History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 73

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 73

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12. Cahrl Fister ist geboren den 4ten Januar im Jahr 1832, getauft von Par. Jaeger. Taufzeichen wahren Benjamin Reinhart und seine Frau.

13. Anmariah Fister ist geboren in Greenwich Township, Berks Co. den 23ten Mai im Jahr 1834 und getauft von Pf'r. Herman; Taufzeichen wahren Henrich Sontag und seine ehefrau Barbara. Con- firmirt von Pf'r. Herman.

14. Morgan Fister ist geboren in Greenwich Town- ship, Berks Co., den 24ten November im Jahr 1830. Taufzeichen wahren Isaac Kummerer und seine Frau Catarina.

Solomon Fister, the eldest son of Peter, was born in Greenwich township, Berks county, De-

cember 5, 1808, and was a wheelwright by trade, which he carried on in connection with farming. He lived at Wessnersville at the time of his death in December, 1874, and was buried in the cemetery at Frieden's church at that place. He officiated as a justice of the peace of Albany township for several terms, and later until the time of his decease as the post-master of the Stony Run post office. He was a member of the Reformed congregation, and a Democrat in politics. He was married to Catharine Will, of Greenwich township; born February 14, 1812, died January 23, 1887, and buried in the ceme- tery mentioned. They had two children: Jacob and Daniel.

Jacob A. Fister, elder son of Solomon, one of the few veteran school teachers surviving, was born in Greenwich township August 3, 1836. He received his education in the local schools and prepared himself to follow the profession of teaching. He taught in the public schools of Berks county for nearly a half century, and also officiated as a justice of the peace for many years. His residence is near Eagle Point. He was mar- ried to Mary Ann Trexler and they had four- teen children: Charles E., Edwin, Elma, Annie, William T., Frank J., George E., Alice, Mary A., Robert D., Herman, James, Clara, and Mabel.

Daniel P. Fister the younger son of Solomon, is a resident of Lynn township, in Lehigh county. He was born in Greenwich township, Berks county, April 28, 1839, and reared upon a farm, having afterward carried on farming on his fa- ther's property until 1875, when he removed to Lynn township and there continued farming until he retired, having purchased in 1889 the farm where he now lives. The tract is known as the Isaac Levan homestead and embraces 66 acres. In politics he is a Democrat, and he served as supervisor of the township for a time. On April 7, 1911, he was paralyzed and since then has been an invalid.

His wife was Catharine Grim, daughter of Reuben and Sarah (Wanner) Grim, and they have eleven children: Thomas G., Alton G., Lewis P. (who died in 1903, aged 38 years), Reuben H., Samuel W., Amanda J. (who died in 1905, aged 34 years), Elmira R. (married to Edgar D. Greenawald, having become his sec- ond wife in 1907), Emma C. (married to Wil- son Bachman), Mary S. (married to Dr. W. J. Fetherolf), H. Edwin, and Maggie M. (mar- ried to Edgar D. Greenawald, having been his first wife, born May 5, 1882, and died Septem- ber 23, 1903.)

Mr. Fister and his family are members of the New Jerusalem church, near Wessnersville, and

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he is now serving the congregation as an elder. THOMAS G. FISTER, the eldest son of Daniel P., school teacher of Lynn township, was born in the borough of Hamburg, Berks county, Oc- tober 30, 1863. He received his education in the public schools of the township named and in the select school of Prof. Alvin Rupp at New Tripoli, and also at the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, from which he was graduated in 1885. He had, however, been licensed to teach in 1880, and began teaching when seventeen years old. His first term was at Rabert's Corner, in Lynn township, and he has continued teaching for thirty-two consecutive years. During the summer months he has been engaged at farming in the township named. He is a diligent student, has collected a fine library, and by his studious habits has become versed in literature, mathematics and pedagogics. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and he has served the township as one of the auditors.

REUBEN H. FISTER, the fourth son of Daniel P., is a prosperous farmer near New Tripoli in Lynn township, and recognized as one of the largest producers of superior potatoes. He was born at Stony Run, in Berks county, July 28, 1867, and when nineteen years old was placed with a tailor at Kutztown to learn the trade, but he followed it for only a short time. In 1890 he learned the creamery business and car- ried it on for twelve years at New Tripoli; and for one year he was in the employ of W. H. Hoffman, grain merchant at the place mentioned ; then, in 1904, he purchased the Miller home- stead near New Tripoli from his father-in-law, Reuben Miller, which embraces 112 acres of land some of which is superior for the cultiva- tion of potatoes, and he plants annually from fifteen to eighteen acres in potatoes from which he has realized bountiful crops. He has also a peach orchard which contains 355 trees. In 1909 he planted 125 trees and 230 more in 1911.

This farm is an historic place, for on it in 1756 an atrocious murder was committed by the Indians by killing the wife of Abraham Sechler. A log house is still standing on the place which marks the spot where the brutal act was done. This house was probably built in 1750 by Jo- hann Siegel, for he had obtained a warrant on August 22, 1749 for 100 acres of land, and it is believed that he went there and put up the house about that time. The western part of the house had no wood flooring until after 1800. Siegel sold the property to George Wertman, and Wertman sold it to Christian Christ who, in 1764, se- cured 28 more acres by patent, and in 1772 he conveyed the place to Frederick Sechler. At

that time the property was bounded by lands of George Zimmerman and George Seisloff.

Mr. Fister was married in 1892 to Alvena M. Miller, and they have six children: Edwin J., Helen M., Charles R. D. (who died in infancy) , Vera R., Maggie C., and Edna A. He and his family are members of the Reformed congre- gation of the Ebenezer church at New Tripoli, and he is serving as one of the deacons. He has become affiliated with the Junior Order United American Mechanics at New Tripoli.

H. Edwin Fister, youngest son of Daniel P., a farmer in the Kistler valley, was born August 23, 1877. In 1906 he began farming for him- self as a tenant on the place where he now lives. This tract was formerly owned by David Heil, who sold it to David Kistler ; then Kistler sold it to his son Henry F., who in 1892 erected a large modern barn on the place. James M. Braucher then became the owner and he sold it in 1908 to Mr. Fister, who in 1911 raised 2,500 bushels of potatoes on the farm. He was married first to Lila C., daughter of James M. Bachman, by whom he had one son, Howard J. She died April 15, 1907; then, on January 18, 1908, he married a second wife, Eva M. Gruber, and they have three chldren: Mary, Nevice and Paul.

George Fister, son of Durst, died about 1840. He was the proprietor of the Washington House at Kutztown for some years. His sons, John and David, both lived at Kutztown.

David Fister was born at Kutztown, Pa., and for many years he was a prominent man in the Democratic party in Berks county, serving the office of prothonotary from 1857 to 1860. He was married to Mary Scharadin of Kutz- town, and they had the following children: Pas- torius, George D., Col. Thomas D., Henry S., Calvin and Alinda married to W. V. Brensinger of Tamaqua, Pa.

Calvin Fister was born Nov. 10, 1849, at Kutztown, in Berks county. For some years he followed telegraphy there and later carried on the tinsmith business until he went to Alburtis, and then continued the latter until 1907, when he located at Allentown. He served as a school director at Kutztown, and also as Enumerator in the census compilation of 1880. He was married to Eliza Schaffer and they had four children: Charles D., John D., George D., and Edward J. His wife died Nov. 23, 1905, and is buried at Allentown.

CHARLES D. FISTER, merchant of Allentown, was born May 14, 1877, and educated in the public school, and at the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, after which he learned the

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

trade of tailor at Alburtis. Then he worked as a journeyman for two years at Bangor, Lehigh county, and for the next fifteen years was em- ployed as a cutter in the large clothing establish- ment of Koch Brothers, at Allentown.

In 1912, Mr. Fister embarked in business for himself by uniting with his brother Edwin, and under the firm name of Fister Brothers. They have since carried on a grocery store in a suc- cessful manner at 15th and Chew streets, in Al- lentown. He is a member of Constantine Lodge. I. O. O. F., of the J. O. U. A. M., of the Knights of Friendship, and of the Lehigh Con- sistory.

In 1899 Mr. Fister was married to Lillie A. Blose, daughter of the late Dallas Blose and his wife, Mary (nee Sterner), and they have four children: Alma, Mary, Pearl and Paul. They are members of the St. Stephan's Lutheran Ev- angelical congregation.

GEORGE D. FISTER, brother of Charles D., merchant at Allentown, was born at Kutztown Dec. 28, 1880. He received his education in the local schools and summer normal school at Alburtis and Lynnville, and then entered the general store of W. B. Butz at Alburtis as a clerk, where he remained two years, after which he entered the store of his cousin, David Ben- singer, at Tamaqua and continued with him for two years. In 1904 he located at Allentown for the purpose of carrying on a store for himself, and since then at No. 129 S. 5th street has es- tablished a grocery business, which he has made a profitable undertaking.

Socially at Allentown Mr. Fister is a mem- ber of the P. O. S. of A. and of the Knights of Malta, and politically he is a Democrat. He organized the Allentown Merchants' Ice Co., which was incorporated with a capital of $35,000 and established a fine plant at 5th street and Summer avenue, which has proven a successful enterprise. In 1912 the company established a modern electrical plant with an artesian well 318 feet deep. He was selected as one of the di- rectors of the Board.

On April 14, 1896, Mr. Fister was married to Belle Wheeland, daughter of C. W. Wheel- and and his wife Eliza (nee Schaffer) of Wil- liamsport, Pa. They are members of the Zion Reformed congregation, of which he was elected as a deacon in 1912.

BERNHARD FLAMMER.

Bernhard Flammer was a resident of Rott- weil, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany. He was a brewer. He was married to Catherine Rieger and they had a son, Bernhard Flammer,

who was born March 31, 1874, at Rottweil, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany. He worked in his father's brewery, meantime attending the school of his native place, up to the age of four- teen years. At the age of fifteen years he left the Fatherland alone, sailing in the North Ger- man Lloyd Steamer "Saale," landing in New York. He came to Bethlehem with a friend, An- drew Maurer and found employment as bar- tender at E. Eckert's Hotel, where he remained six years. In 1896, he formed a partnership with Ferdimand Deinig, and they engaged in bottling soda and mineral waters at South Bethlehem, at first in rented quarters. In 1900 the present building was erected and a modern equipment was installed therein. In 1906 Mr. Flammer purchased his partner's interest, whereby he be- came the sole owner of the property. Mr. Flam- nier is a successful and enterprising business man and is a leader in his line of trade.

He is one of the oldest members of the Bee- thoven Mænnerchor, having been president and vice-president of the society. He is a member of Salem Reformed church, and of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. Bernhard Flammer was married in 1903 to Minnie Wuchter, daughter of Reuben Wuchter, of Shimers' Station, this county. Issue, an only son, Russell B. Flammer.

FLUCK FAMILY.

Peter Fluck, a laborer, lived in Springfield township, Bucks county, about two miles from Coopersburg. He was married to Mary Haef- fler, who died some years before him. He died about 1846, aged 65 years. Both are buried at the Red church, at Zionsville. Their children were as follows: Jacob; Adam ; Peter; Ephraim; Hannah, married (first) to Tobias Gross, and (second) to Joseph Richert; Elizabeth was the wife of Ulrich, a native of Germany ; and Hettie, married to Jonas Yohe.

Jacob Fluck, son of Peter, lived at Trum- bauersville and from there removed upon his own tract of land near Coopersburg. He was a laborer and made the "blacksnake" driving whips. He and his family were members of the Evan- gelical Church. He married Mary (Polly) Kucher, who died in 1901, aged 74 years. He died in 1900, aged 72 years. Their children were: Samuel; Oliver K .; Willoughby; Jacob ; Jeremiah; Hannah, married to Emanuel Cle- well ; Matilda; Ella; Mary, married to S. Rein- hard; and Lucinda, married to Jacob Mann.

Oliver K. Fluck, of Allentown, was born in 1834, at Trumbauersville. He had followed the shoemaking trade in Ohio for one and one-half years. In 1860 he removed to Coopersburg, Pa., and in 1863 he came to Allentown. He made

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shoes at 129 Hamilton street for eighteen years, then at 305-7 Hamilton street, where he con- ducted a shoe store up to his retirement in 1904, at which time he was succeeded by his son, Charles R. Fluck.

He and family worship in Calvary M. E. church, in which he has been an active member for many years.

He married (first) Mary Haldeman and (second, in 1865,) Sarah Miller. The children by his first wife are: Josephine, married to A. Geary; and Emma L., married to Henry Wolf. The children by his second wife are: Charles R. ; and Alice J., married to D. Santee.

Charles R. Fluck, son of Oliver K., was born in 1873, in the old First ward. He married Jen- nie R., a daughter of David Merkel, a retired liquor dealer. They have one daughter, Louise M. Fluck.

Peter Fluck, son of Peter, was born in Bucks county. He was a laborer. He died in 1862, aged 27 years and is buried in the Coopersburg cemetery. He was married to Matilda Heck- man, who is now ( 1913) seventy-five years of age. She is a daughter of Michael and Char- lotte (Buchecker) Heckman. She was married (second) to John Fink, who is also deceased. Her first marriage was blessed with three chil- dren, viz: Oliver, who died, aged eleven years ; Milton F .; and Emma, widow of L. Schaffer, a boiler-maker, who met an accidental death.

MILTON F. FLUCK, of Allentown, was born in Upper Saucon township, June 26, 1860. He was reared upon the farm and attended the town- ship schools. He was left an orphan at the age of two years after which he was reared in the family of Samuel Schelly, in Springfield town- ship, Bucks county. After he was sixteen years old he came back to Upper Saucon township where he worked in zinc mines for two years, and afterward he was employed in a powder-mill in Salisbury township. In 1881 he became en- lentown to accept a position as foreman and later as engineer with the Allentown Electric Light & Power Company. In about 1885 he became en- gineer for the Allentown and Bethlehem Transit Company. Afterward for one year he served as engineer for the Brooklyn (New York) Rapid Transit Company and for three years was en- gineer for the Allentown and Kutztown Transit Company. He was then engaged in the grocery business in South Allentown for two years. In 1904 he accepted his present position, that of chief engineer of the G. H. Baer Furniture Company. This position he has served up to the present time.

He holds membership in the following or- ganizations : Lehigh Council, No. 15, Order

American Steam Engineers; the South Allen- town Beneficial Association; and in politics he is a Republican.

On Aug. 4, 1884, he was married to Lena Wagner, a daughter of Henry and Erma C. (Noll) Wagner. They have five children, viz: Robert L .; Amelia, married to John Eck; Es- tella, married to William Ainey, Jr., of Allen- town; Edwin; and Florence, married to Edwin Roth.

The widow of Peter Fluck married (second) John Frick, son of Henry Frick, of Upper Sau- con township. Unto them were born six chil- dren, three of whom died in infancy. The other three are: Alice, married to Albert Kehm; Ida, married to W. Whitehouse; and Charles Frick.

FLIEHR FAMILY.

Rev. Charles B. Fliehr was a native of Mid- weita, Saxony, Germany. He came to America when a young man, locating first in Macungie township, Lehigh county, following his trade of general weaving. He later removed to Weiss- port, Carbon Co., Pa., where he carried on his trade until he entered the ministry of the Evan- gelical Association, about 1863. He was suc- cessfully stationed at Bangor, Easton, Catasau- qua, Allentown and Philadelphia, also in Brook- lyn, N. Y. and New York City. He died at Macungie in 1885 and was interred at Emaus.

He was married by Rev. Francis Hoffman April 18, 1847, to Catherine Herman, born about 1815 at Korb Wurtemberg, Germany. She was about four years of age when her parents emi- grated to America and settled in York Co., Pa. Her parents soon died and the children were scattered, she going to Philadelphia on foot to seek a home. She died in Allentown, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry Schuler, Dec. 31, 1900. Since Mr. Fliehr's decease she lived mostly among her children. She was converted when young and became a member of the Evan- gelical Association. Their children were: Charles B., of Jewell, Kansas; Solomon R., of Va .; Pauline, married Henry Schuler, of Allen- town; Aaron of Phila .; Harrietta ( Mrs. Steitz- el), and Hon. Daniel H., of Coopersburg.

Hon. Daniel H. Fliehr, of Coopersburg, was born May 12, 1858, in Franklin township, Car- bon Co., Pa. He attended the public schools and at 14 years of age was apprenticed to learn the tinsmith and plumbing trades. He located in Coopersburg in Sept., 1879, served as a member of town council for nine years ; elected as a mem- ber of the state legislature from Lehigh county, in Nov., 1904. He married, about 1879, Sallie Eckert, daughter of Peter and Elemina (New- comer ) Eckert.

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

F. WM. FLORES.

Thomas J. Flores was born in Hanover town- ship. He was educated in the public schools and became a dairyman, hauling milk to Allentown and Catasauqua for several years and at the same time conducted an ice cream and confectionery store in the basement of the present store build- ing, the present store being the outcome of the earlier enterprise.

In this building the Rittersville postoffice was kept for some years, but was discontinued after the R. F. D. was established. He married Chris- tiana Reeser. Issue: Charles; Louvine; Floyd ; and Harry, all of whom are deceased; F. Wil- liam; Lizzie, (Mrs. Charles Marlin) ; Mary, (Mrs. John Shireman) ; Carrie, (Mrs. Oliver Folk) ; Emma, ( Mrs. William Hoffert) ; Lillie, (Mrs. Henry Esch) ; and Edith, (Mrs. Warren Ritter).

F. WILLIAM FLORES, son of Thomas and Christiana (Reeser) Flores, was born Feb. 7, 1889, at Rittersville. He was educated in the public schools and in his spare time assisted in his father's work. After attaining manhood, he was employed for a short time by the Dorney Furniture Company, after which he learned the silk ribbon trade, following this line for a while, then entered the employ of the Bethlehem Steel Works, where he continued until 1910. He then established himself in the mercantile busi- ness at Rittersville. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Lu- theran Church.

F. William Flores married, March 7, 1898, Ardie M. Fehr, daughter of Richard and Laura (Ruth) Fehr. Issue: Mildred E., and Ken- neth F. Flores.

DR. JOHN C. FOELKER.

Dr. John C. Foelker was born in Oberamt Heidenheim, Wurtemberg, Germany, June 22, 1835, son of Jacob and Rosina (Wulz) Foelk- ner. He pursued his early studies in his native place, passing through all the grades of its schools to the highest when he entered the veterinary college at Stuttgart where he made his profes- sional studies. Seeking a wider field he emi- grated from his native country in January, 1849, arriving at Allentown in the same year. His five subsequent years were spent with Dr. Heckenber- ger in Catasauqua, adding a knowledge of prac- tice to his already acquired theory. He then opened his office at his present place, 119 South Seventh street, Allentown, where he successfully pursued his calling these fifty-four years. His life since then is part of our history and his pleasant good nature has been familiar to all

Allentown for more than one-half century. The skill of this veteran veterinary surgeon is known to the entire Lehigh valley and he has rendered valuable services to the farmers and horse- owners of this city and county.

Dr. Foelker is an independent voter, and served the Second ward as school director for two terms. He was a director of the Second National Bank for many years. He and family are members of the Lutheran Church. He was married Jan. 20, 1859, to Sarah Ann E. Koehler, a daughter of Samuel and Lucy (Beary) Koehl- er, of Hanover township. She was born June 15, 1837, and died April 3, 1897, aged fifty-nine years, and they had these children: Samuel J .; Ellen S., died unmarried ; Jacob F .; Rosa A., died single; George R., an upholsterer, of Allentown ; Mary B., who keeps house for her father; Al- bert U., a plumber and gas fitter of Reading.

DR. SAMUEL J. FOELKER was born at Allen- town, Jan. 30, 1859. His school days were those of other Allentown boys. Later on he attended the Allentown high school, and was then sent to the Ontario Veterinary College, at Toronto, Canada, in the spring of 1877. Whereafter he graduated with honors, April 6, 1879, receiving two medals of the highest honors in every branch. Upon his return to Allentown he became his father's partner under the name of John C. Foelker & Son, and this firm continues to this time. The office continues to be at 119 South Seventh street. He married, April 12, 1885, Emma A. Willebecher, daughter of William Willebecher. They have a daughter, Ruth E., married to William T. Minnich, a stenographer and bookkeeper, at Allentown.

Dr. Jacob Foelker was born Dec. 29, 1863, and like his brother, the Allentown schools fur- nished his education. Later he also went to the Ontario Veterinary College, where he remained two sessions and then attended the American Veterinary College, in New York City, from which he graduated in 1885. He too became a member of the firm under the title of John C. Foelker & Sons, but some years later he went to Keokuk, Iowa, and from there to Missouri. He was married and has one daughter, Sarah A. E., who is a cultured young lady.

PROF. HOWARD A. FOERING.

H. A. Foering, head master of the Bethlehem Preparatory School, is the fifth descendant of Christian Frederick Foering. The latter's father was a soldier in Hanover, Prussia, whose wife feared that their son would be similarly impressed into the service. In order to escape this dreaded event she tied her boy to her back, skated across the Rhine and took the boat for America, where

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she landed in 1743 when Christian Frederick Foering was seven years old. On growing to manhood Christian Frederick Foering entered the ministry of the Dutch Reformed Church and was stationed first at Germantown, Pa., then in New York City, and later at Millstone, N. J., where he died in 1779. In 1767 he married Margaret Miller, of Germantown and had four sons, Sam- uel, born 1770; John, born 1773; Frederick, born 1776; Abraham, born 1779. Frederick Foering was the father of seven children, of which the third, George Washington Foering, born in 1812, in early manhood settled at Locust Valley at the lower end of Lehigh county, about 1839. Mr. George Washington Foering became very prominent in the history of Lehigh county and was associated in many enterprises. He was largely instrumental in the earlier development of the Friedensville Zinc Mines. Prior to the Civil War he was a staunch Democrat and sup- ported the policies of Pierce and Buchanan, the latter of whom he gave strong support in his fight for the nomination for president, and Mr. Buchanan during this preliminary contest paid Mr. Foering a personal visit at Locust Valley. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. Foering became a strong supporter of Lincoln and his policies and was employed at Washington during part of Lincoln's first administration. Mr. Foering also assisted in various ways in the rais- ing of volunteers for the Union army in the early days of the war. He was a prominent speaker at meetings for this purpose, held at Allentown and other parts of the county. He was at one time a strong candidate for the Democratic nomination for congress. He married Clementine Hoeckley, of Philadelphia, in 1837, and had one son, Wil- liam Frederick Foering born in 1838. Geo. W. Foering died in 1880 and is buried at Woodland cemetery (Blue Church), Upper Saucon town- ship, Lehigh county. The latter spent practically all of his life at Locust Valley and in Feb., 1867, married Julia Jacoby, daughter of John and Mary Jacoby. He had three children, Howard A., Ada A. and Elwood.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 73

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