History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 192

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 192

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ELECTRICITY.

Electric lighting in Allentown was started by William A. Roney in 1882. He was then running a shoe factory, and the engine which supplied the power there in the daytime was used to operate a 10-arc light dynamo in the night time. He furnished light in this manner until March 14, 1883, when the Allentown Electric Light & Power Company was organized with a capital of $50,000, and Mr. Roney as president. Subse- quently the capital was increased to $300,000, and the plant at Penn and Maple streets was enlarged to a capacity of 350 arc lights and 500 incandescent lights, requiring seven engines of 450 horse-power. But the demands kept increas- ing, a new plant came to be established by the Le- Lehigh Valley Traction Company, which pur- chased the other, and has since carried on the electric lighting of the city and supplied its patrons with electric power. The public lights number 4301/2 arc (the one-half of the Lehigh river bridge light being paid by the county commis- sioners), and 489 incandescent. Further particu- lars are given in connection with the electric rail- way system.

TELEGRAPH .- Soon after 1850, the telegraph service began to be operated in this section of country by local companies, which were extended from city to city, and in 1854, the first telegraph wire entered Allentown. It was strung on poles along Hamilton street to the building at No. 616, and Daniel Klotz received the first message as the operator. He maintained an office there for some years.

The rates between the cities then were prac- tically prohibitory, because the cumulative rates of the several companies, over whose lines the message had to pass, amounted in some cases to $15 for ten words, and the time of delivery was uncertain, even doubtful. The progress until

now, a period of 60 years, has become so marked that the maximum rate for ten words covering a distance of 3,000 miles has been reduced to $1, with the assurance that the message will be de- livered.

W. U. Co .- The Western Union Telegraph Company secured the plant here in 1875, and the office was moved to No. 532 Hamilton street, and additional wires were put up to meet the increas- ing demands of the business. The hours of busi- ness extended from 8 a. m. to 12 p. m.

In 1882 the office was removed to No. 704 Hamilton street, and in 1895 to No. 619, by which time the wires to New York City had in- creased to nineteen, including connections to Phil- adelphia, Reading, Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and Buffalo, and the employees in the office from three to six.

In 1905 the office was removed to larger quar- ters in the basement of the Allentown National Bank building, at Centre Square, and the wires were increased to thirty-six. From 1910 to 1913 this office came to be a repeating centre for Read- ing, Pottsville, Wilkesbarre and Scranton. In July, 1914, there were twelve employees and fif- teen messengers; and the office handled monthly as a relay centre, about 18,000 messages.

The following have been the managers in the Allentown office: Daniel Klotz, Harry E. Moss, 1875-82; Kirk de Belle, 1882-86; Edward Derr, 1886-95; Thomas Hagenbuch, 1895-1902; G. R. Daniels, 1902-10; H. L. Hilton since 1910.

The present efficient local manager started with the company as a messenger boy in the office at Wilkes-Barre, and by his fidelity and studious application, he was promoted from one place to another until he came to fill successfully the pres- ent important position. Miss M. M. Earich en- tered the service of the company as a clerk in 1900, and recently was promoted to the respon- sible position of cashier. The chief operator, Clarence Ulmer, started with the company as a messenger boy in 1902.

Postal-Cable Co .- In 1882, an independent telegraph line was established in the East Penn Valley by the Lehigh Telegraph Company, with its general office at Macungie, and the promoter of this enterprise was K. O. Markley. This was absorbed by the Bankers and Merchants Tele- graph Company in 1889; and two years after- ward, this became merged in the Postal Telegraph Cable Company.

The first office was located in the Hotel Allen, at Allentown, and the first manager was C. H. Rockel, who started in 1886. Subsequently the offices were removed to No. 647 Hamilton street, Centre Square (Chronicle and News building), No. 612 Hamilton street, until 1907, when they

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

were changed to the basement of the Second Na- tional Bank building, on Centre Square, and there they have continued until the present time. Subsequent managers at Allentown have been Daniel E. Lerch, C. O. Stager, and E. H. Breinig (since 1911).

The monthly business at Allentown numbers from 6,000 to 8,000 messages, requiring three operators and clerk, and from five to nine mes- sengers.

This telegraph line connects with the Commer- cial Cable Company, and extends three-fourths of the way around the earth. It has connections with all the wireless systems of the world.

TELEPHONE .- The telephone was introduced at Allentown about 1880 by Samuel Cortright and Mr. Clute, of Mauch Chunk, where they had previously started the enterprise. Mr. Clute was the electrician who attended to its proper establishment and operation, and Mr. Cortright secured the patrons and looked after the financial end. About fifty patrons were obtained, includ- ing the Allentown National Bank; Second Na- tional Bank; Kauffman & Renninger, attorneys ; Thomas B. Metzger, Esq. ; James K. Mosser, M. S. Young; Yeager & Culbertson ; Allen Hotel; and American Hotel. It was looked upon as an experimental enterprise; but the promoters were persistent and persevering and soon satisfied the business men of the city that it was both useful and necessary.

The first exchange was located near Sixth and Hamilton streets. In 1890, it was at No. 544, in what is now the Kramer building, and when the large new buildings on the corner were de- stroyed by fire, Oct. 13, 1893, it was removed to above Sixth, where the moving picture show is operated. Thence it was transferred to Linden and Hall streets, where it has continued until now.

Bell Company .- Previous to 1908, the business was carried on in the name of the Pennsylvania Telephone Company, then it was changed to the Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania, which has since operated the plant in a most successful manner, with daily calls numbering about 25,000, and employees about 70. A superior fire-proof three-story brick structure was put up in 1914, which is equipped with the best appliances and the most recent improvements in telephony, at an expense of $20,000. It displays in a remarkable manner the modern facilities for the prompt dis- patch of business.

Besides Mr. Clute, two of the early local man- agers were Charles A. Matcham and Charles Smith. Ernest Ritter served from 1904 to 1912; and Edward J. Coover has served since Feb- ruary, 1912.

Consolidated Co .- In the latter part of 1899, the Lehigh Telephone Company was organized at Allentown, and the active parties in its organi- zation were Thos. J. Daugherty, Wilson J. Hart- zell, George Albright, Frederick E. Lewis, Charles Mans, E. C. Clymer, Franklin Hersh, Samuel J. Ritter, and Robert E. Wright, who constituted its board of directors, with the first- named as president. F. A. Demarest, an experi- enced telephone line builder, established its lines north to Siegfried and south to Macungie, and business was started in August, 1900, with five hundred subscribers. Within two years the sub- scribers increased to several thousand, which evi- dences the great appreciation of this local enter- prise. Afterward a consolidation with other lines was effected, which had established ex- changes at Slatington, Lehighton, Mauch Chunk, Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Carbondale, and Reading, and the combination came to be known as the "Consolidated Telephone Company of Pennsylvania."

In 1906, the "magneto" system was abandoned at Allentown, and the "automatic" introduced ; and this was the first "four-party service" in the United States, which is still in use. The subscrib- ers have been increased to 4,000, and the lines of this company now reach every community in eastern Pennsylvania, with extensions into New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.

On Oct. 1, 1913, the company was re-organized under the name of the "Consolidated Telephone Company." The monthly business has been de- veloped to 600,000 messages. To meet increas- ing demands, the company is now re-building its entire plant at Allentown at a cost of $130,000, which will embrace the removal of all exposed wires to cables underground, and the erection of a new fire-proof building at the present location, No. 110 North Seventh street, fully equipped with the most recent improvements. The local men in the management of the company are Col. H. C. Trexler, and E. M. Young, of Allentown ; and Leonard Peckitt, of Catasauqua.

Herbert H. Weibel has efficiently filled the position of district superintendent since 1905. The local agent is A. T. Frederick, who has been em- ployed by the company since 1900, he having se- cured the first contracts to supply its service to patrons in this community. The office and ex- change have been at No. 110 North Seventh street from the beginning of the company.

DEPARTMENT STORES.

H. LEH & Co .- Henry Leh embarked in the shoe business at Allentown in 1850, and con- tinued it for thirty years. Then he located his store at 626 Hamilton street, and added dry goods

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INDUSTRIES.

He carried on a successful business until his death in May, 1910, having in this time purchased the business of Breinig & Leh. He was succeeded by his two sons, George H. and John, and his son-in-law, H. B. Koch, who have since traded as H. Leh & Company. In 1912 they erected a superior and commodious modern 5-story de- partment store, which is recognized as one of the finest stores in the country. They have 25 departments and employ from 150 to 200 hands. Their patrons come from all parts of eastern Pennsylvania.

ZOLLINGER-HARNED Co .- Wm. R. Lawfer started a general dry goods store in 1865 and carried on a large and successful business until 1902, when the corporation of Zollinger-Harned Company was organized. The store has been since developed to comprise 26 departments, which employ from 120 to 150 hands.

HESS BROS .- Max Hess and Charles Hess, merchants of Perth Amboy, N. J., embarked in the dry goods business at Allentown in 1897, when they secured one-half of the Grand Central Hotel on Hamilton street, below Ninth. They have since traded as Hess Brothers, and gradually enlarged their store until it has come to be one of the largest, finest and most complete department stores in Pennsylvania. It comprises 46 depart- ments and employs 500 hands, and its trade ex- tends into all parts of eastern Pennsylvania. The large and flourishing business was incorporated in 1911 with the following directors: Max Hess, Charles Hess, Solomon Hoffman, Wm. T. Har- ris, W. H. Behringer, and John Diefenderfer, and a capitalization upwards of a million dollars.

GLOBE STORE .- Cleland, Simpson & Taylor established a dry goods store at the southeast corner of Centre Square in 1883, and soon after removed to the northwest corner. In 1896, John Taylor purchased the interest of Messrs. Cleland and Simpson, and the firm became John Taylor & Company. It was incorporated in 1906 with Mr. Taylor as president and treasurer, and E. E. Knerr as secretary. The firm occupies four floors, employ 100 clerks, and has a large retail trade.

BITTNER, HUNSICKER & Co .- In 1857, Owen Hunsicker and Elias Bittner began to trade as Hunsicker & Bittner, at Pleasant Corner, in Le- high county, in conducting a general country store, and they continued four years, when Hun- sicker died and Bittner's brother, Peter, became associated with him and they traded together as E. & P. Bittner until 1872. In the meantime Henry W. and James F. Hunsicker had moved to Allentown and carried on a dry goods business as Hunsicker Bros. Then Elias Bittner also re- moved to Allentown, and the three began a

wholesale and retail business at 813 Hamilton street, under the name of Bittner & Hunsicker Bros, which was continued for fourteen years, Frank D. Bittner (son of Elias) having became a partner in 1882. In 1886, the retail depart- ment of the business was discontinued and the firm name was changed to Bittner, Hunsicker & Company, which has been used until the present time. In 1891, the firm put up a new store building at 16-18 North Seventh street, but re- mained there only five years when they were obliged to secure larger quarters and accordingly established themselves in a new and superior four- story brick building on the opposite side of the street, at Nos. 23-25, 30 by 270 feet, and there they have since carried on a very large and suc- cessful wholesale dry goods business, with trade reaching throughout Pennsylvania and New Jer- sey, and also part of New York. In 1903 their store and property were destroyed by fire, but the building was rebuilt by them without hesita- tation and the store replenished with a new and complete stock in every line of goods. They have twenty travelling salesmen on the road se- curing orders, and employ from 30 to 40 hands in the store. In 1914, the firm was constituted of Elias Bittner, James F. Hunsicker, and Frank D. Bittner.

KOCH BROS .- In 1876, Franklin W. Koch and Wilson C. Shankweiler engaged in the clothing business at Allentown at 618 Hamilton street, after having learned this branch of trade under the firm of Breinig & Leh, and they traded as Koch & Shankweiler. In nine years they had prospered so much that they were able to buy the old Allen Hotel property at the northeast corner of Central Square, and then they erected a mod- ern five-story brick building, 47 by 110 feet, to take its place, the store to occupy the first floor and the hotel the other stories. In 1886, the junior partner died and his interest was pur- chased by Thomas J. Koch, brother of the senior partner. The business was then developed grad- ually to large proportions under the firm name of Koch Bros., which necessitated the enlargement of the building in the shape of an L towards Church street. They continued together for twenty years when the senior partner was acci- dentally killed in a railroad wreck in England. The surviving partner purchased his brother's interest, but he has since continued the large and flourishing business under the name of Koch Bros. The adjoining properties on the east (641 and 643) have since been purchased with the view of enlarging the building for the accommo- dation of the increasing trade of the Hotel Allen, as well as of the clothing establishment. Patrons come from all parts of eastern Pennsylvania, and

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

200 hands are employed in carrying on the busi- ness.

BREINIG & BACHMAN .- In 1888, George F. Breinig and Alfred P. Bachman associated to- gether and began to trade as Breinig & Bachman, at Allentown, in the clothing business. They started at No. 632 Hamilton street, but their success was so marked that in three years they purchased the Weinsheimer property on the south- east corner of Sixth and Hamilton streets, and erected a fine new five-story brick store building, with the stories above the first floor set apart for office purposes. To the surprise of the city and the amazement of the young, enterprising mer- chants, their superb structure was destroyed by

fire on Oct. 13, 1893; but to such indomitable spirits the shock was only momentary, for they immediately set about to resume business and rebuild their great clothing emporium. This was accomplished in 1894, and there they have since conducted a most successful business as gents' clothiers and furnishers. They employ from 30 to 50 hands.

SHANKWEILER & LEHR .- In 1890, Lewis O. Shankweiler and William C. Lehr started dealing as Shankweiler & Lehr in the clothing business for men and boys. They began doing business at No. 643 Hamilton street, but in two years they secured the valuable southeast corner property at Center Square and erected a commodious four- story brick building to meet the demands of their increasing business and there they have continued until the present time in a most successful man- ner. On Feb. 23, 1914, their establishment was visited by the "Fire Demon," but not disheart- ened, they made immediate repairs and resumed business with increased determination and enter- prise. They occupy the entire building and em- ploy from 50 to 60 hands.

KUHNS & KERSCHNER was established in 1898 gy B. F. Kuhns and D. J. Kerschner, with Lewis Sourwein, who retired in 1910. They conduct a large furnishing and clothing store at 719-21 Hamilton street and employ twenty-five people. A men's hat department has recently been added and the firm now carry in stock everything in men's furnishings except shoes.

M. S. YOUNG & Co .- In 1843 Stephen Bar- ber embarked in the general hardware business at No. 740 Hamilton street, and shortly afterward Joseph Young was admitted as a partner, when they traded as Barber & Young. M. S. Young then became a partner, and upon the decease of Mr. Barber, his interest was secured by E. B. Young and Reuben P. Steckel, and the partners then traded under the name of M. S. Young & Company, which name has been continued until now. In 1896, the partners were Reuben P.

Steckel, E. M. Young and Wilson P. Ludwig. In 1907 Mr. Steckel retired, and the remaining partners have since retained the old and influen- tial name of M. S. Young & Company. They employ 42 hands and their large trade extends throughout eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey.

F. HERSH HARDWARE Co .- In 1858, Frank- lin Hersh started at Allentown in the hardware business. In 1865, the partnership was Hersh, Mosser & Co., and in 1876, it was F. Hersh, Sons & Company, consisting of the father, two sons, (Henry D. and George T.), and O. S. Grim; and by 1896, A. R. Lewis took the place of Mr. Grim. The founder, Franklin Hersh, died Jan. 29, 1900. In 1903, the firm was incorpo- rated as F. Hersh Hardware Company, compris- ing Henry D. Hersh, George T. Hersh, Arnold R. Lewis, Wm. N. Eberhard, and John F. Hersh. The superior site at Hamilton and Lumber streets was secured in 1884, and the firm erected a large brick building, 61 by 230 feet for the business (the corner half being occupied by the firm and the other half by Hersh Brothers, who are en- gaged in the stove, tinware and graniteware busi- ness). They employ 35 hands and their trade extends through eastern Pennsylvania and north- ern New Jersey.

EBBECKE HARDWARE Co .- In 1881, M. C. Ebbecke began trading as a hardware merchant at No. 606 Hamilton street, and continued by himself for five years, when Samuel S. Moyer became a partner. In 1895, the business was in- corporated under the name of Ebbecke Hard- ware Company, with Mr. Ebbecke, John F. Eb- becke, Wm. B. Fogelman, and Charles Kram- lich as the interested parties. In August, 1914, a re-organization was effected with John F. Eb- becke, president; Wm. B. Fogelman, secretary and treasurer ; Henry B. Arnold ; and Charles A. Kemmerer as the managers, and owners of the store. They employ seven hands and their trade is local.

C. Y. SCHELLY & BRO .- In 1883, Cyrus Y. and Joel P. Schelly associated together as C. Y. Schelly & Bro., to carry on a general hardware business at Allentown. They located at 32 North Seventh street, and there the store has been maintained in a successful manner until the present time, covering a period of thirty years. In 1911, the firm was constituted of Cyrus Y. Schelly, James Y. Schelly, and W. J. C. Troxell, who have continued the old name. They employ from 25 to 30 hands, and their trade extends throughout eastern Pennsylvania.

ARBOGAST & BASTIAN .- In 1887, Wilson Ar- bogast and M. C. Bastian established an abattoir at the foot of Hamilton street along the Lehigh

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river, and began the slaughter of live stock and the sale of all kinds of fresh and smoked meats to the retail trade at Allentown and in the sur- rounding country for many miles. Their first building was only 30 by 40 feet, but by 1894 they had enlarged it to 140 by 250 feet, and come to slaughter weekly from 400 to 500 hogs, 70 to 100 steers, and 40 to 50 lambs and calves each. During the succeeding twenty years until now their plant was extended and improved at dif- ferent times to meet the great demands of their increasing trade, accordingly slaughtering more live stock and employing more men. They have a complete refrigerating plant, and also supply the public with large quantities of artificial ice.

BUTZ PRODUCE HOUSE .- In 1886, the Butz

MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES.

APRONS .- In August, 1913, A. Karol and J. Finberg started the manufacture of ladies' and children's aprons and petticoats at No. 443 North Second street, under the name of Royal Apron and Petticoat Company. In October following, they removed to No. 414 Gordon street, and then G. Karol and S. Carl became associated with them in the enterprise. They employ from six to ten hands.

ART GLASS WORKS .-- J. F. Wallace, after fol- lowing the manufacture of art and stained glass work, mirrors, and beveled plate glass at Philadel- phia for twelve years, located at Allentown in 1906, and has since carried on the business in a

SCHLAFER BAKERY, 806 SOUTH SIXTH STREET, ALLENTOWN.

Brothers, of Allentown (D. Alvin, Oscar E., and T. Ambrose ), engaged in the wholesale fruit, pro- duce, fish and oyster business on North Seventh street, and continued there until the firm removed to their four-story cement block building, 61 by 61 feet, at 716-20 Turner street, which was erected in 1906. Oscar E. Butz withdrew from the firm in 1904. They have a large trade and employ 15 hands.

GOMERY PRODUCE HOUSE .- In 1894, Albert D. and John E. Gomery, trading as Gomery Bros., began a wholesale business in groceries and fruits at 18 North Tenth street. They continued there until 1901, when they secured the Evangeli- cal church at 919-21 Linden, which they re- modeled and enlarged and here they have since conducted a very large trade, with the assistance of 32 hands.

successful manner under the name of Allentown Glass and Mirror Works. He employs from four to six hands. His shop is at 717-19 Linden street. His trade is mostly for churches and fine mansions in eastern Pennsylvania. He has been identified with this special business for 30 years.

Melvin B. Neff started in March, 1903, and in November following, .W. F. Neff, J. B. Chat- toe, and Charles Seem became incorporated as Neff, Chattoe & Company, for the manufacture of art and stained glass work for churches, resi- dences and public buildings. They employ from 5 to 10 hands, and their trade extends throughout eastern Pennsylvania. The factory is, at 429-31 North Howard street.

SCHLAFER'S BAKERY is located at the corner of Sixth and St. John streets, Allentown. The proprietor, John Schlafer, in 1910, bought the

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

property and good-will from Stephen Kline, who built the large brick building in 1906, seen in the illustration. Mr. Schlafer owns a half block of ground on Sixth street with a depth of 75 feet on St. John street. Mr. Schlafer is a native German and one of those industrious and enterprising men who have helped to build up many American communities. His bakery is conducted along mod- ern lines and is a model of cleanliness, giving em- ployment to a number of men.

BAND HORNS .- William Kaempffe emigrated from Germany to America in 1866. He located at Allentown in 1911 and engaged in the manu- facture and repair of band instruments at No. 453 Gordon street, and has since followed the business there.

BEDS AND BEDDING .- In 1910, Lewis Denni- son, of Allentown, organized the Lehigh Star Bedding Company, for the manufacture of all kinds of beds and bedding, and they secured the "Car Barn" on Lehigh street at the Little Lehigh creek, where they have since conducted a suc- cessful business with hands numbering from 75 to 80. Their trade extends throughout Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Dennison has since been the presi- dent and manager.

BOOK-BINDERS .- Jas. H. Wright & Company have been making blank books, election supplies, book-binding, ruling leaves, etc., since 1877; on Centre Square since 1910; employ 5 hands.

Homer G. Berkemeyer, is in the same business since 1899, and at No. 113 South Seventh street, since 1911. He employs 10 hands, and supplies firms throughout Pennsylvania.

Chas. E. Searle and John W. Dressler engaged in this business in 1905. In 1911, Wm. B. Bach- man became a partner, and the firm became in- corporated as Searle, Dressler & Company. They then established their plant-two-story brick building-at No. 1210 Turner street, and have since carried on a large business, employing from 30 to 40 hands, with illuminated calendars as a specialty. Their trade is mostly in the Middle States.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 192

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1158

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158