman of Allentown, and a sister, Mrs. Ellen E. Stein. Ellen E. became the wife of Jacob J. Stein, and they had five children : William J., now deceased ; Annie E .; Mary S .; Franklin K., who married Laura Hartman, and after her demise married Bella Kleckner ; and Liz- zie F., who married Nevin F. Davis, and has two children, Frederick S. and Robert. George Fry married Aurelia Bickley, and they have had two children, Harry, deceased ; and William B., who married Sallie Massey, and has one child, Howard.
Mrs. Kramer was educated in the Moravian Seminary in Bethlehem, attending that school in the early '40s. Throughout almost her entire life she held membership in St. John's Reformed church, and her christian faith permeated her en- tire career. Her salient characteristics were her cheerful, hopeful disposition, her devotion to fam- ily and friends, and her loyalty and activity in the church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Franklin M. Kra- mer were born two children, John T., and Fred F. The latter married Sallie Haines, and had three children, Dorothy, Frederick F., and Mary Emma, the latter deceased. John T. Kramer in his boyhood was instructed by his father in the methods of mercantile life and became an active
factor in the business after his graduation from the public schools of Allentown, and after his fa- ther's death in 1894 he continued in the business until 1900, when he sold out and entered into partnership with his brother, Fred F. Kramer, proprietor of Kramer's Music House.
Fred F. Kramer, having acquired a public education, entered a music store to learn the busi- ness and continued for seven years. He then started out in business for himself in Center Square, and subsequently removed to his present location at No. 544 Hamilton avenue, having re- cently purchased the building that he now occu- pies. He handles all kinds of musical instruments and music, and since 1900 has been associated with his brother in the conduct of what has be- come one of the leading enterprises in their line in the city. Frederick Kramer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, St. Leger Club, and of the Reformed church, and he gives. his political allegiance to the Democracy.
WILLIAM H. H. MECKLEY, who is living a retired life in Alburtis, was born in Lower Ma- cungie township, Lehigh county, on the 20th of July, 1846. His paternal grandfather, John Meckley, was a native of Germany, and accom- panied his father John Meckley, Sr., on his emi- gration to America in the seventeenth century. The family home was established in Lower Ma- cungie, and John Meckley, the grandfather, was there reared, and by his marriage had five chil- dren: Philip, John L., Stoffle, Ludwig and Elizabeth.
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