History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 111

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: 948

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II > Part 111

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"To his friends he was known as eminently loyal, ever ready to espouse their cause, if just, and they only can appreciate the loss sustained in the death of Dr. H. H. Herbst. Therefore, as a mark of respect, be it

"Resolved, That the members of the Board of Control attend the funeral in a body, and that the teachers of the city and friends of edu- cation be requested to meet at the Administration building and accompany them.

"Resolved, that these resolutions be entered upon the minutes of the board and published in our city papers and an engrossed copy of the same be presented to the family of the deceased."

GEORGE FREDERICK HERMAN.

Frederick Herman settled at an early day in Lower Nazareth township, Northampton county. He was married to Catherine Lutz. Of their children, Jacob Herman was married to Susan Frederick, and their children were: Jacob Tilghman; George Frederick, Daniel, Samuel, married Sarah A. Kern; Sallie Ann, married David Barnett; Catherine, married Owen Cle- well; and Rebecca, who married Andrew Kreid- ler.

George Frederick Herman, son of Jacob and Susan (Frederick) Herman, was born Oct. 4, 1831, in Lower Nazareth township, Northamp- ton county. He attended the public schools in his early boyhood and assisted his father on the farm. At the age of twenty-one years he learned the trade of miller. He established a steam mill at Hecktown, Northampton county, operating it for about five years. In 1865, he removed to Bethlehem, where he engaged in the grain busi- ness, continuing it for fifteen years. He served as sherff of Northampton county one term; was appointed pastmaster of Bethlehem in 1885, serv- ing for three years, after which he retired from business. In 1902 he removed to Allentown. In politics, Mr. Herman was a Democrat; so- cially a member of Bethlehem Lodge, F. & A. M., and was affiliated with the Lutheran Church. He died in Allentown, Dec. 29, 1909, and in- terment was in Nisky Hill cemetery, Bethlehem.

George Frederick Herman married (first) Sarah A. Koehler, daughter of David and Lavina (Schortz) Koehler. Issue: Ascher W .; Mary J. ; Emma C .; Susanna L. ; and Ida M. Herman.

Ascher W. married (first) Ellen Reinich. Issue: George, Henry, and Lillie. Mary J., married to the late Dr. Thomas Cooper. Emma Catharine, married Paul Kampsmith. Issue: Frederick and Ralph Kampsmith.

Ida M. married George Riegel. Issue : Franklin, and an infant.

George Frederick Herman married (second) May 1, 1900, Araminta A. Roth, daughter of Jesse and Catherine (Gauff) Roth, of Kent Co., MId., and a sister of the late Jerry Roth (see Roth sketch elsewhere in these volumes). She was first married to Edward Riegel, of Lower Saucon township. She married (second) Dr. Charles C. Wagner, a leading physician of Cin- cinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Herman has traveled exten- sively throughout America, the continent of Africa, and Palestine, in Asia. She is a member of Christ Lutheran church and has been active in religious work in Allentown.

HERMANY FAMILY.

George Hermany, a native of Hanover, Ger- many, emigrated to Pennsylvania with his uncle, whose name is not known, and settled in Maxa- tawney township, now Kutztown, Berks county, where he remained untl 1749, then went to Lynn township in Lehigh county. On March 6th of that year, he took out a warrant for 50 acres of land, a part of which is still owned by his descendants. This property is situated one mile north of Jacksonville, at the foot of the Blue Mountain. He built a log house close to a large spring, and the stone foundation walls of

this spring are still intact. Afterwards he bought more land lying adjacent to the original tract, until he had a total of 255 acres. This property was deeded to George Hermany, by the sons of William Penn, and it is still in the fam- ily name. The time of birth and date of death of this pioneer are not known. It is the belief that he was buried near the log house he built and where he settled in 1749.

George Hermany had two sons, George, Jr., who emigrated to Ohio, and died there .- [ Le- high County History, 1884.] ; and Philip, who was born October 10, 1759, and on December 25, 1787, he married Maria Catharine, a daugh- ter of Frederick Steigerwald and his wife, Cath- arine, nee Henser, who was born in Albany township, Berks county on March 6, 1769.

Philip Hermany had twelve children, six sons and six daughters, all of whom were born in Lynn township. Their names were: (1) John George, the eldest son, was born December 8, 1788, married and moved to Trumbull county, Ohio, but had no children ; (2) Daniel, the sec- ond son, was born February 10, 1792, married

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

a Miss Long, moved to Lockport, New York, and had seven children: Daniel, John, Lewis, Edwin, Mary, Sallie and -; (3) Mary Catharine was born August 26, 1794, married Jacob Leiby and settled in the Dutch Valley in Columbia county, Pa. They had a large fam- ily; (4) Maria Magdalena was born April 6, 1797. She married Henry Long, and had nine. children: Zacharias, Henry, Uriah, Thomas, Charles, James, Maria, Rebecca and Eliza; (5); John Hermany, the third son, was born June 24, 1799, and carried on the business of a merchant and hotel proprietor at Jacksonville. He farmed for about three years and then established the store and hotel which he conducted upwards of 25 years, having in that time been very enterpris- ing and successful. He built the western part of the house; also, two other dwellings in the. village, besides two barns. He was a chorister of the Jacksonville church and took a leading part in its affairs for many years. He died September 9, 1863. His wife was Salome Kist- ler, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Bausch) Kistler, born February 17, 1810, and died Jan- uary 27, 1851 ; and they had ten children : Dide- mia (born 1831, m. Jonas Brobst, her husband having died), Samuel (b. 1833), Sallie (b. 1834, m. Reuben Kreitz, both deceased), Maria Anna (b. 1837, m. Moses Wuchter, both deceased), Edwin, Phaon (b. 1840, a practising physician at Mahanoy City), a daughter who died in in- fancy, Lydia J. (1844-1858), John (1846- 1849), and Alice M. (1850-1851) ; (6) Re- becca was born October 26, 1801. She married Rev. Johan Zulich, whose history is mentioned in this volume; (7) Catharine was born July 11, 1804. She married Jonathan Smith, resided in Bucks county and had five children: Isaac, Jona- than, Alfred, Catharine and Lavina; (8) Sam- uel Hermany, the fourth son, was born March 28, 1807, and when of proper age was appren- ticed to Solomon Wint to learn the carpenter and furniture trade, in which he became a very skillful workman. On Christmas Day, Decem- ber 25, 1828, he married Salome, daughter of Christian Wannamaker, and his wife, Barbara Everett. She was born in West Penn town- ship, Schuylkill county, Pa., May 24, 1807., Samuel Hermany bought his father's farm, built on it a large saw mill, which he successfully operated in connection with extensive farming in Lynn township. He was an enterprising citi -- zen and an able mechanic. In 1853 he erected the present imposing, large double-porched brick dwelling-house on the farm now owned by Mr. Thomas G. Hermany. He also carried on a distillery on the farm now owned by L. Elmer

Hermany, his grandson. He died January 9, 1868, in his 61st year. His wife, Salome, died March 2, 1881, in her 74th year. They were buried in the cemetery at Jacksonville, and their children were: Charles, Edward, Elishu W., Lewis, Alice, Samuel, Amandas, and Sarah (m. Lewis E. Klingaman) ; (9) Isaac Hermany, the fifth son, was born November 7, 1809, he married a Miss Seiberling, and they had five children: Willoughby, Augustus, Mary, Han- nah, and ; (10) Philip, the sixth son, died in infancy; (II) a daughter; (12) a daughter.

Philip Hermany, son of the pioneer, bought his father's farm and lived upon it until his death, August 26, 1836, aged 76 years, 10 months and 6 days. His wife, Maria Catharine, died September 15, 1839, aged 70 years, 6 months and 9 days. They are buried in adjoin- ing graves on the cemetery at Jacksonville.

EDWIN HERMANY, son of John, living at Lynnport, was born on the old homestead No- vember 11, 1838, and there he was reared and began farming for himself in 1860. He pur- chased a 28-acre tract at the Jacksonville station, and lived there four years, having carried on the business of a drover. He next purchased the Jacob Wannamaker farm of 90 acres and farmed it for four years; then he sold the place and moved into a frame dwelling-house which he had erected at Lynnport (now owned by John Wuchter). After living there for six years and following the business of drover and huck- ster, he bought a farm of 55 acres and culti- vated it for two years; then he secured a farm of 72 acres near Lynnport, which he operated for upwards of 25 years. In 1904 he moved again to Lynnport where he had bought a fine home ; and since then he has lived there in retire- ment. He is a Democrat in politics, and served the township as a school director. He is a Re- formed member of the Jacobs church and served all the church offices.

Mr. Hermany was married February 27, 1860, to Amanda L. Swoyer, daughter of Eph- raim and Catharine (Smith) Swoyer, who died in Lynn township, aged 90 years. They had four children: John (an official of the Chicago and Western Indiana R. R. Co., with headquar- ters at Chicago), Mary (m. Jonathan Smith), living in the Kistler Valley, born November 1, 1867, and died September 2, 1906, and they had six children: Edwin, Lottie, Ella M., Robert W., Charles J., George, who died in childhood, and Thomas E.), Alfred (m. Leonora Shervill, in the State of Washington, where he is the

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

Traffic Passenger Agent of the Chicago and Rock Island R. R. Co.), and Robert (m. Clara Foll- weiler, he being the Auditor and Accountant for the Missouri, Kansas and Texas R. R. Co.).

CHARLES HERMANY was born in Lynn town- ship, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on October 9, 1830. He was the oldest son of Samuel and Salome (Wannamacher ) Hermany.

He received his early education in the public schools of his home town, where he developed a decided taste for mathematics, and having de- termined to adopt the profession of Civil Engin- eering as his life work, he entered Minerva Seminary at Easton, Pennsylvania, and was graduated in two years. Financial conditions prevented him from continuing his collegiate edu- cation, and for three years he taught school, at the same time continuing his studies in mathe- matics and in his chosen profession with a de- termination which characterized all his work in later life.

In May, 1853, he went West and found em- ployment in the City Engineer's Department of Cleveland, Ohio. Here he was engaged for four years, gradually advancing to the position of First Assistant to the City Engineer (T. R. Scowden, M. Am. Soc. C. E.). When, in 1857, Mr. Scowden, as Chief Engineer of the Louis- ville Water Company, took charge of the con- struction of the water-works system in Louis- ville, Kentucky, Mr. Hermany went with him as his principal assistant, and in this capacity he served during the entire construction period un- til the works were completed and put in opera- tion in October, 1860. On January Ist, 1861, he was appointed Chief Engineer and Superin- tendent of the water-works, which position he held continuously up to the time of his death, January 18, 1908.

The growth of the city soon proved that the works, as first constructed, were entirely inade- quate, and this necessitated their general enlarge- ment. To Mr. Hermany was assigned the duty of designing and constructing a new pumping station on the river bank, which would secure an abundant supply from the river, the stages of which varied more than 40 ft. between high and low water. The treacherous condition of the ground necessitated the sinking of a pneumatic caisson, in order to secure a firm foundation for the pump-house and the pumping engine, as well as to provide for an inlet chamber. The con- tract was let to an experienced and responsible firm, which, however, finding the work of a haz- ardous nature, refused to proceed with it. This condition obliged Mr. Hermany to prosecute the work by day labor, requiring his personal super- vision and utmost skill for a number of years.

In this work he was successful, as he was also in the installation of pumping machinery de- signed principally by himself, which, at the time of its test run, attracted general attention because its high economic efficiency exceeded all known records. In addition to a betterment of the dis- tribution system, he designed and constructed the Crescent Hll Reservoirs. His last great work was to design and construct the filter plant, in- cluding the covered clear-water basin and the high-service pumping station, with its equipment of pumping machinery.

Being extremely careful and prudent, Mr. Hermany conducted a series of exhaustive ex- periments, lasting more than a year, in order to determine the best method of treating the river water in the process of proposed purification. Very particular in all- matters, he practically worked out every detail of all the work which he designed and constructed, the specifications which he prepared for his large pumping engine being an evidence of the minutiæ to which he carried his work. As exacting as he was in these matters, so was he in his requirement of the fulfilment of every obligation on the part of con- tractors. Faithful to every duty, he insisted upon the same compliance from everyone else.

As an engineer Mr. Hermany was resource- ful in every emergency, which enabled him to meet successfully any contingency, as he often had occasion to demonstrate, perhaps at no time so signally as when he promptly restored the works to service by converting the remnants of a tall stand-pipe into a great air chamber, after it had been demolished by a disastrous tornado which swept over Louisville in 1890.

These qualities, as well as his skill, attained for him an eminence in his profession which re- sulted in his counsel and advice being sought by the water departments of many cities throughout the country. He designed the water-works at Frankfort and at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and the pumping station at Evansville, Indiana. He also served, in different capacities, the water- works of Nashville, Memphis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Providence, Chicago, and, fin- ally, as Consulting Engineer during the construc- tion of the new water-works of Cincinnati Ohio.

Mr. Hermany possessed administrative abilities to a very high degree, which he manifested in conducting the office of Superintendent of Water- Works for more than forty-seven years to the perfect satisfaction of the Water Board and of every water taker, the confidence and regard of all of whom he always possessed.

His reputation for honesty and integrity was ever proverbial, and though, at times, he was impatient and blunt when he suspected unfair-

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

ness or deceit ( for he hated all sham and sordid- ness) he was at heart scrupulously just, as well as kind, generous, and thoughtful. Courteous and affable to everyone, he was deeply true and loyal to those who were privileged to be enumer- ated among his friends. The great affection and high esteem in which he was held by the mem- bers of his profession, his fellow-citizens, and his neighbors were shown by the great number who were present at the last sad rites, by the im- mense number of floral tributes under which the casket was buried, and in the last words which were spoken over his remains:

"To discover one's talents, to find one's place in the economy of the world, to put one's powers to the highest use in the service of one's fellowmen. is to merit the approbation of the Judge of all. This is what Mr. Charles Hermany did. He served this community with a faithfulness and devotion to duty that it would be difficult to equal and impossible to excell."

On December 19th, 1864, Mr. Hermany married Sallie Adams, only daughter of Daniel and Sophia ( Perdue) Adams. Forty-three years of happy life followed this union, during which seven children blessed their home, three of whom, Irene H. (wife of Mr. Owen Gathright, of Louisville), Emily H. (wife of Mr. James P. Donahue, of Davenport, Iowa), and Madeline (an unmarried daughter), together with his wife, survive him. During the last nine years Mr. Hermany lost his three sons and his young- est daughter, Hetty May (wife of Mr. James L. Smyser, of Louisville). These losses were severe blows to him, from the effects of which he never fully recovered.

Mr. Hermany was a remarkably self-reliant man, and always exhibited a consciousness of faith in his judgment when once he had arrived at a conclusion. He was a constant reader, and was endowed with splendid intellectual gifts, possessing a mind which was quick to discern and independent in its deductions.

Mr. Hermany never held any political office, though he was always deeply interested in ques- tions which affected the welfare of his country, state or city, and he did not hesitate to give ex- pression to his views. He was a loyal member of the Unitarian Church of the Messiah, and, for thirty years was a member of its Board of Trustees. He was the first President of the Engineers' and Architects' Clubs of Louisville, and was re-elected for five consecutive terms.

On January 6th, 1869, Mr. Hermany was elected a Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. In November, 1879, he was elected and served as a member of the Board of Direction and, in 1891, as Vice-President. In 1904, he was elected President of the Society,

and presided at the meetings of the International Engineering Congress, held in St. Louis during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. During this Congress he was elected an Honorary Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers of Great Britain.

He was also a Member of the Franklin Insti- tute, and of the American Water-Works Asso- ciation, as well as of the Salmagundi and Filson Clubs, of Louisville, the leading literary organ- izations of that city.

Col. James T. Donahue, the husband of Em- ily A. Hermany, purchased a large tract of land at Colfax, Iowa, where the famous M. C. Min- eral Springs are. He built a large concrete steel reinforced hotel, called the Hotel Colfax, and is developing the place as a health resort. He in- vested over $500,000 in the enterprise and it is destined to become, in the near future, the Carls- bad of America.

Owen Gartright, of Louisville, Kentucky, hus- band of Irene Hermany, is engaged in the whole- sale leather business, having one of the largest leather houses in the Middle West.

Edward Hermany, the second son of Samuel, was born on December 23, 1832, and attended the private and district schools of the day. He was apt and studious, learning with the greatest ease, being always first in class rank. During the winter months of 1846 to 1848 he attended Minerva Seminary at Easton, Pa., which ended his school education, and comprised only the courses of an ordinary English curriculum. From 1848 to 1854 he worked on his father's farm during the summer and during the winter taught school at Jacksonville; and from this time until 1865 he served as clerk and bookkeeper for vari- ous business firms at Tamaqua and Philadelphia. From 1865 to 1875 he taught school during the winter, and during the summer he worked on the farm. Afterwards, being of delicate health, he worked on the farm during the summer and spent the winter in reading and writing. He wrote a large volume of Pennsylvania German poems, which are as yet unpublished. He also contributed in prose and poetry in the English language to Philadelphia newspapers. He was very much interested in educational matters and served his native place with much zeal and abil- ity. He was a member of the German Re- formed denomination of Jacobs church of Jack- sonville, and is buried on the family plot in the adjoining cemetery. He died on the 24th day of July, 1896, aged 63 years, 7 months, I day. He remained unmarried.

Elihu W., the third son of Samuel, was born Sept. 20, 1834, and he attended the public school of Jacksonville until seventeen years of age; also

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

the Allentown Academy for two terms. When of age he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and learned house and sign painting, and then worked in New York, St. Louis, New Orleans, Havanna (Cuba), and other places. In 1862 he en- listed in the army, was a member of Col. Dur- yea's Fire Zouaves of New York, participated in the fight at Big Bethel, and in the Seven days' fight at Richmond; was wounded and taken pris- oner at Savage Station, and confined in Libby prison, changed and taken to Fortress Monroe, where he recovered and returned home at the end of his enlistment. He died in the Soldiers' Home at Leavenworth, Kansas, on July 29, 1872, aged 57 years, 10 months, 9 days, and was brought home and buried in Jacksonville ceme- tery.

Samuel Hermany, son of Samuel, son of Philip, was born on the homestead in Lynn town- ship, and there followed farming until his de- cease, excepting for a time when he was enlisted in the Civil War. The place then included 77 acres of clear land and 43 acres of woodland. He had taught public school for several terms and afterward served as a school director of the township for six years. In politics he was a Democrat.

Mr. Hermany was married to Susanna Zell- ner, daughter of William and Molly (Stahl) Zelner, and they had five children: Charles (in Carbon county), Thomas G. (on the home- stead), Alfred (at Allentown), Milton (de- ceased ), and Harry (at Allentown). He and his family were Reformed members of the Jacobs church, which he served as deacon, elder, trustee, and president of the church council.

Amandas Hermany, the sixth son of Samuel, was born at the old homestead on March 19th, 1841. He attended the public school of Jack- sonville until sixteen years of age, then took a four months' course in a private normal school at New Columbus, Luzerne county, Pa., after which he taught school three terms in Lynn township. In 1868 he, in partnership with his brothers, Lewis and Samuel, bought their father's farm, which they successfully farmed until 1888. at the same time operating a large saw mill and lumber business, of which Amandas was the head manager. Later, he secured a farm of his own and now resides in Jacksonville.

In 1877 he married Susanna E. Creitz, a daughter of Samuel B. Creitz and his wife, Sus- anna (nee Follweiler), and they have three chil- dren, one son and two daughters.

The son, Albert S., was born Nov. 9, 1882, and when seventeen years of age went to Michi- gan to his uncle, John I. Creitz, where he VOL. II-36

worked on a farm, then he returned home and married Minnie Hartman, daughter of Albert K. Hartman and his wife, Ellen (nee Kistler) and they have two children: Evelyn Evangiline (born Sept. 12, 1908), and Ellen Elizabeth (born Aug. 17, 1910). In 1909 he commenced farming for himself near Lynnport.

Jane Victoria Hermany was born April 7th, 1878, and graduated from the public schools of Lynn. On Nov. 12, 1899 she married John F. Seitzinger, of Reading, Berks county, who is employed in the Reading Car Shops, and they have one daughter, Alice May, born June 7th, 1907, died Jan. 14th, 1909, and buried in Jack- sonville cemetery. Mrs. Seitzinger resides in

Reading.

Ellen Salome Hermany was born Jan. 4th, 1891, and graduated from the public schools of Lynn. After teaching school for one term she attended the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown and was graduated June 21st, 191I. She is now engaged in teaching. On Nov. 4, 1911, she married Leon B. Klingaman, of Steins- ville, Lynn township, a son of Jacob Klinga- man and his wife, Josephina (nee Brobst). Her husband commenced teaching at seventeen years . of age in Lynn, and graduated from the Key- stone State Normal School. He is now a teacher in the High School at Womelsdorf, Pa.

LEWIS F. HERMANY, son of Samuel, served in the Civil War as Captain of Co. I, 176th Regi- ment, which was in service for nine months, from November, 1862, to August, 1863. His widow, Sarah Hermany, died on Monday morning March 3, 1913, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William F. Fetherolf, of general debility. She was 71 years and I month old. She was born at Slateville, Lynn township, on February 2, 1842, the daughter of the late David and Magdalena (nee Levan) Lutz. Since the death of her husband in 1888, she resided with the daughter at whose hoome she died. Surviving her are the following: William S., of Bethlehem ; L. Elmer, of Jacksonville, Pa .; George P., of Eas- ton, and Mrs. Annie L. Fetherolf, with whom she resided. She was confirmed a member of St. Jacob's Reformed Church at Jacksonville. Interment was made in the cemetery adjoining the church.

L. ELMER HERMANY, son of Lewis F., was born August 6, 1868. He worked for his par- ents upon the farm in Lynn, until he was of age. In 1889, he purchased 51 acres of the old homestead from his mother and this he re- tained until 1905, when he resold it to his mother, but he continues to reside on this farm and cultivates it. In 1905 he purchased III

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 111

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: 948

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: 948