History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. III, Part 100

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: 854


USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. III > Part 100


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Claude U. Steckel, twin brother of Clyde R. Steckel, is a member of the firm of Steckel Brothers, contractors, and his general record is similar to that of his brother.


Claude U. Steckel married, July 28, 1904, Mamie Kutz, daughter of Alvin and Sybilla (Buchman) Kutz, and has two nhildren : Althea K. and Elizabeth L. Steckel.


STECKEL FAMILY (Bucks Co.)


Henry Steckel, a grandson of the immigrant ancestor from Germany, who settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1725, was born in the county named and located at Doyles- town in 1778. Among his children was Samuel Steckel, Sr., who was born in Springfield town- ship in 1789, and followed carpentering and building, which he had learned under his father. He took charge of the business when only eighteen years of age because his father had become blind; and in 1818 he moved to Durham township, where he continued the business until his decease in 1866. His wife was Anna Hammett, daugh- ter of Thomas Hammett, of the city of Philadel- phia. She died in 1861. They had eight chil- dren: William, Elias, Aaron, Maria, David, Samuel, Julia and Evelina, who died in infancy. He was enlisted in the War of 1812, and became a captain; and since then until he died he was generally recognized and addressed as "Captain."


Julia Steckel, the daughter, was born in Dur- ham township on Nov. 9, 1836, and there she attended the public schools. She married Abra- ham Beil, of Upper Saucon township, a travel- ing salesman, and they had two children: Alice, who married William Diehl, of Quakertown, and Annie, who married David Hackman, both of whom died without leaving children. Upon the decease of Mr. Beil, the widow married Abraham Steckel, son of John, by whom she had two sons: George married, first, Nellie Hender-


son, and second, Evangeline Buck, and Albert married Mary Devlin. George Steckel, the older son, became a successful photographer and artist at Los Angeles, Cal., and he received eighteen gold medals from America and France for supe- rior workmanship.


EDWIN E. STECKER.


Edwin E. Stecker, of Coplay, was born at Schoenersville, Northampton county, Pa., June 9, 1877. His grandparents, John and Sarah (Miller) Stecker, resided at Tatamy, and fol- lowed farming. Oliver P., father of Edwin E., was born July 31, 1852, in Forks township, and for the greater part of his life lived on his own farm near Bethlehem. He filled the offices of school director of Hanover township, as well as that of supervisor. He is a member of the Lu- theran congregation of the Schoenersville church, which he served as deacon and elder. He was married to Hannah Butz and had 6 children: Cora, married to William H. Colver (she died in 1907) ; Edwin E .; Alice, married to Titus Heckman; William, married to Sallie Balliet ; Sena, married to Willis Bruch, and Sarah, mar- ried to Chester Lerch ..


Edwin E. Stecker, confectioner, of Coplay, was reared on the farm and in 1900 engaged in the grocery business at Bethlehem, until July 24, 1911, when he sold out and purchased the confectionary and ice cream business from Frank Schleicher, on 2nd street in Coplay. He has the leading ice cream and confectionary parlor in Coplay. During the holiday season he also handles a full line of toys and novelties. He is a member of the Lutheran church. In 1904 he was married to Laura Lambert, daughter of Charles and Amanda (Ganganere) Lambert, of Emaus. They have no children.


REV. AUGUSTUS STEIMLE.


Rev. Frederick W. T. Steimle, son of Tobias and Catharine (Rentschler) Steimle, was born in Altzenberg, Würtemberg, May 21, 1827 ; stud- ied at Tübigen; later deciding to enter mission work in Africa, he entered the Missionary Insti- tute at Basel. But the appeal from the United States was so strong that, after ordination, he came to New York in 1851. He was stationed first at Ellenville, N. Y., then for a few months at Williamsburg, after which he became assistant pastor in St. Matthew's, New York, for four years, and in 1855 founded Zion's Lutheran church, Brooklyn, where he was pastor to his death, Feb. 28, 1880. He had been president of the New York synod during the six years of its existence ; published das Gleichniss vom Verlornen Schaf (1856) ; 14 Predigten (1859). October 7,


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1851, he married Anna Neth, ten children being born to them, of which the youngest is Augustus.


Rev. Augustus Steimle, son of Rev. F. W. T. and Anna (Neth) Steimle, was born in Brook- lyn, N. Y., July 23, 1870. He attended Miss Meinen's Select School and then Deghner's Academy. In 1882, he entered Luther College, Buffalo, N. Y., graduating therefrom in 1888. Afterwards he entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Pa., graduating from it in 1891. Being ordained by the Minis- terium of Pennsylvania, he became assistant pas- tor at Memorial church, St. Paul, Minn. ( 1891- 92). In January, 1893, he became pastor of St. Paul's, Red Wing, Minn. January, 1896, he assumed the pastorate of Holy Trinity Lutheran church, Brooklyn, N. Y., being its first pastor, and continuing here till Feb. 12, 1907, when he assumed charge of St. John's Lutheran church, Allentown, Pa. He served as secretary of the Synod of Northwest; English secretary of New York Ministerium, and also of the New York- New England Synod. At present he is a trustee of Muhlenberg College, and also treasurer of the Juvenile Court Association of Lehigh county. In politics, he is a Republican. On June 14, 1899, he was married to Emily Bruning, a daughter of P. C. and Margaret (Stegeman) Bruning, and has the following children: I. Mildred ; 2. Douglas B; 3. Edmund A.


STEINHAEUSER FAMILY.


Rev. Albert T. W. Steinhaeuser's grandpar- ents, Conrad and Ursula (Yauch) Steinhaeuser, were natives of Germany, the former coming to America in 1846; the latter in 1847. They were married in the United States, settled at Rochester, becoming the parents of fifteen chil- dren, among whom were Elizabeth, wife of Con- rad Hildebrandt ; William S., married to Louise Miller ; Agnes, married to Delbert Marsielj ; Margaret, married to Stephen Kendall, and Jacob.


Rev. Jacob Steinhaeuser, D.D., was born in Rochester, New York, July 5, 1850. Having obtained his early education in the parochial schools he afterwards attended the public schools of his native place, and subsequently the Academy of Rochester. He next went to Hart- wick Seminary, in Ostego county, New York. Having completed his course of study there, he next proceeded to New York City, matriculating in St. Matthew's German-American Academy. Entering thereafter the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, from which he grad- uated in 1875. He was pastor at Boonville, N. Y., for two years; then at Cohocton for a simi- lar period, and then at Kingston on the Hudson


from 1878-1888. Thereupon he returned to Rochester to accept the presidency of Wagner Memorial Lutheran College, remaining at its head for six and a-half years. In 1894 he was called to St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Allen- town, where he continued for almost ten years, or up to his death. Since 1895 he had filled the chair of Hebrew in Muhlenberg College, which institution conferred on him the degree of Doc- tor of Divinity in 1902.


Dr. Steinhaeuser was married, August 19, 1875, to Marie C. Becker, of Buffalo, a daugh- ter of Philip B. and Marie (Wingert) Becker. The issue was seven children: Albert; Walter P .; Elsa M., wife of Dr. Willard Kline; Ar- thur F .; Hilda E .; Alma L., and Elmer D. Rev. Dr. Steinhaeuser died suddenly on Sunday Sept. 25, 1904. He was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Allentown.


REV. ALBERT T. W. STEINHAEUSER, son of Rev. Dr. Jacob and Marie C. (Becker) Stein- haeuser, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Sept. 30, 1876. Attending the public schools in Kingston, N. Y., up to 1888, he then entered Wagner Col . lege at Rochester, from which he graduated in 1894. Afterwards he pursued a post-graduate course in the University of Rochester and then entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Pa., from which he graduated in 1898. His first pastoral charge was New Holland ( 1899-1903), from where he was called in 1903 to become his father's assist- ant in St. Michael's, and subsequently, after his father's death, became the regular pastor. Muh- lenberg College, in 1910, conferred the A. B. degree upon him. He has written quite a num- ber of papers for the Lutheran Church Review, etc. Since 1911, he has been a member of the Examining Committee of Synod. He resides at 201 North 9th street, Allentown, Pa.


STEIN (STINE) FAMILY.


Jacob Stein and his wife, in 1742, emigrated from Germany to America, settling upon a large tract of land in Richmond township, Berks county, Pennsylvania. Their son, Heinrich, was born during the voyage in 1742. Other children were: Michael, Peter, Jacob and John.


In the year 1781, the names of Michael Stein and the widow of John Stein are on the assess- ment roll of Lynn township, this county.


George Stein, grandson of Jacob, the pioneer, was born about 1760. In the Federal census of 1790 we find him living in Albany' township, Berks county, and at that time he was the father of two sons and four daughters. He married Catharine Schmidt, born March 3, 1761, died


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March 10, 1842, in her 82d year, and among her children was a son, Daniel.


Daniel Stein, son of George, was born during the Revolutionary period, and was a farmer in Lynn township near Jacksonville. Of his chil- dren were: Anna, (Hollenbach) ; Polly was un- married ; and David, born in 1796.


David Stein, son of Daniel, was born Oct. 3, 1796, lived upon his own farm near Hynemans- ville, where he died Sept. 6, 1870, and is buried at Seiberlingsville.


His wife was Magdalena Neff. She was born Feb. 15, 1800, and died Oct. 1, 1877. They were Lutherans. Their children were: Henry ; William, who succeeded to the homestead, died at Jacksonville; Joseph, lived near Rothrocks- ville; Willoughby, died at Frederick, Delaware; and Amelia, born Sept. 14, 1831, married Elias Wetherold.


Henry Stine, son of David, was born May 30, 1823, in Windsor township, Berks county, Pa. He settled upon a farm near Fogelsville, which contained a rich deposit of iron ore. He was en- gaged in ore mining in connection with operating his farm, at one time employing forty people. He and family were Lutherans and he served as deacon and elder of the Ziegel church, of which he was a member of the building committee that erected the second church to which he contributed liberally in money and labor, hauling nearly all the lumber used in its construction from Allen- town.


Mr. Stein was prominent in Masonic circles, and in Democratic politics. He had served his district as a school director and was nominated for the State Legislature, and his election seemed an assured fact but a few days prior to election day, a malicious report was circulated and he failed of election only by a small vote.


He married Catharine Miller. She was born June 23, 1829, died on Sept. 9, 1863. He died Dec. 24, 1896. Mrs. Stein was a daughter of Joseph and Catharine (Trexler) Miller, of Up- per Macungie, and a grand-daughter of Andreas and Catharine (Schaeffer ) Miller. Joseph Mil- ler was born Oct. 11, 1798; died Feb. 26, 1868. His wife was born Oct. 22, 1801.


Mr. and Mrs. Stein had these children: R. Frank ; Mary C., who died aged 16 years ; Edwin H .; Oscar J. ; Aleda A., m. Horatio Merkel ; and Benjamin.


R. FRANK STINE, a retired businessman of Al- lentown, was born Aug. 31, 1849, in Upper Ma- cungie township; was educated in the common schools of that district, the State Normal School, at Kutztown, and the Freeland Seminary. He continued to work upon the farm until 1872 when he formed a partnership with A. C. Kramlich,


under the firm name of Stine & Kramlich, and were engaged in the wholesale liquor business at Catasauqua, Pa., for 21 years. Later the firm be- came R. Frank Stine and Bro. On Sept. 1, 1912, Mr. Stine retired from business which his brother Oscar J., has continued to the present.


Mr. and Mrs. Stine reside at No. 1020 Ham- ilton street, Allentown. They have travelled ex- tensively, and are active members of Christ Lutheran church. They have contributed very liberally towards the cause of missions, and helped in the erection of the Lutheran church lo- cated in the village of Palo Seco, P. R., to which place they make annual visits since 1912. In this church a Sunday school was organized, in 1914, which has a membership of sixty souls. He was united in wedlock with Ella C. Smith, daughter of Solomon and Miss ( Bleiler ) Smith, of Weisen- berg.


OSCAR J. STINE, attorney-at-law, trades under the firm name of R. F. Stine & Bro., is a whole- sale liquor dealer in Catasauqua. He was born in Upper Macungie township, Aug. 8, 1859.


He was educated in the public schools and Muhlenberg College, from which he graduated in 1882. After graduation he read law with his brother, Edwin H. Stine, at Allentown, and was admitted to the Lehigh county bar, June 7, 1886, and practiced with his brother under the name of Stine Brothers. In the fall of 1887 he and David R. Horne, Esq., went to Wichita, Kansas, and opened a law office under the name of Horne & Stein, but in June of the following year, the firm dissolved, Mr. Stine returning to Allentown and resuming partnership with his brother.


In 1891 Mr. Stine became connected in the wholesale liquor business under the name of Stine and Kramlich. In 1898, Mr. Kramlich died and the firm name was changed to R. F. Stine & Bro. In politics, a Democrat, and at one time came within one vote of being elected to council in the rock-ribbed Republican borough of Cat- asauqua. Like his father he is an adherent of the Lutheran Church.


In 1893 he married Addie Colver, a daughter of the late Samuel Colver, of Allentown. They have these children: Marian C., and Catharine.


John Stein, son of Jacob, the ancestor, married Maria Berk and their children were: Jacob; Peter, Daniel, Benjamin, Solomon, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Hetty. John Stein died about 1835, at an advanced age. Jacob, their son, was born in 1791, married Sarah Sunday. They had chil- dren: Solomon ; Adam; Nathan; Annie (Mrs. William Schaeffer ) ; Lavinia ( Mrs. Daniel Deish- er ) ; Lucunda ( Mrs. Henry K. Siegfried) ; Jacob ; and Henry, all born in Greenwich township. Jacob Stein was a farmer and distiller. He


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owned over 500 acres of land, which he divided into five farms, and built good farm buildings; he also built a school house for the township near his home. He died in May, 1872, aged 81 years. His wife died in February, 1846.


Daniel Stein, son of John and Maria (Berk) Stein, married Elizabeth Kunkel, and had chil- dren: Lizzie A .; John; Benneville, had the homestead in Windsor township; Hettie; Eliza- beth; George, d. unmarried, aged 52; Beckie; Jacob D., born about 1850; William, who mi- grated to Ohio; and Sarah.


Adam Stein, son of Jacob and Sarah (Sunday) Stein, born Dec. 8, 1819, was married in 1846 to Florinda Bieber, of Maxatawny township.


He took great interest in educational matters. He gave liberally to the support of the Keystone State Normal School, which was founded in 1866, and served for II years as a trustee. He was for three years president and treasurer of the township school board, and was for 12 years a member of the same; in 1864 he was elected county commissioner and served three years.


Their children were: William B., who lived at Kutztown, Pa., married Emma Kisler; Isaac B., married Delilah Sechler ; Sally Ann, married William D. Dietrich, and died in 1870, leaving one son; Lewis Adam; Malara, also married William D. Dietrich and had four children, she died November, 1881 ; and Leonora A., who died in September, 1880, aged 22 years.


George Stein, son of John, whose widow was on the assessment roll of Lynn township in 1781, was a farmer in Albany township. He and his wife, a born Regens ( ?) are buried at the New Bethel (Eck) church, near Mountainville, in Albany township. They were members of the Lutheran congregation. Their five children were: Daniel, and Isaac, who both lived near New Ringgold, Schuylkill county; Moses, of further mention; Judith, married to Amos Greenawald ; and Susanna, who is buried at the New Bethel church.


Moses Stein, son of George, was born April 30, 1827, in Albany township. For some years he owned and conducted a large farm in his na- tive township. He had an exceptionally fine live stock, good farm implements, made and kept his farm in a high state of cultivation, and his build- ings were always in the best of condition. After- ward he was a blacksmith at Lenhartsville, Berks county, where he had bought a house and lot in which he lived until the death of his wife, Cath- arine, nee Lewars, who died in 1895 and is bur- ied at the New Jerusalem (Dunkel's) church, near Lenhartsville, Pa. He died while living with his son Daniel, at Temple, Pa., in October,


1899, aged 72 years. Their children follow: Emelina and Angeline, both died young; Daniel ; William H .; and Calvin, who was a farmer in Maxatawny township, Berks county, was mar- ried to Hettie Ritter.


Daniel Stein, son of Moses, was born in 1850, is married to Priscilla Strausser and they reside at Allentown. They have nine children, namely : Emma, Naomi, William, Calvin, Moses, Charles, George, and Florence.


William H. Stein, son of Moses, was born in Berks county in 1854. He was a carpenter and followed the trade at Allentown until his death in 1908. He was a member of the St. Michael's Lutheran church and is buried on the Greenwood cemetery. He was married to Mary, a daughter of Daniel Follweiler, of Lynn township, whose history appears elsewhere in this volume. They had the following children: William A., Cyrus D., Edwin M., James H., Katie, Ella, Lizzie, and Elsie.


WILLIAM ANSON STEIN, member of the firm of W. A. Stein & Bros., Allentown, was born near Klinesville, Berks county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1877, son of the late William H. and Mary (Follweiler ) Stein.


Mr. Stein obtained a good practical education in the public schools and this was supplemented by a course in architecture in the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pa. After his graduation in the course above mentioned in November, 1902, he accepted a position as build- ing superintendent at Lebanon, Pa., and served in the above position until 1906, when he organ- ized the present firm of W. A. Stein & Brother, general contractors and builders of Allentown. They also conduct a silk ribbon factory in which they give employment to twenty people.


William A. Stein is a director of the Penn Counties Trust Company ; director and treasurer of the successful Merchants Ice Company ; direc- tor and treasurer of the Stein Bros. Silk Com- pany ; is a deacon of the St. Paul's Lutheran church ; member of Greenleaf Lodge, No. 561, F. & A. M .; Allen Chapter, No. 203, Royal Arch Masons; and Allen Council, No. 23, R. and S. M .; the Jr. O. U. A. M .; Franklin Chamber No. 9, Knights of Friendship ; and Allen Lodge, No. 71, I. O. O. F.


Notable among the many buildings in Allen- town that the firm of W. A. Stein & Brothers erected are the "Eagles Home"; the residences of W. D. Schantz and Mrs. J. P. Williams. Since the above firm engaged in business thev have erected about four hundred buildings. During the year 1913, they built one hundred and forty- one dwellings for the New Jersey Zinc Company. One hundred of these dwellings were built at


If atteine.


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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.


Palmerton, Pa., and the balance of them at Franklin Furnace, N. J .; and they built 18 dwell- ings for the Taylor, Wharton Iron and Steel Company, at High Bridge, N. J. The firm also performed much construction work for the C. R. R. of N. J., including the company's freight sta- tion at Jersey City, N. J. The tuberculosis sani- tarium at Glen Garden; the state fish hatchery at Hackettstown, N. J. In 1913 they built the eight-room school house for the borough of North Catasauqua, Pa.


On April 25, 1899, he was married to Cora Kreiss, daughter of Abraham and Jane ( Kehler) Kreiss. They have the following children: An- nie, Ruth, Paul, and Marie C. Stein.


Cyrus D. Stein, son of William H., is the manager for the Stein Brothers Silk Company, at Allentown. He is married to Ida Korn, a daugh- ter of James Korn, of New Tripoli, Pa.


Edwin M. Stein married Bertha Keller, a daughter of Frank Keller, of East Greenville, Pa.


James H. Stein married Katie Folk, of Penns- burg, Pa., and is connected with the Stein Broth- ers Silk Company.


Katie V. Stein was married to Jacob Boyer. Ella M. Stein was married to Charles Diehl. Lizzie Stein was married to William Jordan.


CHARLES D. STEININGER.


William Steininger, born in 1861, in Upper Saucon township, Lehigh county, and after com- pleting his education in the public schools, he learned, at an early age, the trade of cabinet maker, and was for 12 years engaged with Joel Ritter at Coopersburg. He then purchased a farm, and established a creamery business in Coopersburg, conducting it for 26 years, up to the period of his death. He died in 1912, and was interred in St. Paul's (Blue Church) ceme- tery. He was a progressive business man ; a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church.


He married Rebecca L. Ritter, daughter of Joel and Mary (Gehring) Ritter. Their chil- dren were: Mary, who married Allen Bossler. his widow resides at Coopersburg; Nora, married George Owen, of Lansdale, Pa., a telegraph operator for the P. & R. R. R. Company ; Charles D., of whom below; Anna, married Ar- thur Sheets ; Alice ; William ; and Edna.


Charles David Steininger, son of William, was born in 1889 in Upper Saucon township. He acquired his education in the public schools and in Dorney's Business College at Allentown, grad- uating at the age of 17 years. He conducted his father's creamery business for about 7 years, and at the death of his father in 1912, he became by purchase the sole owner of the business. He is also interested in two creameries in Allentown,


and owns a small alfalfa farm in Coopersburg. His output of butter averages about 1,500 pounds per week. He has been very successful along the above lines. He was also at one time a con- tractor and builder. He is a member of the Pa- triotic Order Sons of America, and of the Mo- ravian Church, if which he is an elder.


He married in 1912, Mamie Faust, daughter of William W. Faust, of Center Valley, Pa.


STEITZ FAMILY.


John Steitz lived and died in Germany, where he was a carpenter and builder. He died in 1846 in his 62nd year. His wife was Elizabeth Schidts, who survived him many years, having died when 75 years of age. They had ten chil- dren, but only three of them grew to mature years: Conrad (who died in South America) ; August, and Henry (who died at Allentown).


August Steitz was born in Germany, April 24, 1826, and he emigrated to the United States May 2, 1854. At the age of fourteen years he was confirmed in the faith of the Lutheran church and the six following years he worked on a farm, after which he entered the German army, as a member of the 7th Company, in the 2nd Regiment. He learned the basket-making trade and this he followed for two years. After his marriage in the winter of 1852 he crossed the ocean on the vessel "Louisa," which arrived at New York after a voyage of six weeks. He immediately went to Pennsylvania and for two years worked as hostler at a hotel in Philadel- phia. In November, 1854, he obtained employ- ment in the Eberhart stone quarry at Catasau- qua, Pa., and there he continued nine years, mak- ing baskets in the evenings. After leaving the stone quarry Mr. Steitz settled on a small tract of land in East Catasauqua, where he raised garden vegetables and sold them in the town. He followed gardening for twelve years and then became an employee of the Davies Thomas foundry for a period of six years, when he di- rected his labors to the manufacturing of bas- kets at No. 426 Race street.


Mr. Steitz was a genial and kind old gentle- man, devoted to his church and to the best in- terests of the community. Politically he was a Democrat and served as county committeeman, as a delagate to county conventions, and as truant officer for Hanover township. His fellow-citi- zens respected him highly and referred to him as "Father Steitz." On the anniversary of his eightieth birthday his seven children, forty-two grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren as- sembled at his home to do him honor. Rev. Lambert, the pastor of his church, having pre- sented him with eighty carnations in a most suit-


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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


able address, he was one of the happiest of men upon that occasion.


He was married to Christiana Boonemann. She was born in Germany, August 8, 1829, and died at Catasauqua, April 2, 1886. They had seven children: Henry G., Christian H., Con- rad A., John W., Augusta D. (married John Brophy), Franklin L., and Elizabeth C. (mar- ried C. J. Deily).




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