USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume II > Part 21
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Although a lawyer devoted to his profession, Mr. Wilson has important business interests and is connected with several Bethlehem corporations. He is majority stock owner and president of the Bethlehem Construction Com- panv; half owner and vice-president of the Bethlehem Cleaning & Dyeing Company; president and owner of the controlling interest in the Times Pub- lishing Company ; president and majority stock owner of the Ross-Common Water Company ; director and general counsel of the Henry Irwin & Sons Company ; director and general counsel of the Steel City Amusement Com- pany ; director of the Bethlehem Trust Company ; president of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce. Since January, 1, 1918, he has served the city of Bethlehem as its solicitor. On May 1, 1918, he was appointed United States Attorney for this district, having in charge the legal affairs in connection with the project of constructing three thousand houses for war workers. In September, 1919, he was elected general counsel for J. H. & C. K. Eagle, Inc., silk manufacturers.
In politics he is a Democrat, but has never taken an active part in public affairs further than as a private citizen interested in good government. He is fond of the out-of-doors, enjoys long walks and drives, and the game of golf appeals to him. But genuine, useful, helpful work is his real hobby, and a recreation must be strenuous to attract him. Progressive, public spirited and broad-minded, he is the ideal American, and not yet in the prime of his powers the future holds for him nothing but promise. He is a mem- ber of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, his friendly, generous nature responding to the appeal of that order. His clubs are the Bethlehem and the Northampton County Country. His religious connection is with the Protestant Episcopal church.
Mr. Wilson married, October 10, 1909, Esther, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Evans, of New York City.
TIMOTHY ADAM STOTZ-As senior member of the firm Stotz Broth- ers, hardware, stoves and heating systems, Timothy A. Stotz is intimately connected with the business which he founded thirty years ago in connection with his brother, William A. Stotz. This business has wonderfully increased in size and scope since its founding in 1888, and is now the largest of its kind in the county of Northampton. There has been no change in the firm name, although another brother, Clemens L. Stotz, has been admitted, and the brothers are in full control of the business they founded. Timothy A. Stotz is the eldest son of Reuben Jeremiah Stotz, a veteran of the Civil War, son of Timothy Stotz, son of Joseph Stotz, a farmer of Nazareth, North- ampton county, son of Ludwig Stotz, the founder of the family in Pennsyl- vania, who came from Heinheim in Saxony, Germany, about 1755, with the Moravian Colony sent out by Count Zinzendorf. Ludwig Stotz married
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Henrietta Weisbrod, also of Heinheim, and they were the parents of sons and daughters who have perpetuated the name of this, one of the oldest Moravian families in Pennsylvania.
Joseph Stotz, son of Ludwig and Henrietta (Weisbrod) Stotz, was born near Nazareth, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1759, and died January 4, 1825. He married Julianna Eigenbrodt, and they were the parents of Timothy, mentioned below.
Timothy Stotz, son of Joseph and Julianna (Eigenbrodt) Stotz, was born in 1807. Ile married a Miss Hartzel, and had sons: Reuben Jeremiah, men- tioned below, and Franklin.
Reuben Jeremiah Stotz, youngest son of Timothy and (Hartzel) Stotz, was born at Wind Gap, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, died April 13, 1878. He was educated in the public schools and at the famous Nazareth Hall, and in early life became a merchant, devoting his adult years mainly to the mercantile business. He served in the Civil War with honor, attaining the rank of second lieutenant of Company I, North- ampton's "Own," the 153d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Lieutenant Stotz was engaged with his regiment in many of the hard-fought battles of the war, notably Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, came through without serious injury, and returned to his home. His after life was one of prominence as a merchant and local leader of the Democracy during his active years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and took a deep interest in its welfare. He married Mary Ann Heimer, daughter of Adam and Sarah (Hohn) Heimer, of Plainfield township, Northampton county. Children : The eldest child died in infancy ; Timothy Adam, men- tioned below ; Harrison Franklin, who died in infancy ; Clemens L. and Wil- liam A., sketches of whom follow; Robert Anthony, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere; Joseph A., M.D., eminent physician of Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania ; and Ella Rebecca, deceased.
Timothy Adain Stotz, son of Reuben Jeremiah and Mary Ann (Heimer) Stotz, was born at Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1863. His public school education was obtained in the schools of Plainfield township. He later took technical courses in sheet metal working and ventilating systems, and was regularly apprenticed to the painter's trade, which he followed until 1888 as journeyman and contractor, removing in that year to Easton. There he joined with his brother, William A., in establishing the business which yet continues under the firm name Stotz Brothers, at Second and Northamp- ton streets. The brothers' original place of business was on College Hill, but in 1896 was removed to its present location. A very large business in heating apparatus and plumbing and heating contracts is transacted, many of the most important heating and ventilating contracts given out in their city having been executed by Stotz Brothers. Mr. Stotz is a member of the Easton Board of Trade; Dallas Lodge No. 396, Free and Accepted Masons ; Lehman's Fishing Club of Pike county, Pennsylvania ; the Young Men's Christian Association (charter member) ; Sons of Veterans; and St. Peter's Lutheran Church, serving for many years as vice-president of the church council and as treasurer. Mr. Stotz finds his most pleasurable recrea- tion in hunting and fishing, hence his membership in Lehman's Pike county club, having its club house and large preserves in Pike county, Pennsylvania. He is one of the city's pioneer motorists, and is one of Easton's progressive, public-spirited men, active in public and civic affairs. During the Liberty, Loan and War Chest campaigns he bore an interested, active part, and could always be relied upon for disinterested public service. In politics a Demo- crat, he served for three years in Common Council, representing the Third Ward of Easton, retiring from office when Council was abolished by the adoption of the commission form of government.
Mr. Stotz married, November 29, 1883, Addie Amelia Fellenzer, daugh-
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ter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kammerer) Fellenzer, of Saylorsburg, Monroe county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Stotz is active in Red Cross, Young Women's Christian Association, church, and charitable work. They are the parents of two children: Ralph Timothy, associated with the business of Stotz Brothers, married Rebecca Morley ; Helen Fellenzer, married Dr. Austin H. Coleman, of Clinton, New Jersey, and has two children, Phila Jane and Helen Louise.
CLEMENS LEWIS STOTZ-The firm of Stotz Brothers, stoves, hard- ware and heating systems, was increased in personnel in 1896 by the admis- sion of a third brother, Clemens L. Stotz, the firm then, as now, composed of Timothy Adam, William Albert and Clemens Lewis Stotz, sons of Reuben Jeremiah and Mary Ann (Heimer) Stotz.
Clemens Lewis Stotz was born at Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1867. He was educated in the school of Plainfield township, Lerch's Academy, Easton, and Keystone State Normal School. After graduation from the last-named institution he taught for five years in the public schools, and then completed a commercial course of study at Pierce's Business Col- lege, Philadelphia, finishing in 1890. The years 1892-96 were spent as book- keeper with the firm of Jacob Rech & Son, Philadelphia, and at the expiration of that period Mr. Stotz joined his brothers, Timothy A. and William A., in Easton. In 1896 he was admitted to a partnership, he taking charge of the office and credit department. The firm continued as Stotz Brothers, each having his own department of the business in his full charge and each an important factor in the success of the business as a whole. There is no better known or more highly regarded firm in the city, its thirty years of business existence under the same name with constantly enlarging borders being its highest eulogy. Stoves, heating systems and hardware are the lines carried, this including an extensive contracting department, the two original partners being practical mechanics. Clemens L. Stotz has been a member of the Easton Board of Trade since its organization. In his political faith he is a Democrat, but most independent in his action. He is a member of Grace Reformed Church, charter member of the Young Men's Christian Association, member of Dallas Lodge No. 396, Free and Accepted Masons, Easton Chapter No. 173, Royal Arch Masons, Judson Kilpatrick Camp, Sons of Veterans, Northampton County Historical Society, and the Kiwanis Club. He is a man of fine literary taste. Shakespeare and the standard authors are his favorites, motoring and fishing are his recreations, and he holds the high regard of a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Stotz married, February 9, 1907, Olga L. Judd, daughter of Oscar M. and Melvina (Obenhour) Judd, of Washington, D. C., her father for many years connected with the United States Treasury Department. Mrs. Stotz is a member of the New Century Club, is an accomplished violinist, studying her art under Prof. Hermann Rakaman. of Washington, D. C. She was formerly a teacher of the violin at Charlottesville, Virginia, Conserva- tory of Music, and has frequently appeared in orchestra and concert. She is active in mission and charitable work of her church, the Grace Reformed, and interested in all good works. Mr. and Mrs. Stotz are the parents of a daughter, Olga Judd, born in Easton, Pennsylvania.
WILLIAM ALBERT STOTZ-William Albert Stotz, son of Reuben Jeremiah and Mary Ann (Heimer) Stotz, was born at Pen Argyl, Pennsyl- vania. November 2, 1869. He attended the old Cross Roads school house in Plainfield township, and after completing his studies began learning the plumbing and metal working trades, and during this period also completed a commercial course at Easton Business College. In 1888, in company with his brother, Timothy A. Stotz, he began a small stove and heating business
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on College Hill, Easton. The business was continued on that location for eight years, then in 1896 larger quarters had become a necessity and removal was made to the present large store at the corner of Second and Northamp- ton streets. This business has wonderfully expanded in the past years, and is today the largest of its kind in the county. Heating and plumbing con- tracts have been executed for many of the finest residences and largest office buildings, schools, churches and public buildings in the Easton section, and the reputation of the firm is of the highest.
William A. Stotz is a director of the Easton Hospital, member of Easton Board of Trade, Rotary Club, director of the Easton Young Men's Christian Association, Sons of Veterans, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Wygadt Canoe Club, of which he was an organizer. He is a member of Grace Reformed Church, for several years was chorister of that church and for twenty years was superintendent of the Sunday school. For eight years he was superintendent of the Northampton County Sunday School Associa- tion, and is now a member of the finance and executive committees of the association. He was one of the organizers of the Young Men's Christian Association in Easton, is a present member of its membership committee, and one of its liberal supporters. He served on the building committee for Easton Hospital, and was team member during Liberty Loan, Red Cross and War Chest drives during the recent war with Germany.
Mr. Stotz married, January 1, 1900, Daisy Alice Gradwohl, of Easton, daughter of Adam and Priscilla (Lerch) Gradwohl, of Easton. Mrs. Stotz is a talented musician, for several years was a successful teacher of the piano, and for a number of years was organist of Grace Reformed Church. She is still an active church worker, a director of the Young Women's Christian Association, member of the New Century Club, Navy League and very active in war work, particularly interested in the Civilian Relief Committee work. Mr. and Mrs. Stotz are the parents of five children: Alberta Priscilla, Wil- liam Albert, Jr., died in infancy ; Vincent Gradwohl, Thomas Byron, Grace Harvene. The family home is at No. 34 Cattell street, College Hill, Easton. Their summer home is at Carpentersville, New Jersey. There Mr. Stotz in- dulges his taste for gardening and his great love for out-of-doors life.
WILLIAM F. MAGEE-The best introduction which can be made to the career of William F. Magce is a history of the institution to which so many years of his life have been devoted. A male child born in Bethlehem the year Mr. Magee came to South Bethlehem Business College would now be a legal voter, and all but a very short period of those twenty-two years Mr. Magee has been owner and principal of the school. At the end of the summer session of 1918 the college dropped the word "South" from its corporative title and is now known as the Bethlehem Business College.
The consolidation of the Bethlehems and the proposed merging of the two post-offices under the name Bethlehem made the change desirable. In the carly days of the school, when most of the young persons in attendance were from the south side, the old name seemed appropriate ; but the college has long ago ceased to be a local institution and now draws students from a very wide territory. The college was established in 1897, and occupied rooms in the South Bethlehem National Bank building. In 1906 it was removed to its present location with larger quarters in the O'Reilly building, Third and New streets. The present principal, William F. Magce, has been in charge of the school since its organization, twenty-two years ago. W. L. McCulloh has had charge of the shorthand department since 1898. The school started under rather discouraging circumstances with a small equip- ment, two teachers and not many students. Thorough instruction and the general demand for business education, however, brought more students. In fact, without a single exception, cach year has shown an increased
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attendance over the previous one. Last year five hundred and fifty-three students were enrolled, about equally divided between the day and evening session. Preparations are being made for an increased attendance this fall. A force of twelve experienced teachers has been employed, nine of whom held the position of principal before engaging with this college. The aim of the institution is to give its students a thorough and practical training for business in a reasonable time. English and other necessary subjects, slighted in many commercial schools, all receive the attention their importance de- serves ; but the student spends no time on fads, untried theories and branches of no practical use. Instruction is given both individually and in classes, and the work is so planned that each student advances independently of the others. Modern courses of study, good teachers, central location, splendid equipment and judicious management have all contributed to the success of the school ; but promises fulfilled, students satisfied, graduates prepared to do what the business world wants done, and the kind words and influence of patrons have done more. These, together with thorough instruction and fair dealing, have won for the college the respect and confidence of all.
The Alumni Association of this college now has an active membership of over one thousand, and a more loyal body of graduates a school could hardly hope to have; June 30, 1918, it was one thousand and thirty-three, and of this membership four hundred and forty-eight are local and five hundred and eighty-five are non-resident students. Year in and year out these former students continue to recommend the school to young persons desiring to pursue a commercial course, as well as to firms needings business-trained help. The Alumni Association offers prizes annually to the students attain- ing highest averages, and in many other ways manifests much interest in the success of the college. The management deeply appreciates the great help which the association has given the school, and hopes by conscientious work to merit a continuance of the good will and the confidence of every member. During the past school year (September 1, 1917, to July 1, 1918) there were enrolled in day and evening sessions five hundred and sixty-eight students. About fifty enrolled for both sessions, leaving a net enrollment of more than five hundred different students, the largest in the history of the school. The night school attendance was a trifle larger than that of the day session, but the day school showed the greater increase in enrollment over the previous year. From September to April, more applied for admission than could be accommodated. Additional furniture and more typewriters were purchased and extra teachers were employed, but even then many persons were turned away.
William F. Magee, son of Lewis and Ellen (Zollers) Magee, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1866. He was educated in the public schools of the district, at Bloomsburg State Normal School and Hazleton Business College. His Bloomsburg Normal School diploma entitled him to teach in the public schools of Pennsylvania, and for a few years he taught in Union county and Luzerne county public schools, winning success as an instructor of youth. He then began his long and eminent connection with that class of institution so favorably known in the United States, the business college, which prepares young men and young women for practical business life through special courses under special instructors.
Mr. Magee began his specialized work in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, with Shamokin Business College, where he remained from 1889 until 1897, when he resigned his position to accept another with South Bethlehem Business College, which first opened for the admission of students on May 17, 1897. Mr. Magee was a member of the faculty, and from the beginning his reputa- tion and ability as an instructor were a prime factor in the school's early success. But soon after its opening he became owner of the school by pur- chase, and three years later, June 18, 1900, the school was incorporated as
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the South Bethlehem Business college. Under that name the school has had twenty-two years of unexampled prosperity, and now passes away, the present year (1918), to reappear immediately as the Bethlehem Business College, in keeping with the spirit which has consolidated the three Bethlehem boroughs into one city under the common name Bethlehem. Mr. Magec is principal of the college, and teacher of advanced bookkeeping, commercial law, business systems and customs. He has made the college a fitting monument of a life-long career as a pedagogue, and at no time has he divided his time with any other profession. He has won a leading place among the educators of Pennsylvania and in that way has added to the glory of his State and citizenship.
Mr. Magee is a member of the Reformed church; H. Stanley Goodwin Lodge No. 648, Free and Accepted Masons; Ezra Chapter. Royal Arch Masons ; Bethlehem Council, Royal and Select Masters. He married, July 5, 1892, Ida S., daughter of Simon and Rosetta Boyer, of Union county, Penn- sylvania. They are the parents of two sons: Harold T. and Frank L., both of whom served their country in France.
REV. TITUS CLAYTON STROCK-The long ministry of Rev. Titus Clayton Strock is one that was interrupted by ill health, during which time he engaged in educational pursuits, but which is nevertheless a chronicle of usefulness and service, with many material monuments to his devotion to his cause in church edifices erected and church institutions founded. His present charge is the Calvary Reformed Church of Bethlehem, a new congregation of which he is the founder and organizer. Mr. Strock is a son of Samuel M. and Mary Magdalene (Judd) Strock, and was born at Hellertown, Pennsyl- vania, February 1, 1855. He attended the public schools of Springtown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and completed his general education at Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated in the class of 1885. Upon graduation he founded the Springtown Academy, filling the posi- tion of principal for two years, at the end of which time he entered the theo- logical department of Ursinus College, having previously prepared himself for this course by solitary study. He was graduated in the class of 1888, and his first charge after his ordination into the ministry of the Reformed church was at Tinicum, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. For four years he min- istered to this congregation, and was then in charge of the church at James Creek, Huntingdon county, for a similar period. From James Creek he was called to Blaine, Perry county, and during his pastorate at that place he secured ground and caused to be erected a church home for the congregation, the work of which had been seriously handicapped by unsuitable quarters. At Tremont, Pennsylvania, the next church of which he was pastor, he de- voted himself so diligently and unsparingly to the work before him that his health failed. His labors in this field were richly blessed, and besides the aid and comfort that a minister is able to render as a mutual confidence and unknown to the others of his community in which his ministry abounded, there were tangible results in the lifting of a debt upon the parsonage and the securing of a large fund for the erection of a new church building.
It was Mr. Strock's intention at this time to spend a year in recuperating from the ill effects of his close application to his ministerial work, but he was strongly pressed to accept the office of principal of the Springfield Central High School and so entered upon the discharge of his duties in this capacity long before his period of rest was past. For three terms he directed affairs in the Springfield school, then becoming principal of the high school and supervising principal of the schools of Saucon township, an office he held for two years, and he was subsequently assistant to the supervising principal of the high school of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, for one year. His educational work served to strengthen and refresh him to such an extent that in 1911
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he felt able to resume his ministerial activities, the true sphere for his endeavors, despite his usefulness and success in educational lines.
Mr. Strock was elected to the pastorate of the Shiloh Reformed Church of Northampton Heights in 1911, and during the six years of his continuance as the leader of this congregation, its membership was doubled. The giving over of this section to the foreign element of the city caused the removal of the members to the eastern part of Bethlehem, where Mr. Strock organ- ized a new congregation. A bungalow was purchased for use as a temporary meeting place, and church work in as many departments as possible was begun. In the year of its existence the congregation has come to number one hundred and forty members, and work has been commenced on a church building to cost forty thousand dollars. The difficulties always attending a new venture, and particularly the organization of a new congregation, have been met under his leadership with the calm of courage and the strength of faith, and the assurance of success has been but an added spur to their determination to complete a work that shall be a worthy labor in the name of the great Head of the church.
Mr. Strock's interpretation of his pastoral duties has ineluded an active interest and participation in all of the public movements affecting his people, and as a supporter of the Democratic party he follows with lively interest the trend of political and civic opinion. He is treasurer of the Dry Federa- tion of Northampton county at this time (1919), and has long been a worker in the cause of temperance. As a minister he is faithful and devoted to his people, and as a citizen he is equally able and conscientious in his support of those influences that make for good in his community.
Rev. Titus Clayton Strock married, August 24, 1876, Salome S., daugh- ter of Peter and Louisa (Seifert) Bogel, of Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania. The parents of Mrs. Stroek were residents of Bethlehem, where her mother died December 5, 1911, aged eighty-two years, her father having died at the age of sixty-nine years. Children of Titus Clayton and Salome S. (Bogel) Stroek: Carrie Alice, married Rev. J. Kern McKee, of Zion Re- formed Church, York, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of one child, Katherine Mildred, born June 4, 1905; Christine Marion, died in infancy ; Wilmer Casper, a commercial traveller in the employ of a Pittsburgh firm. Mr. Strock is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and has been active in all public movements for the good of Bethlehem. He was also a director of the school board at Marklesburg.
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