History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 55

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 55

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VOL. II-18

of Allentown; Teckla, deceased ; Louisa, born in 1860, died Dec. 11, 1901, married Charles Link, deceased, of East Mauch Chunk.

Theodore L., son of Ferdinand and Emi- lie (Sitzman) Doering, was born at Merrana, Saxony, Germany, Jan. 17, 1846. He had some educational advantages while still in his native country, but from the time of his arrival in this country, was obliged to assist in the support of the family. He came to America with his mother in 1855, landing here after sixty-five days spent in a sailing vessel, and accompanied his father to East Mauch Chunk, where he was engaged in the labor of picking slate at the coal chutes until 1862. He then became brakeman on the rail- road, a post he held several years, then was en- gaged in carpentering until 1875. In that year he removed to Allentown, Lehigh county. There he managed the cafe for his sister Agnes for a period of ten years, and next established himself in business independently, continuing this seven years. His next venture was in the general contracting line, with which he was success- fully identified for two and one-half years. He next conducted the "Gast-House" at 530 Ham- ilton street, until 1900, when he retired. Mr. Doering is a man of broad and liberal views, and will not allow himself to be bound by partisan ties in any direction. He is independent in his political opinion, and gives the benefit of his vote to the candidate he thinks best fitted to discharge the duties of the position for which he has been nominated. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Doering married, May 20, 1885, Jennie, a daughter of Carl and Catherine (Gross) Yeager, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and he now resides at No. 1346 Linden street, Allen- town, Pennsylvania. Carl Yeager was a native of Leipsig, Germany, having been a graduate of the Conservatory of Music of Leipsig. He emigrated to America in 1855, settling at Cin- cinnati, where he followed a musical career. He was the leader of the military band of the New- port, Kentucky, barracks. He also was a com- poser of music for a number of bands and was a most talented citizen.

During the summer of 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Doering visited the Fatherland. The homestead was found in the same condition in which Mr. Doering left it as a boy.

DORWARD FAMILY.

The progenitor of the Dorward family in the upper end of Lehigh and Berks counties was John Dorward. He lived in the Perkiomen Valley and is buried at the Goschenhoppen

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

church. Among his children were two sons, Daniel and John.

Phaon Dorward, son of John, was born May 9, 1823, died July 1, 1904, and buried in Slatington. He was a slate worker and super- visor for many years. His wife was Polly, daughter of Daniel Sensinger, and they had eleven children: Sallie( wife of Jonas Weiss) ; Charles; Amanda (wife of Henry Brey) ; Mary (died young) ; Fianna (wife of George Loch) ; Flora (wife of Ammon Dreisbach) ; Moses (of Emerald) ; Madina (wife of Oscar Measemer) ; Emma (wife of Frank Herman) ; Anna Senetta (died young), and Lucy (wife of Charles Hum- mel).

Daniel settled in Greenwich township, Berks county. He was born Jan. 1, 1779, and died March 25, 1858. He married Maria Christina Arnold, born Sept. 26, 1780, and died March 13, 1858. Both are buried at Grimville, in Berks county. Their children were: Ephraim, Joseph, Anna, Eliza, Charles and Daniel. In 1801 he purchased a small farm, situated below Krumsville, and there he lived until his death.

John moved first to Northampton county, then to Heiledberg township, Lehigh county. He was born November 10, 1782, and died Octo- ber 10, 1842, being buried at the Heidelberg church. He was married June 21, 1803, to Re- becca Santee of Nazareth. They had eleven children, one of whom died in infancy, and were as follows: Sally (wife of Jacob Wilhelm), Hattie (wife of Tobias Deibert) ; Rachael (wife of George Wassum), Daniel and Charles (men- tioned later), John, Thomas (lived in Monroe county), Lydia (wife of Frank Ferber), Phaon (mentioned later) and Peggy (wife of Samuel Paules) .

Charles Dorward, son of John, was born March 2, 1815, and died November 11, 1878. He was a member of the Reformed congregation of Frieden's church, where he is buried. He was a farmer and had the tract now owned by his grandson, Lewis (son of Alfred), near Slate- dale. The barn on this tract was built by! Charles in 1850, and the house was built by John Wassum in 1817. He was a prominent man and able violin player. His services were in great demand at the festivities of his day. His wife was Lydia Peters (a twin sister to Susanna Peters, daughters of Joseph Peters). They had eight children : Henry G. (born April 17, 1838, died January 23, 1899, married Flora A. Geiger, born December 18, 1843, died September 24, 1885); Senia (wife of Harrison Krum) ; Al- fred (mentioned later) ; Susan (wife of Aaron Handwerk) ; Elizabeth (wife of Lewis Strah-

ley) ; Wilson; Alvena (wife of Wilson Steel), and Charles O.

Alfred Dorward, son of Charles, was born on the Peters homestead in April, 1845. He fol- lowed farming on the farm now owned by his son, Lewis, near Emerald, from 1848 to the time of his death, July 12th, 1906.

In politics he was a Republican, and he held the office of township auditor for some years. He was a member of the Evangelical church, and served on the Building Committee when Salems Church at Slatedale was erected. Later he became a member of the Evangelical Church at Emerald, which he served faithfully as class leader many years and as assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school. He helped to develop the slate industry in which he was interested all' his life. He was married to Caroline Mosser, daughter of Jacob and Susanna ( Peter) Mosser. Three children were born to them: Missouri E. (wife of Willard Oswald), Lewis A. and Susanna C. (wife of Thomas F. Beltz).

LEWIS A. DORWARD, son of Alfred, was born September 17, 1872, on the farm formerly owned by his grandfather. He worked on the farm until 1903, when his father retired and he started to farm for himself. Four slate quarries were opened on his farm and leased on royalty. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the P. O. S. of A., both of Slatington. He is a mem- ber of the Evangelical church, which he now serves as steward and trustee. He is also as- sistant superintendent of the Sunday-school.

He believes in the principles of the Republican party. He is now serving his fifth term as a school director, acting as secretary to the Board since 1903. In January, 1892, he was married to Lillie M. Scheffler, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Peter) Scheffler, of Washington town- ship. Eight children were born to them: Eva, Werley (a graduate of the Washington Town- ship High School, in 1908 and also a graduate of Schuylkill Seminary at Reading in 1912) ; Elsie, Harvey, Walter, Florence Alfred and Mildred.

Daniel Dorward, son of John, lived in Wash- ington township on a farm later owned by Phaeon Dorward. The greater part of this land is now slate property. He is buried at Heidelberg church, where he was a member of the Reformed congregation. He was the father of the following children: Charles, Daniel, John, Lydia (wife of Tobias Deibert), a daugh- ter married to Samuel Paulus, another daughter married to Mr. Wilhelm of Reading, and still another daughter married to Frank Ferber.

Daniel Dorward, son of Daniel, was born in

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

Washington township. He is buried at the Unionville church. He was a carpenter by trade, and lived in Whitehall township. He was re- garded as an expert in playing the violin. For twenty-three years he was the foreman in the boat yards at Lehigh Gap. He was married to Polly Roth, daughter of Peter Roth, and they had the following children: Eli; Benjamin; William; Joseph, Aaron; Hettie (wife of John Anthony) ; Sallie; Maria (wife of Lewis Fink), and Hannah (wife of Charles Graver).

Aaron Dorward, son of Daniel and Polly Dorward, was born in Washington township, June 4, 1838. He followed the trade of painter for many years. In 1874 he built the house at Newside, where he resides. On May 6, 1860, he was married to Louisa Peter, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Hensinger) Peter. They lived in married life fifty-two years and have six children : James A., Wilson D., George P., Clara, Jennie and Charles.

GEORGE P. DORWARD, son of Aaron, was born at Newside, Lehigh county, August 2, 1878. In 1895 he started driving a baker team at Slate- dale and he followed this occupation for up- wards of eight years. In 1903 he entered the employment of the Lehigh Valley Traction Co. as conductor and on August 11, 1910, he was promoted to road officer, being regarded as a very efficient employee. He is a member of "Star of the North" Commandery, No. 92, K. of M., of which he is past commander, and of the K. of G. E. of Slatington. He is a member of the Reformed church. He is the manufacturer of Dorward's Cough Drops and candies in Slat- ington; also cattle powder, witch hazel, lini- ment, cough-syrup, corn-cure, and toothache drops.

James A. Dorward, son of Aaron, was born in Carbon county, January 7, 1861, and in 1862 was taken by his parents to Lehigh county where he came to work upon a farm until he was eighteen years old, then he learned the painting trade. From 1883 to 1891 he was employed by F. N. Peter & Bro., in putting up iron fences and fire escapes in Lehigh and surrounding coun- ties. In 1892 he took possession of the Eagle Hotel at Schnecksville, and at the same time carried on the carriage works at that place. Later he conducted hotels at Newhard's and Coplay. Since 1899 he has lived at Allentown, following the painting business. In 1877 he mar- ried Sarah E. Geiger, daughter of Joel and Han- nah Geiger. They have eight children: Bertha, Clinton V., Edwin C. (born in 1883, married Mary C. Kutz, and died Aug. 13, 1912, being survived by his widow and one son, Theodore F.), Katie, Fred, Dora, Amey and Helen R.

WILSON D. DORWARD, a successful business man and prominent citizen of Lehigh county, painter contractor and builder, at Allentown, was born in Heidelberg township, May 20, 1863, and educated in the common schools and in the Mauch Chunk High School. He worked upon a farm until his twentieth year then learned the painting trade, and after working as a journeyman for six years he married and moved to Pleasant Corner, where he resided four years with Nathan and Sallie (Bittner) Wuchter, who were the grandparents of his wife, and after the grandparents died he bought their homestead of 13 acres. He continued to reside there and followed the painting trade until Dec. 8, 1905, when he sold the property and moved to Allentown, where he has since resided, at No. 37 South Madison street. He is associated with Frank P. Mertz in the con- tract and building business, trading under the name of Mertz & Dorward. He also carries on the painting and paper hanging business, em- ploying from 25 to 30 men. As a fresco painter he decorated many churches in Allentown and throughout the county. Mr. Dorward and family are members of Trinity Reformed church, which he served as deacon, trustee and treas- urer. Socially, he is a charter member of Cen- tral Lodge, No. 636, I. O. O. F., and is a past grand of the lodge, and for fifteen consecutive years served it as treasurer ; also a member of the Odd Fellows Encampment. After locating at Allentown he was appointed mercantile ap- praiser for the county and he served that office with marked ability. He is a Republican. On May 19 1888, he married Alice J. Schaffer, daughter of Phaon and Ellemina (Wuchter) Schaffer of Lowhill township.

CLINTON V. DORWARD, fresco artist, decora- tor and painter of Slatington, Pa., was born in Heidelberg township, March 7 1881. He re- ceived his preliminary education in the public schools, then studied art in the Franklin Insti- tute and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, both of Philadelphia; and he also studied under Ella S. Hergesheimer, the famous portrait artist. With this preparation, he followed portrait and scenic painting through the South and Middle West for two years, then he resumed his studies in the New York Trade School, of New York City, and was graduated from that distinguished institution. In 1902 he engaged in the painting, paper-hanging and decorating business at Slatington, with his place of business at Second and Franklin streets. Ow- ing to his rare talent he is frequently called upon by leading decorating and frescoing houses to do special work for them in different parts of the

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

country. He and family are members of the Reformed church. In 1901 he married Bertha M. Benner, daughter of Charles and Amanda (Rex) Benner, late of Slatington. They have four children Ruby M., Roy B., Arlene, and George.

DONECKER FAMILY.

Jacob Donegan, a native of Ireland, emigrated to America and located at Reading, Pa. Later it appears he settled in Northampton county, where his son Jacob, was born, Nov. 1, 1795. The ancestor was twice married. The children by his first wife were: John, Jacob, Polly, married to Adam Fritzinger ; and Sarah, married to John Muschlitz.

Jacob Donegan, son of the ancestor, followed the blacksmith trade in the vicinity of Seems- ville and Kreidersville for a period of sixty-fve years. He was an exceptionally able mechanic and produced much cutlery which in that day was all made by hand. His later life was spent in Catasauqua with his son William, where he died, April 9, 1864, in his 69th year.

His wife, Lydia Krupp, was a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Schutz) Krupp, who hailed of noted German parentage. In the Fair- view cemetery at Catasauqua stands the tomb- stone of Jacob Donegan. By his side is that of his wife, Lydia Krupp. The tombstone cutter not being familiar with the reading of the Ger- man "daufshein," mistook the name of Marga- ret Schutz, her mother, for that of her daughter, Lydia, hence the error upon the tomb- stone, which has not been corrected up to this time. Lydia was born March 25, 1803, died March 31, 1855. They were members of the Lutheran Church. Their children follow: Wil- liam J. ; Clarissa (who died in 1888, was the wife of A. Gehris) ; Charles, of Easton ; Edward, who was never married, was a soldier in the Civil War and is buried in the Arlington National ceme- tery at Washington, D. C .; Emma, wife of Peter Marks, and they reside at Mt. Carmel, Pa .; Jacob, died aged 22 years; and Augustus, of Cali- fornia. Of the above family, Edward and Au- gustus retained the old spelling, while the other members changed the name to Donecker.

William J. Donecker, son of Jacob and Lvdia (Krupp) Donecker, was born March 19, 1830, at Weaversville, Northampton county. He was engaged for five years as a blacksmith, then as a miller for three years. Afterward he learned the carpenter trade, but for twenty-five years was engaged as a car inspector for the C. R. R. of N. J. Later he was the engineer at the Schneck & Bear furniture factory, Allentown, where he remained until his retirement about ten years be-

fore his death which occurred with his son-in-law, Mr. E. J. Rapp, Allentown, on Jan. 24, 1914, aged 83 years, 10 months and 5 days. He had lived at Catasauqua from 1869 to 1886. Up until three years before his death he was in per- fect health. His memory for historical occur- rences was almost remarkable and he was a veri- table reference library for dates. He was one of the pioneers of the Evangelical Church, aiding greatly in building up that denomination, and at the time of his death was a member of Trinity United Evangelical church. He was thoroughly converted by the preaching of Rev. Hummel, at Weaversville, in 1851, and at that time joined the church, which he served devoutly as exhorter, class leader, trustee, Sunday school teacher, and superintendent. During the eruption of the church in 1892, he sided with the so-called "Mi- nority," now the United Evangelicals.

In 1856, he married Elizabeth, a daughter of Jonathan Reinhart. She died in 1887, aged 56 years. The union was blessed with four children, one of whom, William J., Jr., died in youth. The surviving children are: Orrin Charles, whose history follows; Emma R., wife of Edward J. Rapp, whose history appears elsewhere in this volume; and Edwin A., whose history follows.

ORRIN CHARLES DONECKER was born Feb. 10, 1858, at Catasauqua. He attended the public schools, and when his education was completed he entered the employ of F. W. Windt, of Cat- asauqua and learned the carpenter and wood- working trade. By close application to his work he became the foreman, holding this position for thirteen years. He then removed to Allentown and entered the employ of Schneck & Bear, being their superintendent for ten years. At the end of this term he became foreman for his brother-in- law, Jacob Nagle, contractor and builder. In 1909 Mr. Donecker went into the business on his own account. He drew his own plans and erected a home and office for himself at 1801 Linden St. He built the Allentown public library, the Salem Evangelical Church, the Jewish Synagogue; su- perintended the erection of numerous factories, school buildings, etc.

In politics Mr. Donecker is a Republican. He became a member of the Evangelical church at Catasauqua and is now a member of the Salem Evangelical church, Allentown, and has been the musical director for eighteen years.

Mr. Donecker, aside from his regular business has also dealt in real estate. He was married Feb. 17, 1887, to Amanda Nagle, daughter of James and Rosetta (White) Nagle, of Allen- town. To them eight children were born. Five died in infancy. Those surviving are: Blanche May, a graduate of Blackman's Business College ;

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Rosetta White, a teacher of piano, and Elsie Beatrice, a graduate of the Allentown High school, class 1913.

EDWIN A. DONECKER, of Allentown, was born at Catasauqua, Pa., where he attended the pub- lic schools and graduated from the Catasauqua high school with second honors in the year 1886. At this time he was apprenticed to Peters & Smith, druggists at Allentown. Some years later he took a full course in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, graduating from that established in- stitution in 1892; again becoming an associate with Peters & Smith, at Allentown, for several more years.

In 1896 he became a member of the firm of L. H. Yeager & Company, Allentown, and con- tinued with this company until in 1912, when he became the owner and successor of the Fuller Oil & Supply Company, one of the old established concerns in the Lehigh Valley and this business he has carried on with great success.

Socially Mr. Donecker has membership in the following lodges : Greenleaf Lodge, No. 561, F. & A. M .; Allen Chapter, No. 203, R. A. M .; Allen Commandery, No. 20, K. T., and of Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Reading; also the B. P. O. E., No. 130, at Allentown.

Mr. Donecker is prominently identified with the musical life of Allentown; was one of the organizers of the Lehigh Symphony Orchestra, which he served as secretary ever since its organ- ization ; has organized several Sunday school or- chestras, and at present is director of the orches- tra of St. John's Reformed Sunday school, having previously been the director of the orchestra of the Ebenezer Evangelical church and Sunday school.

On May 14, 1896, he was married to Minnie May Yeager, a daughter of L. H. Yeager, of Allentown, and they have five children, namely : Frances Y., Edwin A., Jr., Earl W., Karl Y., and Robert Charles. Edwin A. Donecker, Jr., died May 16, 1913, aged 13 years; and Robert Charles died in infancy.

THOMAS S. DONNAN.

From ancient documents in the possession of Thomas S. Donnan, of Slatington, it appears that the Donnan family is of old Scotch origin. His great-great-grandfather was Anthony Donnan who filled the office of Bailiff at Whithorn, in Scotland, and was the eighteenth generation that was known by the Christian name of Anthony and a native of Ayrshire, in Scotland .. The homestead of the family was in continuous pos- session of a descendant for two hundred years and only passed into other ownership in 1876 when Jesse, the wife of Anthony sold out and

emigrated to America. She was a Highlander, born at Campbelltown, the eleventh generation of her family, and her name was McCandlich. They had the following children: Anthony, James, Elizabeth, William (died in infancy), William (2nd), Jesse, a child (who died in in- fancy unnamed ), Agnes, Thomas, Andrew, Isa- bella, Samuel (who died in infancy), and John.

Anthony Donnan was born at Newton Stewart, in Scotland, on February 28, 1829, and emigrated to the United States in 1852, locating at Slatington where he followed school teaching for a number of years and later operated several boats on the Lehigh canal. Then he became the marbleizer for the Lehigh Slate Co. and filled this position for some time. He afterward opened two slate quarries at Lynnport and an- other at Ironton, and in 1870 became associated with his brother Thomas in business. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted as a soldier.

Mr. Donnan was married to Margaret Thomas, of West Chester, and they had one daughter who became the wife of Lewis Thomp- son. He died in 1872 and since then his widow has made her home with the daughter.

Thomas S. Donnan, a former slate operator at Slatington, was born February 28, 1843, at Newton Stewart, in Scotland. He emigrated to America in 1862, and located first for a time in New York City, but a year later went to Slating- ton, where he engaged in the manufacture of marbleized slate and slate black-boards, the place then had only fifteen dwelling-houses. His brother Anthony was associated with him in the old Lehigh Slate Co. which was the pion- eer in the manufacture of these products and he continued with this company until 1896 when he engaged in the business of buying and selling slate materials. He is now extensively engaged in real estate and other enterprises. From 1866 to 1878 he lived at Philadelphia and looked after his marble and slate business while his brother operated the quarries; he then went to Buffalo and attended to the sales there until 1883 when he returned to Slatington and carried on the quarry of M. C. Hersh, at Slatedale, for several years and then for the next twenty years con- ducted slate operations in that vicinity for dif- ferent parties. In 1906, Mr. Donnan visited his native place and extended his foreign travel through Ireland, England and France for four months.

In 1870 he was married to Agnes Marshall, daughter of Samuel and Mary Marshall, and she died March 26, 1896, without any children.

ANDREW DONNAN was born in Scotland in 1846 and emigrated to America in 1862, locating at Slatington, where he remained three years.

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He then went to Philadelphia and worked with his brother Thomas for three years when ne moved to Reading and was in the employ of the Eisebrown Brothers extensive manufacturers of granite monuments, for twenty-five years. He returned to Slatington in 1899, and died in 1902 unmarried.

DONAT FAMILY.

Jacob Donat, the immigrant and progenitor of this family, whose sketches appear in this pub- lication, came to America on the ship Forest, landing at Philadelphia, October 10, 1752. In 1759 his name appears on the tax-list in Al- bany township, Berks county, and on November 13, 1811, he there made his last will and testa- ment. From its probate on January 11, 1814, it is evident that he died late in the year 1813 or early in the new year of 1814; and in the document these children are mentioned: Cath- arine; Anna Maria; Elizabeth; Martin (1762- 1839) ; Jacob; William or Wilhelm ( 1768- 1829, married Catharine Holler) ; Peter ( who had two children, Barbara and Catharine) ; Rachel; and Susanna ( 1779-1864, who was married to Abraham Merkel).

Martin Donat was born September 2, 1762, and died August 24, 1839. He was a farmer and owned a tract of farming land embracing 200 acres, situated near the present village of Wanamaker. This farm has been in the Donat family since 1805, when Martin's father, Jacob Donat, purchase it for him. It then included what is now the farm of James A. Donat ( Mar- tin's grandson) and also the property of Rich- ard H. Creitz; and Martin erected the dwelling on the former portion, which now affords shel- ter to the fourth generation. He was a mem- ber of the Reformed congregation at Jackson- ville, and took an active part in the consistory. He was married three times. His first wife was a Miss Nungesser, by whom he had three children: Henry (1803-1848) ; Lydia (married to -- Moyer, and moved to Ohio) ; and Judith (married to George Behler). His sec- ond wife was Christina Christ, born in 1779 and died in 1823, and by her he had ten chil- dren: Gideon (married to Salome Leiby) ; Levi (married to Catharine Gehrling, nee Sech- ler) ; Elias (married to Maria Behler) ; Aaron (married to Mary Magdalena Dietrich) ; Solo- mon (1815-1853, married to Lovina Henry, and had two daughters, Mary (married to Charles J. Kistler), and Sabilla M. (married to Wm. German) ; Fannie (married to Jacob Behler) ; Sallie (who died young) ; Henrietta (1814- 1861, married to Gideon Behler) ; Hannah

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 55

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