History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. III, Part 42

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 42

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EDWARD OSWALD.

Edward Oswald, manufacturer, is a son of Benedict Oswald, a native of Rhein Biern, Ger- many. Benedict Oswald was born June 24, 1830, and came to America in about 1854, and located in New York City, where he conducted a hotel in 1860 he came to Allentown and con- ducted a hotel on Hamilton street until in 1870, when he engaged in the manufacturing of brushes at 342 N. 5th street. He continued to manufac- ture brushes until the time of his death, Sept. 6, 1891. He was married to Mary Schenkel, a daughter of Andreas Schenkel, of Wurtenberg. She died Aug. 15, 1902, aged 64 years. They had children: Adolph, of Allentown; Minnie, deceased, married Christian Kuntzer ; August, of Philadelphia; Bertha, married Thos. Hess, and Edward. They were members of the Reformed church and are buried in Fairview Cemetery.

Edward was born in Allentown Feb. 2, 1871, was educated in the public schools and learned brush making in his father's plant. He con- tinued to work for him until his death, when he became the proprietor. He employs eight hands, and enjoys a large trade, selling principally throughout the coal regions and the eastern counties.

Mr. Oswald was twice married, the first time to Mary Schenkel, a daughter of George and Mary (Reigert) Schenkel, of Wurtenberg, Ger- many. The ashes of both her parents rest in the Fatherland. She died of diphtheria Nov. 25, 1895, aged 24 years, I month and 23 days. She was the mother of three children: Edward, who died in infancy; George, who died Nov. 23, 1895, aged 2 years and 8 months, land Fred. He was married a second time to Annie Schenkel, a sister to his first wife. They have two children, Mamie and Annie. Mr. Oswald and his family are members of the Reformed church. Fraternally he is a member of the F. O. E., K. of M. C., I. O. of R. M., and the Order of Owls.

JAMES OWENS.

James Owens, slate operator at Slatington, was born in Caernarvonshire, in North Wales, Oct. 6, 1854, a locality which holds the same relative position of importance in the slate in- dustry of Wales, as Slatington does in Pennsyl- vania. He began working in quarries there when only nine years old and he followed this occupa- tion until 1873, when he emigrated to America with his widowed mother and two sisters, Ellen and Mary, and located at Slatington where he continued the same occupation for fifteen years.

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

He then engaged in the mercantile business at Coaldale, in Schuylkill county, for ten years, when he embarked in the slate-business as a man- ufacturer of roofing slate with Wilson P. Krum and H. J. Roberts as partners in carrying on the Blue Mountain Slate Co., now a large and successful enterprise, near Slatington, which employs 50 men. He is also interested in the mercantile house of Peters & Co., Limited, at Slatington, acting as president of the company. In politics, Mr. Owens is a Republican and he has served for three years as an active and pro- gressive member of the Slatington School Board, and he is now serving a term of six years in town council, having been elected in November, 1911. In his business enterprises he has shown a proper spirit and been very successful.

Mr. Owens was married to Margaret Evans, a daughter of John and Jane (Thomas) Evans, of Slatington and they have two children: Mary (a highly esteemed public-school teacher), and John (a graduate from Lafayette College with the class of 1912, and now in the graduate school of Harvard University. He and his family are members of the Welsh Presbyterian Church, in whose welfare they have taken an active interest for many years.

His father was James Owens, of same place and also followed the slate business, but while engaged in the quarry was accidentally killed on March 25, 1854, aged 34 years. He was mar- ried to Eleanor, daughter of William David Jones, and they had five children: Edward, (died in 1855) ; Kate (married Evan G. Evans and she died in 1872) ; Ellen (married to Robert W. Roberts and she died in 1875) ; Mary (mar- ried to Henry J. Roberts, of Slatington) : and James.

ELLIS OWENS.

Ellis Owens, one of the three founders of the Carbon Slate Co., at Slatington, is a native of Llan Baris, in North Wales. He was born April 25, 1835, of humble parantage, and his education was very limited, having attended school only six months in a little school house situated three miles from his home. At the age of ten years he was obliged to make his own living at labor in a slate quarry and he helped to support his dependent parents; and while still in his youth his parents died.

In March, 1854, he determined to emigrate from his native land to the land of promise in America, and after a very rough and stormy voyage landed at Philadelphia. Unfortunately there he was robbed of every cent he had and he was compelled to start life in a new country far from home with absolutely nothing but the cloth-

ing on his back, a situation for a young man truly distressing and discouraging. However, through the assistance of a sympathetic friend he was en- abled to reach the slate regions in Vermont and there he worked hard until the following Sep- tember (1854) when he went to Slatington, in Lehigh county, Penna., the Mecca of so many other Welsh, Scotch and English immigrants. He worked "in the hole" (down in the quarry) at Slatington, and afterward at Steinsville; but he was adding daily to his store of knowledge and experience as a master quarry-man which soon enabled him to break loose large blocks of slate and lift them to the surface without having them broken; and at the same time he learned the art of splitting and dressing these blocks and of con- verting them into marketable commodities.

But his real success as a slate-worker began in September, 1888, when he came to associate with Joseph Richard and Robert G. Pierce, two prac- tical men, the former of Summit Hill and the latter of Slatington, and to organize the Carbon Slate Co. , By working together in harmony they made the enterprise a success from the begin- ning-a period of twenty-five years. During this time Mr. Owens has been the president of the company. The trade has grown to cover this country and also foreign countries, the exports in the last twelve years having amounted to up- wards of a million dollars. The works give employment to 150 persons. He has also been in- terested in the Franklin Slate Co., a similar en- terprise at Slatington, of which he is president.

Mr. Owens is also engaged in the production of slate materials at Slatedale where he occupies two properties, and carries on operations with the assistance of his two sons for the benefit of all his children; and in the development of the plant there he has expended a large sum of money.

In 1857, Mr. Owens was married to Grace Thomas, a daughter of Edward Thomas, of Steinsville, and they had nine children: Owen E., Jane, Nellie (married John W. Hughes) ; Ceineen (married John T. Evans) ; and Ellis; and four others died in infancy. He and his family are members of the Welsh Baptist Church. In its erection he and his business as- sociates of the Carbon Slate Co. (also members) contributed one-half ($15,000) of the cost.

PAFF FAMILY.

Henry Paff was born in Richland, Richland township, Bucks county, Pa., in 1780. He owned and operated a farm, making a specialty of stock raising. When not busy with farm work he followed his trade, that of a cooper. He was a member of the Reformed Church. He died in

VOL. III-14

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

1848 and interment was at the Richlandtown church.

He married Catherine Dimmick, who died in 1855 and was buried by the side of her husband at Richlandtown church. Issue: Lewis, lived in Williams township, Northampton county, Pa .; Aaron, lived and died on the homestead; Con- rad ; Peter resided in Bucks county ; Maria, mar- ried Joseph Koch; and a daughter who died young.

Conrad Paff, son of Henry Paff, was born Dec. 30, 1814 in Richland township, Bucks county. In his boyhood and youth his time was divided between work on his father's farm and attendance at the schools of that period. Early in life he learned the shoemaker trade. Upon attaining manhood, he purchased of his father a tract of 65 acres of land in Richland township, which he cultivated and improved and where he remained until his removal to Allentown in 1856. He then commenced the manufacture of shoes on quite an extensive scale which business he con- tinued until he retired in 1879 and his sons suc- ceeded to his business. He was a member and for many years an elder of Salem Reformed church. He was also a member of the building committee in 1876, when the first church edifice was built. He died on April 15, 1889, and was interred in West End cemetery.

Conrad Paff married Sarah Heist, a daugh- ter of Henry and Miss ( Hinkel) Heist, born in 1823. She died April 3, 1907, aged 84 years. Issue: Isaac; Mary, married to H. W. Fluck ; Amanda, married to Jere Simmons; Sarah, mar- ried to Eugene Miller; William, of Allentown ; and Dr. Edwin H. Paff.

ISAAC PAFF, son of Conrad and Sarah ( Heist) Paff, was born in Bucks county, June 30, 1844. He was reared on the farm and was educated in the common schools until his parents came to . Allentown, when he learned the trade of shoe- maker, which occupation he followed until his retirement from business in 1900. For many years he made shoes by hand, but subsequently he became interested in the American Shoe Manu- facturing Co., of Allentown, retiring from the concern in 1882, but continued to work in their factory until their retirement. In politics he is a Democrat, and for a period was a councilman. He is a member of Greenleaf Lodge, No. 561, F. & A. M .; Allen Chapter, 203, Royal Arch Masons ; Council No. 23, R. and S. M. ; and Le- high Lodge, No. 83, I. O. O. F., and has served it continuously as treasurer since 1888. He is a member of Salem Reformed church which he served as a deacon. Mrs. Paff is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church. They reside at 203 North Eleventh street.

Isaac Paff was married Jan. 9, 1870, to Mary A. Haas, a daughter of George and Sarah (Gack- enbach) Haas, and granddaughter of George Haas, who resided near Pricetown, Pa. No is- sue.

DR. EDWIN H. PAFF, son of Conrad Paff, was born at Allentown Nov. 25, 1864. He received his preliminary education in the public schools, then attended Muhlenberg College and the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1890. He practiced in Philadelphia until 1902 when he re- moved to Allentown, and retired from the pro- fession and business. He was secretary and treas- urer of the American Shoe Co. for four years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the K. G. E. He was married to Alice Miller, daughter of Sylvester P. and Sophia (Kemmerer) Miller, of Saegersville, Pa. No issue.

William Paff, son of Conrad and Sarah (Heist) Paff, was born Nov. 1, 1857 in Allen- town, where he was reared and educated in the public schools. After his school days were over he entered his father's factory and learned the trade of shoemaking, where he remained for four years. He then became connected with his brother, Isaac Paff, in the same line of business, for a period of two years. He then established a retail store business on Hamilton street, continu- ing there for ten years. Afterwards he erected the present American Shoe Co.'s buildings, on South Twelfth and Maple streets, and operated it for sixteen years. For three years of this period, his brother, Isaac Paff, and W. C. Wil- lebecker were with him. In 1912 Mr. Paff built a factory at Emaus, 28 by 84 feet in dimen- sions, three stories in heighth. In January, 1913, a cyclone did much damage to it, but nothing daunted him. It was repaired and constructed and electrically equipped. The present business is conducted as the William Paff Shoe Co.

He is a member of Unity Encampment ; I. O. O. F .; and he and his wife are members of Zion Reformed church. He is also treasurer of the Sunday school.

William Paff married Hattie E. Markley, daughter of Tilghman G. and Elizabeth (Dow- ert) Markley. Issue: William Conrad.

His home is at Eighth and Turner streets, where he has lived for over 50 years.

JOHN POLASKY

Michael Polasky was born in Austro-Hungary and died in his native land, where he was a fur- rier. He was a man of education and was liberal in his views. He married Veronica Hajek, a native of Moravia.

John, son of Michael and Veronica (Ha- jek) Polasky, was born in Gading, Austro

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

Hungary, February 20, 1871. He received an excellent preparatory education in the public schools of his native land, then attended a col- lege for some years. He then learned the fur- rier's trade and followed it at Vienna, Austria, until 1889, when he emigrated to the United States and arrived at New York, in which city he worked three months, when he went to New- burgh, New York, where he worked as a laborer, then traveled through thirteen states. In 1893 he came to Allentown, which he made his home until 1903. He then removed to Catasauqua and accepted employment with the Lund & Roth Company, silk manufacturers, as engineer in their mills, a position he is filling ever since. He is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church at Cata- sauqua. Mr. Polasky married, in 1895, in Al- lentown, Mary Wallitch, a native of Gading, Austro-Hungary. They have had children : Mary, who is a teacher of stenography at the American Commercial School, Allentown; Rud- olph, Rosa and Cecelia, at school.

RICHARD A. PARKS.

Charles Parks, the grandfather of Richard A., is a retired carpenter, living at Lyons, Pa. He is now past seventy-five years of age. He was twice married. His first wife, a Landis, died, being sur- vived by these children: Henry, of Colorado Springs, Col .; Oliver, died in 1880, at Lyons, Pa., from typhoid fever; Emma, is married to Harry Shoe, and they live at Philadelphia; and Albert, the father of Richard A. His second wife was Susanna Landis, a sister of the first wife and she still lives. They have issue: Annie, Fred and Salon.

Albert Parks was born in Rockland township, Berks county, and followed the carpenter trade. He died at Lyons, in that county, on Sept. 12, 1881, aged twenty-three years and eight months. He was married to Ella Kauffman, born Aug. 14, 1860, a daughter of Angelina (Kemp) Kauff- man, of Leesport, Berks county, and they had one child, Richard A. Mrs. Parks, the widow, mar- ried Daniel Brown, of Ringgold, Schuylkill county, and they reside at Allentown. They had three children: Ellen S .; Hilda A .; ard Morris E., who died March 13, 1912, aged 22 years.

Richard A. Parks, dealer in wall paper and decorations, at Allentown, was born at Lyons, Berks county, Pa., June 29, 1881. He received his education in the public schools at Pottsville and Allentown, and at the age of 15 years he en- tered the employ of W. M. Beck & Company, as errand boy, and later the firm changing to J. Fred Kutz, retained him as a clerk and some- time afterward he was admitted as a member of the firm. In 1909, he retired from the firm and

opened up a wall paper establishment at 144 North Seventh street. In 1912, on the death of J. Fred Kutz, Mr. Parks bought out the wall paper business at 40 North Seventh street, which was established in 1881 by W. M. Beck. In 1914, Mr. Parks organized the Allentown Wall Paper Company, of which he is the president. His retail store trade is large and he handles a complete line of first-class decorations and em- ploys about fifteen people.

Mr. Parks is a member of Jordan Lodge, No. 673, F. & A. M .; the Eastern Star ; the Knights

RICHARD S. PARKS.

of the Mystic Chain ; and the Fraternal Order of Tigers. He has taken an active interest in the Grace United Brethren church and has served as a trustee since 1912. He was president of the Lehigh Valley United Christian Endeavor So- ciety from 1908 to 1912 ; and president and treas- urer of the Lehigh County Sabbath School As- sociation since 1911.

In 1901, he was married to Sallie J. Schuman, daughter of Seth and Mary (Trexler ) Schuman. They have two children: Carroll G., and Fern M.

DR. DAVID H. PARMET.

Dr. David H. Parmet is a son of Gersbon Parmet, a Hebrew book merchant of Philadel-

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

phia, who is by profession a biblical writer. He is especially skilled to do this kind of work and his print shows the marks of expert workmanship and high prices are paid for the Hebrew Bibles prepared by him. He has received as high as $500.00 a copy for his work. He handles all kinds of religious books, and takes an active in- terest in religious matters. He is a member of the Jewish Orthodox church and was born in 1844 in Minski, Russia. He came to America in 1892 and located in Philadelphia. His wife was Molly Kopland, also a native of Minski. They had the following children: Rebecca, Leon, Abraham, Zalmon, Dr. David H., Joseph and Morris.

Dr. David H. Parmet was born in Russia in 1881. As a boy he attended the schools of his native country. After he came to America with his parents he attended the following institutions of learning: Drexel Institute, Brown College and Jefferson Medical College, all of Philadel- phia, graduating from the latter institution in 1899. He also took a summer course in Obstet- rics in the Lying-in Charity Hospital of Phila- delphia. In July, 1909, he was elected resident physician of St. Mary's Hospital, Philadelphia. In July, 1910, he located in Allentown, where he has built up a lucrative practice. He resides at 309 North Second street. He is a member of the Lehigh County Medical Society; Lehigh Lodge of the Independent Order Brith Shalom; Emiel Zola Lodge of Independent Order Brith Abraham and the Y. M. Hebrew Association. Mr. Parmet was married September 29, 1911, to Sarah Schoolman, daughter of Morris School- man, of Philadelphia. Mrs. Parmet is an ac- complished pianist and ;an exceptionally able vocalist. She taught music a number of years and participated in a number of concerts in Philadelphia and Allentown.

PAULES FAMILY.

The following is a translation of the Passport of John Michael Baulus and of his family record taken out of the family Bible, both in the pos- session of Reuben A. Paules, York, Penna.

"The bearer of this paper, John Michael Baulus, until now a citizen of this place, Essen- hem, and Catharine his wife, both members of our Reformed religion according to God's holy word, in the name of the Lord are willing and intend to settle in the American provinces be- longing to the Crown of England, there to find with their family needed and more abundant substance. They together with all their family are therefore on their long wearisome and dan- gerous journey, recommend to the protection of

the Almighty, to the love of our faithful Savior, Jesus, and to the Communion of the Holy Ghost, to keep and preserve their well-being both of body and soul. I gladly recommend them to the helpful care of all ecclesiastical and civil supe- riors, as no less to the Christian Charity of every- body."

Essenheim is in the jurisdiction of the Elector- ate Palatinate, not far from Manitz, May 2, 1742.

"J. Rademher, Reformed Minister."

Johann Michael Baulus was born in 1699, and his wife Catharine in 1705. They were married in 1723. Their oldest daughter, Christina, was born in 1725 and instructed for holy communion in 1739. Their second daughter, Apollonia, was born in 1731; their third daughter, Magdalena in 1734; their fourth daughter, Maria, in 1736; a son, John Adam, in 1740, and a son Lorenz in 1743 ; and a son Henry was born after the family came to America.

From another source, we gather the following facts; John Philip Adam Paules was born in Hattenbach, in Oberamt Lizgberg, March 28, 1725. He was the father of the following chil- dren: Philip Jacob, born March 30, 1762; Adam, July 14, 1763; Stophel, April 6, 1765; Catharine, 1767; Henry, November 10, 1770.

Johann Michael Paules arrived in Philadel- phia, September 3, 1742, on ship Loyal Judith from Rotterdam, last from Cowes.

Lawrence Paules settled in Virginia.

Henry, the youngest son, who was born in this country, settled in the eastern part of Pennsyl- vania.

Among the children of Henry Paules was a son by the name of Henry, who was a wood- chopper by trade and lived in Longswamp town- ship, and later moved into the upper end of Le- high county. He and his wife used to walk to Berks county, visiting friends. He had a brother in Philadelphia who was a baker by trade. He was born in 1777 and died in 1857. He was married to Susanna Brensinger, who died in 1872.

Mr. Paules was a pious man and well versed in the Bible. He and his wife are buried at the Heidelberg church. They had the following children: Daniel, mentioned later; Henry, set- tled at Danville, Pa .; John, lived in Berks county; Catharine, married Solomon Stiehl; Sallie, married Daniel Shirey; Anna, married Reuben Shirey ; Sophie, died young.

Samuel Paules, son of Henry and Susanna (Brensinger) Paules, was born October 14, 1815, in Berks county. He moved to Heidel- burg township about 1838. He married Mar- garet R. Dorward born February 2, 1822, died

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

February 21, 1902. They were members of the Evangelical Church and both are buried at Slate- dale. He worked for many years at Lehigh Fur- nace. They had the following children: Levi, of Slatedale, died March 3, 1911, in his 96th year ; Susan, married to John Lewis; Stephen of Easton; William D., of Slatedale, born May 15, 1849, and connected with the slate industry since 1864; Tilghman of Allentown ; and Francis, also of Allentown, who was born May 1, 1857, near Lehigh furnace, married to Anna E. Shirey, who died August 9, 1890, and they had three children : Annie V. (wife of Samuel Schleifer) ; Gertrude E. (graduate of the Stroudsburg Normal School, and teacher at Bethlehem) ; Rev. Samuel (Lu- theran Minister at Perkasie).

Francis Paules was married a second time to Ida Weiss, and they had five children : Llewellyn F., Harrison A., Edna R., Allen J., and Ralph W.

Daniel Paules (son of Henry and Susanna) was born in Goshenhoppen, Montgomery county, and learned the moulding trade at old Lehigh furnace, which he followed for many years. Later he took to farming in Washington town- ship, one mile north of Slatedale on what is known as the sand-spring farm, and he continued to live there until his death at the age of 82 years. He was married to Miss Eck, with whom he had five sons: Daniel D., mentioned later ; Marcus, John, Emanuel, and Henry, who was drowned in the Lehigh canal. He was mar- ried a second time to Maria Blose and they had one daughter, Maria, married to Elijah Hart- line.

Daniel S. Paules, son of Daniel and (Eck) Paules, was born in Washington town- ship, April 10, 1837. When but eight years of age he started boating on the Lehigh canal, and he followed it for thirteen years. He then worked at the Lehigh furnace for five years. During the Civil War he began to work at the old Lock Slate Quarry and continued working in the slate industry until he was seventy years old, when he retired. Since 1878 he lives at Slatington. He and his family are members of the Reformed Church which he has served as dea- con and elder. He died February 18, 1912. He was married to Leanna Walp, daughter of Reu- ben Walp. She was born April 26, 1840, and died December 26, 1909. They had eleven chil- dren: Clara, Rebecca, wife of William Rohr- bach ; John J., William H., James M., Robert D., Cora, wife of Edwin Laudenslager ; Clara, wife of William Deibert; infant daughter, Hattie.

JOHN J. PAULES, Superintendent of the Blue Vein and Provident Slate quarries at Slatington,

was born at Lehigh furnace September 21, 1866. When only nine years of age he started to work in the slate quarries, and he has been connected with the slate industry ever since. He became the superintendent of the Kuntz & Jacobs Slate Co. in 1887 and continued with them until 1891 when he became the superintendent of the Blue Vein and Provident Slate Co. He holds one- fourth interest in the latter company which was organized April 1, 1910, and employs one hun- dred people. He is a Progressive Republican and served in the Town Council of Slatington. He and family are members of the Reformed Church in which he served as deacon. He holds mem- bership in the Knights of Honor, P. O. S. of A., and the Modern Woodmen of America. In 1887 he was married to Ida R. Haines, daughter of Lawrence and Polly (Snyder ) Haines. They had an only child, Lawrence D., born 1895 and died 1896. In 1910 Mr. Paules built his present fine brick residence at the corner of Church and Second streets.

WILLIAM H. PAULES, the superintendent of the Eureka Slate Co., Slatington, was born July 12, 1869, and his entire active life has been spent in the slate industry, beginning at the age of nine years. In 1895 he became foreman of the Provi- dent Slate Co. No. 1, which position he filled for two years when he became assistant superintendent of the Hazel-Dell. In 1900 he became superintendent of the Eureka Slate Co., which employs seventy-five men. He holds mem- bership in the Knights of Malta and P. O. S. of A., having passed through all the chairs of the latter society. He is a member of the Town Council since 1904, serving as president since 1908, and is a Progressive Republican. He is a member of the Reformed Church. In 1901 he was married to Alice T. Reber, daughter of Irwin and Lydia ( Handwerk) Reber, of Upper Whitehall township, and they had three chil- dren : Hilda (deceased), Ida (deceased), and an infant son.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. III, Part 42

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

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