USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 81
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In 1888 Mr. Dunbar was married to Miss Sarah Thomas, a daughter of John and Mary Thomas, and a native of Upper Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, born on the 16th of September, 1854. There has been one child of this marriage : John I. Dunbar, born July 31, 1893. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar are earnest Christian people, the former belonging to the Lutheran church and the latter to the Methodist Episcopal church.
ARASON O. BRINKER. At an early date in the history of the Lehigh Valley the Brinker family was established in the United States. John Brinker, the grandfather of Arason Brinker, was born on Chestnut Hill, north of Easton, Penn- sylvania. He became a farmer and owned and operated more than one hundred acres of land. A great lover of horses, he raised some of the best animals ever seen in this part of the country. He married Miss Werkheiser, and their family numbered seven children, namely: John, George, Tilman, Eliza, Diana, Selina, and one whose name is not remembered. Of this number Diana, Se- lina and Eliza are yet living.
John Brinker, the father of Arason Brinker,
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was born on Chestnut Hill in 1831, and died in 1883 at the age of fifty-two years. He was a farmer by occupation, and was the owner of ninety acres of land in Plainfield township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits along pro- gressive lines leading to the acquirement of a comfortable competence. He was married to Miss Catherine Bitz, who was born in Washing- ton township, in Northampton county, in 1832, and died on the 26th of August, 1901. Unto this couple were born five sons and one daughter. One of the sons died in infancy, but the others are yet living, namely : Albert, Ellen, Amanda, Emma and Arason.
Like the other children of his father's house- hold, Arason Brinker was born in Plainfield town- ship, Northampton county, his natal day being the 20th of April, 1875. He acquired his edu- cation in the public schools, after which he learned the blacksmith's trade, and since that time he has followed that pursuit. In 1892 he became the owner of his present farm by purchasing the interests of the heirs on the old home prop- erty. His energies therefore are now devoted to agricultural pursuits and to blacksmithing, and in both lines of his business he is meeting with creditable success. He is an excellent mechanic, and a liberal patronage is accorded to him in his shop.
Arason Brinker was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Ruffe, daughter of Michael and Jo- anna Ruffe, in 1902. She was born in Plainfield township, January 13, 1882, and they now have a little son, Samuel, whose birth occurred May 8, 1903. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brinker hold mem- bership in the Lutheran church of Plainfield.
EMERY SPEER. The family of which Emery Speer is a representative is of German lineage. His paternal grandparents were John and Barbara (Sebold) Speer, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to America early in the nineteenth century or about the year 1812. They were passengers on the same vessel, but it was some years after their ar- rival in this country that they were married. Fol- lowing that event they took up their abode in
Upper Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, and John Speer followed the weaver's trade throughout his remaining days. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, seven of whom are now living, while four are now residents of Bangor, namely : Christian, Lewis, Margaret and Mrs. Hannah Weaver.
Christian Speer, the father of Emery Speer, was born in Upper Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, in 1835, and in the year 1856 was united in mar- riage to Miss Catherine Bartholomew. He has been a very useful and enterprising citizen. In early life he learned the miller's trade, which he followed for a number of years. Subsequently he removed to Montgomery county, Pennsylva- nia, where he engaged in driving a stage for eight years. He then took up his abode in Bangor, where he entered mercantile life on Market street, conducting business for nine years. As time passed he prospered in his undertakings, and in 1879, having acquired a handsome com- petence as the result of his well directed efforts, retired from active business. He has done much for the development of Bangor, co-operating in many measures for general progress and improve- ment. Several times he has served in the town council, and has exercised his official prerogatives in behalf of all measures for the upbuilding and substantial improvement of the city. Of the Lutheran church he is a highly respected member. His wife is deceased. Their children, of whom four are now living, were: Mary, Walton, Martha, Flory, Emery and William.
Emery Speer, a son of Christian and Cath- erine (Bartholomew) Speer, was born in Upper Mount Bethel, Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, in the year 1857. A portion of his youth was passed in Monroe county and the remainder of his boyhood days was spent in Northampton county. He is one of the enterprising young bus- iness men connected with the operation of the slate industry of Pennsylvania, and in conjunc- tion with J. M. Kress, of Pen Argyl, he is now working the West Bangor slate quarry, having had control of this for about six years. The quarry was opened in 1870 and produces a fine quality of slate. The company employ about sixty men, and
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their output finds a ready sale on the market, so that their labors prove profitable.
In 1875 Mr. Speer was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Reimer, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Reimer. Their children are Gertrude V., Lula G., Daisy A. and Reimer. Mrs. Speer is a native of Upper Mount Bethel, and like her hus- band is a member of the Lutheran church, in which he is now serving as an elder. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. In business life he has utilized his time to the best advantage, . and has so directed his labors that they have brought to him gratifying success. He has al- lowed no obstacles in his path to deter him or to delay his laudable ambition, and as the years have advanced he has won a creditable place in in- dustrial circles in Northampton county.
A. D. LANDES, of Lafona, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, proprietor of the Lawyer Hill creamery, is a representative of one of the oldest families of that section. His great-grand- father cleared the farm on which he settled in Plainfield township, and the place has since been known as the Landes homestead. The men of these early generations were industrious and earnest, and bequeathed an honorable name to their descendants.
The name of the first of the family in the township was Abraham Landes, and the name was continued in the two succeeding generations of the line here traced. The first Abraham mar- ried Eve Zeigler, and both he and his wife were prominent members of the Mennonite church. They had a family of seven children: Samuel, Abraham, Margaret, Barbara, Eve, Mary, and an- other daughter who became the wife of a man named Shelly.
Abraham, second child and second son of Abraham and Eve (Zeigler) Landes, was born in 1797. He came into possession of the home- stead and took his father's place as a sterling citi- zen in the community. He was a faithful mem- ber of the Mennonite church, as was his wife, Nancy, daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Yelles) Bechtel. The children of his marriage. fifteen thousand pounds of butter a day, but the with Nancy Bechtel were Henry, Abraham,
George, Jacob, Jonas, and Kate. Abraham Lan- des died in 1840, and his wife, who was born in 1800, died in 1884.
Abraham, second child and second son of Abraham and Nancy ( Bechtel) Landes, was born on the old homestead in East Allen township in 1831, and died in 1902. He learned a trade in his youth, but became a farmer, owning one hun- dred and thirty-five acres of valuable farming land. He was a member and one of the found- ers of the Snyder Union Reformed church. In politics he was a Republican. He married Sarah Jane Miller, of East Allen township, a daughter of Nathan Miller. The children of this marriage were as follows: William H., of Bath; George, of Akron, Ohio; Abraham, of Lafona ; Elizabeth, who married Henry Edwards; Sarah, deceased wife of George Laubach; A. D., who receives fuller notice; Ellen, wife of John T. Jones, of Bath. Nathan Miller was a native of Lehigh coun- ty, and a prosperous farmer, owning two hun- dred and twenty-five acres of land, some of which was underlaid with valuable deposits of slate. He opened and operated two quarries, known as the Miller quarries, which are now operated as an estate. Mr. Miller's wife was Eliza Bertz, a member of an old Northampton county family. She was very well known, and died at the great age of ninety-two years.
A. D. Landes, sixth child and fourth son of Abraham and Sarah Jane (Miller) Landes, was born in East Allen township, July 19, 1865. He was brought up in his native township and ob- tained his education in the public schools there. On leaving school he became a clerk, and for fifteen years held positions in various firms both in Pennsylvania and in New York. In 1895 he took charge of the creamery he now owns, operating it on a salary up to 1902, when he bought out the concern. The plant was estab- lished in 1894 by F. Messinger, who was suc- ceeded by Andrew Silfus in the management of it. Silfus was followed by A. D. Landes, first as engaged manager, and afterward as owner and proprietor. The capacity of the plant is present daily output is about thirty-five hundred
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pounds. Mr. Landes is one of the best butter- makers of the section, as is attested by high prices and quick sales in disposing of his product. Un- der his management the creamery has gained a high reputation, and its continued success under the new proprietorship is assured. Mr. Landes is active in township affairs, and both he and his wife are members of the Reformed church. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
In 1890 Mr. Landes married Anna L., daugn- ter of Alfred and Elizabeth Conklin, of Long Island, New York. Mrs. Landes is a cousin of Roscoe Conklin. Three children have been born of this marriage-Alfred D., Hazel E., and Lil- lian R.
JOSEPH H. YETTER. Among the rep- resentatives of the early German settlers of the Lehigh Valley who have preserved the sturdy character of the pioneers is Joseph H. Yetter, of Washington township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. He is a farmer of advanced ideas who takes both pride and pleasure in the improve- ment and beautification of his land. His ances- tors helped to clear the land and open it to culti- vation, making the present intensive agriculture possible.
His grandfather, Joseph Yetter, had a farm of fifty acres in Mount Bethel township, where he was highly respected for his industry and his upright moral character. He was an active mem- ber and liberal supporter of the Lutheran church. He was married twice, the first wife being a woman named Yanson. By both marriages he was the father of eight children.
Charles, son of Joseph Yetter, was born in Upper Mount Bethel township in 1813. He was a carpenter of skill and standing, and in 1853 he moved to Illinois. Most of his time in the west was given to farming, he having purchased five hundred and ten acres of land. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran chruch, and he died in Illinois in 1894. The first wife of Charles Yetter was Anna Maria, daughter of John Keller, who was the mother of Joseph H.
Yetter. The second wife was Maria J. Davis. Charles Yetter was father of five children-Jo- seph H., before named; Jacob, Joshua, Sally A. and Charles.
Joseph H., son of Charles and Anna Maria (Keller) Yetter, was born in 1849, in Upper Mount Bethel township, and was only three years old when his parents removed to Illinois. He was reared and educated in the west, and lived there up to 1872, when he returned to Pennsylvania and settled in his native county. In 1893 he bought the farm of seventy-three acres in Wash- ington township, which he now occupies. He is a sterling citizen and a kind neighbor, enjoying the respect of the community. He has been a deacon in the Reformed church.
He married Caroline, born in 1850, in Upper Mount Bethel, a daughter of Jacob and Mary A. Hess, in 1879. Four children were born to the couple : Sarah K., Jacob C., Lizzie J., and Mary A. Like her husband, Mrs. Yetter comes of a long line of German ancestry. Her great-grand- father, Christian Hess, was born in Ireland in 1740, when his parents were on the way to Amer- ica from Germany. He was brought to Pennsyl- vania where he was brought up and educated, be- coming in his manhood a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. His wife was Annie Minch, to whom were born the following children: Nicho- las, Jeremiah, Peter and Elizabeth. He was the owner of two hundred and sixty-five acres of land, and the house he built in 1790, which is in a good state of preservation, is now owned and occupied by his granddaughter. Jeremiah, one of the sons of Christian Hess, was born in Upper Mount Bethel in 1775. He was a black- smith and farmer and an estimable man. His wife was Catherine Butz, who became the mother of twelve children as follows: Christian, Jacob, Adam, William, Henry, Elizabeth, Susan, Mary, Anna, Sarah, Leah, and Eva, of whom Jacob and Leah are still living.
Jacob Hess, father of Mrs. Yetter, was born in 1819 at Upper Mount Bethel. During his ac- tive life he was the owner of a farm of one hun- dred and thirty-five acres, which he kept in a high state of cultivation, at the same time conducting
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business as a blacksmith and cooper. He is now living in retirement, a highly respected citizen. His wife, Mary A., was born in Bucks county June 22, 1819. Four children were born of the marriage, namely, Jeremiah, Leah, Caroline, and Sarah C.
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MARSHALL KEIFER. The Keifer fam- ily represented in the present generation by Mar- shall Keifer, a representative farmer of Lower Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, is of German extraction, and the earliest ancestor of whom there is any authentic record was Peter Keifer, who first located in Bucks county, later removed to Northampton, where he resided in the townships of Saucon and Lower Mount Bethel. In the year 1799 Peter Keifer removed his family, which consisted of a wife and nine children, to the latter named town- ship, where he had previously purchased a farm located on the banks of the Delaware river, which consisted of one hundred and thirty-seven acres of highly cultivated ground. This property has been in the possession of the family ever since, being now owned by George Keifer, brother of Marshall Keifer.
Joseph Keifer, son of Peter Keifer, was born in Saucon township, Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, in 1783. At the age of sixteen years he accompanied his parents to their new home on the banks of the Delaware river, and subse- quently his tastes and inclinations led him to adopt the quiet but useful calling of agriculture, which proved a most profitable means of liveli- hood. Mr. Keifer and his wife, Sarah (Kline) Keifer, were the parents of nine children, all of whom are deceased with the exception of one son, Samuel Keifer, who resides near the city of Newark, New Jersey, where he is engaged in "trucking." Their children were : Charles, Peter, Joseph, Jackson, Samuel, Sarah, Catherine, Eliza- beth, and a child who died in early childhood. Mr. Keifer and his wife were zealous members of the German Reformed church, contributed liberally toward its support, and Mr. Keifer served in the capacity of deacon and elder for many years. His death occurred in the year 1873,
in the ninety-first year of his age, and his wife died in the year 1866.
Joseph Keifer, third son of Joseph and Saran Keifer, was born April 20, 1820, in a house erected by his father in the year 1808 in Lower Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. After obtaining a common school education, he turned his attention to farming pursuits which proved both successful and re- munerative. In due course of time he became the owner of a two hundred and forty-five acre farm, and this he cultivated to a high state of perfection and conducted extensive operations thereon. He was an upright, conscientious man, and in all the relations of life fulfilled every trust that was reposed in him. He was interested in the cause of education, and for more than twenty years served as a director on the school board of the township. He was united in marriage in 1845 to Malinda Schech, of Upper Mount Bethel, who bore him the following named children : Irvin, deceased; Calvin, Lenora, Sarah, Mar- shall, Ida, Mary, Estella, Wesley, and George. For a number of years Mr. Keifer filled the offices of deacon and elder in the Lutheran church, and his wife still holds membership in the same. Mr. Keifer died in 1897.
Marshall Keifer, third son of Joseph and Ma- linda Keifer, was born in Lower Mount Bethel, upon the old homestead purchased by Peter Kei- fer, February 4, 1853. He attended the com- mon schools in the neighborhood, where he ob- tained a knowledge of the fundamental principles of education, and, like his forefathers, he chose the independent life of a farmer, and has confined his attention exclusively to that occupation from that time to the present. In 1888 he purchased a farm adjoining the property of his brother, George Keifer, and during the intervening years he has cultivated and improved it, also added many practicable features which has greatly en- hanced its value. Mr. Keifer is an energetic pub- lic-spirited citizen, has always advocated the measures that tend toward the material growth of the community, and his influence is on the side of right and morality.
In 1875 Mr. Keifer married Harriet Reimer,
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daughter of Daniel Rente. ,but no children have blessed their union. For the pastseventeen years Mr. Keifer has been a member of the board of deacons and also served as treasurer of the Luth- eran church, and his wife is also a member and active worker in the same church.
SOLOMON SPANGLER, a respected citi- zen of Martin's Creek, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, where he is now living in retire- ment, spent the active years of his life as a farmer, worthily upholding the name for indus- try and upright dealing gained by several gen- erations of his ancestors. The family is one of the oldest in the Lehigh Valley. The great- grandparents of Mr. Spangler came from Ger- many to Northampton county, where they cleared land for a homestead.
Daniel, a son of these early German settlers, was born in Northampton county and became a resident of East Allen township, where he owned a small farm. His wife was Elizabeth Mussel- man, and of his marriage twelve children were born. The sons became mechanics, and the fam- ily all proved useful and worthy citizens. They were brought up in the Lutheran church, of which the parents were members.
Joseph, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth ( Mus- selman) Spangler, was born on his father's farm in East Allen township in March, 1807. He him- self became a well-to-do farmer, being the owner of one hundred and sixty-five acres of land which were purchased of his father-in-law. He was a man whose standards of life were of the highest, and he had a reputation for unswerving honesty. He held most of the township offices and enjoyed the public confidence in an unusual degree. He married Susanna, daughter of Philip and Cath- erine Guisinger, in 1829. Philip Guisinger, after the death of his wife Catherine, married Eliza- beth Schoenberger, to whom three children,- Elias, Moses, and Sarah, were born. Philip Guisinger and his wife were both members of the Lutheran church, in which he held several offices. He died in 1872, and his wife Elizabeth died in 1895. Their children are all living. Seven sons were born to Joseph and Susanna
(Guisinger) Spangler, namely, Thomas, de- ceased ; Philip, deceased; Levi, Solomon, Joel, Noah, deceased ; Daniel, deceased. Susanna G. Spangler died in October, 1848.
Solomon, fourth son of Joseph and Susanna (Guisinger) Spangler, was born in East Allen township, July 28, 1839. He attended the neigh- borhood schools and lived at home until he was eighteen. He then became a farmer in Lower Mount Bethel township, where he is esteemed as a practical man of affairs, an intelligent and pro- gressive farmer, and a disinterested and pub- lic-spirited citizen. He has worked hard for the security of his own acres, and prizes the inde- pendence of his calling. He has held most of the local offices in the township, and maintains an interest in the larger political issues.
He married, in 1860, Mary A. Hutchinson, who died in 1901, her one child, Lily C., having died before her. The second wife of Mr. Spang- ler was Jennie J. Osterstock.
EMANUEL SCHOCH. In Bangor, Penn- sylvania, no name is more respected than that of Emanuel Schoch who for a series of years has been numbered among the worthy residents, and has taken an active and influential part in town- ship affairs. He is descended, as his name in- dicates, from German ancestry, and it is probable that the founder of the family emigrated to America at some period during the eighteenth century, inasmuch as John Schoch was a resident of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, considerably more than a hundred years ago. He moved to Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, where he purchased a tract of land consisting of four hundred acres. He manifested his loyalty to his country by serving in the army during the war of 1812. He married Elizabeth Dederde, and their children were: John ; Philip, mentioned . at length hereinafter; Michael, Henry, Daniel, Susan, Elizabeth, Sarah Margaret, and another daughter, who became the wife of a Mr. Oyer.
Philip Schoch, son of John and Elizabeth (Dederde) Schoch, was born in 1781 in Upper Mount Bethel township. He was a practical farmer, owning as his father had done four hun-
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dred acres of land, and in connection with his agricultural labors followed the trade of a miller. He was a worthy citizen, respected by all. In the Lutheran church, of which he was a promin- ent member, he held all the offices to which a layman was eligible. He married Mary Miller, of Mount Bethel, and their family numbered eleven children, of whom the three following are living: Philip, mentioned at length hereinafter ; Melinda; and Lydia A.
Philip Schoch, son of Philip and Mary ( Mil- ler) Schoch, was born in 1822, in Upper Mount Bethel township, and was for a number of years a miller, as his father had been before him. When, in 1856, the father died, the son turned his attention to farming, which he has followed ever since with an industry and skill which have insured a more than common degree of success. Notwithstanding Mr. Schoch's advanced age, his physical vigor and mental activity are such that he now conducts by proxy a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres. He married in 1846 Pauline Allenberger, who was born in 1829. They were the parents of two children : Emanuel, mentioned at length hereinafter; and Sarah, who is now the wife of B. F. Miller, of Bangor. In 1892 the family sustained a severe bereavement in the death of Mrs. Schoch, a woman who was deservedly loved and respected by all who knew her. Mr. Schoch subsequently married Cathe- rine Hahn. By this marriage there were no chil- dren. Mr. Schoch now resides on the farm which has been his home since 1873. The extraordinary strength of mind and body by which he is sus- tained in the discharge of his daily duties ani- mates him no less in the maintenance of his church relations. At the present time he holds the offices of deacon, elder and president in the Lutheran church, of which he is an honored member.
Emanuel Schoch, son of Philip and Pauline (Allenberger) Schoch, was born November 12, 1846, in Upper Mount Bethel township, where he received his education and also the training which fitted him for his future calling, which was that of a farmer. He was actively and success- fully engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1892,
when he moved to Ba.y . Here he entered into business as a d den in farming implements, but after a time reured from this sphere of activity. One of Mr. Schoch's most marked character- istics is the keen interest which he takes in pub- lic affairs, and the penetration, sound judgment, and highmindedness which he displays in dealing with political questions. So thoroughly do his townsmen appreciate these qualities that they made him by their votes a member of the town council, of which he became president, and in which he served with distinction.
Mr. Schoch married, in May, 1868, Julia Ann Beck, of Stone Church, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of one daughter: Mary C., who was born in 1870, and is now the wife of E. J. Houch of Bangor. Mrs. Schoch belongs to a family which has been long resident in North- ampton county. Her grandfather, George Beck, was born in Upper Mount Bethel, where he lived as a farmer, owning one hundred and forty acres of land. He married Elizabeth Raesly, and they were the parents of nine children, two of whom are living, namely : Sarah, who became the wife of a Mr. Beaver ; and Pauline Jocelyn. Jacob J. Beck, son of George and Elizabeth (Raesly) Beck, was a practical farmer, owning ninety acres of well-tilled land. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and was in all respects a worthy man and a good citizen. He married and eleven children were born to him, of whom the following are living: Julia Ann, who became the wife of Emanuel Schoch, as mentioned above ; Rosaltha, who married Mr. Oyer; Emma, who is the wife of Mr. Smith; Caroline, who married Mr. Haring ; and another daughter, who became the wife of Emanuel Allenberger. The death of Mr. Beck, the father of the family, occurred in 1886, and that of his wife in 1896. Both passed away rich in the esteem and love of all who knew them.
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