USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. III > Part 131
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138
Upon his return home, he worked on the farm for his father for three years. Then he had reached the age of eighteen years, and feeling equipped in health, education and experience to start out for himself, he went to the store of John R. Schall, at Trexlertown, and securing a clerkship, he filled the position for a year. With this introductory preparation, he went to Allen- town, and secured a position as clerk in the dry goods and grocery store of Kline & Kern, where he remained one year. After an experience of several months as a book agent for this district, which embraced all the towns in the Lehigh Val- ley from Allentown to Carbondale, he obtained a position as clerk in the store of Owen and Jos- eph Saeger, at an annual salary of $300, and there he continued three years. While here, he sug- gested a system of sprinkling the streets which was used successfully for many years.
Mr. Yeager at this time got a notion to try a business venture in New York City, so, with the money he had saved he bought a number of horses and took them there to sell, but the market was poor, he accidentally broke his arm and returned to Allentown, minus in cash with his notion ex- ploded. He then rented a stable and embarked in the livery business. This was in the time that the Lehigh Valley Railroad was being constructed, and he started the first "omnibus line" at Allen- town. This was a fortunate enterprise for him, for in ten years he sold out with a profit of $12,000.
Mr. Yeager was then thirty-three years old, and seeing the prospects of Allentown developing into a large and prosperous inland city, the "Queen City of the Lehigh Valley." he engaged in the business of buying and selling real estate, and for thirty years he followed it in a most successful manner including extensive building operations and the improvement of the streets Within the first ten years, he had amassed prop- erty interests amounting to $150,000. The panic came on and failures followed, but his courageous, enterprising, indomitable spirit kept on and with the encouragement and assistance of a kindred spirit, M. L. Kauffman, Esq., he carried on build-
1436
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
ing operations at Seventh and Liberty streets by getting the material men and grocers to take houses for their claims. In this way he gave employment to many people and sustained the credit of the city. He proved himself a master- builder in every way, putting up altogether about 300 houses. But he also erected business blocks and factories, and he was largely instrumental in locating here industrial establishments which proved of great consequence in the development and enrichment of Allentown, as evidenced by the growing stores and shops, and banks, and increasing population.
With such a progressive, venturesome and en- terprising spirit, Mr. Yeager was quite naturally a Republican. He believed in protection and the support of home industry. He took an active in- terest in politics, and was a delegate to the na- tional convention at which General Grant was nominated for President. In 1890, he received the unanimous nomination on the Republican ticket for mayor, but was defeated in a Demo- cratic community by only a small majority.
Mr. Yeager was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran church and a liberal contributor in its successful maintenance. He was affiliated with Greenleaf Lodge, No. 561, F. & A. M.
In 1862, Mr. Yeager was married to Priscilla S. Romig, a daughter of Peter Romig, and they had an only son, William R., whose history follows.
LESHER H. YEAGER, successful merchant and banker at Allentown, was born Aug. 25, 1851, at East Texas, in Lower Macungie township, and while being reared on a farm, attended the township school from four to six months annually from fall to the following spring, until he be- came sixteen years of age. Then he went to Al- lentown to prepare the way for a mercantile career by engaging first as a clerk in the confec- tionery store of M. B. Schadt for two years, and in the "Old Kramer Store," at Seventh and Hamilton streets, for three years. With this ex- perience in business, he became associated with the firm of S. R. Engelman & Company, first as a clerk, and later as a partner, which was engaged as wholesale dealers in china, glass and queens- ware at No. 740 Hamilton (now Young's hard- ware store). He continued there upward of two years, when he formed a partnership with J. M. Culberson to engage in the same business, and lo- cating at No. 46 North Seventh street, they traded as Yeager & Culberson for five years, when he purchased the interest of Mr. Culberson and carried on the business alone in a most suc- cessful manner for upward of thirty years, until Jan. 1, 1912, at which time he retired.
During this business career he developed a
wholesale and retail trade in china, glass, queens, wood and willow-ware which was extended throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey by trav- eling salesmen and his establishment came to be recognized as one of the largest and completest stores of this kind in Eastern Pennsylvania; and while this was going on his son, Charles H. Yeag- er, was being educated and fitted to take his place. Upon retiring from business Jan. 1, 1912, the son organized the "L. H. Yeager Company, Inc.," which has continued the large business suc- cessfully, and kept up the reputation of the estab- lishment in a most admirable manner.
In 1896, Mr. Yeager erected the "Yeager Building" at No. 21 North Seventh street, being a marble front structure, four stories and base- ment, 30 feet wide by 230 feet deep, which was then regarded as one of the finest and most impos- ing buildings for business in the city of Allen- town. He also erected other business places and many private residences ; and he has since come to be one of the largest owners of real estate 'in the city of Allentown.
While concerned in the mercantile and building affairs, he also became prominently identified with the financial institutions of Allentown-the Sec- ond National Bank, the Citizens' Deposit and Trust Company, the Ridge Avenue Bank, and vice-president of the Penn Counties Trust Com- pany. He also showed great interest in the indus- trial welfare of the city by encouraging the erec- tion and maintenance of manufacturing establish- ments, which evidenced his enterprising spirit. He took great interest in plans for the enlarge- ment and development of the city by preparing the way for a "Greater Allentown," and induc- ing strangers to "dwell here." Naturally he be- came prominently identified with the "Land Im- provement" companies which secured the farm- ing land situated to the north, south, and west of Allentown, and laid it off into building lots. And he was largely instrumental in establishing the "Highland Cemetery," of which he has be- come the sole owner. He owns a large farm (120 acres), at Catasauqua, to which he has given much attention.
Mr. Yeager has been prominently identified with the religious life of the community for the past twenty-five years, as a devoted member of Ebenezer church of the Evangelical Association, having in this time served faithfully in all its offices and acted as a trustee and class leader for twenty consecutive years. In the Sunday school work he showed great interest, serving as super- intendent for fourteen years. He was a delegate to many annual and general conferences of the Evangelical Association, a member of the general committee on the reunion of the Evangelical and
Eng by E. G. Withans & Bro NY
Lit yeager
Eng by E. G Wiliams & Bra NY
Miriam Pyrag7
1437
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.
United Evangelical churches. The Schuylkill Seminary at Reading has had the benefit of his support and influence for many years as a trustee and treasurer.
In 1870, Mr. Yeager was married to Matilda Scheldon, daughter of Lewis L. Scheldon. She was born Dec. 25, 1850, and died Dec. 2, 1908. They had five children, two of whom died young. Those surviving are : Charles H .; Minnie M., m. to Edwin A. Donecker ; and Jeanette, m. Freder- ick O. Raymond. In 1910, he was married to Hattie S. Muschlitz, a daughter of Wilson Muschlitz, and his wife Emma, nee Andrews, both deceased.
Mr. Yeager has traveled very extensively in the United States and also in European coun- tries, having crossed the Atlantic ocean ten times, and been to Jerusalem and the Orient twice.
Mr. Yeager and family reside at the southwest corner of Eighth and Linden streets, which is known as the "Yeager residence" for more than thirty years.
WILLIAM R. YEAGER, prominent furniture manufacturer and banker, was born Oct. 6, 1862, at Allentown. He received his education in the schools of the city, Muhlenberg College, and Al- lentown Business College. After serving as a book-keeper and salesman for five years, he formed a partnership with John Kluenter in 1885, and traded under the name of Kluenter & Yeager in the manufacture of adjustable window screens, and while carrying on this business, it was grad- ually extended into the manufacture of furniture frames for parlor, library and dining room, and also fancy chairs. Their factory was located at Court and Hall streets until 1889, when it was moved to larger quarters on Lehigh street, which have since been enlarged to meet the demands of increasing business. This partnership continued ten years, when Mr. Yeager bought the interest of his partner and formed a corporation to trade under the name of "The Yeager Furniture Com- pany," of which he became secretary and treas- urer, and these positions he has filled most satis- factorily until the present time.
Besides attending to the interests of the large furniture company, he assisted materially in or- ganizing the Penn Allen Cement Company, (serving since as treasurer), and the Merchants' National Bank (serving since as a director). He has been prominently identified with the Y. M. C. A. for many years, more especially since the erection of the new building on Centre Square, having acted as chairman of the building com- mittee. He has affiliated with the Masonic fra- ternity, the Livingston Club, and the Country Club.
In 1885, Mr. Yeager was married to H. Ella
Dutt, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Bal- liet) Dutt, and they have a daughter, Florence P., who after attending the schools of the city, was graduated from the Allentown College for Women, and The Castle, at Tarrytown-on-the- Hudson, N. Y. They are members of St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran church, which Mr. Yeager served as deacon and elder ; also was a representative to the General Synod. He has officiated as a director of the. Gettysburg Seminary since 1901. Mr. Yeager resides at 47 South Seventh street, Allen- town.
REV. JOHANN CONRAD YEAGER.
The subject of this sketch and his wife, Bar- bara, a born Schmidt, were both born in York county, Pa., near the town of York.
Father Johann Conrad Yeager was a cigar- maker, and kept a small tobacco store in the town of York. He had already three children when he concluded to devote himself to the office of the Christian ministry. The circumstance which led him thereto was the following: One day, as Mr. Yeager was sitting at his bench, engaged in mak- ing cigars, his pastor, Rev. Dr. Goehring, who served the Lutheran congregation at York, came to his store to buy some cigars. Dr. Goehring on this` occasion approached Mr. Yeager, and, looking over his shoulders as he was engaged in rolling cigars, said : "Johann, I want you to come to my house; you have gifts for something better than cigar-making. You should become a minister of the gospel." Mr. Yeager had enjoved the privilege of attending school in his youth, and by faithful study had gained such knowledge as the schools of his day afforded. With this limited preparatory education he came to Dr. Goehring, and entered on a course of study for the ministry. Among the branches undertaken by him was the very difficult study of Greek, in which language he afterwards always studied the texts of his ser- mons. After one year's study under Dr. Goeh- ring, while he at the same time also continued his little business by which means he gained a livelihood for his family, he went, by recommen- dation of Dr. Goehring, to Philadelphia. Here, as was the custom in those days, candidates for the ministry pursued their studies under the city pastors, receiving such instruction and attention as these men could give them in connection with their pastoral labors. Mr. Yeager became the student of Drs. Schmidt, Schaeger and Helmuth. The instruction was thorough and practical. Mr. Yeager, being a very faithful student, at the ex- piration of one year had made such progress that his preceptors presented him to the Synod for ex- amination. He was found prepared to enter the
1438
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
ministry of the Lutheran Church, and was li- all this time he lived in Williams township. He censed by the Synod of Pennsylvania.
After his reception into the Synod he was called to serve three small congregations in New Jersey, a short distance beyond Easton, the old so-called "Straw Church," in Greenwich town- ship, Warren county, constituting one of his con- gregations. While he was pastor here, he at one time came to Easton to purchase a few articles at the store of Mr. Herschter, who had knowl- edge of Mr. Yeager and had heard many favor- able reports of his work. Mr. Yeager was in straitened circumstances and poorly clad. Mr. Herschter viewed his seedy clothes and then ques- tioned him in relation to his wants. "I see many things in your store," Mr. Yeager said, "that I ought to have, and of which my family stands in need, but I have no money to purchase them, and so I must be content without them." "Go," said Mr. Herschter to his clerk, "cut off a suit of clothes for Mr. Yeager, fit him a hat, cut off a dress for his wife, weigh twenty pounds of sugar, some coffee and other articles needed in the fam- ily." "Take them along," said Mr. H., "and have a suit made up first of all for yourself, so that you may have a presentable appearance when you go away from home." "Yes," said Mr. Y., "but I have no money to pay for these articles." "No matter about that now," said Mr. H .; "you can come in a year or two, when you have earned some money, and make payment." The hearts of Mr. Y. and his wife and children were made glad by such kindness shown them in their ex- tremity by this Christian friend. A year or two rolled by. Mr. Yeager's labors were crowned with success. He was doing a good work in his parish. But still the state of his exchequer was not flush. He, however, had not forgotten his benefactor, and came again to the store one day to pay part of his indebtedness. "How are you getting along now, Mr. Y .? " said Mr. H. "Right well," replied Mr. Y .; "and I have come to pay part of my bill, though I am still too poor to pay the entire amount." "Give him a receipt," said Mr. H., "for the whole. I hear so many good things about you that I am amply repaid, and I will cancel your entire bill." That Rev. Yeager was made happy beyond measure by this unex- pected kindness, need scarcely be stated. He went home rejoicing.
Mr. Yeager's second charge was Williams township, Northampton county, and Saucon (Friedensville), Lehigh county. The Saucon congregation was organized by him. He preached temporarily in Mr. Morey's barn during the time that the church edifice was being built. This was in 1793. Dryland, Shoenersville and Allentown were subsequently added to the charge. During
now moved to Hanover, having bought a farm there of 236 acres. There his son, Joshua, was born, he having been the youngest of a family of nine sons and two daughters. Rev. J. Conrad Yeager labored in this charge with great success to the end of his life, which occurred Nov. 8, 1832, aged 64 years and 24 days. His wife, Bar- bara, died Sept. 9, 1847, aged 86 years, 2 months and 2 days. Both rest in peace in the old Shoen- ersville cemetery.
REV. JOSHUA YEAGER.
He was born Sept. 23, 1802, was baptized by his father in infancy and confirmed by the same on the second Sunday after Easter, 1817, and re- ceived as a communicant member of Christ Evan- gelical Lutheran church, Shoenersville. His edu- cation was limited to a thorough instruction by his father in the three R's. Equally thorough was his
REV. JOSHUA YEAGER.
religious training, since this was regarded as the chief thing. Reading of the Scriptures and writ- ing out what was remembered, to the extent of a sheet a day, constituted part of his home instruc- tion in the family of Father Yeager. After he had attained the age that he could make himself useful on the farm, his daily employment con- sisted in manual labor, which, on a farm of 236 acres, left but little time for study or recreation.
While following the plow one summer day, his father came out and accompanied him to the farther end of the field. Joshua could hardly re-
1439
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.
concile this unusual occurrence. But, when the end of the furrow was reached, his father said to him: "Wait a little while. I have something to tell you. I want you, with God's help, to be- come a minister." This unexpected suggestion really frightened Mr. Yeager. "Come to my room to-morrow morning," continued Father Y. "Leave your plow, there are others to attend to it. I wish to give you a three months' trial to ascer- tain whether you have talent for the ministry; if you have, you shall continue your studies-if not, I will then tell you so." Father Yeager handed his son a Latin grammar, saying: "This is a comparatively easy study, but it will furnish you a knowledge of the system of grammar in general, which is so necessary for the study of all languages. Study this two hours, and then ask me all the questions you can, about what you understand and all that you do not understand. After that come down and go into the garden, and take such exercise and do such work as you wish. In the evening you will again take two hours of study, and thus continue on." In this way Mr. Yeager studied. His father was a drill- master and disciplinarian, and knew how to cre- ate and maintain an interest on the part of his student. Especially, however, did he observe and keep a close surveillance on the conduct of his son. He impressed him with the importance and responsibility of the work, and constantly urged upon him to observe such a conduct as is becoming a candidate for the Christian ministry, and which may meet with the approval of God and man. This education, which is so essential to the formation of the character of the true min- ister of Jesus Christ, exerted a most powerful and an abiding influence on the mind of young Yeager. To this may be attributed, perhaps as much as to anything else, that devotion, earnest- ness and zeal which characterized Rev. Joshua Yeager's ministry through the long period of well night three score years among a people whom he served so long and loved so well.
At the meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, held 1827, Mr. Yeager was examined with two other candidates for licensure. Rev. Dr. F. W. Geissenhainer, of New York City, was the chairman of the exam- ining committee. The examination was very thor- ough. Mr. Yeager well remembered how he was examined on Oriental customs, and when re- quested to translate the account of the Transfig- uration in Math. XVII into German from the Greek, Dr. Geissenhainer seemed well satisfied with the translation till a Greek verb was reached, when he was excited and almost angered at Mr. Yeager's rendering, as he translated it: "they bowed as if they seemed to worship." Dr. Geis-
„senhainer thundred out, "What? not seemed so, it was so," and remarked, "it can be seen with whom he studied." The three candidates made a very satisfactory examination and were admitted to the Synod licentiates.
At the synodical meeting of the following year, which was held at Reading, Mr. Yeager's prepar- ations were reported "very good." On this occa- sion he also preached before the synod on the last evening of the session, Tuesday evening, July 3, 1828, on the text: I Tim. 4:12-16.
From 1827 to 1831 he was the assistant of his father in his four congregations, Friedensville, Al- lentown, Shoenersville, and Hecktown. In 1831 his father gave him the Friedensville and Allen- town congregations and retained for himself the other two. Upon his father's decease, in 1832, he was also elected pastor of the other congrega- tions.
Joshua Yeager's large field of labor extended over an immense territory, and at least a dozen congregations have sprung, in part or entirely, from his original pastorate, such as Apple's Church, Hellertown, South Bethlehem, Bethle- hem, West Bethlehem, Salisbury, Altoona, Rit- tersville, Catasauqua, Howertown, Bath, St. Paul's, St. Michael's, St. John's, and St. Peter's, Allentown, etc.
He remained the pastor of the Allentown church (St. Paul's), till 1853, twenty-two years. This congregation enjoyed unprecedentd pros- perity during Father Yeager's pastorate. He preached regularly every two weeks and held also week-day evening services. About the time of his withdrawal from the congregation, Rev. D. B. M. Schmucker, who followed Dr. Yeager in a very few months to the better world, was called as assistant pastor by the English speaking portion of the congregation.
The Friedensville church was served longest of all by him as regular pastor, from 1831 to 1885, fifty-four years. Adding to this the period during which he served the congregation as as- sistant of his father, his service extended over fifty-eight years.
Of the Shoenersville church he was pastor a year less. He was elected pastor of this church in December, 1832, and continued till 1885, over fifty-three years. In connection with his father his ministration extended over the same length of time.
The Lehigh church, in Lower Macungie, Le- high county, he served from 1842 to 1885, forty- three years.
The Rittersville church was built in 1842, the congregation having been organized by Fa- ther Yeager out of Shoenersville. Here he
1440
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
preached his last regular sermon on Ascension Day, 1885.
Besides these four congregations, he also served Jerusalem church, in Salisbury, from 1843 to 1883, Macungie from 1856 to 1867, and Heck- town, Northampton county, from 1832 to 1842.
Besides laboring successfully in a large and la- borious parish, he took a great interest in the higher education of our clergy. He was a mem- ber of the Board of Trustees of Muhlenberg College from 1867 to 1876. He died Aug. I, 1888, aged 88 years, 10 months and 8 days. On the following Thursday his remains were interred in Fairview cemetery, Allentown.
His wife, Maria, was a daughter of Jacob and Maria Grim, of Friedensville, Pa. They were blessed with two sons, Robert J., and Rev. Theo- dore C., and three daughters, Mrs. J. B. Reeme, Amanda, first wife of J. B. Reeme, and Sarah W.
YEAGER FAMILY.
The name Yeager was formerly spelled Jäger and the first of this name in this section was Valentine Jager, who was born in Langstad, Hanau, July 2, 1728, and died in Upper Saucon, Feb. 16, 1808. He married, in 1757, Maria Magdalena Dockenwadl, who was born Aug. 4, 1725, and died Aug. 5, 1804. They had no children.
Rev. John Conrad Yeager was born in York county, Oct. 14, 1768, and died in Hanover township, near the church of which he was pastor, on Nov. 8, 1832. He married Barbara Schmidt, who was born July 7, 1761, and died Sept. 9, 1847. Among their sons were: George C., Henry, Joseph, Rev. Joshua and John C. George C. Yeager was born Feb. 3, 1793, and died March 3, 1877. He married Susanna Rohn, who was born Oct. 30, 799, and died Oct. I, 1876. Their children were: William R., of Bingen, who married Henrietta Yeager, daugh- ter of Joseph and Susan (Wiegner) Yeager ; Susan, married Solomon Nagle; Eliza, married Reuben Fenstermacher and Capt. Horatio D. Yeager, of Bethlehem.
Henry Yeager, son of Rev. John Conrad, was born Dec. 14, 1798. He located in Upper Sau- con township, where he was a farmer, and died there on Dec. 1, 1882. His sons were: Charles T., Major Thomas Yeager and Herman.
Charles Tilghman Yeager, son of Henry, was born Jan. 11, 1824, in Upper Saucon township, where he was educated. Having inherited from his clerical grandfather a love of literature, he became a well read man, although all his life a farmer. He cultivated a large tract of land, upon which he spent much labor and by his kind disposition made many friends. He died April
4, 1910, and was buried at Friedensville church, where he was a member of the Lutheran congre- gation. Mr. Yeager married, Oct. 19, 1854, Leah, daughter of John Gangewere. Mrs. Yea- ger was born June 28, 1833, and died May 9, 1896. They had ten children :
I. Sarah Jane, born July 1, 1856, married Henry J. Hook, son of Henry and Theresa Hook. Mr. Hook, a farmer of Upper Saucon, gradu- ated from Muhlenberg College and subsequently took a course in pharmacy at the Medico- Chirurgical College in Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Hook had eight children: Emerson, of Scranton, Ia .; Minnie, who has studied at the Allentown College for Women and the Moravian Seminary; Byron, who has attended the Allen- town Preparatory School; Frederick, a student of architecture, and four who died young.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.