History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 29

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 29


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Solomon was born Oct. 29, 1816, in Heidel- berg township. During his boyhood days he attended school at the Union Church, which re- quired a daily walk of four miles. He early sought employment as a boatman on the Lehigh and Delaware Canals, and continued thus en- gaged for six successive seasons, after which his attention was diverted to the pursuits of a farmer. In 1842 he purchased the hotel and store at Unionville, and managed both for two years, when he resumed again the labor of the farm. The same year Mr. Boyer erected a hotel and


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store at Rockdale Station, North Whitehall town- ship, where he became landlord, merchant, and postmaster. In 1857 he purchased the East Penn Furnace, which was sold after an ownership of six years. After an active business life extending over a period of many years, he sold the property at Rockdale Station and retired to his comfort- able home in Allentown. Mr. Boyer was mar- ried, Oct. 29, 1843, to Miss Lucy Ann, daughter of John Miller, of North Whitehall township, whose birth occurred March 11, 1825. Their children are: Flora E. (Mrs. John H. Beck), Anna Maria (Mrs. E. R. Newhard), John P. (married to Miss Lydia Hunsicker ), Amandus O. (married to Miss Ella Kern), James Oliver (deceased), Agnes M., Ida R., Lillie C., and Sallie J.


He was a director of the Allentown National Bank and of the Carbon Manufacturing Co., and devoted some time to real estate.


Amandus O., while superintending the work- ing of what is known at the Henninger iron-ore bed, in North Whitehall township, was instantly killed by a cave-in. He was at the time man- aging a pumping donkey at the bottom of the pit. Mr. Boyer in addition to his furnace interests, was for many years engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate. He continued these opera- tions on his removal to Allentown, and also be- came owner of various iron-ore beds, which he still continues to work. In October, 1869, Mr. Boyer, his son, John and his son-in-law John H. Beck started with several hundred hands for Texas, where he graded five miles of the Mem- phis, El Paso and Pacific Railroad, after which he removed to Arkansas, and graded eight miles of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad.


WILLIAM H. BOYER, farmer of South White- hall, was born near Rockdale, Oct. 20, 1854. He received his education in the public schools of his native place, the schools in Allentown and the Allentown Business College. He stayed with his parents on the farm until 1871 when they moved to Allentown. For several years he worked at the cigar maker trade. In 1876 he became associated with his father in managing ore beds at Trexlertown, Guths Station, Shoen- ersville, Lehigh Mountains and Hecktown. He began his family life near Trexlertown and in 1878 he moved to Henningers ore bed and in 1880 he moved to Allentown. In 1884 he moved to South Whitehall where he and his father pur- chased the Daniel App farm of 98 acres. Here he has resided ever since with the exception of six years during which time they lived in Allentown. For twenty years Mr. Boyer sold fertilizers being one of the first fertilizer salesmen of this section.


In politics he is a Democrat and in 1911 he was elected Road Commissioner. He is a member of Salems Reformed church in Allentown. In 1876 he was married to Mary A. Herman a daughter of Joseph and Rufena ( Herring) Herman. Their children are as follows: Bessie J., widow of George S. Peters who was killed on the trolley road in the South Allentown bridge in 1907. Is- sue : Miriam L .; Lucy R. (a graduate of the K. S. N. S. 1898, married to Howard Kramlich, of Siegfried. Issue : William B .; Miriam S., a grad- uate of the Allentown High School 1903; Solo- man J., a graduate of the Allentown High School 1903, and Muhlenberg College 1907, now teach- ing in South Whitehall township; Annie H., married to Dill J. Albright, of Allentown; Wil- liam H., a graduate of the Allentown Prepara- tory School and for two years a student in Muh- lenberg College; Christine R., a graduate of the Allentown High School 1908.


After achieving financial success, he removed to Allentown, purchasing a commodious home, devoting some time to buying and selling real estate.


He was a Democrat and a member of the Re- formed church, and was an elder and treasurer thereof. He died Feb. 17, 1897, and Mrs. Boyer died Oct. 25, 1901.


JOHN P. BOYER, son of Solomon and Lucy A. (Miller) Boyer, was born May 25, 1850, in Whitehall township, Lehigh county. He ac- quired his education at the public schools, Kings- ton Normal School and Business College.


In 1869 he accompanied his father to the south, and assisted in grading for railroads, in Texas and Arkansas. He returned to Allentown in 1870, engaging in the manufacture of cigars; was treasurer of the Allentown Axle Works for some time. He operated the Eagle Hotel for eight years, retiring in 1893.


In his active life he was prominent in the af- fairs of the city, but never sought office. He was a Democrat; very domestic and devoted to home and family ; a member of Salem Reformed church.


He married, Nov. 15, 1873, Lydia Hunsicker, daughter of John and Polly (Kistler ) Hunsicker (John being one of sixteen children of Peter Hunsicker, who was an extensive farmer in Lynn township. He died, aged 86 years). The chil- dren were: Allen J., married Lizzie Acker; Edna M., married Dr. Harry Snyder ; and Stan- ley S., of whom below.


Stanley S. Boyer, son of John P. and Lydia (Hunsicker) Boyer, was educated in the public schools. He is mail carrier and resides with his father on South Tenth street.


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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


ALLEN JOHN BOYER, son of John P. and Lydia (Hunsicker) Boyer, was born July 16, 1874, in Allentown. He was educated in the public schools and Dorney's Business College. His first employment was as a stenographer in the office of the Hart Steamship Co., at Philadel- phia. He next returned to Allentown, and was employed in various clerical capacities and is now the financial secretary of the Clover Club of Allentown. In politics he is a Democrat. In re- ligion a member of Salem Reformed Church.


In 1900 he married Lizzie Acker, daughter of Oscar Acker, of Allentown.


GEORGE E. BOYLE.


George Emmett Boyle, real estate and insur- ance agent, of Allentown, was born in the city, Sept. 10, 1880. He was educated in the common schools, high school, and American Commercial School, where he took a course in stenography. He was employed as a stenographer in Philadel- phia for one year, after which he returned to Allentown, and opened a laundry at 307 North Second street. He subsequently turned the busi- ness over to his brother Joseph, and accepted a position as stenographer in the L. V. R. R. Com- pany general offices in South Bethlehem, where he remained seven years. He then studied law for over a year with C. R. James, Esq., and in 1903 opened a real estate and insurance office at 822 Hamilton street and a branch office at 228 Ridge avenue. He conducts an extensive real estate and rental business and at present is engaged in developing a tract of eighteen acres in the northern part of the Sixth ward, which he purchased from F. A. R. Baldwin, Esq. The tract furnishes an outlet for the present congested condition of the east end of the city, in the real estate of which section Mr. Boyle is especially interested.


He has been energetic and active in Demo- cratic politics and has served two terms on the Board of Control and two terms on the section school board. He is past president of the Knights of Columbus, A. O. of Hibernians, and the Tem- perance Society, and has been the representative of the Knights of Columbus at State and National conventions. He is an active worker in the Cath- olic Church and is president of the Holy Name Society. He married, in 1906, Catharine V., daughter of John and Catharine (Roddy) Kim- met. Mr. Kimmet was first mate on a merchant vessel and travelled all over the world. They had four children: George K., John G., Fran- cis, deceased, and James.


Mr. Boyle's father, Neil Boyle, son of George, was born in Glenties, County Donegal, Ireland. He came to America soon after his marriage and settled in Lehigh county, where he was an iron worker at blast furnaces and the Allentown Iron Company. He died at the age of 56 years, and is buried in the English Catholic cemetery, of which church he was a member. He married Annie Mundy, who died in December, 1912, aged 65 years. They had eleven children : Hugh, employed in the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia; Francis J .; Neil C .; George E .; Con. A .; Jos. M., deceased ; Annie T .; Mamie M., married Charles H. Houtz; Rita, John, and James, who died in infancy.


HENRY D. BRADER.


Mr. Brader's father, Lieut. Allen J., was born in Allentown, in 1835, attended its public schools, and belonged to Co. K, 54th Regt., Civil War Volunteers. He died Oct. 17, 1898, and is buried at Miller's church. He married Amanda M., daughter of Reuben and Mariana (Gross) New- hard, and they had two children: Henry D., the subject of this sketch, and Ellen, wife of Monroe Carl.


Henry D. Brader was born in Allentown, Aug. 11, 1859. He attended the public schools of Allentown, and Newark, N. J. He was first a cigarmaker, then a butcher, and for the last fourteen years has been conducting his own farm at Laury's.


In 1884, Mr. Brader married Alice, daughter of Samuel Miller and his wife, Mary Jane, nee Ritter. This happy union was blessed with five children : Estella J. (Mrs. Milton Strauss), Nellie I. (Mrs. Samuel Bibighaus), Samuel R., Ralph A., and Iva M. E.


Mr. Brader is a Democrat and has served six years as school director and three years as asses- sor. For fourteen years he has been either a deacon or elder of the Reformed congregation at Miller's.


EDWIN A. BREGENZER.


Gottlieb Friederich Bregenzer was born April 28, 1827, at Schorndorf, in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany. In the year 1866 he emigrated to Pennsylvania and for two years he lived in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, Pa., where he helped to dig a large tunnel. In 1869 he came to Allentown, and being a "blaster" by ex- perience, he accepted a position as foreman in a stone quarry in Hanover township. He re-


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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.


sided at Rittersville for a number of years and there he died, April 24, 1905. His death was due to cancer and he was bedfast for four weeks.


On July 4, 1868, he married Waldburga Koenig, who was born Feb. 28, 1842, and she departed this life, June 30, 1899. They are buried on the family plot at Rittersville. Two sons were born to them, to wit: William H., born May 12, 1874. He is married to Emma Gehman, and they reside at Coopersburg; and Edwin A.


EDWIN A. BREGENZER, of Rittersville, is a silk manufacturer and real estate operator. He was born in Hanover township, Lehigh county, Aug. 11, 1876. At the age of thirteen years he began working in a silk mill at Bethlehem. In 1899 he was made a loom fixer and shortly aft- erward was promoted to be foreman of the night shift, a position he served for three years, then he became the day foreman. Two and one-half years later, in 1906, the firm of Klotz and Breg- enzer was established which became the first in- dustry at Rittersville. In 1910, Mr. Bregenzer erected his fine residence in Rittersville. He and family are active members of the Lutheran con- gregation at Rittersville.


Edwin A. Bregenzer was married Sept. 9, 1899, to Miss Hattie S. Hoehle, a daughter of Thomas and Augusta (Flores) Hoehle, of Rit- tersville. Unto them is born a son-Raymond M. Bregenzer.


BREISCH FAMILY.


The Breisch family came to this country from Germany, and has been resident here for some generations.


Thomas Breisch was for many years foreman in a brick factory. Later he was employed as a motorman for the Lehigh Valley Traction Com- pany, and then entered the employ of the Spangler Machine and Foundry Company. He is now living retired at No. 637 William street, South Allentown. He married Sarah, a daugh- ter of Jonathan and Catherine (Bartholomew) Rinker, and they had children: Ella; Howard William, of further mention; Charles; Sallie; Alfred ; Anna; Harrison ; Katie; William; Car- rie.


Howard William, son of Thomas and Sarah (Rinker) Breisch, was born in Allentown, Jan. 28, 1876. He had but very limited opportunities for acquiring an education, only attending the public schools until he was eight years of age, then found employment in the Saylor Brick Works, where he worked eight and a half years. He was in the Allentown Rolling Mills but a


short time when he entered the employ of the Le- high Valley Traction Company, as a laborer for two years. One and a half years were then spent in the employ of the Sensenbeck Brick Yard, and he has now been with the Dorney Furniture Com- pany for the past sixteen years. He went there as a laborer, rose to the position of fireman, and was advanced to that of engineer in 1906. He is a Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F., and of several other fraternal orders. Mr. Breisch married, in 1895, Emma, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Moser) Stein, and they had children: Lillian ; Ruth ; Walter ; Stanley ; Aureada ; Clara; Forest J., died in July, 1913; and James, died in infancy. The family attend Christ Reformed church.


BREINIG FAMILY.


George Ludwig Breinig, the ancestor of this family, was born in Germany, Jan. 31, 1733, and came to America on the ship Lydia, arriving at Philadelphia on Oct. 13, 1749. He settled in Weisenberg township, Lehigh county, where he farmed a tract of land and where he was assess- ed nine pounds tax in 1762. He had a brother, Philip, born in 1730, who came to America on Oct. 4, 1752, and who also lived in Weisen- berg, where he was a sponsor in 1757, and who, on Sept. 1, 1757, enlisted as a private in Capt. Jacob Wetherhold's company of rangers in the French and Indian War.


George Ludwig Breining resided in Weisen- berg township until May 10, 1771, when he purchased from Peter and Catharine Trexler for 700 pounds a tract of 100 acres and a stone dwelling-house in Macungie township, situate on what was then called "the great road leading to Philadelphia." He added to this tract by the purchase of additional land and resided there un- til his death. He was one of the judges of elec. tion at Allentown, on July 8, 1776, when dele- gates to the first constitutional convention of the state were elected. In the War of the Rev- olution he was colonel of the Second Battalion of Northampton county militia, as shown by mus- ter rolls dated May 21, 1777 and May 14, 1778. On Nov. 5, 1777, his battalion is mentioned in service at Billingsport. In 1786, he was commis- sioned a justice of the district of Macungie and Weisenberg townships. He died May 12, 1812, and is buried at Lehigh church. His wife, Chris- tina, was born July 8, 1734, and died Oct. 31, 1816. They had seven children : Christina, born 1760; Susanna, born 1762; George, born 1765; Jacob, born 1767 ; Peter, born 1771; Mary, born 1773; and Rosina, born 1777.


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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


George Breinig, the eldest son, was born June 7, 1764, and died April 20, 1823. He married Anna Elizabeth Egner, who was born Nov. 4, 1767, and died Nov. 4, 1848. He received the old homestead which he farmed until his death. He had four children, three sons, and one daugh- ter. His son, George Breinig, removed to Al- len township, Northampton county, in 1832, where he purchased the Beisel farm of 254 acres. Among his children was Simon Breinig, born Oct. 29, 1827, who bought his father's farm in 1862, the greater part of which is now cut into building lots at North Catasauqua. Simon Brein- ig was married, in 1861, to Eliza C. Dech. He died Dec. 7, 1905, and left one son, Joseph S. G. Breinig. Jesse Breinig, another son of George, Jr., had two daughters, one of whom died young, and the other, Susan, married Dr. David O. Mosser and had three children, Olivia, Ida, and Hannah, who married Dr. Belden, of Ak- ron, Ohio.


Benjamin Breinig, son of George, Jr., was born in Upper Macungie township, Dec. 6, 1793. In 1819, he removed to Whitehall township and purchased a 109-acre farm, west of Egypt, sub- sequently enlarged by additional purchases, to 250 acres in what is now the center of the cement belt. This farm had for almost a hundred years been owned by the Burkhalter family and is now owned by the Lehigh Portland Cement Company. He was a prosperous and substantial farmer and a member of the Egypt Lutheran church, where he held office and was buried. He died April 16, 1879. His wife, Esther Cope, was born in Montgomery county in 1802, and died in 1879. They had three children, Edwin L., Francis, and Clinton.


Edwin L. Breinig was born June 8, 1826, and spent his boyhood days upon the farm and in the schools of the township. He became a farmer and cultivated his fine farm of 88 acres until 1884, when he removed to a house he had erect- ed, now owned by his eldest son. In politics he was a Democrat and was school director some years. He was a member of the Lutheran con- gregation at Egypt, where he served as deacon, elder, and trustee. He died March 6, 1903. Mr. Breinig married Catharine Schwartz, daugh- ter of John and Hannah (Keck) Schwartz. They had ten children: Oliver B., Ida, who died at the age of twelve years Rev. Alfred J. L .; Lillian ; Clinton, who died young; Cora, wife of Oscar Kuhns; Laura; Ada, wife of Rev. Albert Lobach; Preston H .; and Gertrude, who died young.


OLIVER B. BREINIG, eldest son of Edwin L., was born April 24, 1857. He was reared upon the farm and educated in the public schools. In


1884 he began farming the homestead of 88 acres, upon which he has made many improvements, and which is now-a valuable property. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and has been a school di- rector for twelve years, holding the offices, at various times of president, secretary, and treasur- er of the school board. He was also a township commissioner and school tax collector. He is an active member of the Egypt Lutheran congrega- gation, of which he has been deacon, elder, and trustee. Mr. Breinig married, Nov. 1, 1883, Ida H., daughter of Abraham and Maria (Erd- man) Mickley. They had two children: Edwin A., of Egypt, who married Emma Ludkie, and Raymond F., a graduate of the Whitehall town- ship high school, class of 1912. One son, Harry, died in infancy.


Rev. Alfred J. L. Breinig, son of Edwin L., was educated at Kutztown Normal School and Muhlenberg College, where he graduated in 1884, after which he attended Mt. Airy Sem- inary, from which he graduated in 1887. He became pastor of the Lutheran congregations at Trevorton and Augustaville and later at Bow- man's, where he remained thirteen years; also serving the congregations at East Penn, Forest, and Albrightsville. Having been stricken with paralysis, he resigned his pastorate and removed to Allentown, where he died six days after his removal to the city, on April 8, 1906, aged 45 years. He married Sarah Keefer, and had three children : Benjamin E., Clarissa H., and Mar- garet M.


PRESTON H. BREINIG, youngest son of Edwin L., a native of Whitehall township, was educated in the schools of Egypt, the Keystone State Nor- mal School, graduating in 1891, and Muhlenberg College, from which he graduated in 1896, sub- sequently receiving the degree of A.M. He specialized in mathematics, began teaching in 1891, and for the past ten years has been prin- cipal of the Whitehall township high school. He is a member of the Lutheran congregation at Egypt and has been for some years superintend- ent of the Sunday school. He is also a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America.


Francis Breinig, second son of Benjamin, was born Oct. 27, 1828, and died Jan. 31, 1896. He was a farmer and married Mary Laubach. They had no children.


Clinton Breinig, third son of Benjamin, was born April 15, 1831. He and his brother, Fran- cis, owned 160 acres of their father's land, now owned by the Lehigh Portland Cement Com- pany. He cultivated this land about thirty years. when he retired and moved to Egypt, where he died June 25, 1900. He married Amanda Erd- man and had five children: Maggie and Frank,


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deceased ; Lewis C .; Minnie and Claude C. Lew- is C. and Claude C. are letter carriers in the Allentown postoffice. Claude C. married Miss Daisy Glose and has three children: Paul, Na- omi, and Clifford.


Jacob Breinig, second son of Col. George Lud- wig Breinig, was born May 27, 1767, and died March 16, 1823. He became the owner of about 20 acres near Breinigsville, where he built a house about 1810 and a barn in 1814, which


May 19, 1793, and died March 12, 1836. He married Clarissa Strock and had children: John Lewis; Reuben H .; Maria, and Amanda, who died in childhood; Elemina, wife of Solomon Bachman, and Anna Eliza, who is now 85 years of age, is the widow of Benjamin Stettler, and resides at Allentown. The widow of John Brein- ig subsequently married Isaac Larash.


JOHN LEWIS BREINIG, a son of John, was born near Emaus, June 4, 1827. He died on Ascen-


JOHN LEWIS BREINIG.


are still standing. He was a member of the Lutheran congregation at Lehigh church, where he was a deacon and elder. He married Bar- bara Butz, who was born Jan. 10, 1769, and died Dec. 30, 1851. They had seven children : John; William, who died, aged 20 years; Jona- than; Jacob; Elizabeth, wife of Nathan Grim; Hettie, wife of Jacob Shimer, and Maria, wife of Solomon Fogel.


John Breinig, eldest son of Jacob, was born


sion Day, May 27, 1897, on the Lehigh moun- tain, while out gathering ferns, while a resident at Allentown. His last words were: "Please do not disturb me, I am going home." He is buried on Fairview Cemetery. When a young man he had learned the trade of merchant tailor- ing with H. Leh, at Allentown, and later became associated with him in business. Afterward Mr. Breinig and Valentine Neligh formed a partner- ship under the firm name of Neligh & Breinig,


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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


and located at the corner of Church and Hamil- ton streets, conducting a successful merchant tail- oring and clothing establishment for several years. Later H. M. Leh purchased the interests of Mr. Neligh and the firm then became known as Brein- ig & Leh. At a later date John Lewis Brein- ig, Henry M. Leh, and Hiram Leh formed a partnership and conducted business as H. Leh & Company, adding the wholesale shoe business. This firm conducted a large clothing and shoe manufacturing business at the old stand of H. Leh & Co. During the panic of 1873 they dis- solved partnership and Mr. Breinig and H. M. Leh continued the clothing business under the firm name of Breinig & Leh. This firm consti- tuted the pioneer clothing house of the city and from it originated the firms of Koch Bros., and Koch & Shankweiler.


Frank W. Koch, the organizer of Koch Bros., was a clerk and learned the clothing busi- ness with this well-established and reliable house. Wilson Shankweiler was also connected with this firm as a cutter for many years, and then became a member of the firm of Koch & Schank- weiler.


John Lewis Breinig was married (first) to Pauline Bachman, born June 30, 1834, died on July 4, 1888. They had five children, namely: Amelia, married to H. S. Rice, of Millville, N. J .; Alfred W., of Allentown; George F., his- tory follows; Louisa A., married to Wesley Har- per, of Allentown ; Annie M., married to Irwin Moyer, manager of a large wholesale drug es- tablishment at Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Breinig married (second) Mary Anna Faust, who died July 11, 1895, aged 48 years. She had been the widow of Thomas Faust.


GEORGE E. BREINIG, a leading business man, clothier, and bank director of Allentown, was born Dec. 3, 1859, in Allentown. He was ed- ucated in the public schools of the city and later was graduated from the Allentown Business Col- lege. At the age of seventeen years he learned merchant tailoring and cutting and in the cen- tennial year (1876) he began working at the trade with Breinig & Leh. He continued in the employ of this firm until the retirement of his father, which was due to ill health, and the firm became known as H. M. Leh & Co. Mr. Breinig continued with H. M. Leh & Co. as chief cutter until 1888, when he and A. P. Bach- man, ( for many years connected with the Allen- town National Bank), formed a partnership and adopted the firm name of Breinig & Bachman and occupied the old "Democrat Building," lo- cated at 632 Hamilton street. They continued business at this place until 1891, and then pur- chased the building then known as the "Pretz


Building," from the Allentown National Bank and erected the first "B. & B. Building," which stood until Friday, Oct. 13, 1893, when a dis- astrous fire totally destroyed this and three other buildings, incurring a loss of $250,000. A week following this disastrous fire the firm of Brein- ig & Bachman again resumed business at 632 Hamilton street and continued there until the fall of 1894, when they erected the five-story building, of dimensions 40 x 113 feet, at Sixth and Hamilton streets. This firm employs forty- five people and is one of the largest and best es- tablished houses in the Lehigh Valley. During their career the firm erected fifty-five residences in this city and is one of the most progressive and public spirited business houses of Allen- town.




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