USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. III > Part 41
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.
secretary of the Allentown Christian Endeavor Union ; is Christian Endeavor editor for the last two years of the Chronicle and News; is actively identified with the Men's Bible Class of the Sei- bert United Evangelical church Sunday School ; has contributed largely to the religion and secu- lar press and was awarded by the United Society of Christian Endeavor a certificate of title, "Christian Endeavor Expert."
EMANUEL OPPENLANDER.
Emanuel Oppenlander, who occupies the home- stead of Dr. Martin H. Boyé, at Coopersburg, hails from Bucks county, Pa. After attending the public school he took a special course in agricul- ture and fruit-growing in State College. He has- a valuable farm of 150 acres, situated at Passer, in Bucks county. It is known as "Onontacta," which in the Indian language means hillside. He specializes in raising peaches, apples and straw- berries, and in 1913 he planted a large pear and quince orchard.
Mr. Oppenlander is an elder in the Moravian Church and in politics he is a Republican.
He was married, first, to Miss Eliza Schimmel and by her had : Marion, Helen and Dorothea. She died in October, 1906. He married as his second wife Miss S. Dorothea Boyé, in 1912. She was one of the two daughters of Dr. Martin H. Boyé, Her sister is Mrs. Louis de Schweinetz, of Beth- lehem.
OSENBACH FAMILY.
The ancestor of the Osenbach family died late in 1783 in the vicinity of Schoeneck, North- ampton county, Pa. He was a Moravian. He was still young and was survived by his widow, Abolonia, a son, Jacob, and two daughters, Bar- bara and Catharine. The latter became the wife of Henry Billiard. They lived in Salisbury. Barbara was married to one, Hoffman, and after he had died, she made her home with her sister, Catharine. What became of Jacob is not known. The widow, Abolonia, gave birth to a posthumous son, who received the name J. Peter Osenbach. He was born Feb. 4, 1784; and had a small farm, located between Rittersville and Shoeners- ville, and also followed weaving. He married Catharine Fatzinger. She was born Sept. II, 1783, and died Jan. 23, 1873, aged 89 years, 4 months, and 12 days. J. Peter Osenbach died Oct. 12, 1873, also in his 90th year. He was aged 89 years, 8 months, and 8 days. They were both Lutherans and are buried at Ritters- ville. Their children were:
Rebecca, married Jacob Stump.
Sarah, married Florentine Hoehle.
Mary, married Charles Zellner.
Eliza, married Charles Mertz.
Charles, married Harriet Reichard.
The above are all deceased, except Eliza, who is now in her ninety-first year of age, and lives at Rittersville. She is still hale and walks around her little home and yard.
Charles Osenbach, only son of J. Peter, was born at Rittersville, Aug. 12, 1818. He was a stone mason by trade and made a specialty of fire brick at furnaces and was connected with the McHose people. For many years. He lived in Hanover all his life and died Sept. 3, 1891, aged 73 years, and 21 days. His wife, Harriet Reich- ard, was born Nov. 18, 1824, and died June 27, 1902. They are buried at Rittersville, where they were members of the Lutheran congregation, which he served as a deacon. Their children fol- low: Edwin F., Tilghman G., Alfred C., Wil- liam T., Theodore R., M. Elmer ( 1866-1886), Mary, married Alfred Heckman; Ellen, married Horace Schell; Camilla, married Thomas Min- nich, and Emma, married Eli Frankenfield.
Tilghman G. Osenbach, a retired citizen, at Rittersville, was born in Hanover, Sept. 29, 1845. At the age of twenty-one years he learned the brick laying trade and followed it for twenty years as a journeyman. In 1886 he became con- nected with Osenbach & Company. This con- cern had a large business in contract work and made a specialty of laying fire-bricks at cement plants. They employed thirty-five men. Mr. Osenbach retired in 1903. He is a Lutheran member of Rittersville church, which he served for some years as a trustee; was superintendent of the Sunday school for ten years; and since 1857 is a member of the church choir. His brother, Edwin, was the superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty-three years, being suc- ceeded by his brother, Tilghman. Tilghman G. Osenbach married, in 1870, Alice, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Hunt) Henn. They have no children.
Alfred C. Osenbach, the third son of J. Peter, was born July 28, 1847, and was a painter. In earlier life he kept store at Kreidersville, later lived at Seemsville, where he was engaged in the painting business, employing as many as fifteen men. He painted many bridges and public buildings. Among the bridges he painted were those at Catasauqua and Hokendauqua; also the old Allentown bridge just before it was washed away in the great freshet. He was a standing committeeman for four years, and at one time was a candidate for register of wills of the county. He was an active member of St. Peter's church and Sunday school, at Rittersville. His widow, Matilda E. Albright, survives and resides at Rittersville. She is a daughter of Owen Al-
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
bright. Their children follow: Clinton, who died small ; Charles, of Allentown; Frank ( 1879- 1904) ; Hattie, married Wilson Kichlein; Har- vey T., and Elmer W.
William T. Osenbach, of Rittersville, was born there, Nov. 26, 1854. He learned the bricklaying trade at the age of nineteen years and worked with his uncle, William Reichard, for fourteen years. He and his brother, Tilgh- man G., had formed a partnership with Thomas Minnich, and Preston Dixon, under the name of Osenbach & Company. They were in busi- ness about twenty-two years. Since 1910 he follows the building business and takes small jobs. He was married, first, in 1879, to Clementina Clader. She died, Feb. 24, 1911, aged 51 years. They had no children. He was married, second, in 1912, to Minnie Brophy, a daughter of "Squire" John Brophy, of Rittersville.
ELMER W. OSENBACH, manufacturer, of Rit- tersville, was born in that town, Nov. 4, 1888. After having been employed for one and one- half years by the Dorney Furniture Co., of Al- lentown, he accepted a position as knitter with the Novelty Hosiery Co., in the same city, and was employed there for six years. In September, 1910, in partnership with Herman Hildebrand, he engaged in manufacturing half-hose at Ritters- ville. The firm of Hildebrand & Osenbach em- ploy twenty people. Mr. Osenbach is a mem- ber of Keystone Lodge, No. 178, I. O. O. F., of Bethlehem; and is prominently identified with the music of his district. For three years ( 1908- 19II), he was president of the Ideal Band, of Rittersville, which numbered twenty-four pieces. Earlier he had been the assistant leader of the band; and now has an orchestra of five pieces which frequently plays in churches and Sunday schools. He plays the trombone.
On Nov. 7, 1907, he married Stella Werst, daughter of Clinton and Alavesta (Patterson) Werst. They have a daughter: Rieta Ethel Osenbach.
OSWALD FAMILY.
Henry Oswald, the ancestor of this line, was born either in Alsace or Switzerland, emigrating to America on the ship Mercury, and arrived at Philadelphia, May 29, 1735. He located in what is now Lynn township, Lehigh county, Pa., with his wife Elizabeth. The children were: Daniel; Jacob (married to Maria E. Holler) ; Henry (married to Elizabeth -) ; a daughter, Susannah.
Daniel Oswald, son of Henry, was married to Catharine Everett, the children being: John, Daniel, Jacob (Apr. 27, 1781-July 13, 1852 ; m., first, Mary Elizabeth Everett, second, Eliza-
beth -) ; David ; Jonathan ( May 15, 1792-Feb. 15, 1870; m. to Maria Everett), Magdalena (wife of Daniel Mosser), Elizabeth (wife of Phillip Mosser, Jr.), Catharine (born April 7, 1776 wedded David Mosser), Susannah (wife of Peter Lichtenwalner), Maria and Barbara.
John Oswald, son of Daniel (born 1765, died Nov. 10, 1834), was a farmer, residing last in Lynn township. He became the husband of Anna Maria, daughter of Burkhardt Mosser (Apr. 18, 1770-April 21, 1861). Mr. Oswald was a man of means for his day and from him most of the Oswalds in Pennsylvania trace their descent. Their children were: John (Oct. 2, 1789-March 24, 1827 ; married to Elizabeth Stei- gerwalt), Daniel (Oct. 12, 1792-Apr. 18, 1861 ; husband of Elizabeth M. Reitz), Benjamin (Nov. 11, 1796-Apr. 28, 1872; wedded to Doro- thea Lutz), Jacob (Nov. 15, 1798-Apr. 4, 1876; wedded to Polly Everett), Gideon ( March I, 1807-Nov. 9, 1892; married to Salome Wehr), Samuel (April 1, 1808-Dec. 6, 1880; married Catharine Fetterholf), Joseph, died in eighteenth year; Elias, died in childhood; Anna Maria (March 10, 1791-Nov. 1, 1868; married, first, Christian Klingeman, second, Andrew Reitz), Catharine, wife of Reuben Lutz.
Samuel Oswald, miller, grain and coal mer- chant at Best, Pa., was born Aug. 24, 1841. His parents were John [ the only child of John and Elizabeth (Steigerwalt) Oswald] and Elizabeth (Newhart). Following the trade of miller since 1859, he is the proprietor of what is known as the "Oswald" mill since 1869. This mill was formerly owned by Hunsicker, a pioneer miller, then by Mr. Frantz, afterwards by Jacob Kuntz and later by Tilghman Kuntz, and was erected in 1812 with an addition built in 1839. Fifty- two acres of land belong to the property. He served as school director, being elected by the Republican party, and is a Reformed member of Frieden's church, which he served as deacon, elder, trustee and treasurer. In 1864, he wedded Elizabeth, daughter of John and Catharine (Hensinger) Shirey. The children were: John Samuel (m. Cora Metzgar), Charles P., Emma Catharine (wife of Wm. Kuntzman), Mary Elizabeth (wife of Henry Reitz) and Jennie Amanda, wife of Wm. Peter.
CHARLES P. OSWALD, son of Samuel, was born in Northampton county, Pa., October 5, 1869. Receiving his education in the public schools, he learned the trade of miller from his father and has spent all his life in the milling business at what is known as the "Oswald" mill at Best, Pa. He is serving as assistant in the business of his aged father. Fraternally, he is a member of J. O. U. A. M., K. G. E., I. O.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.
O. F., and the Encampment of Slatington, was elected supervisor of Washington township by the Republican party, and is a Reformed member of Frieden's church, which he served as deacon. He was married in 1891 to Cora, daughter of Franklin and Lucy (Landis) Klotz, deceased. The issue was two children: Ada, who died in infancy, and John.
Solomon R. Oswald, son of Daniel, who was a son of John, was born in Lynn township, August 12, 1817, died August 24, 1909, aged 82 year, and was buried in the cemetery at Jackson- ville. He was a farmer on the homestead of his father, Daniel, and during his ownership it em- braced 61 acres of clear land and 43 acres of woodland. He built the present house in 1870, and the barn some years earlier. The farm be- longed at a previous period successively to George Enos, Henry Zook and John Oswald.
He was a Reformed member of the Jacobs church, and filled all the offices in the church, having taken an active part in the management of its affairs. His wife was Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Joshua Schmitt (whose sketch ap- pears in this volume). She died October 21, 1909, aged 79 years, and they had ten children : Sarah (m. Amandus Shellhammer), William, Carolina (m. John Wuchter), Elenora (m. Charles Hartman), Amanda (m. Elmer Her- many), Leietta (who is single and has her home with her brother Charles O.), John (died in childhood), Charles O., and two died in in- fancy.
CHARLES O. OSWALD, the youngest son of Solomon R., is a farmer in Lynn township on the homestead of his father and of his grand- father. He was born May 20, 1875, educated in the local schools and reared upon the farm where he worked for his father until his father died in 1909. Then he purchased the place and he has since carried on farming in a successful manner. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Reformed congregation at Jack- sonville, which he has served as a deacon since IgII.
On March 11, 1910, he was married to Annie V. Donat, daughter of James A. and Victoria (Leitz) Donat, whose sketch appears in this publication.
Benjamin Oswald (son of John), was born in Weissenberg township on November 11, 1796, and he carried on farming near Jacksonville until 1823, when he settled on the historic farm of George Seisloff in Lynn township, and operated it successfully until his decease on April 28, 1872. On the Seisloff farm, a horrible massacre occurred March 24, 1756, when Seissloff, his wife, two sons (one 20 years old and the other 12) and a
daughter (14 years old) were killed by the In- dians. The dwelling was erected by Seisloff and it is still standing.
Mr. Oswald was a Republican in that early day, and he served as a supervisor. He was married to Dorothea Lutz, who was born Feb- ruary 6, 1796; and she died March 19, 1874. Both were buried at New Tripoli. Their chil- dren were: John, Benjamin, David, Parseda, Rebecca, Catharine and Polly.
Benjamin Oswald, was born on the Seisloff farm on December 5, 1828. He owned the "Os- wald Homestead" and there carried on farming operations. He was a member of the German Reformed congregation of Ebenezer Church and there he was buried. He was married to Eliza- beth Sheetz, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Brobst) Sheetz of Lynn township, born August 24, 1835, and died July 20, 1894. Their chil- dren were: David T., Levi B. (married to Rosa Reitz and they have the following children : Daisy, Minnie, Hattie, and Ralph, the last dying in infancy) ; James A., Alvena E. (now deceased, having been married to Clinton Bloom, of Wind Gap, Pa.) ; and Mary. L. (married to Albert Meese, of Weissenberg township).
DAVID T. OSWALD, farmer, of Lynn township, near New Tripoli, was born on the Seisloff farm in the historic house on December 21, 1858, and was there brought up, attending the local schools. When he was twenty-two years old he learned the trade of carpenter and he followed this trade for nineteen years, having worked a year at Al- lentown, a year (1888) in California, and for a period of sixteen years in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, the last five as a foreman. In 1898, he purchased the farm of 75 acres, where he is now residing, from William Sittler, and it is one of the early settlements of the township. It was surveyed October 15, 1762 to Dieter Sitt- ler and a warrant was issued to him May 7, 1779. Engel Meyer became the owner, and in 1788 he sold the place, then comprising 98 acres, to Philip Sittler for 320 pounds in gold or silver money. The dwelling now on the farm was erected in 1849.
On April 30, 1892, Mr. Oswald was married to Alice Smith, daughter of Daniel and Lovina (Fenstermacher) Smith, and granddaughter of Reuben and Lydia (Lutz) Smith. They have five children: Esther E. (who was graduated from the Lynn township schools in 1910 and is now a student in the Philadelphia high school for girls), Floyd T., Frederick C., Meda M., and Martha I.
JAMES A. OSWALD, farmer, of Lynn township, near New Tripoli, was born January 17, 1863, in the Seisloff home made famous by an Indian
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
massacre, and reared on the farm which was owned by his father, assisting him in the farming operations until 1896 and receiving wages after he had become of age; then he carried on the farm for himself as a tenant until 1906 when he became the purchaser. He has been the owner since that time, and has directed his attention more particularly to raising large quantities of potatoes, cultivating from twelve to fourteen acres annually.
The frame residence on the place, situated about forty feet from the original Seisloff build- ing, was erected by James's father, Benjamin Oswald, in 1888.
Mr. Oswald has been interested in the family genealogy for several years, looking up the va- rious records and collecting valuable information which he supplied to the Rev. Charles Everett Oswald, of New York, who compiled and pub- lished the Oswald Family Genealogy in 1907.
He was married on September 27, 1892, to Tilda M. Weaver, daughter of William and Messina (Fink) Weaver, and a granddaughter of Daniel and Anna Maria (Steigerwald) Fink ; and they have eight children: Clayton F., Floyd B. (who lived in infancy), Jennie M. E., Abner H. C., Ida M., James W. C. (who died in in- fancy), Arthur L., and Stanley L. G.
CHARLES S. OSWALD, son of Lewis H., and grandson of Samuel, merchant and postmaster at Lynnport, was born February 9, 1871, and he received his education in the public schools. His youth was spent upon a farm, and for some years he drove his fathers huckster wagon, the father having for thirty-one years also conducted a gen- eral store and the hotel at Lynnport. In 1896 he succeeded his father in the ownership of the mercantile and hotel business, and also the 80- acre farm, and he has since carried them on suc- cessfully. The stone building in which the store and hotel business have been carried on was erected by Michael Everett about the year 1810, and the barn was put there before the Rebellion.
Mr. Oswald came to own also the 52-acre homestead of his grandfather, Samuel Oswald, in Lynn township until 1908, when he sold it. He was one of the organizers of the Berks and Lehigh Telegraph and Telephone Co. in 1910 and has since served as one of the directors; and he is affiliated with the Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 249, I. O. of O. F. at Steinsville. He is a Republican and has officiated as the postmaster at Lynnport since 1896. He and the family are members of the Reformed congregation at Steins- ville, which he served as deacon. He was mar- ried November 9, 1890, to Messina K., daughter of William Smith (son of Josiah) and Carolina Kistler his wife, and they have five children: Ida
M., George F., Howard J., Florence E., and Ellwood R.
SYLVANUS OSWALD, son of Jonathan and grandson, is the proprietor of the Oswald Mill near New Tripoli, was born March 23, 1846. When twenty-three years of age he began farm- ing and has since followed it. On November 20, 1891, he purchased his present mill property with 48 acres of land and since that time has operated it, his family carrying on the farm of 73 acres which adjoins the mill property. The farm was formerly a Schuck homestead; later it was owned by a Gildner, and after him by Jacob Oswald the father of Sylvanus. In 1876 Mr. Oswald purchased it, his father having built the present barn in 1875, and he himself the dwelling in 1880. He and his family are Reformed mem- bers of the Ebenezer church, which he served as a deacon.
In 1870 he was married to Sarah, daughter of Gideon and Polly ( Hunsicker) Schwab, and they have eight children: William H., Milton and Nora M. (who are twins, the latter married to James M. Kerschner), Mabel (m. Albert Ben- nighoff), Ida, Lewis, Edna, and Olive.
William H., the eldest son, was born in Lynn township in 1871, educated in the public schools and by personal application and much reading acquired a good practical knowledge. Lewis S. was graduated from the township schools in 1900; and Olive S. was also graduated from the township schools in 1907, and from the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, in 1910.
Samuel Oswald who had brothers Peter and Daniel, lived in Berks county during his earlier life and from there removed to Weisenberg town- ship where he died. He had nine children as follows: Frederick, John, Samuel, Daniel, Wil- liam, Jacob, Benjamin, Sarah (Weidenhammer), and Susan (Raubenhold). All the above chil- dren are deceased except Benjamin and Sarah.
Frederick Oswald, oldest son of Samuel, was born Nov. 1, 1824, died in Jan. 1909, aged 84 years. He had served his country in the Civil War in Company A., 176th Regiment Pa. Vol. Infantry. He had fifteen children, four of whom are now deceased, the living are: Amelia (m. Elias Hartman), Sarah (m. - Schantz), Samuel, Henry, Joel, Charles, Emma (m. Wil- liam Saul), Carolina (m. Irwin Dorney), Tilgh- man, Levi and Louisa (m. Peter Ziegler).
Tilghman Oswald, the tenth child of Freder- ick, was born in Weisenberg township, March 23, 1863. He attended the common schools and on Nov. II, 1877, he was confirmed by Rev. Owen Leopold as a member of the Morganland Lutheran congregation; later for twenty years he was a member of the St. John's Lutheran
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.
church at Laurey's, afterward he connected him- self with the Unionville church which he now serves as a deacon for six years.
He was a school director of North Whitehall township for thirteen years, having been elected as a Democrat and he resides upon his own farm near Scheidy's in North Whitehall. He is a member of the Jordan Lodge, No. 192, I. O. O. F., at Schnecksville since 1899.
He was married on March 24, 1883, to Lucy
ship in the following orders: Cohota Tribe, No. 97, I. O. R. M., of Egypt; Allen Council, No. 753, Independent Order Americans, of Allen- town; the Odd Fellows, of Schnecksville; and the Whitehall Beneficial Society. In politics he is a Democrat.
He is married to Ida, a daughter of Charles and Amanda (Dengler) Heintzelman and they have two children, viz: Charles F., and Allen F.
REV. JAMES O. OSWALD.
(Sell) Schuler. They have these children : Mary (m. William Rabert), Ella (m. Charles Rabert), Franklin T., Jennie (m. Fred Heintz- elman), Francis E., Elsie M., and Martin H.
FRANKLIN T. OSWALD, a teacher of White- hall township, was born at Coplay, April 30, 1887. He was educated in the public schools of North Whitehall and graduated from the town- ship school in 1900, and the following year he took a post graduate course. He also attended the Schnecksville Summer Normal School for four terms; and he began teaching school in the year 1902 in North Whitehall township. Since 1909 he is teaching at West Coplay.
He and family are Lutheran members of the Unionville church. Socially he has a member-
REV. JAMES O. OSWALD.
Rev. James Oliver Oswald was born on Nov. 6, 1868, in Albany township, Berks county, Pa., son of Samuel Oswald, of Lancaster, Pa., whose father was also named Samuel, of Jacksonville, in Lehigh county, Pa. His mother having died early in his life, he was adopted by his grand- parents, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Greenawald, of Greenawald Station, in Berks county. Later in life he was brought up by his maternal uncle, Amos S. Greenawald, of Kempton, Berks county, under whose care and training he was properly educated with aspirations for the higher ideals of life.
At the age of sixteen years, he began to teach
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
school at Eckville, Berks county, and he con- tinued to teach for eight years, receiving two professional certificates, and also a permanent certificate from the State. Afterward he en- tered the Eastman Business College, at Pough- keepsie, N. Y., and he graduated from its busi- ness, stenographic and typewriting departments. While at this institution he won an Inter- national Unabridged Webster's Dictionary as a prize, five hundred students having competed in the spelling contest, and this he appreciates very highly.
In the Fall of 1895, he entered Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, Pa., and he was graduated with honors in the Spring of 1899. In his Freshman year he was selected as the Class historian ; and on graduation day he delivered the German oration "Die Deutsche Treue," and for his successful efforts he was awarded a prize of $20.00 which was open to all members of the Senior Class. He was a member of the Goeth- ean Literary Society while there, and he acted as the presiding officer during his Senior year.
The Ministry became his choice of the pro- fessions and his special preparation for it was made in the Reformed Theological Seminary at Lancaster from the Fall of 1899 to 1902, and at the close of his course at that distinguished in- stitution he was graduated with honors, having represented the church history department on the occasion of the commencement exercises.
After his licensure, ordination, and installa- tion by the Lehigh Classis, Reverend Oswald made his introductory efforts as a minister of the Gospel in Zion's Reformed charge and he served the charge for almost three years in a manner most encouraging to himself and satisfactory to the congregations. He was next called to the pastorate of the Great Swamp and Chestnut Hill charge at Spinnerstown, Pa., in Goschenhoppen Classis, and there he continued in the active dis- charge of his duties from October 18, 1894, until March 1, 1910. When he began his pastorate in the Friedens Charge in the Lehigh Classis which comprises the Union Friendens and Slatedale congregations and there he has continued his earnest and successful labors until the present time. He is a fluent speaker and his services are very highly appreciated.
Reverend Oswald was married to Lettie N., the younger daughter of the late Charles H. Lutz and his wife Mary C. (Donat), of Wana- maker, in Lehigh county. They had three chil- dren, but only one survives, a daughter named Velman. Their residence is at No. 862 Main street, Slatington.
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