USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 79
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In early life he embraced Christian doctrines, was a regular and faithful attendant at church, and was always called upon to hold some re- sponsible office. In school matters he also took an active part, and for years filled the position of school director in the township in which he lived. When the subject of a new schoolhouse adjoining his own home was advocated, he stood ready with his hands and money while others held aloof, and insisted that all the modern conven- iences and comforts should be provided. In poli- tics he was less active, casting his vote for the man who in his opinion was best suited for of- fice. In his dress and tastes he was plain and simple, despising all ostentations. He was strictly temperate in all things. To his children he was kind and considerate, and later in life
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he took a great interest in watching their pro- gress as they took an active interest in life's work. Thus his life passed quietly and happily, and his example was one well worthy of imitation.
On March 5, 1835, Mr. Oberly married Cath- arine Shimer, who was born August 11, 1815, second daughter of Abraham and Margaret (Leidy) Shimer. Their children were : Stephen, who died in early life; Aaron Shimer, who mar- ried Anna Maria Woodford, and their children were: Florence Maria and Beatrice Catharine ; Erwin, mentioned hereinafter ; Clara, who became the wife of Oliver K. Jones, and their children were : Harry Oberly and Charles Aaron ; John Leidy; and Margaret, who became the wife of William Reigel. John S. Oberly, father of these children, was stricken with paralysis and ten days later, July 18, 1887, passed away to his reward ; his remains were interred in the church yard at Farmersville, amid a large concourse of relatives and friends. His wife and five children survived him, her death occurring on July 18, 1904.
Erwin Oberly (5), son of John S. (4) and Catharine (Shimer) Oberly, was born in Bethle- hem township, November 27, 1839. He was edu- cated at the school known as Boyer's school, situ- ated at one corner of his father's estate, and at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pennsylvania. On January 2, 1863, he married Sarah Elizabeth Feit, who was born June 27, 1841, in Greenwich township, Warren county, New Jersey, and their children were: Anna Elizabeth, born August 29, 1863; Albert Daniel, born November 6, 1865, married Valetta May Love, and their children were: Cordelia Catharine and Love Elizabeth ; Albert D. graduated from the Kingston Semin- ary, and later as a civil engineer from Lehigh University. Ira Anthony, born June 15, 1870, who married Mary A. Boehler, and their chil- dren are: Timothy Nevin, Albert Boehler and Franklin Leidy; he now resides in Bethlehem, where he is employed in the postoffice. Frank- lin, mentioned hereinafter. The mother of these children died May 24, 1873, and her remains were interred in the Farmersville church yard. Mr. Oberly married (second), December 25, 1875, Henrietta Shimer, who was born February
3, 1844, and their children were: Lilla May, born October 1, 1876, a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, who is a librarian. Minnie Catharine, born April 8, 1878, educated as a trained nurse at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. John S., born September 3, 1883, a graduate from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Robert Shimer, born September 26, 1885, a student of Cornell University. The mother of these children died October 6, 1885, was buried in Farmersville church yard, and was shortly afterward followed by her husband, who passed away December 9, 1888.
Franklin Oberly (6), son of Erwin (5) and Sarah Elizabeth (Feit) Oberly, was born Sep- tember 28, 1871. He was educated at Keystone State Normal School, after which he taught school for two years, and later graduated from Lehigh University in a course of electrical en- gineering. He afterwards accepted a position with the General Electrical Company in their testing department at their works in Lynn, Mass- achusetts, from which place he was transferred to the testing department of their works at Schenectady, New York. The success which has thus far attended Mr. Oberly's career proves that he has made no mistake in his choice of a profession.
JAMES C. HAYDON, president of the Jeanesville Iron Works Company, at Jeanesville, Pennsylvania, whose excellent business ability and acumen has been exercised for many years in connection with leading industrial enterprises, is a native of the city of Philadelphia, born in 1833.
He was a student at Burlington College, Bur- lington, New Jersey, where he pursued a scien- tific course, and after his graduation from that institution was engaged on the construction of the North Pennsylvania Railroad as civil en- gineer, remaining thus until the completion of the road in 1855. He then entered the service of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, but after a year's service there took charge of the Buck Mountain Coal Company, at Rockport, Carbon county, remaining about ten years, during which
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time the coal was shipped by the Lehigh canal, the breaker being run by a twenty-five-foot water wheel, the only one in use in the anthracite regions. In 1866 he became interested in the Spring Mountain Coal Company, of Jeanesville, operating the mines for some thirty years, to- gether with the machine shop. He also operated the Glendon Colliery at Mahanoy City, and the Mt. Carmel Colliery at Mt. Carmel, selling the product in New York city, No. I Broadway, un- der the firm name of Robinson, Haydon & Co. They were the agents for the sale of Maryland Coal Company's George's Creek, and Royal bituminous. In 1894 they sold out to the Le- high Valley Coal Company, who are now oper- ating the mines. In 1903 the firm moved the ma- chine shops to Hazleton, where they erected the most modern shops of concrete, using electricity for power, their specialty being the building of both steam and electric pumping engines, and in order to carry out their numerous contracts re- quire a force of two hundred and fifty men, thus making it one of the leading enterprises of that section of the state. The Jeanesville Iron Works Company, in which he is actively interested, has for its officers James C. Haydon, president ; Ver- non H. Rood, vice-president and manager ; A. Bartholomew, treasurer; and T. Milnor Morris, secretary.
WILLIAM L. ZANE, a retired machinist well and favorably known in South Easton and this portion of the state, comes of an old family of Swiss descent. His father, William Zane, was born in Gloucester, New Jersey, on the 29th of January, 1792, and in early life learned the trade of a ship-carpenter, becoming a proficient work- man. He wedded Miss Mary Cutwalt, who was born in Philadelphia, August 25, 1794, and for some years they resided in Schuylkill, but in 1819 removed to Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, where some of their children were born, their son Red- inger being the first white child born in that city, his natal year being 1820. The names and dates of birth of the other children of the family are as follows: Isaac, December 16, 1814; Elizabeth, July 24, 1816; Sarah, April 6, 1818; Almira,
January 30, 1822 ; George G., February 13, 1825; Charles, April 17, 1827; Hannah W., April 27, 1829; John, March 18, 1831; and William L., April 15, 1833. Of this number Hannah and William are now the only survivors.
The father, William Zane, Sr., after his re- moval to Easton, was employed by the Lehigh Coal Navigation Company as agent and superin- tendent of their line. Although descended from a long line of Quaker ancestry, when residing in Mauch Chunk he was converted to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for thirty years was an active and influential member of that denomination. He held the offices of stew- ard, trustee and class leader in his church, and was extremely liberal in his contributions in its support. His pastor found in him always a man upon whom he could rely in time of need, and to his friends his example was both a source of encouragement and inspiration. His wife was also a member of the same church for thirty years, and was a kind-hearted and hospitable woman who enjoyed the highest regard of those who knew her best, and who found great pleas- ure in companionship with the followers of the church. She died in November, 1858, at the age of sixty-four years, and Mr. Zane passed away in 1864, at the age of seventy-two years. He was popular with his fellowmen, and was a fav- orite with all who knew him. He served the borough of South Easton as its treasurer before its annexation to the city, and when his country was engaged in the second war with England he rendered active military aid as a soldier of the American army.
William L. Zane was born, reared and edu- cated in South Easton, where he has always made his home. In early life he was apprenticed to learn the machinist's trade, which he followed successfully until 1889, when he retired from ac- tive business. Thus throughout his entire busi- ness career he was engaged in one line of activity, and his prosperity is undoubtedly largely due to his perseverance in that department of business in which he embarked as a young tradesman. He became an expert workman, and whatever the task assigned him it was faithfully, carefully and
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conscientiously performed, so that he enjoyed in large measure the confidence of those by whom he was employed.
In 1853 occurred the marriage of Mr. Zane and Miss Sarah Dickey, a daughter of Peter and Sarah Dickey. She was born in Bath, Pennsyl- vania, and their children were three in number, but William, born in 1856, and John, born in 1858, are deceased. The daughter Mary, born January 26, 1854, yet survives.
Recognized as a citizen of worth and of pa- triotic principles, Mr. Zane was called by his fellow townsmen to fill the office of councilman for the borough of South Easton, and acted in that capacity for three years. Fraternally he is connected with Saranac Tribe, No. 84, I. O. R. M., and is also a member of Easton Lodge, No. 152, F. and A. M .; Columbia Council, No. 13, U. A. M., and Knights of the Golden Eagle, No. 41. His family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a respected citizen, well preserved for his years, and enjoys the good will and favorable opinion of his fellow men.
JACOB LUTTENBERGER stands as a rep- resentative of that class of our citizenship who, coming from foreign lands, have improved the advantages and opportunities accorded by: the new world, and thereby have advanced steadily to the goal of prosperity. At the same time they have become loyal sons of the land of their adop- tion, and are champions of its institutions and its form of government. Through thirty-seven years Mr. Luttenberger has resided in Easton, and long ago worked his way to a position in the front rank of the representatives of its industrial interests, and as a stone contractor has erected many fine structures which have added greatly to the improvement and substantial development of the city.
A native of Germany, Mr. Luttenberger was born in 1843, a son of Joseph and Mary Ann Lut- tenberger, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. It was there that the son was reared and educated, and when a young man of twenty- three years he bade adieu to family, friends and native country, and sailed for America, that he
might enjoy the better business opportunities of the new world, where labor wins rapid recogni- tion and is not hampered by caste or class. In August, 1866, he arrived in Easton, and in the same year was united in marriage to Miss Eva Bart, who was also a native of Germany, born August 25, 1842, and who likewise came to the United States in 1866.
Having learned the stonemason's trade, Mr. Luttenberger has followed it continuously since his arrival in Easton, first as a journeyman, but soon as a contractor, and because of his excellent workmanship and fidelity to the terms of a con- tract he found that he soon had all the business to which he could well attend. Many have en- gaged his services, until now many monuments to his enterprise, thrift and ability can be seen in the fine stone structures of the city. He employs a number of workmen, and has the reputation of being a just and considerate employer. As his financial resources have increased he has made judicious investment in realty here. In 1870 he erected the house in which he resides, and he also owns five other dwellings in this city, the rental from which brings him a good income. He also owns a property at Martin's Creek which is be- coming very valuable.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Luttenberger have been1 born four children: Lizzie, born May 8, 1867, now the wife of Joseph E. Bouch ; Nicholas, born November 5, 1868, wedded Kate Shafer; John, born February 25, 1878, led to the marriage altar Miss Augusta Slagel; and Kate, born September 5, 1882, is yet a young lady at home. The mar- ried children are all comfortably situated in life. The family are all communicants of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church. In his political affilia- tions Mr. Luttenberger is a stanch Democrat, and fraternally belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men. The trust and confidence of his fellow townsmen is uniformly accorded him, for throughout his long residence in Easton he has done nothing to forfeit the high regard of his fellow men, but on the contrary has so lived that he has won respect and honor, as well as business success which classes him with the men of afflu- ence in the city.
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
WILLIAM H. REBER, an active and enter- prising citizen of Weissport, Pennsylvania, was born in the year 1853, at Lehigh Gap, Pennsyl- vania, a son of Edward and Mary (Anthony) Reber, and grandson of John and (Hand- iwork) Reber. John Reber was a substantial farmer whose extensive operations placed him in good circumstances and enabled him to give his family the comforts of life. His children were: Stephen, Edward, Christian and Eliza.
Edward Reber (father) was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1829. He possessed a large amount of energy and enterprise, and in early life learned the trade of tailor, but subse- quently turned his attention to farming and lum- bering, achieving success in all these undertak- ings. In 1866 he 'removed to Carbon county, where he purchased a tract of land consisting of one hundred and twenty-nine acres, upon which was located the Clarissa (afterward called the Maria) Furnace, at Harrity, about three miles east of Weissport. This property is now in the possession of his heirs. Mr. Reber was a man of considerable prominence and influence in the neighborhood, and was elected commissioner of Carbon county, the duties of which office he dis- charged with entire satisfaction to his fellow cit- izens. He was affiliated with the Knights of Honor. He was united in marriage to Mary Anthony, of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and the issue of this union was ten children, namely : Mary, Ellen, Hester, Emma, Martha, Levina, John, William H., Frank and Harry. Edward Reber, father of these children, died in 1898, having survived his wife two years, her death occurring in 1896.
William H. Reber acquired his preliminary education in the common schools of his native town, and this was supplemented by attendance at Kutztown Academy, where he completed his educational advantages. His business career has been devoted to farming, the sale of agricultural implements, and the management of the Poco- poco Hotel at Harrity, which he successfully con- ducted for fourteen years. He conducts his transactions in a thoroughly honorable and busi- nesslike manner, and in addition to the income
derived from these enterprises owns a share of his father's estate.
Mr. Reber was married in 1876 to Miss Sarah C. Anthony, a native of Franklin township, and daughter of Robert and Catherine Anthony. Their children are Lilly, Lottie and Ella Reber.
OLIVER SNELL. Among the many highly cultivated and therefore productive farms for which the Lehigh Valley is noted may be men- tioned the one owned and operated by Oliver Snell, a native of Franklin township, Pennsylva- nia, the year of his birth being 1846. He is the son of John and Lydia (Weidman) Snell, the former named a native of Germany, and the lat- ter of Franklin township. John Snell settled il. said township after his emigration to this coun- try, where he conducted extensive farming oper- ations which proved most profitable, and this line of enterprise he continued up to the time of his death, which occurred in the seventy-ninth year of his age. By his marriage to Lydia Weid- man he became the father of four children-John, Oliver, Eli and Louise Snell.
Oliver Snell was reared and educated in his native township, and since attaining young man- hood has devoted his entire attention to agri- cultural pursuits, with the exception of three years spent in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Company. His farm is located in Franklin town- ship and consists of one hundred and twenty- seven acres of productive land, whereon he has- recently erected a modernly constructed barn at. a cost of nineteen hundred dollars, in addition to. other extensive improvements. He is practical and progressive in his ideas of management, and the entire appearance of his estate indicates the supervision of a master hand. He has a choice dairy of seventeen well bred cows, and his horses (whose silky coats show constant and affectionate care) are noted for their speed and endurance. The esteem in which he is held by his fellow citi- zens is evidenced by the fact that he was chosen to fill several township offices, including that of school director.
Mr. Snell was twice married. His first wife, Priscilla (Rhodes) Snell, bore him four children :
30 X
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Tilman, who married Esther Solt; Charles, who married Laura Michael; Eliza, who became the wife of Charles Montz; and Emma. His second wife, Alena (Solt) Snell, born in 1859, daughter of Reuben and Eliza Solt, of Franklin township, Pennsylvania, whom he married in 1888, bore him six children: Franklin, Beulah, Alice, Ger- trude, Bessie and Ada Snell. The family are members of the Reformed church.
WILLIAM SCHADEL, a veteran of the Civil war who fought long and valiantly for the flag he loves and honors, is now serving in the capacity of tax collector for the borough of Le- highton, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, having been the incumbent of that office from 1880 to the present time (1904), with the exception of one year (1891). This long tenure of office is a sufficient proof of the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens, and also demon- strates that he is a man of unusual intelligence and integrity. He traces his lineage to a Ger- man extraction.
Michael Schadel, father of William Schadel, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania. His father was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and a man of considerable means, but lost a large portion of his wealth by being too large-hearted and charitable toward others. Michael Schadel was a sawyer by trade, and by close application and industry he was enabled to provide a comfortable home for his family. He was twice married. His first wife, Sarah (Ritz) Schadel, bore him six children, two of whom are now living, Jacob and William. His second wife, Sarah (Gerheringer) Schadel, also bore him a like number of children, three of whom are liv- ing at the present time ( 1904).
William Schadel was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1835. He was reared and educated in his native county and resided there until 1857, when he removed to Allentown, Pennsylvania, and after a residence of one year in that place, he settled in Lehighton. During his early years he served an apprenticeship at the trade of tanner, and for several years there- after he labored as a journeyman in the same
line of work. In 1862, when his country needed the services of her loyal citizens, he enrolled in the First Division of the Twelfth Army Corps under General Williams, this being attached to the Army of the Potomac. He was detailed to the quartermaster's department, but in 1863 he was transferred to the western army and was with General Sherman in 1864 on his extended march to Savannah, Georgia. He served from the time of his enlistment up to the close of the war, and was honorably discharged from the service of the United States government in April, I865.
Upon his return to civil life Mr. Schadel again settled in Allentown and resumed work at his trade, following this industry up to 1884, when he once more took up his residence in Lehighton, and at once entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Company, with which corporation he re- mained until 1887, when he was incapacitated for active railroading by a serious accident which cost him his left arm, a car passing over it close up to the shoulder. The following year (1888) as above stated, he was elected to his present office. He holds membership in Post No. 481, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Schadel was united in marriage in 1865 to Valleria De Frhen, and the issue of this union was four children, two of whom are now living, Martha and Gussie Schadel. The family are members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which body they take an active interest.
CHARLES G. REHRIG, a worthy citizen of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, is a representative of a distinguished and well known family of Holland extraction who immigrated to this country seven generations ago. One of the early pioneers of whom there is any authentic information was Conrad Rehrig, who was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and he and his wife reared a family of thirteen children.
Martin Rehrig, grandfather of Charles G. Rehrig, was a resident of East Penn township, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, and was prominent and influential in the administration of affairs. He
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was a farmer by occupation and a man of consid- erable means as wealth was estimated in his day. During his several years incumbency of the office of justice of the peace he gave entire satisfaction to his fellow citizens, and he also served in the capacity of constable. He married Maria Andres, and to them were born the following named chil- dren : Charles, Solomon, Jacob, Paul, Mary, Will- iam, Lydia and Rebecca Rehrig.
Charles Rehrig, father of Charles G. Rehrig, was a native of East Penn township, Carbon county, the year of his birth having been 1813. After completing a common school education, which was a thorough and efficient preparation for the active duties of life, he taught school for a number of years. He then learned the trade of millwright, which he followed in connection with that of carpenter for a long period of time, and by dint of perseverance and close application to work became the owner of a large amount of property, a portion of which he lost through others with whom he was associated. He was chosen by the citizens of the township to fill the offices of constable and justice of the peace, being the incumbent of the latter named office for sev- eral years. Mr. Rehrig married Mary Buck, of Carbon county, Pennsylvania, to whom were born ten children, the following named being the sur- viving members: Lewis H., Martin R., George W., Charles G., Henry O. and Mary. Mrs. Mary (Buck) Rehrig, mother of these children, died in 1888.
Charles G. Rehrig was born at White Haven, Pennsylvania, but shortly afterward his parents removed to East Penn township, where he was reared. Most of his early life was spent at the schools of East Penn, where by diligent study he prepared himself for a life of future usefulness. His first experience in a business career was gained as a teacher, and after pursuing this voca- tion for a period of time he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company in the year 1877. During his seventeen years connection with this corporation he has served as a conductor, his run being from Lehighton, Pennsylvania, to Jer- sey City, New Jersey, and in the discharge of his duties he has given entire satisfaction to his em-
ployers, and has never met with a serious acci- dent or mishap. He resides in his own home in the borough of Lehighton, this having been earned by honest toil and hard labor, and this fact makes him appreciate it the more fully. He has held the office of town councilman, and twice was a candidate for the office of sheriff, but was defeated by the opposing candidate each time. He is a member of the Knights of Malta and the Brotherhood of Conductors, and his political affiliations are with the Democratic party. He is a public-spirited citizen, a conscientious employe and a worthy gentleman.
In 1882 Mr. Rehrig was married to Catherine S. Romig, daughter of Daniel Romig, of East Penn, born in February, 1863. The following named children were born to them: Estelle M., Herbert C., Maud S., and a child who died in infancy.
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