History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 9

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 9

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ALBERT J. BAER, eldest son of Lewis and Julia Ann Baer, was born Sept. 25, 1865. He received a good common school education, and assisted with the work on the farm until he was 18 years of age. He left home in order to learn the blacksmithing trade at Levi Werley's coachmaker shops near Claussville, Lehigh county, and when his apprenticeship expired in the fall of 1886, he entered the horseshoeing shop of David S. Wismer, the "Yankee" horseshoer of Richland- town, Bucks county. After serving in this con- nection for some time, he accepted a position with Mr. Owen Grube, of Hellertown, and sub- sequently located in Scranton, Pa., where he se- cured employment in the blacksmith department of the Scranton Buggy and Wagon Company. The company, appreciating his efficiency, soon pro- moted him to a better position in their reposi- tories. During the typhoid epidemic in 1888, both Mr. and Mrs. Baer were among the many persons who suffered from the disease, Mr. Baer having had three attacks. Owing to these dis- tressing circumstances, they determined to leave the city to return to their native county, and in the following year he established a horseshoe- ing and general jobbing shop at New Smith- ville, Weisenberg township. After a period of seven years he removed to Shoenersville, Lehigh county, which offered better facilities in every way for his line of business. In addition to the successful management of a coach and wagon- making shop and a horse-shoeing shop, Mr. Baer pursued a course of lessons on the anatomy of the foot and leg of a horse, he also took lessons on cast steel, and how to work it into tools of various shapes and kinds and successful dressing under the supervision of Prof. W. S. Casterlin, of Pittston, Pa. In 1899, in Shoenersville, he introduced a cold tire-setting machine, which was the first machine of its kind operated in Eastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Baer also invented some very labor-saving tools for blacksmiths, of which the most noted is the "Baer Easy Hoof Parer." The patent for this invention was issued Jan. 2, 1900, and among the many useful articles he invented, this was the only one for which he re- ceived a patent. Like his father, Mr. Baer is actively connected with the Reformed Church,

and casts his vote with the Democratic party. Socially he is affiliatd with the order of Golden Eagles, and the Junior Order of American Me- chanics, having filled all the chairs of the latter organization.

Mr. Baer married, June 10, 1888, Ella J. Deibert, of Schnecksville, Lehigh county, daugh- ter of Solomon Deibert, and they are the par- ents of two children: Minerva Cecilla, born May 9, 1893; and Florence Evelyn, born Sept. 14, 1900.

JOHN E. BAER, farmer of Lowhill, was born Dec. 18, 1874, on the farm which he owns and operates, situated on the road from Schnecksville to Claussville, near Weidasville. He was reared on the place and he received his education in the township school and also in a private school at Schnecksville, until he reached the age of twenty- two years. Then he embarked in the general store business at Weidasville and carried it on successfully for seventeen years, till April 1, 1913, when he bought the homestead of 128 acres, sold the store business to his brother, and since then has followed farming there.

While still a boy he took up the study of music and became a proficient teacher and vocal- ist. Since 1900 he has filled the position of or- ganist and choir leader of the two congregations at the Morgenland church and since 1907 also at the Lowhill church, and for four years he served as superintendent of the Sunday school in the Highland school building. He is promi- nently identified with the Baer Family Reunion, having shown much interest in its proceedings since its organization.

In 1897 Mr. Baer was married to Letitia C. Ritter, daughter of Aaron, of Egypt, and they have six children: Earl, Lydia, Erma, Philip, Eileen and Jerome.

His father, Phaon Baer, was an active farmer in Lowhill for many years. There he served as a school director and treasurer of the Board of Supervisors; also as deacon and elder of the Morganland church, now filling the office of trustee. He has lived in retirement at Guths- ville, in South Whitehall, since 1896. He was married to Mary Buchman, daughter of Nathan, farmer of Weisenberg, and they had seven chil- dren: Sarah Lydia, who was married to Calvin Moyer, and died in 1901; Helena, married Ed- win Klotz; Annie was married first time to Levi Grim and second time to Samuel Ritter; Alice married Elias Grim and died 1898, aged 27 years; Ida married William Klotz; Milton mar- ried Mary Grim; and John E. His grandfather was Jonas Baer, farmer of Lowhill, and his great grandfather, Jonathan Baer.

Nathan Buchman, farmer of Weisenberg, was

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

married to Polly Hausman, and they had four children: Dr. Daniel P., deceased, was married to Miss Snyder; Frank, married Sarah Greena- wald; Sallie, married Henry Dietrich, of Upper Macungie ; and one died in infancy.

Aaron Ritter, father of Mrs. John E. Baer, was a farmer of Egypt, married to Teresa Koh- ler. They had seven children: Clara, married Reuben Miller and died 1903, aged 36 years ; Ann, married Oliver Frantz; Laura, married David Schneck; Viola, single; Letitia; Phaon, married Geneva Smith; and Edward, married Annie Troxell. He died in 1909, aged 73 years, and his wife died in 1913, also aged 73 years.

Her grandfather was John Ritter, who fol. lowed carpenter and farmer near Laury's, in Whitehall, and was married to Catharine Peter, of the same place, and they had eight children : Elias, married Sarah Hoffman; Aaron; Tilgh- man, married Susanna Frey; Alfred, married Henrietta Fisher ; Mary, married Henry Frantz ; Lydia, married David Esch; Elizabeth, married Jacob Diehl; and Eliza, married Lewis Mill- house, living in Illinois.

PETER F. BEAR, farmer of Weisenberg town. ship, was born April 23, 1863, on the home- stead plantation of two hundred acres, where he now lives, and was reared on the place while attending the public school and he continued with his father until 1886. He purchased the farm after his marriage in 1885. He followed teach- ing six terms, from 1882 to 1888. He officiated as a school director for three terms, as supervisor for one term and also on the election board in the several positions; and he served as a deacon and elder at Ziegel church, and also as one of the building committee in the erection of the pres- ent building. He is a member of the Reformed denomination. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as local committeeman.

Mr. Bear was married in 1885 to Alice Weida, a daughter of Lewis, a farmer of Weisenberg, and they have four children: Anna A. (gradu- ated from the Keystone State Normal School in 19II, and taught public school seven terms in Weisenberg, and was on Dec. 25, 1913, married to Milton T. George) ; Francis G. (graduated from same Normal school in 1912, and taught public school in Lowhill two terms) ; Ella M. (attending same Normal school) ; and Edna Ruth.

William Bear, his father, was a farmer and owned the same plantation. He served as a school director, election officer, Democratic com- mitteeman for many years, and delegate to county conventions; and also the several posi- tions in the vestry of the Reformed denomination at Ziegel church. He was tax collector for many

years. He was married to Caroline Werley, a daughter of Jonathan, a farmer of Lowhill, and they had five children: Peter, Phaon, who died when four years old; Louisa, who died when young; Rosa A., married Benedict Weiss; and Sybilla, married Phaon Bear.

His grandfather was Benjamin Bear, a farmer, married to Bear, a daughter of Jacob Baer. They had twelve children: William; Jonas, Levi, Edwin, Phaon, Peter R., Charles, Elias, Sarah, married Samuel Wanamaker and moved to Ohio; Caroline, m. Amos Moyer, Mrs. John Kuhns, Julian, m. Jonas Moyer. Ben- jamin was a son of Peter, farmer of Weisenberg, where Peter F. now resides. Peter was a son of Adam, who was assessed in the township in 1781 for the property now occupied by Peter F.

Lewis Weida, the father of Mrs. Peter F. Bear, was a farmer of Weisenberg, and died in 1907, aged 69 years. He was married to Sarah Bausch, a daughter of George, of Lynn, and they had three children : Mary, married to James Bear; Sarah, married to John Vought; and Alice A., she died in 1906, aged 71 years. And Mrs. Bear's grandfather was Joshua Weida, farmer of Lynn, married Rebecca Reinhart, and they had six children : Lewis, Owen, Levi, Sarah, married Reuben Kunkel; Kitty Ann, married Levi Hunsicker at Saegersville; and Annetta, married Lewis Fenstermacher. sketch of Weida family.

See

CHRISTOPHEL BAER.

Christophel Baer, known as Stoffel, settled in Whitehall township. He had a tract of over five hundred acres patented to himself and is said to have named it Baren Hutte. The original home- stead has ever since been in possession of his de- scendants. The present owner is Henry C. Baer. The old house, used as a place of refuge and de- fense during the Indian uprisings, is still stand- ing. He was married to Catherine Mingert, a daughter of Johannes Mingert, of Boelweiler, in Zweibrucken. In his will probated 1786, he be- queathed to each one of his children a family Bible and describes even the kind of print they are to have. He was the father of six children.

I. Heinrich, removed to Bruder Valley town- ship, Somerset county, Pa., prior to 1800. His descendants are said to have migrated westward.

2. Melchior, received the old homestead on which he lived and died. He had four children : Henry, Catherine, m. Isaac Harmony ; Susanna, m. Christian Derr; and Magdalena, m. Ab- raham Derr.

3. Johannes, married to Susanna Belgert. He sold his holdings in Whitehall and removed to Alleghany township, Maryland, where he died

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

without issue. His widow later resided in Rom- ney county, Virginia.

4. Salome was married to William Kern, of Heidelberg. They had a number of children of whom Christopher was the oldest.

5. Appolonia, died unmarried.

6. John Jacob was born in 1761 on the old homestead. He was made the executor of his fa- ther's will. In 1800 he removed to a farm near Cumberland, Md., where he died in 1823. He was twice married having four sons with the first wife and two with his second.

One son of the first marriage was John Jacob, he lived in and died in Somerset county. One of his sons, Daniel, died there in 1900 at the age of eighty-five.

Major Solomon Baer, the youngest son of John Jacob, was born near Unionville in 1794. He removed with his parents to Maryland in 1800 and in about 1816 removed to a farm in Somerset county. He died in Somerset in 1812, aged 88 years. To him and his wife Anna Maria were born four sons: Henry, an editor, contract- ed consumption in the Union Army and died ; the late ex-judge William J. Baer; ex-Judge Herman Baer, of Somerset, and George F. Baer, late president of the Reading Railway.

HENRY C. BAER, the present owner, was born on the old homestead, April 28, 1854. He was educated in the public schools and the Keystone State Normal school. After clerking for several years in the store at Guth's Station, he engaged in farming on the old homestead. The farm com- prises about one hundred acres. The homestead originally comprised about five hundred acres. Henry Baer, the grandfather of the present own- er divided the farm into three tracts. The old house erected by Christophel Baer is still stand- ing. The above illustration shows it in its pres- ent condition. It was, as may be seen from the reproduction, originally only one story high. During the Indian uprisings it was frequently used as a house of refuge for the near-by set- tlers, hence it is frequently spoken of as the Indian Fort. Henry C. Baer is a Democrat in politics, and has served as school director for a period of seven years. He and his family are members of the Jordan Reformed church, where his father and grandfather lie buried.

In 1877, he was married to Sarah M. Wor- man, a daughter of Abraham and Mary (Roth) Worman. To them were born two children: Robert, a farmer in North Whitehall and Eva S., a school teacher. She was graduated from the township high school in 1905, after which she attended the Schnecksville academy and pre- pared herself for the profession of teaching. Since 1907 she has been teaching in her native

township. She takes an active interest in the Ironton Sunday school.

Henry Baer, son of Melchior and grandson of Christophel Baer, lived on the old homestead in Whitehall township. In connection with the farm he also conducted a distillery, which stood near the Coplay creek, three hundred feet south of the present dwelling. The building was torn down in 1900 and some of the stones were used in the erection of the new farm house. In this old distillery there had been preserved in a small chest many old documents and papers. This chest with its precious documents was de- stroyed by the present owner. What a pity, that this present generation should have been so careless, with the papers and documents of their ancestors. Let this be an admonition to others who may read the pathetic story that they de- stroy not the sacred documents of their forefa- ther's but in honor to them preserve them, either

CHRISTOPHER BAER HOMESTEAD.

by presenting them to some family association or historical society or carefully treasuring them, themselves. He was the father of four sons: Peter ; Henry ; Adam and John; and five daugh- ters: Magdalena, who was never married ; Han- nah, married to Owen Neihard; Judith, mar- ried to Daniel Levan; Sallie, married Elias Ken- nel, and Eliza, married to Mr. Leiser.

Adam Baer, son of Henry, was a lifelong farm- er and resided on the old homestead where he lived retired many years. To him and his wife, Salanda Stopp, were born the following chil- dren: Willoughby; Henry C .; Lewis, who re- sides at Paunee, Ill .; Amanda, married to Ed- win Oswald, of Schnecksville; Sarah, married to Tilghman Weaver and Elemina, married to Henry Fenstermacher.

Willoughby J. Baer, son of Adam, lives re- tired on a part of the old homestead. He was born Sept. 5, 1840 and was a shoemaker by trade

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

In 1876, he purchased a part of the original Baer tract, which he continued to till, until 1912, when he retired and was succeeded by his son-in- law. He built the house in 1886 and the barn in 1890. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Jordan Reformed congregation. He is married to Emma Weaver, a daughter of Tilghman Weaver. They have issue: Harvey of Whitehall; Katie J., married to George Blose ; and Carrie, married to Francis Schmoyer.

BAHL FAMILY.

Tobias Bahl who emigrated from Germany to America on the ship Dragon, which landed at Philadelphia, September 30, 1732, was the an- cestor of a large Pennsylvania family. Pennsyl- vania Archives, Vol. 17, Second Series. The name is spelled as Bahl, Baal, and Ball. In 1734 a patent deed was granted to him for a tract of land in Upper Saucon township, now Northamp- ton county, and there on the tax list of 1762, appears the name of Philip Baal, whose son, Philip Baal, Jr., the federal census of 1790, of Upper Saucon township, records as the head of a family consisting of four sons under sixteen years of age, a wife and two daughters.

Philip Bahl, son of John Bahl, who was a brother of Philip, Jr., was of the fourth gen- eration. He was born Sept. 18, 1812, and died on May 7, 1883, aged 71 years, 7 months, and 19 days. He and his wife are buried on Fairview cemetery, Allentown. He had been a farmer in Upper Saucon until his retirement and removal to Allentown. He was married to Louisa Riegel, a daughter of "Squire" Riegel, a farmer near Hellertown, Pa. Two children were born to them, as follows: Helen, who died aged 21 years; and John Jacob.

JOHN JACOB BAHL, late of Allentown, was born October 17, 1855. He attended the public schools and the Allentown academy. His early life was spent upon the farm and upon the re- tirement of his father, Philip, he succeeded him to the cultivation of the homestead farm situated in Upper Saucon township. In 1884 he re- moved to Allentown where he resided at 147 South Seventh street, until his death on March 28, 1908. He is buried on the Fairview ceme- tery, Allentown. He was a Thirty-third and Last Degree Free and Accepted Mason, and he and his family were members of the Reformed Church.

On Oct. 17, 1878, he was married to Eliza- beth Deshler, a daughter of Jacob Grim and Sarah A. (Trumbauer) Deshler. They have issue namely: Charles Philip, resides at home ;

and Helen, who died aged eight years; and Philip Deshler Bahl, who died in infancy.

BAHNER FAMILY.

The following letter, written by Rev. Dr. F. F. Bahner, a Reformed minister, located at Waynesboro, Pa., to his second cousin, Rev. J. E. Bahner, a minister of the United Evangelical church, stationed at East Greenville, Pa., is here- with published in its entirety.

WAYNESBORO, PA., Sept. 26, 1912. MY DEAR COUSIN :

I was glad to get your letter of yesterday. I have never contemplated setting up a "family tree," but have been greatly interested in trac- ing my great-grandfather, Nicholas Bahner, to the old ancestral home in Germany, and I have my heart set on going over there some day and eating and sleeping in the old house, built in the 13th century, and still occupied by a family of our relatives. I would also like to attend serv- ices in the old church in which he worshipped, built in the 10th century, and still used by the Reformed people of the village. In the list of Hessian soldiers (of 1776) at Marburg, the name appears as Nicholas Bahner, but on the church record, in his native village, Reichenbach, it is Johann Nicholaus Bahn. The "er" was affixed to the name either by the recruiting officer, or by my great-grandfather himself. That is a point which I have never been able to clear up satis- factorily to myself. There are also Bahners in Germany, and I have a letter from one of them, but they do not come from Hesse. I have no doubt as to the identity of Johann Nicholas Bahn and Bahner, for the archivist at Marburg says that the two names stand for one and the same man.

Your great-great-great-great-grandfather was: Johann Georg Bahn. Your great-great-great- grandfather : Johann Heinrich Bahn, baptized June 13, 1728; confirmed, March 22, 1742, and as you know, your great-great-grandfather was Johann Nickolaus Bahn, born Jan. 18, 1754; bap- tized Feb. 28, 1754; died Feb. 5, 1824; aged, 70 years and 18 days (or as it appears at Mar- burg, and as he himself wrote it in this country, Nicholas Bahner ).

As my father's name is John, you see that my male ancestors, on my father's side, were Johns for at least, five generations.

I lately got copies of the order of worship, hymn book, and catechism used by the Reformed congregation in the old church in Hesse, and a gown and cap such as all the ministers there wear, etc.

I have received a number of post cards from

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

Hesse-one of the old ancestral Bahn house, of the parsonage, church, &c.

I expect to visit the graveyard at the Stone Valley church again in the near future. Some years ago I made a record of the inscriptions on the stones over the graves of both my great- grandfather and great-grandmother, and if you could spare me one of your pictures of them, I would greatly appreciate it.

Did you ever, in your researches, find any records in a family Bible, or elsewhere, made by the hand of my great-grandfather? All I ever saw was his name attached to a will-Nicholas Bahner-written by himself. What further do you have? Can you let me have one of your pictures of the grave? Yours sincerely,

F. F. BAHNER.

THE AMERICAN LINE OF THIS FAMILY. Nicholas Bahner and His Descendants in Penn- sylvania.

Nicholas Bahner, founder of the American branch of this family, came to this country dur- ing the Revolutionary War as one of the Hessian soldiers. He was born Jan. 18, 1754, and after the Revolutionary War, first located near Wom- elsdorf, in Berks county, Pa., thence he moved to Lebanon county, near Frederickburg, and from there to the Lykens Valley, in Dauphin county, near Gratz. He lived there some years on a tract of land in Lykens township, then moved to what is now Jordan township in Northumber- land county, where he bought a tract of land which remained in the family name to the third generation. He followed farming to the end of his days. He was a tall, erect and handsome man, the ideal of a soldier. He died Feb. 5, 1824, and is buried at the Zion's church, in the Stone Valley, where his wife also rests. He was a member of the Reformed Church. He married Margaret Stahr, born Feb. 26, 1754, and who died Aug. 13, 1831. She was a native of Leba- non county. To them were born four sons and a daughter. The sons being: Jacob, Heinrich, Frederich, and John. The daughter was married to a Stump, in Northumberland county, and they settled in Ohio.

Jacob Bohner, the oldest son of Nicholas, was born Nov. 8, 1783, in Lykens Valley. He was a successful farmer, owning three good farms. For some years he lived near Hebe, and was a member of the Hebe Reformed Church, and there he is buried. He died Dec. 20, 1863. His wife, Catharine Deibler, was born May 16, 1789, and died Sept. 27, 1855. Their children were: Jacob, Jonathan, John, Abraham, Daniel, David, George, Matthias, Michael, Elizabeth, Eva and Polly.

Henry Bohner, the second son of the ancestor, remained on the homestead, and followed farm- ing. He was twice married, first to a Brosius, and second to Rebecca Troutman. By the first wife he had Peter, Jacob, Henry, Nicholas, Cath- arine, Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Mrs. Jacob Mil- ler. By his second wife he had William and Sarah.

Frederick Bohner, the third son of the ancestor, was born June 20, 1790, and died March 12, 1831. He settled near Uniontown in Jordon township, and was a prosperous farmer, owning and cultivating a large farm, a part of the home- stead. He was a public spirited and highly re- spected citizen. He was one of the founders of the Evangelical Church in Uniontown. He mar- ried Eva Brosius, born in 1792 and died in 1872. They are buried in Bohner's ( Union) cemetery, near Uniontown. Their children were Daniel (m. Julian Mease) ; Lydia (m. Rev. Mr. Ans- pach ) ; Sallie (m. a Wildermuth) ; Rebecca (m. Moses Troutman) ; and Phoebe (m. a Mr. Mease).

John Bohner, the youngest son of the ances- tor, was born Sept. 4, 1792, in the Mahantango Valley. He owned a valuable farm of 140 acres located near Mahanoy, Pa. He was a stone mason and followed that trade most of the time. His children conducting the farm. He died June 7, 1880, and is buried at the Mahanoy Church, of which he was an official member. His wife, Maria Delp, was born 1789 and died in 1868. Their children were Peter, Daniel, David, Simon, John, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Su- sanna, Maricha, Catharine and Dinah.

Daniel Bohner, son of Frederick, son of Nicholaus, lived near Uniontown, on part of his homestead, being the farm of Daniel K. Schlegel. He acquired a substantial property, but lost heavily in the U. B. graveyard insurance venture. A man of intelligence and remarkable foresight, he was a leader in his community in many ways. Converted at his home during the thirties, under Bishop Seibert, then a presiding elder of the Evangelical Association, he was one of the found- ers of the church of that denomination at Union- town and was one of the most zealous and ef- fective advocates of the doctrines of that sect in his vicinity, doing much for its advancement. He helped to erect the first Evangelical Church at Uniontown, giving liberally not only of money but of lumber and other material, doing consid- erable hauling, boarding workmen, etc. He held many offices in the church and to the end of his days was an ardent Christian and a truly spirit- ual man. The camp-meeting was held in his grove, and through his zealous efforts many members were brought into the church. He

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

served as lay delegate to many church confer- ences, and to the general conference. He was a devout student of the Bible. Mr. Bohner died March 29, 1904, at the advanced age of 91 years, IO months and 7 days. He was always a strong man physically, was short, heavy set, broad shouldered, and had a full face. In 1874 he built a large vault in Bohner's Union cemetery, near Pillow, and about 20 years before his death had a steel coffin made for himself and wife, Julianna Measy (Mease), who passed away Dec. 8, 1898, aged 81 years, 8 months and 13 days. They had children as follows: Emanuel, Rev. Benjamin, Henry, Daniel, Phoebe (m. Wil-

REV. BENJ. F. BOHNER.

liam Spotts and lived in Kansas), Annie, Mary (known as Polly, died unmarried), Sarah (m. Jeremiah Weaver) and Emma (m. Simon Eyer, of New Jersey ).

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 9

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