USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. II > Part 82
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WILLIAM C. SHERRER, a leading business man of Bangor, Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, is connected with the chief industrial and financial enterprises of the town, many of which he has helped to develop. He is of German de-
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
scent, his first American ancestors having settled in New Jersey in the early history of the state. It is perhaps from these pioneers that he inherits the fibre that was strengthened instead of broken by the hard circumstances of his early years, for he was orphaned as a child, and in his first youth he was thrown upon his own resources just when he was ready to enter on a college course.
The grandfather of William C. Sherrer was John Sherrer, whose wife was Julia Carpenter. They were natives of New Jersey, and in that state their son Joseph was born. Joseph Sherrer married Margaret Smith, daughter of William B. and Elizabeth C. Smith. William B. Smith was a native of Bloomsbury, New Jersey, and his wife was born at Carpenterville in the same state. Their family consisted of three children-Abra- ham C., Margaret, and Rachel.
William C. Sherrer, son of Joseph and Mar- garet (Smith) Sherrer, was born in Blooms- bury, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, October 18, 1844. His father died when he was but a child, and he went to live with his maternal grandpar- ents, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Smith. He re- ceived his elementary education in the public schools of Easton and prepared for Lafayette College. He was, however, disappointed in his hope for college training, and took a position with the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. He proved himself a highly competent and trust- worthy employee, and was several times pro- moted during his service with the company, be- ing made a conductor in 1865. He resigned this position after six months and engaged in the com- mission business in Philadelphia, conducting it for a year, when he was obliged to go to New Jersey to take charge of the financial affairs of his grandfather. He was occupied there for two years, and about 1871 went to Bangor, Pennsyl- vania, where he became superintendent of the El- mira Slate Company. He was with this company for three years, when he entered the employ of the Old Bangor Slate Company, with which he is still connected, now as chief clerk. He is a stockholder in his company as well as a stock- holder and director in the Merchants' National Bank of Bangor, and secretary and director of
the Banner Slate Company, which controls a quarry at Danielsville, one of the best in North- ampton county. He has worked in other than industrial lines for the betterment of the town, and has always been ready in the support of church and school. He is a member of the Pres- byterian church, a deacon of the society, and su- perintendent of the Sunday school. He has acted as chief burgess, town clerk, and school director, among other township offices. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and formerly was an ac- tive member of the Knights of Pythias.
He was married October 12, 1869, to Mary Angelica Straub, a daughter of Samuel Straub, of Bath, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Sherrer have one son, H. Straub, born October 18, 1875, who is a graduate of Lafayette College.
ALFRED M. PAFF, president of the First National Bank of Bangor, Pennsylvania, typical of the best citizenship and leading financial in- terests of the borough, was born a farmer boy of German stock.
His forefathers came to this country about 1793 and settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. The first authentic record is of Jacob Paff, who was born in Bucks county and spent his life there as a farmer. He married a woman named Ber- ger, and of their children, Henry was born Au- gust 17, 1782, in Richland township, and died at Lower Mount Bethel, Northampton county, De- cember 13, 1852. Henry Paff, who like his fa- ther was a farmer, married for his first wife Catherine Demick, and their children were Aaron, Conrad, Maria, and Peter. The family name of the second wife was Johnson, and she bore two children, John and Catherine. Shortly after his second marriage Henry Paff moved to North- ampton county, and there at Lower Mount Bethel, John was born, the only son of the last wife. John Paff was a farmer all his life, and like those of the generations before him was an industrious and worthy man. He was a member of the Lutheran church. He married a woman named Hile, to whom were born three children, Christian, Henry and Joseph. The father died in 1830.
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
Henry, second son of John Paff, was born in Lower Mount Bethel township, October 4, 1821. He owned a valuable farm of eighty acres which he cultivated with much intelligence and thrift. His wife was Sarah Ann Miller, and six children were born of the marriage, one of whom died in infancy. The surviving children are: Catherine Ann, who married R. H. La Bar; Susannah, who became the wife of Daniel Grewer; Jacob H., whose wife's name was Darrhon ; Alfred M., who was spoken of at the beginning of this article; Sarah J., who married Joseph Slamp.
Alfred M., fourth child and second son of Henry and Sarah Ann (Miller) Paff, was born December 14, 1849, on his father's farm in Lower Mount Bethel township. He grew up in the ac- tivities of the farm and attended the common school. He made the best of narrow opportuni- ties, and became himself a country school teacher. Thus he was enabled to take a course in the Mil- lersville State Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1873. After this professional training, he taught in various schools for five years, and in 1878 became principal of the school at Bangor. For two years he held this position, which he was the first to occupy after Bangor be- came a borough. It was a formative period in the schools, and to Mr. Paff is due in large d - gree the direction of their later growth. He in- troduced the graded system and raised the stand- ard throughout. It was one of his maxims that a teacher must also be a student, and he continued his own studies in Latin and mathematics. He was active in the educational associations and in- stitute work of the county, and kept in touch with the best thought of the time in his profession.
Mr. Paff finally abandoned teaching for busi- ness. The town was growing and he foresaw greater growth. The trade demanded banking facilities, and for a time Mr. Paff transacted a banking business in a private way. In 1882 the First National Bank of Bangor was organized as the outgrowth of his idea, and its prosperity and the financial standing of the institution is the best proof of his business sagacity. It was or- ganized with a capital stock of $60,000, and to- day its assets amount to $1,049,244.73. Tor
twenty years Mr. Paff was cashier, with J. A. Long as president. In 1902 he was made presi- dent, with Oliver La Bar as cashier. Aside from his connection with the bank Mr. Paff has been identified with other financial enterprises. He is a stockholder in the East Bangor Slate Com- pany and in the Bangor Union Slate Company, being treasurer of the latter corporation. He also is president of the Bangor Water Company, as well as of the Bangor Gas Company. When the Bangor & Portland Railway was built he was one of the men whose influence secured the right of way. He has been active in local politics, act- ing with the Republican party, and has been chief burgess, borough surveyor and councilman, be- sides serving on the school board. He is a mem- ber of Bangor Lodge No. 565, F. and A. M., of which he is a past master. With his wife he is a member of the Reformed church.
May 6, 1876, he married Ariella, daughter of Joseph H. and Margaret A. Beck, of Stone Church, Pennsylvania. Two children were born, Joseph Willard in 1877, and Mary Florence in 1882. The son is a graduate of Lafayette Col- lege and of the University of Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the Northampton county bar in 1902, and is practicing law in his former town.
HORACE WALKER SCHANTZ, a general practitioner at the bar of Allentown, was born in Upper Milford township, Lehigh county, and is a son of Ambrose and Emma J. ( Backensto) Schantz. His paternal gandparents were Wil- liam and Elizabeth (Roeder) Schantz, in whose family were six children, Ambrose being the eldest. Amelia, the second child, now deceased, became the wife of a Kline and to them were born six children : Harvey, who married Ellen Yeakle, and had two children; Annie, the wife of Alfred Larose; William; Milton, who married Emma Wamboldt; Wayne, who married Stella Walter ; and Daniel. Amanda, the third child of William and Elizabeth (Roeder) Schantz, is now de- ceased. She was the wife of William Moyer, and had three children-Frank; Susanna, the wife of Henry Diehl; and Rebecca, who married Victor Backensto. William, the fourth child of
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
William and Elizabeth (Roeder) Schantz, mar- ried Jennie Krepp, and has one son, Clarence. Mano, the fifth member of the family, married Agnes Romig, and had three children-Mabel, the wife of Forest French; Vambert, and Fay. Maria, the youngest child of William and Eliza- beth (Roeder) Schantz, became the wife of Dan- iel G. Treichler, and had a large family. Among those known are David, who married Miss Heil; Harry, who married Miss Hallman; Carrie, Sally, and Gary.
: "Ambrose Schantz, the father of Horace Walker Schantz, was united in marriage to Emma J. Backensto, and to them were born five children: Theresa, who is the wife of A. Z. Shelly, and has three children, Clarence, Wilmer and Irene; Lizzie, at home; Horace W., who married Mamie L. Hartman and has two chil- dren, Linn H. and Marguerite H .; John W .; and Elwood.
Horace Walker Schantz is indebted to the public school system of the state for the early educational privileges he enjoyed, and also for a high school course which he pursued in Emaus. Later he attended the Perkiomen Seminary, and he also spent one year in Princeton College. After leaving college he came to Allentown and entered the office of James L. Biery, with whom he read law until the 6th of October, 1902. Fol- lowing his admission to the bar he entered into partnership relation with Hon. F. E. Lewis, the present'mayor of the city, and has remained in business with him continuously since. He is con- ducting a general practice, and has secured a good clientage that has connected him with the important litigation tried in the courts of his district in recent years. He was for many years the solicitor of the prison board of Allentown, and has also filled the office of justice of the peace, but has never aspired to political honors, pre- ferring that his undivided attentions shall be given to the' duties of his profession, and, pos- sessing a nature that could never content itself with mediocrity, he has won for himself a credit- able standing at the Lehigh county bar.
">> Horace' W. Schantz married Miss Mamie Hartman, 'a daughter of Jacob K. and Mary K.
(Fetherolf) Hartman, and a granddaughter of Eli Hartman. She was the third in a family of five children, the others being Clara H., the wife of Dr. George Krause, by whom she has one child, George; Ottis D., who married Annie Shugar, and has two daughters, Mamie and Sadie ; and Katie J. and Laura M. Hartman, who are at home.
DR. THOMAS C. ZULICK is one of the younger members of the medical fraternity prac- ticing in Easton, but his comprehensive knowl- edge, his skill and his close adherence to the ethics of the profession, have gained him the good will of the medical fraternity and a liberal patron- age from the public.
He is a descendant of Anthony and Jane (Cummings) Zulick, who emigrated to this coun- try at an early period in the history of Easton. From their native land, Germany, they crossed the Atlantic to Philadelphia, where they tarried some time, but subsequently removed to Easton, where Anthony Zulick established the first music store of the city. He was a gifted musician, and often acted as organist in and near this city. His store was located on Northampton street, where he did a large and lucrative business. His influ- ence was widely felt in musical circles of the city and did much to advance musical development here. Unto him and his wife were born eight children who grew to adult age, namely : Thomas C., who was general superintendent of the Read- ing Coal Navigation Company ; Samuel M., who was a physician well known in Northampton county, where he practiced successfully for a number of years, while during the period of the Civil war he took an active fart in the defense of the Union cause, attaining to the rank of general and participating in many of the fiercely con- tested battles ; William, who was connected with a bank in Philadelphia ; Anna; Henry, a general shipper of the Coal Navigation Company ; Charles B., who became his father's successor in the book and music store, which he conducted until 1877, when he became general agent for the Pennsylvania & Reading Coal Company, and in public affairs was prominent, serving for two
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terms in the state legislature; C. Meyer, who is very prominent in political circles and who served for two terms as governor of Arizona in a most creditable and acceptable manner ; May, the wife of Thomas Rinck. The others are de- ceased.
Of this family Charles B. Zulick was united in marriage to Miss Susan Arnold, and they be- came the parents of twelve children, as follows : Carrie, Ida, Annie, Mamie, S. M., Dr. Thomas C., Jennie, William, James, deceased; Charles and Adams, twins; and Susan.
It is to this family that Dr. Thomas C. Zu- lick belongs. He was born in Easton on the 9th of June, 1869, and was reared and educated in his native city. After graduating from the schools here he continued his studies for two years under a private preceptor, after which he took a course in the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated in that institution with the class of 1891. The same year he began the prac- tice of medicine in Easton, where he has con- tinued in business with marked success up to the present time. He is a member of the Easton Medical Society, and is district physician of Pal- mer township and the third ward, an office he has held for twelve years. He has been examining physician for the Prudential Life Insurance Com- pany, and for the past eight years has been as- sistant surgeon for the Easton Hospital. He is also surgeon for the Lehigh Traction Company, having acted in this capacity continuously since its organization. His private practice is of an ex- tensive and important character, and he has at- tained prominence as a leading representative of his profession. Gaining a broad knowledge of the principles of medicine while in college, he has continuously added to his learning by read- ing, investigation and experience, and today he is one of the best informed of the younger physi- cians of his native city. His practice is of an important character, and indicates the confidence and trust reposed in him by the public.
GEORGE M. MERSHON, is a leading rep- resentative of the business interests of Easton, Pennsylvania, being proprietor and manager of
the Cash Grocery at No. 1000-1002 Ferry street. Of excellent business ability and broad resources, he has attained a prominent place among the sub- stantial citizens, and is a recognized leader in public affairs. He has won success by his well directed, energetic efforts, and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well deserved. He is one of the most enterprising business men of the Lehigh Valley, in which locality he has spent his entire life.
Mr. Mershon was born July 22, 1848, in Rich- mond, Northampton county, and is a son of Ja- cob and Mary (Meddaugh) Mershon. The fa- ther was a native of New Jersey, where his an- cestors had lived for some generations, the fam- ily home being near Trenton. The Meddaugh family has long resided in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, having located at what is com- monly called Meddaugh's postoffice at an early day. They were all upright and honorable citi- zens and were thoroughly alive to the best inter- ests of their county and state. Jacob Mershon, the father of our subject, was a cabinet-maker by trade, and followed that occupation continu- ously throughout his active business life. He died at the age of forty-eight years, and his wife. who was born at Meddaugh's postoffice, died in 1874. They had six children, four of whom are living, namely: Samuel, Jacob, Catherine and George M., all of whom were born at Richmond.
There George M. Mershon grew to manhood and was educated, being taught the rudimentary branches at the common schools and completing his education at Freeland Academy. After his graduation at that institution he engaged in teach- ing school for eight years. About 1873 he re- moved to Martin's Creek and opened a general store, which he conducted with profit for five years, having the good will of the people and therefore their patronage. Leaving there in 1878 he came to Easton and continued in the same line of business at this place until 1888, when he sold out his stock of goods and accepted a position on the road as a traveling salesman, handling dry goods and notions. In the latter capacity he con- tinued for eight years to the pleasure and profit of his employers. Subsequently he was engaged
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in the real estate business for two years, and on the death of his son Ray took charge of his pres- ent store, which he has since carried on with good success, having built up a fine trade.
In 1870 Mr. Mershon was united in marriage to Miss Henriette McFall, a daughter of Jesse McFall, and to them were born four children, those living being Oliver F., now a medical stu- dent; and Florence. Ray died in 1903.
Mr. Mershon is a member of Dallas Lodge, F. and A. M., in which he was raised to the sub- lime degree of Master Mason. He still persisted in search of more light, which was revealed to him by Chapter No. 137, R. A. M., and not be- ing satisfied he went still farther and higher un- til he reached Hugh DePayen Commandery, K. T., and is now a Worthy Sir Knight. He is also a member of Vanderveer Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Mershon has taken quite an active and in- fluential part in public affairs in his township and forwards ever legitimate enterprise for the general good. For four years he was an efficient member of the school board, and has never with- held his support from any measure which he be- lieved would prove of public benefit.
GEORGE W. LAUB, postmaster at Belfast, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and a rep- resentative business man of the village, whose success in life has been the result of perseverance, good judgment, rare discrimination and executive ability of a high order, is a native of Moore township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being July 1I, 1849. His parents, George and Annie (Leisenring) Laub, both deceased, were natives respectively of Northampton and Lehigh counties, and were de- scendants of early settlers of Moore township.
George W. Laub was reared to manhood on the old homestead, and his education was ac- quired in the public schools of Moore township, a select school at Bethlehem, and in the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Pennsylvania, where he completed his studies. For a short period of time he was engaged as teacher in the schools of his native township, after which he accepted a clerkship in the mercantile house of
Owen Reyer, at Beersville, Pennsylvania, where he remained for thirteen years. Subsequently he was admitted to partnership in the business, and the firm name became Reyer & Laub. In 1887 he came to Belfast and opened the store which he still conducts, having a large trade and giving employment to several clerks. The build- ing, which was erected in 1879, has a frontage of thirty feet and is seventy-six feet in length, having about fifty-two feet in the front part, and in height it is two and one-half stories. He car- ries a general line of merchandise, including gro- ceries, dry goods, notions, hardware, flour and feed, boots and shoes, readymade clothing, and the usual stock to be found in a thoroughly equipped village store. Mr. Laub possesses ex- cellent business qualifications, is an able financier, is courteous and considerate to his customers, and thus well merits the financial gain which has at- tended his enterprise. He is also interested in various leading industries which add considerably to his income, among them being the Pennsyl- vania Hard Vein Slate Company, in which he is a large stockholder. In politics Mr. Laub is a ยท Republican, and in religion a Lutheran, being one of the leading members and a deacon in the church of that denomination. He is affiliated with Aluta Lodge, No. 488, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Washington Camp, No. 558, Patriotic Order of Sons of America, at Belfast. He was appointed postmaster at Belfast in 1889, and has been the incumbent of the office ever since.
Mr. Laub was united in marriage to Annie M. Geiser, daughter of Samuel Geiser, of Lehigh township, Northampton county, and their family consists of three children : Amy F., Herbert F. and Ella C. Laub.
AMANDUS S. DERR, a descendant of an old and honored English ancestry, and one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the Lehigh Valley, was born June 14, 1833, a son of Daniel and Julia Derr, and grandson of Jacob and Mary Derr.
Jacob Derr (grandfather) is a native of Le- high county, Pennsylvania, having been born
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near the boundary line between that county and Berks. He received the limited education af- forded by the schools of that early day, and in this way was prepared for the active duties of life. He served an apprenticeship at the trade of blacksmith, becoming an expert mechanic, and this occupation he followed in connection with farming during the active years of his business career, achieving a large degree of success in both lines. He was united in marriage to Mary Wes- ton, and their children were: Daniel, mentioned hereinafter ; David, deceased ; Lydia, who became the wife of Peter Lerch; Rebecca, who became the wife of Joseph Levin; and Hattie, who be- came the wife of Charles Christman.
Daniel Derr (father) was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on the homestead farm. During the early years of his life he attended the common schools adjacent to his home, and also assisted with the manifold duties of a farm, this being an excellent preparation for the work which he subsequently chose for a means of livelihood, farming, to which he devoted his entire time, and in which he was eminently successful. He married Julia Bear, daughter of Peter Bear, of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and the issue of this union was four sons: Levi, deceased ; Aman- dus, mentioned at length hereinafter ; P. B., a merchant of Philadelphia; and Benjamin, who was a school teacher by occupation, contracted diphtheria from one of the scholars in his school, and died therefrom in the year 1860.
Amandus S. Derr attended the common schools in the neighborhood of his home, where he acquired a thorough preparatory education which qualified him for the activities of life. He remained an inmate of the parental home until he was twenty years of age, in the meantime as- sisting his father with the duties of the farm. He then secured employment with the firm of Saals & Brothers, hardware merchants of Phila- delphia, with whom he remained for a period of four years. In 1857 he engaged in the grocery and provision business, establishing a store at 204 Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, which he successfully conducted for fifteen years, and at the expiration of this period of time he disposed
of his business and returned to the old farm, and since then has devoted his energy and time to agricultural pursuits. He is an active and con- sistent member of the Lutheran church. Previous to the year 1865 he was firm in his allegiance to the Republican party, but since that date he has affiliated with the Democratic party.
REUBEN O. LAWALL is the proprietor of what is known as Greenway farm in Lower Naza- reth township, Northampton county. His an- cestral history does not give record of the arrival of the Lawalls in the county, but it was probably at a very early date in the development of this part of the state. His grandfather, John Lawall, was a native son of Lower Nazareth township, and his life was that of the agriculturist who, having acquired his education in the public schools, became actively engaged in the tilling of the soil and made it a life work. He wedded Mary Bunstein, who was also born in Lower Nazareth township, and they had several children.
Peter Lawall, of this family, was born on the old homestead farm in 1809 and died in 1883. He mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools, and then took up the work of farming, continuing to operate the old homestead place until his life's labors were ended in death. His political allegiance was given the Democ- racy, and he held various township offices, includ- ing that of supervisor. He was also a school di- rector. He married Ruth Frankenfield, who died in 1881, and who was a daughter of Leonard Frankenfield, a resident farmer of Bethlehem township, Northampton county. The children of Peter and Ruth Lawall were Reuben O .; Louisa M .; Martin, now deceased, who married Sybilla Lerch and had two children; and Lyman H, who married Sarah Ott and had one child, now de- ceased.
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