History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 4

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 4

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5. "I give and bequeath unto my son William, 400 pounds.

6. "I give and devise unto my daughter, Cath- arine, now the wife of Christopher Schatzberger, the one-half of the undivided plantation whereon she now dwells, which is my share of such plan- tation."

7. "I give and devise unto my daughter, Anna Maria, now the wife of Jacob Felmly, the sum of 243 pounds."

8. "I give and devise unto my daughter, Bar- bara, now the wife of John Zwally, the sum of 243 pounds."

The will follows:

In the name of God, Amen, I John Arbogast of Penn township, in the County of Northumberland, and State of Pennsylvania. Being weak in body but

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

of sound and understanding mind, memory and under- standing blessed be God for the same, but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit :- Principally and first of all I commend my immortal soul into the hands of God who gave it to me, and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner, at the direction of my executors hereinafter named, and as to such worldly estate wherein it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give and dispose of the same in the following manner, to wit: First, I order that my executors shall pay all my funeral expenses as soon as possible and payable my just debts. I give and devise unto my dear wife Catharine, out of my real and personal property estate during her natural life the room wherein we now dwell and she is to have her right in the kitchen and the one-third of the garden and the kitchen dresser and as much of the kitchen furniture as she shall want, and one cop- per kettle and one table, four chairs, two beds, one clock and case and her choice of the chests, and she may take two, one ten plate stove and pipe, and her wheel and reel and two milk cows, her choice; one testament and one hymn book, and the one-third of the cellar and two tubs, her choice; also a right to as many apples as she shall want and one hive of bees, her choice; and one-third of the fowls on the plantation where we now dwell. I give and devise unto my son, Nicholas Arbogast, the sum of four hundred pounds, lawful money of the State of Penn- sylvania, which he hath already received from me. I give and devise unto my son, Peter Arbogast, the plantation whereon he now lives for which he shall pay out one hundred pounds of lawful money of the State aforesaid, unto my hereinafter named heirs. I give and devise unto my two sons, John and Ludwig Arbogast, the plantation whereon they now dwell, which I will and order shall be equally divided be- tween the said John and Ludwig, beginning on the Chestnut Ridge, a corner of said land and Jacob Moyer's land, thence in a strict line to the road to the line of said land and John Motz's land, except a piece of meadow ground of five acres to be the same more or less which would come within the aforesaid, John's line bordering on the public road leading through said John's land to the town of Middleburg, and my son John shall allow my aforesaid son Lud- wig, a road threw his land to the aforesaid meadow. I will and order that my aforesaid son, John, shall pay out of his estate of land unto my heirs herein after named the sum of three hundred and fifty pounds lawful money of the State of Pennsylvania. I hereafter shall direct; and I will and order that my son, Ludwig, shall pay out of his share of land unto my hereinafter named heirs, the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds of lawful money of the State of Pennsylvania, as I hereafter shall direct. I give and bequeath to my son, William Arbogast, four hundred pounds like lawful money as aforesaid.

I will and order that the money that my son, William, hath already received from me shall be in part of the said four hundred pounds and the balance of the four hundred pounds sl all be paid as I here- inafter direct. I give and devise unto my daughter, Catharine, now the wife of Christopher Schatzberger, the one-half of the undivided plantation whereon she now dwells, which is my share of said plantation. I give and devise unto my daughter, Anna Maria, now the wife of Jacob Felmly, the sum of 243 pounds, lawful money aforesaid. I will and order that it shall be paid her as I shall hereafter direct,

first deducting out of said sum what she or Felmly have already received. I give and devise unto my daughter, Barbara, now the wife of John Zwally, the sum of 243 pounds, like money aforesaid, I will and order shall be paid her as I shall hereinafter direct, first deducting out of said sum that she or Zwally have already received. I will and order that my son Peter pay or cause to be paid the aforesaid sum of one hundred pounds unto three of my aforesaid heirs, William, Anna Maria, and Barbara or their survivors of them, in yearly payments, that is to say, fifteen pounds yearly until the said 100 pounds are fully paid each.

(Here follows at length how more money shall be paid by the various heirs.)

And as touching all the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate I will and order that my here- inafter named executors shall take an inventory and expose the same to public sale as soon as they can after my disease, and the money now in my hands and the money standing out shall by my executors be applied toward pattening the land that I have be- queathed to my two sons, John and Ludwig, and then, if there is any money left in their hands they shall put it on interest, and the interest shall be paid to my wife, Catharine, as long as she lives and after her death I order that my executors shall sell by pub- lic sale the personal estate now let my wife Catharine and the money arising from sale and all other moneys of my estate I order shall be equally divided between my five sons and three daughters, and lastly I nom- inate and appoint my two sons, John and Ludwig Arbogast, both of Penn Township in the county aforesaid, to be the executors of my last will and testament.

In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 15 day of April, 18II. Witness : John Moatz,

Nich. Roth (or Rath)

Signed in German, Johannes Arbogast.

Probated May 14, 18II. Recorded in File 37, Will Book 2, pages 145, 146.

Peter Arbogast, the second son of Johannes, and the grandfather of Wilson Arbogast, was a farmer in Snyder county, Pennsylvania. He died about 1859, aged 80 years, and is buried at Grubb's church, of which he was a member of the Lutheran congregation. He was married twice. The first wife was Margaret Long, and their children were: Jonathan; John ; and Bar- bara, who was married to a Steffy. The chil- dren by his second wife were: Simon, Peter, and William.

John Arbogast, the second son of Peter, re- moved to the state of Indiana, and from there to California, where he died and is buried.

Simon Arbogast settled in Ohio.

Peter Arbogast remained in Snyder county, and was a farmer in the Flint Stone Valley.

William Arbogast lived at Freeburg, Snyder county, Pa.

Jonathan Arbogast, the oldest son of Peter, and the father of Wilson, of Allentown, was born in Washington township, Snyder county, on April 13, 1810. He was baptized on July 31st, of the same year, and his sponsors were Jonathan

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

and Catharine Long, probably his grandparents. His birth certificate is in possession of his son, Gustavus. There he owned and conducted a farm of 125 acres. He was a strong supporter of the free school system, serving as a school di- rector of his township for many years.

He married Catharine Busler, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Battorf) Busler. She was born in 1821, died in 1893. Mr. Arbogast died in July, 1883. They are buried in Freeburg, Pa. They had the following children: I. William, who died unmarried about 1859. 2. Jonathan B., married Julia Ann Riegel, and their children were: Mary, Alice, Catharine, and Maggie. 3. Wilson, history follows. 4. Henry, married Em- ma Kautz. They resided in the West. He died in 1907. They had three children. 5. John, married Amanda Kantz. They also reside in the West, and have three children. 6. Gustavus. 7. Mary, married Elmer Sechrist, and they have a son, Roy.

WILSON ARBOGAST.

The president of the packing house of Arbo- gast & Bastian, at Allentown, Pennsylvania, is Wilson Arbogast. He is a native of Freeburg, Snyder county, Pa., having been born in 1851, a son of Jonathan and Catharine ( Busler) Arbo- gast.

Wilson Arbogast enjoyed the best educational advantages, beginning in the public schools in his community, and pursuing advanved courses of study in a preparatory academy, after which he entered the Keystone State Normal School, grad- uating from that institution in 1875. He then taught school another term in Mahanoy town- ship, Northumberland county, having taught there four terms altogether. In the year 1876, he removed to Martin's Creek, Northampton county, where he continued the profession of teaching in a most satisfactory manner, and dur- ing the same period of time, Mr. Arbogast con- ducted a general merchandise store at the same place. In 1882, he disposed of his stock of goods, and for the following three years he carried on a provision business in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. In 1887, he formed an association with Morris C. Bastian, under the firm name of Arbogast & Bastian, which organization was the foundation of the present house of Arbogast & Bastian Com- pany, at Allentown. The success which attended the efforts of this concern bespeak high merit both for Mr. Arbogast and his congenial associ- ate, Mr. Bastian. This firm not only erected a monumental business but they also created the trade for it. The reputation of this house is not limited to the confines of its own state. The su-

VOL. II-2

perior product of the Arbogast & Bastian Com- pany is sold in all the large cities of the East.

During his entire career, Mr. Arbogast has maintained a reputation and character that is beyond reproach. He and family are members of the Lutheran Church. His fraternal connections are with the Masonic Lodge, having membership in Barger Lodge, No. 333, F. & A. M., at Allen- town. In politics he is a Republican. He has served as a school director for two years in the First ward, also for a like term of years he was a councilman. After his removal to No. 217 North Fourth street, Fifth ward, he served that district in the school board for 2 years, and in 19II, under the new school code, he was one of the nine men to be elected for a term of six years, from a large list of candidates as a school controller of the city of Allentown. He is now (1914) the vice-president of the board.

In 1876, he was married to Emily Haas, daugh- ter of Charles and Mary (Rinn) Haas. They have the following children: I. Porter B., born at Martin's Creek, Pa. He graduated from the Allentown high school, and then spent two years in study abroad, during which time he received masterly instruction upon the violin, in Liege, Belgium, and at the time of his death in 1907, he was manager of the company's branch at Read- ing. His age was but 31 years. His widow, Sadie H., nee Hartner, and two children, Emily and Frederick, suvive him. They live at No. 2II North Fourth street, Allentown. 2. Elsie B., is the wife of Elwood J. Faust, who occupies and cultivates the Arbogast farm of 113 acres, situated near Easton, Pa. They have the follow- ing children: Wilson, Donald, and Caroline. 3. Gustavus, who died at the age of fourteen years. 4. Mary Catharine, is married to Perry H. Rahn, connected with the Arbogast & Bastian Com- pany. They have three children : Mary, Richard, and Douglass. 5. Arthur, who is a student at the Medico Chirurgical College, Philadelphia.

GUSTAVUS ARBOGAST.

Gustavus Arbogast, the sixth son of Jonathan, was born Jan. 27, 1858. He attended the schools in Washington township, and there he followed farming until in 1886, when he removed to Free- burg, Pa., where he lived until his removal to Allentown in 1892. He has since been employed by Arbogast & Bastian, at Allentown.

On July 1, 1883, he married Lydia, a daughter of Samuel and Amelia (Jarrett) Hendricks, of Snyder county. They have the following chil- dren: 1. William, married to Iva Conrad. They reside at Allentown and have two children. 2. Mary, married to Rev. E. O. Marks, a Reformed minister, located at Johnstown, Pa. 3. Lester

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

C., married to Mabel Bower. They live at Al- lentown. 4. Elwood, died aged eleven years.

ARNER FAMILY.

(1) Johan Ulrich Arner, from the Palati- nate, emigrated to America on the ship Mer- cury, which arrived at Philadelphia May 29, 1735. This early pioneer was born in 1693, be- ing 42 years old when he landed in this country. He was accompanied by his wife, Verona, and four children: Verona, aged 9; Felix, aged 7; Hans Ulrich, aged 5; and Margaret, aged 4. On July 24, 1737, the records of the Goshen- hoppen Reformed church mention the baptism of Anna Catharine, daughter of Ulrich and Verona Arner. After a lapse of five years, namely, on Sept. 19, 17:42, a son, Heinrich was baptized by Rev. Wuertz.

(1) Johan Ulrich Arner in 1746 was one of the founders of the Heidelberg Church located in the upper part of what is now Lehigh county, and contributed to its erection. On Feb. 27, 1744, he secured a warrant for 105 acres of land located along the Jordan creek in North White- hall township, and on May 26, 1751, a second warrant for 25 acres. About the year 1750 he sold a tract of nearly 400 acres in the former township to Michael Deiber. In the year 1762, the tax list of Heidelberg township shows that he paid a tax of five English pounds.

(2) Felix Arner was born Jan. 14, 1726, and died in the vicinity of the Egypt church, where he is also buried, on Feb. 20, 1776. On Oct. 18, 1752, he secured a warrant for 25 acres of land, and on Jan. 28, 1771 another for 15 acres. His widow Elizabeth, later married Peter Anthony. (2) Felix and Elizabeth Arner had the following children: Jacob; Anna Mar- gareth, (m. John Kern) ; Susanna Margaret, (m. Jacob Berger) ; Catharine, (m. Jacob Hun- sicker) ; Elizabeth, (m. Daniel Rex) ; Margaret ; Salome; John; Felix; William; and Dorothea.

(3) William Arner, son of Felix, was born in what is now Lehigh county. Early in life he was a resident of Heidelberg township, and after his marriage to Magdalena Krum they removed to East Penn township, Carbon county, where he was a taxable in 1799. By occupation he was a farmer. He and his wife are buried at Bensa- lem Church, of which they were Reformed mem- bers. Their children were: John; Elizabeth, (b. March 29, 1793, a twin to John, m. Joseph Mertz) ; Henry; David; Joseph; Maria (m. Thomas Beltz) ; Molly (m. Adam Dreisbach) ; and Catharine (m. Daniel Gerber).

(4) John Arner was born in Heidelberg township, March 29, 1793, and moved with his parents to Carbon county. Later he came to South Whitehall township where he worked upon

a farm and married Sarah Diehl, born Feb. 17, 1792, a daughter of Jacob and Anna (Riebsam- min) Diehl. They continued to work and live upon the farm along the Jordan for several years. He then purchased a 16-acre tract of land in Upper Macungie, where his wife died March 13, 1878. He followed her in death a year later, on March 28, 1879. They are both buried at the Jordan Reformed Church, of which they were members, and of which he was a deacon and elder for many years. He was also a school director in Upper Macungie for a number of terms. By occupation he was a carpet-weaver, and also made linsey-woolsey.

(5) John and Sarah Arner had the following named children: Moses and Judith, who died young; Mary Anna, b. Dec. 16, 1823, (m. Peter Haas) ; Eliza, b. Dec. 2, 1825, (m. Tilghman Sell) ; Edward, b. Aug. 13, 1828. (Lived in Upper Macungie and later in South Whitehall. Was a carpenter and later farmer. His wife was Maria Anna Semmel. He died Jan. 12, 1899.) ; Sarah, b. July 2, 1830, (m. Henry M. Larosh) ; Lucy, (m. Edward Peter) ; Carolina, was a maiden lady; and Aaron.

(6) Aaron Arner born Feb. 9, 1837, resides near the Jordan creek in South Whitehall. As a boy he attended the common schools, and later learned his trade from his father, with whom he worked until he was 21, weaving carpets, linens and flannels. He then learned the car- penter trade, which he followed about 50 years, and during these years travelled many miles with his carpenter tools upon his back. He would frequently leave home on Monday morning at 3 o'clock, and walk from Upper Macungie to Catasauqua and Fullerton. In 1873 he pur- chased his present home in South Whitehall, to which belong nine acres. On this property is a large stone house that was built by Peter Sny- der in 1811. After his children were grown up and left home, he resumed weaving, so that he could remain near his cozy and well-managed home.

Aaron Arner, like his father, is a member of the Jordan Reformed church, which he has at various times served as deacon, elder and trustee. Earlier in life he and his family were members of the Morgenland Church, of whch he was also a deacon. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as school director and treasurer of South Whitehall. In 1863 he married Amanda Haas, daughter of Henry Haas, and they had these children: (7) Webster J .; Frank A .; Dr. Edgar W., (b. 1869, and d. 1894, at Fairview, Luzerne county, Pa., as the result of a railroad accident) ; and Lillie V., (m. Levi Ziegler, of Chapman's Station, Pa.).

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

(7) Frank Arner, of Allentown, was born in Upper Macungie, July 29, 1866. He received his early education in the township schools, select schools and also took a course in the Allentown Business College, from which he graduated. He taught school four terms in South Whitehall, and in 1888 accepted a clerical position in Allen- town. In 1906 he resigned his position and en- gaged in the business of wholesaling coffees, teas, rice, peanuts, etc., at 913 Linden Street.

Since 1889 Mr. Arner has been a member of Salem Reformed Church and from then until 1912 served as a teacher in the Sunday school, when he was elected one of the assistant super- intendents. He was also treasurer of the Sun- day school from 1896 until 1912. In 1894 he was elected a deacon of the church, which posi- tion he filled until 1900; and during these years was also financial secretary.

Fraternally he is a member of Livingstone Castle No. 258, K. G. E., and of Camp No. 196, P. O. S. of A.

In 1892 Mr. Arner married Alice E. Moyer, daughter of the late Henry L., and Eliza (Al- bright) Moyer, and they have three children: Marguerite A .; Anna M .; and Paul A.

(7) Webster J. Arner, also a son of Aaron, a citizen of Allentown, was born in Upper Ma- cungie March 1, 1864. He was educated in the public schools, and reared on the farm. He learned paper box manufacturing in Bingham- ton, N. Y., and was employed in that city seven years. He then started a plant of which he was given entire charge as general superintend- ent, for a large corporation, which position he held six years. In February, 1892, he came to Allentown and became manufacturing manager for M. H. Ryan and Company who employ about 60 people. He and family are members of the Presbyterian church.

Fraternally Mr. Arner is a member of the order of K. of F., Liberty No. 45 ; Lecha Tribe No. 185, I. O. R. M .; Maccabees, and the Modern Brotherhood of America. Politically he has served in the office of Trustee at McGraw, N. Y., which corresponds to councilman in Penn- sylvania. He married in 1885 Minnie Roen- crance, of Binghamton, N. Y., and their chil- dren are: Nina (m. Elwood L. Maloney, Phil- adelphia) and Lola.

(3) Henry Arner son of William, and grand- son of Felix, was born in Lehigh county, and while a child was taken with his parents to Car- bon county. In 1817 he first rented a farm in Mahoning township, and about 1820 opened a shoe factory. In 1832 he erected a powder mill, and was the first to manufacture powder in Eastern Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia.

His mill was accidentally blown up on three different occasions, resulting in the loss of five lives. One of these explosions which occurred on June 8, 1841, killed his brother Daniel. Fire falling out of an old "tallow dip" lamp such as were then in use, was the cause of one catas- trophe.

In addition to manufacturing powder Henry Arner operated a large farm, and was a man of more than common enterprise. He was a mem- ber of the German Reformed Church, and is buried at Becks Church in his native township. His first wife was Catharine Moyer, and they had six children: Ammon, Tilghman, Daniel, Eliza (m. Benjamin Koons), Louisa (m. Zach- ariah H. Long), and Abigail (m. first Mr. Hun- sicker and second Amos Riegel). Henry Arner married secondly Harriet Hainey and by her had seven children: Thomas J .; Henry B. Mc .; William J .; Joseph D .; Ellen K. (m. Charles F. Ross) ; Emily J. (m. Maurice Montz) ; and Sophia J., (m. first George Sig- len and second Joseph Turnbach).

(4) Ammon Arner, the second son of Henry, was born Feb. 2, 1822 in Mahoning township. He was actively engaged with his father in the manufacture of powder, and after the death of the latter conducted the business alone, in addi- tion to operating the homestead farm. In 1869 he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits at New Mahoning, continuing until 1894 when he sold out to hs son-in-law, Lewis J. Zimmer- man, and retired from active business. He was a Reformed member of Becks Church, which he served as deacon.

On April 18, 1848, Ammon Arner married Annie Beltz, daughter of John and Hannah (Hummel) Beltz, of Mahoning township. His death occurred in 1904, and his remains are buried at Becks Church. His wife died Nov. 17, 1901, aged 70 years. They had eleven children, as follows: John H .; Israel (died when a young man) ; Moses D. (in 1880 settled in Clay county, Kansas) ; Catharine J. (m. Lewis Zimmerman, of New Mahoning) ; Lillie A. (m. Rev. J. S. Heisler, a prominent minister of the East Penn- sylvania Conference of the United Evangelical Church, stationed at Sunbury, Pa., since 1911) ; and six children, deceased, of whom four died of diphtheria within a period of 13 days. Two of the latter were buried in one grave.

John H. Arner, of Allentown, Pa., is a native of Mahoning township, Carbon county, where he was born in 1849 and reared upon the farm. When 15 years old he began clerking in his father's store, which he managed for 14 years. For 20 years he was a travelling salesman, and in 1884 located in Allentown where he has since

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

resided. He filled a clerical position with T. J. Dunn & Co., who have a branch cigar factory in Allentown, and was their shipping clerk a number of years. Since 1911 he has been receiv- ing clerk for Hess Brothers. He was married in 1868 to Mary Wehr, daughter of Peter Wehr and his wife, Elizabeth Rauch, of Heidelberg township, Lehigh county, and they have three children : Calvin E .; Minnie (m. William Pas- coe of Wapwallopen, Pa.) ; and Luella (m. George Sell, of Allentown, Pa.).

CALVIN E. ARNER, Esq., of Allentown, is a native of Carbon county, and was born Oct. 7, 1869. He was educated in the Palatinate Col- lege Myerstown, Pa., and at Franklin and Mar- shall College, graduating from the latter insti- tution in 1890. He read law with the Honor- able Edward Harvey, now deceased, and on Sept. 13, 1893, was admitted to the bar. Latter he was admitted to practice before the higher courts of the state. He has offices at No. 610 Hamilton street. Mr. Arner is a staunch adher- ent of the principles of the Democratic party. From 1905 to 1911 he served as a member of the common council, being elected from the Fourth ward, and in September, 1913, under the commis- sion form of government, was nominated from a list of forty-nine candidates as one of the eight men to be voted for at the ensuing election in November, he receiving the highest vote of all the candidates. He was elected on Nov. 4, 1913, again receiving the highest vote of the council- manic candidates. At the present time (1914) he has charge of the finances of Allentown, with offices in the city hall.

ASCHBACH FAMILY.

In the Highlander, of May 17, 1842, published in Freiburg, Germany, appeared a biographical sketch of Gerhard Adolph Aschbach, the grandfa- ther of Gerhard C. Aschbach, late of Allentown, Pa., and the subject of this article. The sketch came from the pen of his intimate friend, Her- mann von Rotteck. From this we learn that Ger- hard Adolph Aschbach was born at Hoechst on the Main, June 27, 1793. His father was the proprietor of a vermicelli factory, and a highly respected citizen of such culture and ability that he was the sole tutor of his son until the latter was fourteen years of age. Gerhard, ever cheer- ful and eager to learn, made rapid progress in his studies, and soon became the teacher of his younger brothers and sisters, especially of Joseph, who later became the well-known historian. When sixteen years old he was sent to the gym- nasium at Idstein, where he so distinguished him- self that he was allowed to skip two classes in the course.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 4

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