USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume II > Part 31
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
John R. Beers, son of Stephen and Anna E. (Rerrick) Beers, was born in Stewartsville, Warren county, New Jersey, November 17, 1848, but since 1870 has been a resident of the city of Easton, Pennsylvania. He was six years of age when his parents moved to Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and there he attended the public schools, where his first teacher was Miss Emma Ross. His father was a wheelwright by trade, but became a bridge builder and assistant to Henry Naphey, a superintendent of bridge construction for the United States Government during the Civil War. During the last years of the war, 1863-64-65, Mr. Beers was taken to Alexandria, Virginia, by Mr. Naphey to assist him on the bridge there, and, a boy being needed. John Beers, a lad of fifteen, was taken along as a water boy and tool gatherer. So he saw a great deal of the war from its more peaceful side, one of the jobs that he worked on being the erection of two large water tanks at the battlefield of Bull Run for the Orange and Alexandria railroad. When the war was ended, father and son returned to their Phillipsburg home, John R. entering the machine shops of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, there serving an apprenticeship of four years under John Alpaugh, master me- chanic of the shops. After finishing his years of apprenticeship at the machinist trade he started upon a travel tour of the machine shops of the West, and during the thirteen months he was absent worked at the trade in seventeen shops in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago. With this valuable experience he returned to Easton and entered the shops of the Lehigh Valley railroad, and for twenty-five years continued in that employ, having been promoted foreman of the new engine building department at the end of the first five years.
This brought him to the year 1895, and a radical change in his business life. He left the railroad shop, purchased the Court House Hotel, and for ten years was the owner and proprietor. He then sold the hotel and bought out Thomas Runyon's wholesale liquor store on Northampton street, Easton, and for seven years was its proprietor, selling out in 1910 to O'Hlay Brothers. He has not engaged in private business during the years which have since elapsed, but has given his time and business experience to city affairs through the medium of the office he holds-alderman from the Sixth Ward. He was appointed by the governor to fill out the unexpired term of John Bitters, and at the end of his appointed term in 1914 was elected to succeed himself for a term of six years to expire in 1920. Ile is a Democrat in politics, his first presidential vote having been cast in 1864 for Genera! George B. McClellan.
Mr. Beers married in Easton, October 18, 1870, Mary Eckert, born in the Sixth Ward of Easton, June 15, 1853, daughter of Reuben and Margaret
104
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
(Arnold) Eckert, of Easton. Mr. and Mrs. Beers are the parents of a daughter, Margaret, who married Frederick Kutz, of Easton, and has a daughter, Margaret, who is proof reader in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Northampton county, and in October, 1918, was appointed as stamp agent for the government for sale of revenue stamps for the Eastern district; Charles P., an adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Beers, resides in New York City. He conducts a public dance-hall on Forty-second street, New York City, and served in the Spanish-American War.
REV. JAMES OLIVER LEIBENSPERGER-St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was organized in 1863, and in 1913 celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its founding, beginning on Sunday, August 31, and continuing until September 3. At that time the roll of pastors was as follows: 1863-67, Rev. A. T. Geisenheiner ; 1867-68, Rev. Jacob Zentner; 1868-70, Rev. J. B. Rath ; 1870-86, Rev. C. J. Cooper, D.D .; 1886-1901, Rev. W. F. Schoener ; 1901-13, Rev. J. O. Leibensperger. There has been no change in this roll since, although six years have since elapsed, the pastor, then Rev. J. O. Leibensperger, still remaining, his term, eighteen years, exceeding that of any of his predecessors. Leibensperger is an old Berks county family name, Rev. James O. being a son of Stephen and a grandson of Daniel Leibensperger, both natives of that county. Daniel mar- ried Anna Butz, and their son, Stephen, was born February 5, 1832, spent his entire life in Berks county, and there died June 2, 1887. He was for many years an elder of Zion Lutheran Church. He married Susan Deisher, born in the same neighborhood as her husband, in June, 1835, died in Febru- ary, 1898. They were the parents of the following children: Eugene P., a retired farmer of Maxatawney township, Berks county, but still active and interested in public affairs, serving as road supervisor ; he married Alice Guldin ; Stephen S., born August 2, 1859, a retired farmer residing at Kutz- town, Pennsylvania, married Susan Warmkessel, who died in 1914, leaving a daughter, Clara, who married Adam Bleiler, of Weisenberg township, Berks county, and has a son Richard; Edna, residing with her father ; James, mar- ried Miss Heffner, and lives at Kutztown, Pennsylvania; Mary and Stephen, residing with their father; James Oliver, of further mention ; Alice E., mar- ried Henry Heilman, of Kutztown, a retired merchant, and has a daughter, Eva, who married Fred Fisher, of Kutztown, a lumber merchant; Ambrose W., associate pastor of Salem Lutheran Church of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Frederick, daughter of Rev. George F. and Anna Fred- erick, of Philadelphia, her father deceased. They are the parents of a daughter of Catherine, a graduate of Lebanon High School, class of 1918.
James Oliver Leibensperger was born at the home farm in Maxatawney township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1862, and began his educa- tion in the township school. He completed courses of study at Kutztown State Normal School, then entered Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsyl- vania, whence he was graduated with honors, class of 1884. He began the study of theology the following fall at Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, continuing until graduation, May 31, 1887. He was ordained a minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church by the ecclesiastical body governing, on June 6, 1887, the ordination ceremonies being held in Zion Lutheran Church on Franklin street, Philadelphia.
His first pastorate was over Zion Lutheran Church of Girardville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, his term there ending in July, 1889, the church which he found in a weak and dependent condition being left in a strong and self-supporting state. He then became pastor at Denver. Penn- sylvania, organizing there St. John's Lutheran Church, and laying the cor- nerstone for a new church building early in 1890. His pastorate also in- cluded the Swamp Church near Reinholds, and later the church at Lincoln
105
BIOGRAPHICAL
was added to the circuit. He served those churches until 1901, his work being greatly blessed. The church at Lincoln sold its interest in a union church and became an independent body, and all branches of church work showed the deep interest the pastor had awakened among his people.
On December 1, 1901, he became pastor of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church at South Bethlehem, and there continues until the present. 1919. That church has prospered wonderfully under his pastoral care. the church structure having been enlarged, and a new front completed in 1916. Forty-eight thousand dollars have been expended in the improvements, which have made St. Peter's the finest church on the south side. All this was accomplished without the cessation of religious worship, the Sunday school room being utilized while the additions to the church were being made. Services are held alternately in English and German.
Rev. James O. Leibensperger married, September 22, 1887, at Topton, Pennsylvania, Fianna Eleanor Miller, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Zeigler) Miller, her father a retired farmer of Topton, who died in August, 1890, his widow surviving until February 14, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were parents of the following children: W. Oscar Miller, of Reading, Pennsyl- vania, ex-State Senator; Sarah I., married Louis A. Stein. of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, a shoe manufacturer; Mantana, widow of A. S. Haffner, of Topton, Pennsylvania, who died in 1900, a coal and lumber dealer ; Alvin I. Miller, a retired farmer of Topton; George I. Miller, died in 1903; Fianna Eleanor, married Rev. James O. Leibensperger.
HARRY CHESTER POHL, M.D .- Dr. Pohl has been a practicing physician of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, since 1902, when he began his profes- sional labors in that place. He came not as a stranger to Nazareth and its people, for he was well known as a former member of famous old Nazareth Hall's faculty. During the seventeen years of his active professional work in this place he has gained a large practice, whose demands he ably fills, and he also takes an interested part in the work of the medical societies, county, State and national.
Dr. Pohl is a son of William J. and Louisa (Breinig) Pohl, and grand- son of Anthony Pohl, a sieve-maker in calling, and for many years a justice of the peace in Easton, Pennsylvania. William J. Pohl was born in Easton and there has passed practically all of his mature years, an expert mechanic in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. After the death of Louisa (Breinig) Pohl, Mr. Pohl married a second time, and he and his wife, Emma (Schlechter) Pohl, are residents of Easton, South Side.
Harry Chester Pohl was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, February 19. 1875. His mother's death occurred when he was a boy of five years of age. He attended the Easton public schools, graduating from the Easton High School in the class of 1891, and he continued his studies in Lafayette College, whence he was graduated in the class of 1895. After graduation he accepted a place upon the faculty of Nazareth Hall, at Nazareth, having classes in physiology, Latin and English, and during the four years of his connection with the hall he pursued post-graduate work in Lafayette College, which subsequently was allowed as one year's credit upon his medical course. Thus, entering Medico-Chirurgical Institute, in Philadelphia, he was awarded his degree of M.D. in the class of 1902, after three years of study.
Dr. Pohl chose Nazareth, the scene of his pedagogical labors, as his professional field, and since 1902 he has given all of his time to a practice general in character, in Nazareth and vicinity. His professional standing is the result of a love of his work and his diligent application thereto, and he is held in affectionate regard in the many families into whose innermost circles his duties have called him. He is a member of the Northampton County Medical Society, the Lehigh Valley Medical Society, and the Ameri-
106
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
can Medical Association, having been vice-president of the first-named organi- zation. Dr. Pohl also holds membership in the Academy of Sciences, whose meetings are coincident in time and place with those of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Harry C. Pohl married, in 1902, Amelia Giering, of Nazareth, who was educated in the Moravian schools of this place, and is Dr. Pohl's efficient assistant in his minor surgical operations. They are the parents of one child, Millicent.
WILLIAM MEAD CORNWELL-Although one of the youngest mer- chants in Easton, Mr. Cornwell, head of the Oriental Art Company, has taken his place among the progressive men of his city, and has won his right to the position he holds. He is the son of Rev. George and Mary (Mead) Cornweil, the latter a daughter of William and Louisa (White) Mead. Rev. George Cornwell was a regularly ordained minister of the Presbyterian church, and during the year 1892 was pastor of the Presbyterian church at Poundridge in Westchester county, New York, forty-two miles from New York City. There his son, William Mead Cornwell, was born, and from there he started on his long journey to China, after having been appointed a missionary and assigned to duty at Chefoo, China. He remained faithfully at his post of duty until the year 1909, when his life was sacrificed in the cholera epidemic of that year. His wife died three days after her husband, and both are buried in Chefoo, China. The burial place is marked by a double headstone in the form of an arch, surmounted by a cross. This was erected by his admiring friends among the Chinese. On the front, the inscription is in Chinese; on the other side, in English. They were the parents of nine children, one of their sons, John Nevins Cornwell, an artillery- man, seeing service with the 104th Artillery, Twenty-seventh Division, New York, with the American Expeditionary Forces in France.
William Mead Cornwell was born in the village of Poundridge, West- chester county, New York, April 17, 1892, shortly before his parents sailed for their post of duty, Chefoo China. When departure was finally made he was taken along, an infant in arms, and in China the first sixteen years of his life were passed. He was educated in the mission schools and learned to speak the Chinese tongue like a native. After his return to the United States in 1908, he prepared at Blair Academy and entered Lafayette College, class of 1916. He completed his freshman and sophomore year, but in the junior year he resigned his hopes for a college degree and entered busi- ness life.
Before leaving China he had been employed for a time by one of the largest silk and art houses of the Orient, and there gained a knowledge of Oriental laces, silks and art goods, also acquiring the friendship of merchants in those lines, men who were later to become his valuable allies in establish- ing a business. Upon leaving college he carried into effect long and well-laid plans for opening a store for the sale of Oriental goods, and after securing the financial aid of his business friends in China, who shipped him all the goods he needed, he opened in the First National Bank building the first Oriental art store in Easton. His venture proved successful, and he has developed it along the best lines of modern merchandising, and made his large store on South Third street, to which he removed in April, 1917, the seat of a business to be proud of. He removed from the First National Bank building to North Fourth street, there remaining until the present store was ready for occupancy. His knowledge of Oriental goods and Orien- tal ways have been of great advantage to him in securing the best import lines and prices, as well as enabling him to display and sell more intelli- gently than others without his experience, the result being that few stores can be found outside of the great cities with so varied a stock so well chosen
Kom M. Comwell .
PUBLID L APARY
A 1 LY AND
R
L
107
BIOGRAPHICAL
or displayed in so large a store. The business is conducted under the trade name, Oriental Art Company, of which Mr. Cornwell is its founder, owner and manager.
Mr. Cornwell has in contemplation a change in his plan of business operations whereby he will spend a greater part of his time in China, repre- senting his own business interests as well as Easton manufacturers, and act- ing as a buying agent for imports into the United States.
While in college, Mr. Cornwell was interested in athletic sports, particu- larly soccer football and gymnasium work. He was later a member of the Easton soccer team, and is still a devotee of out-of-door sports. Hle is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, and the year before enter- ing college he was boys' secretary of the Newport, Rhode Island, Young Men's Christian Association. He is a member of the Easton Board of Trade. Easton Rotary Club, Phi Delta Theta, Blairstown Lodge No. 165, Free and Accepted Masons; Lehicton Lodge No. 244. Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows; is a communicant of the First Presbyterian Church and superintendent of the Sunday school of that church.
Mr. Cornwell married, June 1, 1917, Jessie E., daughter of Jonas E. and Lena V. (Babbitt) Bair, of Blairstown, New Jersey. She was a classmate of her husband at Blair Academy. Mr. Cornwell is an active worker of the church and the Young Men's Christian Association, and is a teacher in the Sunday school of the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell are the parents of a son, William Mead (2) Cornwell.
JOHN ROLLA BARR-Now retired from active business life, Mr. Barr is enjoying the fruits of an active, well-spent life. He is one of the success- ful men of his city, and is as well and favorably known as was his honored father. Mr. Barr is a descendant of James Barr, of French-Irish ancestry, who was born in Wilmington, Delaware, married Dorcas Jaraquett, daughter of Major and Eliza (Price) Jaraquett. Major Jaraquett, born April 6, 1755, died September 13, 1834. He entered the service of the colonies in 1776 and fought under General Washington in all the battles in lower New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He was also under General De Kalb at the battle of Camden, and was one of the two officers of the regiment left unwounded to direct the fight. After the War of Independence was won he returned to Delaware and with his wife, Eliza (Price) Jaraquett, passed a quiet, contented old age on the paternal estate, their marriage occurring in 1782.
Samuel Barr, son of James and Dorcas (Jaraquett) Barr, was born in Delaware about the year 1800. He learned the shoemaker's trade and for many years was a prosperous dealer in boots and shoes. He married Mar- garet Cummings, of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Joseph A. Cummings, a Revolutionary soldier, and his wife, Mary A. Cummings, who lived to the great age of one hundred and four years. Joseph A. Cummings and wife were the parents of three sons : Peter, Abraham and Nathan ; and of a daughter, Margaret Cummings, who married Samuel Barr. Samuel and Margaret (Cummings) Barr were the parents of three sons: 1. William J., a captain of Philadelphia troops, going to the front as captain of the first regi- ment to leave Philadelphia, and serving until the close of the war; he then returned to Philadelphia and lived to the age of seventy-three years. 2. Joseph C., a ropemaker, who died in carly manhood. 3. John R., of further mention.
John R. Barr, youngest son of Samuel and Margaret (Cummings) Barr, was born in Philadelphia. November 7. 1829, died in Easton, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1917. He was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, then learned the painter's trade, specializing in ornamental and decorative work, becoming one of the best men of his trade in Pennsylvania. Until 1850 he remained in Philadelphia, then moved to Easton, Pennsylvania,
IOS
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
where for twenty years he was in the employ of David Garris. He then entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, and for thirty years, 1870-1900, continued in the service of that company, engaged in the car decorating department. In 1900 he retired, having attained the age of seventy-onc years, and during his life having had but three employers: The firm with whom he learned his trade in Philadelphia until 1850; Davis Gar- ris in Easton, 1850-70; and the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, 1870-1900. During this one-half of a century as a journeyman he was often tempted with flattering offers, but he was always paid the highest wages and so well treated that he felt that he must repay in loyalty and good service the extra favors he received. Really his employers were but two after becoming a journeyman. He served Easton as councilman for twelve years, was a member of the Masonic Order. the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Order of United American Mechanics and the Improved Order of Red Men. John R. Barr married, in 1852, Sarah A. Weaver, born near Freemansburg, Pennsylvania, in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Barr trod life's pathway together for fifty-three years; she died in August, 1915; their home was a handsome residence at No. SIT Berwick street, Easton. They were the parents of seven children: 1. William, died in Easton, leaving a widow, Mrs. Emma (Shultz) Barr. 2. Rebecca, married Peter O'Connell, and died in Philadel- phia in May, 1918. 3. John Rolla, of further mention. 4. Mary, married Eugene Mutchler, and resides in Easton. 5. Annie, married Ascher Mutch- ler, and died in 1896. 6. Lincoln, died 1899 ; married Caroline Bach. 7. Sarah, died young.
John Rolla Barr, son of John R. and Sarah A. (Weaver) Barr, was born in South Easton, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1856. He began his education under Miss Fine, a teacher in the public school, and until fourteen years old his school attendance was very regular. South Easton was in that day little more than a huge market garden and the farmers gladly employed all the boys they could get during the months the schools were closed. In this way the lad spent his school vacation, and until he was sixteen he had no other occupation. He then entered the Lehigh Valley railroad car shops to learn the painter's trade and there served four years. After completing his apprenticeship and serving one year as a journeyman, the company granted him leave of absence, during which he toured the Western States, stopping off at any point which interested him. One of these places was David City, Butler county, Nebraska, where he bought lots and remained a year, and then returned to Easton, which has since been his home.
Upon his return from the West, Mr. Barr was made foreman of the L.chigh Valley paint shops at Delano, there remaining two years before returning to Easton. He was next placed in charge of the decorating depart- ment of the Easton shops, a position he held until the company moved that department to Sayre, Pennsylvania. During those years he had acquired an interest in a slate quarry in Moore township, near Point Philip, and this quarry he developed until finally he sold out at a good profit. For a few years he lived a practically retired life, but his energetic nature demanded action, and he again established in business as a painting contractor. He continued actively in business until recent years, but is now living free from business cares. He has always been an active public-spirited citizen, and for years has served as an election official and on registration boards. He is a Republican in politics, a member of Easton Lodge No. 152, Free and Accepted Masons; Lehighton Lodge No. 242, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Order of American Mechanics.
Mr. Barr married in Easton, September 24, 1880, Cornelia Stocker, daughter of William and Sarah (Laubach) Stocker, of Easton. Mr. and Mrs. Barr are the parents of five children : 1. Laila, married Frank H. Raub, and died April 14, 1918, aged thirty-six years. 2. Leslie, died aged nine
109
BIOGRAPHICAL
years. 3. Rolla, died aged four years. 4. Elvin, born in South Easton, November 9, 1894, and was educated in the grade and high schools of Easton, and at Lafayette College, taking a special course in chemical engineering, finishing with graduation, class of 1918; he then entered the service of his country, trained at Officers' Camp, at Fort Niagara, and at the Coast Artil- lery School at Fortress Monroe; he qualified, was commissioned second lieutenant of the Seventh United States Anti-Aircraft Battalion, and went overseas; he was promoted first lieutenant. February, 1918; he married in Easton, August 24, 1917, Margaret Magee, daughter of Frank and Catherine Magce. 5. Marian Ethel, was a member of Easton High School, graduating in class of 1918. The family home is at No. 1032 Berwick strect, South Side, Easton.
WILLIAM MOCK, V.S .- While the veterinary surgeon has now come into his own and has demonstrated his value to the farming industry and stock owners, the animal hospital and infirmary are not yet so common that they fail to excite comment. Dr. Mock has brought such an institution to Easton, and on Northwest street has a building well equipped with all modern aids for the treatment of animals, injured or sick. He is a graduate of Ontario Veterinary College, of Canada, and since 1892 has practiced his profession in Easton. His practice is large, and his professional standing is high. He is a son of Dr. John Mock, a practicing M.D. of Easton, North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, and grandson of William Mock, a contractor of masonry, who met his death through a premature explosion in a stone quarry in 1869. That William Mock resided in what is now West Easton, and laid the first paving in the city of Easton, having a contract with the city to pave Northampton street for a certain distance with cobblestones. He was the contractor for the stone work on the Masonic Hall in Easton, for the piers which support the Glendon bridge, and was one of the leading business men of his day, holding the respect and esteem of his fellowmen. He was but forty-nine years of age when he met accidental death, and his loss cast deep gloom over the city in which he had proven his worth as a builder and citizen. He came to Northampton county from Chester county, Pennsylvania. William Mock married Amanda Trittenhach, and both werc members of the Lutheran church. They were the parents of an only son, Dr. John Mock, and an only daughter, Mary M., now the widow of Dr. C. C. Disbrow.
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.