History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 123

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 123


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Charles C. Kaiser was reared in Scranton, where he received his early education, and after a course of study in Baltimore, Md., he was employed in a clerical capacity until his twentieth year. Subsequently he took charge of a dry-goods store in a Western state, and in 1888 came to Allentown, where he was employed as foreman of the Allentown Hardware Com- pany. In 1894 he became interested in the or- ganization of the Dent Hardware Company, of Fullerton, of which he was chosen treasurer, which position he has filled ever since. This com- pany · has experienced a remarkable growth, to which growth and prosperity Mr. Kaiser has con- tributed his full share. (See history of Dent Hardware Company.) Mr. Kaiser has attained high rank-as a Mason, being connected with the Consistory as a thirty-second degree mason. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Knights of Malta. He is a director of the National Bank of Catasauqua, since January, 1911, and one of the organizers and directors of the Penn Counties Trust Company. He and family are members of St. John's Reformed church, Allentown. In 1884 he was married to Sarah P. Newman.


'He was married in 1909 to Laura P. Yeager, a daughter of Edwin and Sarah ( Mohr) Yeager, late of Allentown. Mrs. Kaiser is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, sev- eral of her ancestors having taken part in that conflict. She is also eligible to membership in the Colonial Dames.


JOSEPH M. KANE.


Joseph M. Kane, a councilman of Catasau- qua, was born at Hokendauqua, Dec. 8, 1866. His father, William, was a native .of Derry county, Ireland, where he was born June 2, 1839. In 1854 he came to America and lo- cated at Hokendauqua where he entered the em- ployment, as a furnaceman, of the Thomas Iron Company, and continued until up to the time of his death, Jan. 30, 1892. He was a staunch Orangeman, and therefore a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. He was married to Rosanna McMullen, a daughter of Joseph and Ellen (Paul) McMullen, also of Derry, Ire- land. After the death of her husband Mrs. McMullen, with her family, migrated to Ameri- ca. She died May 5, 1889, aged 58 years. Joseph was the father of seven children, viz: Joseph, Elisabeth, William, Cochran, Thomas, Ellen, and George.


Joseph M. Kane attended the common schools as a boy, but when only eleven years of age be- gan working for the Thomas Iron Company.


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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


At the age of fourteen he was employed by the Jersey Central Railway Co. as a car inspector, and has continued in their employment ever since. In 1895 he was promoted to the position of foreman car inspector on the Jersey Central road for the district extending from Easton to Mauch Chunk. Mr. Kane is a republican in politics. He has served as assessor of White- hall township and was the member of the Stand- ing County Committee for two terms. In 1898 he moved to Catasauqua, where he has resided ever since. In 1904 he was married to Lizzie Downs, a daughter of John Downs, a native of England, and his wife, Mary Price, a Welsh lady. In 1909 he erected his present residence at No. 544 Pine street. In 1911 he was elected councilman from the Fourth Ward. He is chairman of the Police Committee and a mem- ber of the Fire and Water Committees. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, and of the Bridge Street Presbyterian congregation. He is a staunch Republican and has been active in the party ever since his majority.


JOSEPH P. KARCH.


Jacob Karch, a native of the Rhine in Ger- many, emigrated with his parents to America when four years old. He first lived at Lancas- ter, Pa., and later at Millersville. At the lat- ter place he was engaged in the baking business for some years when he returned to Lancaster, Pa., where he has since lived. He married Pauline Wingender, daughter of Peter Wingen- der, who was a native of Coblenz, Germany. He died at Lancaster, Pa., in 1896. His wife died in Germany in 1860, and Mr. Wingender was left a widower with five children. He came to America when Mrs. Karch was fifteen years old.


Joseph P. Karch, son of Jacob, of Allen- town. is general manager of the Victor Thorsch Co., cigar manufacturers, at Coplay, Pa. He was born at Lancaster, Pa., June 27, 1883. He learned the cigar-making trade at the age of six- teen years; and to this time has followed the to- bacco and cigar manufacturing business. In 1903 he became a foreman of one of the Ameri- can Tobacco Company factories, located at Lan- caster, Pa. On June 24, 1905, he accepted a foremanship with the Victor Thorsch Company, and two years later he was promoted to the posi-, tion of general manager of the Coplay factory, which employs 300 people. He and wife are members of the Catholic church. He is a mem- ber of the Young Men's Temperance Society. He married November 10, 1909, Rosa Breslin, daughter of Patrick and Ellen (Devers) Bres- lin, of Allentown. They have a son, Joseph P.


MAURICE J. KAUFMAN.


Maurice Jacob Kaufman, president of the Winona Silk Company, at Mountainville, was born Dec. 11, 1869, at Allentown, and educated in the schools of the city until he was fifteen years old. He then entered the employ of Solo- mon Stephen, cattle drover at Coopersburg, and continued with him for twelve years. He then became a nail-maker in the wire mill at Allen- town and worked there fourteen years. In 1909 he became identified with the Winona Silk Company, in the manufacture of broad silk, and in 1910 was elected president of the company, which position he has filled until the present time, directing the management of the mill in a successful manner. In politics he is a Republi- can. He is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics and of the Order of Buffa- loes.


Mr. Kaufman was married to Lovina Tor- rence, a daughter of Joseph and Elvina (Jacoby) Torrence, and they have one child, a daughter, Florence. They are connected with the St. Luke's Lutheran church.


His father, George Washington Kaufman, was born May 8, 1843, and learned the trade of shoe- maker, which he followed for some time. He was afterward employed at the wire mill for sixteen years, and at the Grammes machine shops for five years. In 1868, he was married to Mary Biery, a daughter of Jonathan and Veronica (Roth) Biery, and they had seven children: Maurice J., Matilda, Anna, Franklin, Jonathan, William B., and Jennie Lillian, the second, third, sixth and seventh having died.


His grandfather was Reuben Kaufman, and he was married to Elizabeth Kistler.


KECK FAMILY.


The progenitor of this family in Lehigh county was Henry Keck (Geck) a native of Upper Pfaltz, Bavaria. With his wife (Peterson) he left Rotterdam, last from Dover on the English ship "Pink John and William," and landed at Philadelphia, Oct. 17, 1732. When he reached there he and his wife were sold as redemptioners for their passage money to a man in Chester county and served the time agreed upon about three or four years. After this he came to what is now Lehigh county and settled on the tract which he later purchased and which for a num- ber of generations remained in the possession of the family. The children of Henry Keck were: (1) Frederick; (2) Henry; (3) John; (4) An- drew and a daughter married to Mr. Berger.


(1) Frederick went to South Carolina; (2) Henry married and settled in Salisbury township;


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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.


(3) John married a daughter of Nicholaus Ub- eroth of Salisbury and settled on the old home- stead. He had three children. (4) Andrew was born Jan. 10, 1753, and died May 13, 1328; he was married first to Barbara Blank and the sec- ond time to Susan Sheets. He was the father of the following children: George; Solomon; An- drew; John; Jacob; David; Charles; Maria, married to Solomon Knauss' and Elizabeth, mar- ried to William Horlacher.


John Keck whose wife was a Miss Schantz, lived between Fogelsville and Ruppsville in Up- per Macungie township. They were the parents of the following children: Sarah (Mrs. Peter Weiler ) ; John ; George; Ephraim ; Cassia ( Mrs. John Swenk) ; Hannah (Mrs. Alexander Sing- meister ) ; Fannie (Mrs. William Rems) : Pris- cilla (Mrs. A. S. Heffner ) ; Mary ( Mrs. Reuben Gross).


John Keck, son of John, was born Dec. 7, 1831, near Fogelsville. He clerked in a store un- til he was married to Sarah, a daughter of Jesse Lefeaver. He was proprietor of the Halfway Hotel for twelve years and the Crackersport Ho- tel for three years. After becoming blind he re- tired from business and after remaining three more years at Crackersport he moved to Allen- town, where he died Jan. 5, 1893. To Mr. and Mrs. Keck the following children were born: George C .; Dora; Lyman; Charlotte; Jose- phine; Ida; Rosa and John.


George C. Keck, son of John, was born in 1852. He learned the trade of machinist which he followed for a number of years He was married to Ella Hartman. To them the follow- ing children have been born: Robert W., Carrie, Mamie, Helen and Florence.


ROBERT W. KECK, son of George C. and Ella Keck, was born in Allentown, Sept. 9, 1875. He was educated in the public schools of his native city. He was a salesman for a number of years in Philadelphia. In 1904 he took up elec- trical work with J. S. Ritter, with whom he re- mained until Sept. 1910, when he engaged in business for himself at 833 Walnut street. He is a member of Zion's Reformed church and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In June, 1903, he was married to Alice A. Sterner, daughter of Benjamin and Amanda (Beidler) Sterner. They have a daughter, Ruth M.


Solomon Keck was a life-long farmer in Salis- bury township. He married Margaret Knauss. His son, Moses Keck, was born Feb. 20, 1812, and was also a farmer in Salisbury township, own- ing a tract of over 100 acres. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and married Delia Dubbs, daughter of Solomon Dubbs. Issue : Emma, married William Person, resides at Moun-


tainville, Pa .; Maggie, married Dr. Theodore Bachman, now deceased, of Allentown; Alice, married William D. Kincaid, of Allentown; Al- fred and Newton, of whom below.


ALFRED KECK, son of Moses and Delia (Dubbs) Keck, was born April 29, 1849, in Sal- isbury township. He was educated in the public schools, and assisted on the farm until 1874, when he removed to Seidersville, and purchased the Seidersville Hotel, which he operated some years, when he returned to Salisbury township and en- gaged in general farming until 1897, when he sold his farm and removed to Allentown, and engaged in real estate operations, in which he has accumulated a comfortable fortune.


In 1904 he erected a substantial home where he now resides, retired from active business pur- suits. Both himself and family are members of Grace Lutheran church.


He married in October, 1873, Clara Elizabeth Boehm, a daughter of Solomon and Julia (Mar- kel) Boehm. Issue: Hattie T .; Lillian Julia; Eloise Diana; Mary L .; Solomon Moses; and Warren Wilson.


Hattie T. married Robert Wagner, a flour and feed merchant of Allentown. Eloise D. married Herbert J. Weiler, of Allentown, a coal dealer. Solomon M. resides in Canada, in Alberta Prov- ince, and is a civil engineer in the employ of the Canadian Pacific R. R. Co. Warren W., resid- ing at home, is a draughtsman in the employ of the Bethlehem Steel Works.


NEWTON KECK, son of Moses and Delia (Dubbs) Keck, was born June 27, 1855, in Salis- bury township, and after acquiring his education in the public schools, remained on the home farm until 1875, when he learned the trade of wheel- wright with Walter Sheetz, in Mountainville, remaining with him ten years, until 1885, when he became connected with William Yeager, of Allentown, as a cabinet maker, where he has since remained.


He was a deacon in St. Mark's church, South Allentown, for six years. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, Woodworkers' Union, and Knights of Mystic Chain.


He married, in 1879, Dora Amelia Clifton, daughter of James and Pauline (Sterner) Clif- ton, born in Salisbury township, and reared in Philadelphia. Issue : Blanche Gertrude, and Harry Clifton Keck.


Blanche G. married Adam Himelsbach, and resides at Fall River, Mass. Issue: Clifton Keck, born March 17, 1907, and Martin Luther Himelsbach, born Aug. 11, 1911. He is a physi- cal director in the local Y. M. C. A.


Harry Clifton Keck married Sadie F. Wilt. Issue: Margie P., born Sept. 7, 1905; Henry


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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


Clifton, born Oct. 6, 1907; and Charlotte Eliza- beth, born Oct. 2, 1910. He is connected with the Fuller Car Wheel & Axle Works, and resides in Allentown.


James Clifton, father of Mrs. Newton Keck, was by trade a shoemaker. He enlisted in the 209th Penna. Volunteers, and served in the War of '61 ; was taken prisoner, and died of starvation in the prison pen in Salisbury, N. C. His widow, Pauline, married Reuben Moyer, of Allentown.


Andrew Keck, son of Andrew, was born Dec. 8, 1778, and died June 3, 1833. He was a prominent farmer in Salisbury and a Lutheran. He married Magdalena Kline, who was born March 3, 1779, and died April 5, 1861. They had five children: Paul, Joel, John, Laurence, Andrew, and William.


WILLIAM KECK, of Salisbury township, son of Andrew, was born June 27, 1825, in the house built by his father in 1824. He attended the township schools and learned harness-making in Emaus, at which he was employed for a time in New Jersey. He then returned home and culti- vated the homestead of 100 acres, which he owns. He married, Dec. 30, 1852, Eveline Lauer, daughter of Henry and Catharine (Walbert) Lauer, of Lower Macungie. They had two chil- dren: Marcus W. H., born Nov. 17, 1860, died March 21, 1880, and Milton C. A., who married Mary Romich and has one child, Clarence W. R.


.


JAMES J. KUNKEL, janitor of Harrison school in the First ward, and a Civil War veteran, was born at Fogelsville, May 7, 1842. When eight years old his parents removed to Allentown and he attended the public school in the First ward until he became twelve years of age; then he was put to work in a brick yard at 40 cents a day. By his industry he was advanced to a moulder and he filled this position for a number of years. Afterward he worked in a foundry until 1862, when he enlisted in the Civil War as a private in Co. G, of the 128th Regiment, Penna. Vol. Inf., for nine months. During this time he was taken prisoner at the battle of Chancellorsville and was imprisoned in Libby prison for two weeks, when he was exchanged. He also participated in the battles of Bull Run and Antietam. He re-enlisted in 1864, in Co. E, of the 202d Regiment, Penna. Vol. Inf., and served till the close of the war. He became a charter member of the Yeager Post, G. A. R., and has since been actively identified with it, serving for a time as a trustee. Upon his return home he was employed for five years in the Allentown Rolling Mill; then he resumed work in a brick-yard which he followed until 1899, when he was appointed janitor of the Har- rison school in the First ward and he has since


filled this position in a satisfactory manner. He is a member of Washington Chamber, Knights. of Friendship.


In 1863, he was married to Susanna Ulrich, of Allentown, and they had seven children : Amelia, married Preston J. Ehrich; Frank J., married Alice C. Gehring; Ella, married Fred- erick Robbins, of Passaic, N. J. ; Stella, married Charles Kohler, of Bethlehem; and three died in infancy.


The parents of Mr. Kunkel were born and brought up in Upper Milford township. His father, Jonathan Kunkel, was a day laborer in the country, and also at Allentown, from the time he located there in 1850 until he died in 1864. He was married to Miss Wetzel, and they had eight children : Ann, William, Jonas, Eliza, Charles, Annie, Nathan, who also served in the Civil War (N. Y. Cavalry) ; and James J.


KEEFER FAMILY.


The progenitor of this family came from Ger- many at an early day. We find several of the name in 1790 in Berks and Northampton coun- ties, one of whom was named George, who was born April 27, 1765, and died June 5, 1833, at Kreidersville, or Stone Church, Northampton Co. We also found record of Magdalena Keef- er, born Jan. 20, 1763, and died March 29, 1840, in the same locality as George Keefer, above mentioned.


Elias Keefer, a native of Northampton Co., was a soldier of the war of 1812. By occupation he was a farmer and blacksmith. He married Lydia Solt. Issue: Elizabeth, married Louis Guttendake; George; John; Joseph (history fol- lows) ; Samuel, and William.


JOSEPH KEEFER, son of Elias and Lydia (Solt) Keefer, was born April 9, 1844, in Allen town- ship, Northampton Co., Pa.


He was reared upon the home farm and his attendance at the public schools was very brief.


At the tender age of nine years he was en- gaged in boating on the Lehigh canal, continuing for four seasons, and after this for two years he assisted the farmers of his neighborhood in their work. At the age of fifteen he removed with his parents to North Whitehall township, Le- high county and learned of his father the trade of blacksmith. Before his apprenticeship was com- pleted, the Civil War being in progress, he en- listed as a private in the Sixteenth Penna. Cav- alry, continuing in the service until discharged, in August, 1865. He participated in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Petersburg and many others, together with a large number of skirmishes. He resumed his


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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.


trade in 1865 and was thus engaged for nearly seven years. In 1871 he secured employment at the Hokendauqua Furnace, where he remained for three years when he commenced mining iron ore, and later conducted a stone quarry, dispos- ing of the output to various cement companies. He was very successful in all his business ven- tures and as his resources increased he purchased two farms and made judicious investments in real estate. He also became a large stockholder and a director in the Cement National Bank at Siegfrieds, Pa. In politics, Mr. Keefer was a Republican; in religion he was a member, elder and trustee of the Egypt Reformed church. He was a member of the G. A. R. at Catasauqua and of the Veterans' League of Allentown.


Joseph Keefer married, in 1866, Miss Mary Kleckner, daughter of William and Clarissa Kleckner, of Lehigh Co .; born near Egypt, Aug. 24, 1845. Mrs. Keefer was one of a family of eight children. Unto Joseph and Mary K. Keefer were born six children, viz: John H., Joseph E., and Samuel L., all deceased; George W .; Sarah A .; Mary A. George W., born Sept. 7, 1866, married Miss Ida Woodring. Issue: Florence T., Joseph F., Alice, William E., and Bessie. Sarah A., born Aug, 20, 1868, married Rev. A. J. L. Breinig. Issue : Benjamine E., Cla- rissa A., Margaret A., and three others deceased. Mary A. Keefer, born Aug. 5, 1873, married David Lindaman. Issue: two children, both de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Keefer also had an adopted son, Alfred, born Aug. 3, 1882, who became at an early age connected with the Ce- ment National Bank, of Siegfrieds, Pa.


GEORGE W. KEEFER, son of Joseph and Mary (Kleckner) Keefer, was born on Sept. 7, 1866. He received his education in the public schools of Coplay, Muhlenberg College, and Blackman's Business College, at Allentown. His business training he received under his father's instruc- tions. In 1897 he was admitted into partnership with his father in quarrying stones for the Ameri- can Cement Company. This business relation continued until his father's death in 1903, when he assumed the entire business and continued until 1912, when the cement company went into re- ceiver's hands.


In 1886, Mr. Keefer married Ida M. Wotring, and they had the following children : Florence T., born Nov. 26, 1886, a graduate of the K. S. N. S. She has taught a number of terms in the pub- lic schools of Whitehall township; Joseph F., born Sept. 27, 1889, a graduate of Whitehall township high school, and Franklin and Marshall Academy; Alice C., born Aug. 28, 1893, a grad- uate of Whitehall township high school ; William E., born Nov. 12, 1896, a graduate of the White-


hall township high school in 1913; Bessie M., born June 17, 1900, died Oct. 1, 1907.


Mr. Keefer and family are members of the Reformed church at Egypt, in which church he has filled the office of treasurer. He is a member of the following secret organizations: P. O. S. of A., I. O. of R. M., and the B. P. O. of E.


KEIM FAMILY.


Few American families can trace their lineage through as many centuries as the Keim family of Eastern Pennsylvania. An ancient manuscript in the German language brought to America by Johannes Keim in 1706, and held as a priceless heirloom, refers to the family as belonging to one of the oldest and most noted of the German no- bility and already famed in the year 1020 A. D.


The first of the family was Gottschalck Keim who was in the aforesaid year ( 1020) advanced to knightly and courtly position by the German King Conrad II and invested with the castle and possession of Gerolsek; not far distant from Strassburg. The cause of such preferment is un- known, the king only mentioned the aforesaid Gottschalk in the feudal record of his extra- ordinary love and fidelity. He married at Ger- odlsek, Elgith von Wartensleben and died 1075 A. D .; leaving two sons-Hinkmer and Theo- dabart Keim.


The ruins of Geroldsek are yet visible in the Vosges mountains at the entrance to the Taberner Senke defile of which the castle was a defense. A huge tower one-half preserved and an extensive "Rittersaal" or "Knights Hall" are still traceable. It commands a fine view of the Vosges and plain of the Rhine. The manuscript continues down to the Thirty Years' war and thirty years after when the name still survives in Speier north- west of the ancient family seat. From that same region, Ludwig Hericourt Keim served as an officer in the thirty years' war ( 1618-1648) in the army of Bernhard, Grand Duke of Saxe Wei- mar, who succeeded to the command upon the death of Gustavus Adolphus and who in 1738 won a signal victory over the imperial forces at Remfelden, and the following year captured the strong fortress of Breisach.


Twelve years later the young hero Ludwig Hericourt took unto himself a bride. To her was given a "Schatzkätchen" (Jewelry case) with the following inscription: "Anno Domini MDCLX, Ludwig Hericourt and Bertha Keim, Hondgraffschaft, Elsaas" with the motto beneath,


"Ich liebe doch in aller still,


Einen schatz den ich nur will."


"I love, in secret to acquire, A treasure I alone desire."


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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


Ludwig H. and Bertha Keim left two sons; George and Joseph, merchants residing near Speyer, in the direction of Landau. George had a son, Johannes, who in turn left a son Johannes, who after the French army had devastated the Palatinate came with his bride, Katharine De Lurch, settled in Oley, Berks county, in 1706. They brought the ancient manuscript and the trinket casket across the Atlantic and from then


kin Johannes Keim to the Land of the Penn's among whom was Johannes and Maria Keim. One of their sons, Johannes, was born in Ger- many, July 20, 1754, and died on August 9, 1815, and was buried at Shoenersville church. Henry Keim, son of Johannes, a laborer, resided near Altenau where his remains lie buried. He had issue : Samuel ; Joseph ; Sara, married to Zerfass and another daughter, name unknown,


DR. CHARLES J. KEIM.


they have handed down from generation to gener- ation as a priceless heritage. The casket was re- cently presented by Miss Harriet V. DeBenneville Keim to the Museum of the National Society of the D. A. R., Washington, D. C. From Johannes and Katherine Keim, descended a long line of military officers, statesmen, journalists and busi- ness men.


Other members of the family followed their


who together with her husband migrated to Michigan. Samuel Keim was a blacksmith and farmer. He lived for many years near Shimers, but later operated a farm near Shoenersville, where his ashes repose. He was married to Caro- line Jacoby. They had four children: Cyrus, Samuel, Ambrose and Asher. Of these, Cyrus was born'in 1841. He resides on a farm in Han- over township since 1892. In politics he is a


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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.


Democrat and at present is the tax collector for the township. He and his family are members of the Shoenersville Reformed congregation, of which he is an elder. He is married to Anna Laubach and has these children: Anna, the wife of H. A. Benner; Samuel; Sarah, the wife of James Heckman; and Bertha, married to Walter Huver.


Valentine Keim, son of Jacob of the above line, was a farmer and lived in east Allen township. He died in 1817, aged 33 years and was buried at the Dryland (Hecktown) church, where he was a member of the Lutheran congregation. His wife, Mary, nee Mertz, died in 1867. They had one son, Leopold, and one daughter, Mary, who was married twice. The first time to John Kel- ler and the second time to Peter Cole.




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