USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume II > Part 36
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Thomas Richard Pomp was born in Easton, March 7. 18IS, and there died August 18, 1862. He attended the Easton schools until thoroughly pre- pared, then entered Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he completed his education. He had a brother, Peter Pomp, in the drug business in Easton, located in what is known as the Pomp building, and after finishing his college course he entered the employ of that brother, thoroughly learning the drug business before leaving. He then opened a drug store in York, Pennsylvania; later he returned to Easton and opened a drug store on Northampton street, now Fourth street. He was very sue- cessful in the management of that business, and continued its head until the end of his life. He was a man of strong character, deeply concerned and helpful in all that pertained to Easton's welfare, and in a liberal, public- spirited way aided in all forward movements. He was a thorough musician, both vocal and instrumental, inheriting his love of music from his father, who was devoted to his violin. This love of music is a family trait. 11c was a member of the German Reformed church of which his father was pastor during all but the last ten years of his son's life, the organization being known as the First Reformed Church of Easton. In politics he was a Republican.
Thomas R. Pomp married in Easton. October 23, 1849. Julia Anna Oberle, born at the Oberle farm homestead near Easton in 1814, and educated in the public and private schools, finishing at a seminary in Easton. Mrs. Pomp was a daughter of George HI. and Elizabeth (Schwitzer) Oberle, and the mother of four children: George Oberle, died aged seven years; Mary Elizabeth, died aged five years; a third child who died in infancy : Anna Julia, a resident of Easton, active in all branches of church work.
HORACE ABRAHAM SAYLOR-Horace Abraham Saylor, an enter- prising, aggressive, and capable young business man of Bethlehem, Penn- sylvania, who came particularly into prominence in the city by his public work of patriotic character during the European War, is a scion of an old Pennsylvania family. His father was very well known in the city of Battle- hem; so, also, was his grandfather, who was instrumental in causing the erection of three of Bethlehem's churches.
Horace A. Saylor was born in the city, July 27, 1891, and has spent his
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whole life in it; and it is more than probable that he will continue to live in it for many years, seeing that he is now satisfactorily established in inde- pendent business of apparently permanent stability and promising develop- ment. He is the son of Horace A. and Estella (Wolfe) Saylor, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and grandson of the Rev. O. L. Saylor, of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and later of Bethlehem. The grandfather, O. L. Saylor, was a man of many attainments and wide experience. In his early days he was a physician, and held the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and it was in that professional capacity that he gave national service to the cause of the Union during the Civil War; he held an honorable record as an army surgeon, and for some time during the campaign was attached to the Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Volunteers. He must have been a man of unusual calibre and wide learning, and also a man of strong, upright character, for his record shows that soon after the close of the Civil War he entered the ministry ; and it was as a Doctor of Divinity instead of Doctor of Medicine that he sub- sequently labored. He became the presiding elder of the Evangelical church, and to his efforts mainly may be attributed the erection of three of the churches that now stand in Bethlehem. The Rev. O. L. Saylor was a promi- nent Mason, and by his work, both in a professional capacity and as a citizen, did much to aid the development of Bethlehem. He died in 1902. His son, Horace A. Saylor, father of Horace Abraham, the subject of this article, was born in Schuylkill county in 1862, and survived his father only two years, death coming in 1904, at Bethlehem. His activities also were professional; though in the literary world instead of medical or clerical. For twenty-two years he had a distinct part in the promotion of public projects in the city, of Bethlehem, for during that period he was associated with the editorial department of the Bethlehem Times, and his reportorial activities did much to keep that paper to the front, and also to keep the people of Bethlehem well informed on subjects that were of vital interest and importance to them as taxpayers. Mr. Saylor was possessed of abundant energy, and his pen was a force; he became very well regarded in the city, and popular among those with whom he intimately associated. He was a member of the Evan- gelical church, and prominently identified with the functioning of local branches of many fraternal organizations, being a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Eagles. Almost to the day of his death he was an active member of the staff of the Times, always keen to be the first to report news of consequence, and his somewhat carly death, being only forty-two years old when that occurred, may have been hastened by his inclination to forget physical limits in his keen and strenuous efforts to give the public "the whole story," and to be the first to give it. His widow, Estella (Wolfe) Saylor, still lives, and resides in Bethlehem with her only child, Horace Abraham. There were two children of the marriage of Horacc A. and Estella (Wolfe) Saylor, but the other child, James, died at the age of seven years.
Horace Abraham Saylor, subject of this writing, was educated in the public schools of Bethlehem, and in course of time entered upon a business career. He was first employed in the treasury department of the Bethlehem Steel Company, in the employ of which company he remained for two years in that capacity, and for a further, like period was connected with the con- struction of a coke oven plant at the Bethlehem Works. In 1914 an oppor- tunity to enter into independent business came to him, and he joined the firm of Miller & Cunningham, cigar merchants, and owners of the well-known cigar store of that name on Broad street, Bethlehem. His partners are not actively connected with the business; Mr. Miller is secretary to Charles M. Schwab, president of the Bethlehem Steel Company, and Mr. Cunningham was one of the carly volunteers for military service, and eventually served in France, as sergeant of an ammunition truck train in France and 103d Train,
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28th Division. Mr. Saylor, however, has proved that he possesses good executive ability and superabundant energy, together with a cheerful opti- mism and a manner of approach that brings him many friends and much business.
Mr. Saylor has also proved during the years of war that he is a good organizer of public movements. He is president of the Yo Eddie Club of Bethlehem, the achievements of which have been noteworthy and commend- able. The club was formed during the trouble in Mexico, when so many of the National Guard troops of the United States had to go into active service on the Mexican border, and some into Mexico with General Pershing. Its object was to furnish comforts and tobacco to local troops then in active service, and its members which at the outset were only forty-two were wont to collect money on the streets of Bethlehem to accomplish that purpose. Bethlehem furnished a company of troops for the army of General Pershing in Mexico, and during the whole period of the service of that company in Mexico, the Yo Eddie Club kept its members well supplied with tobacco. And upon the return of Company "M" to Bethlehem, a magnificent banquet was given to the whole company, the funds to defray the cost of which had been raised mainly from the proceeds of a vaudeville performance at the Broad Theatre, most of the performers being members of the Yo Eddie Club. When the United States was ultimately drawn into the great World War the Yo Eddie Club again became active, adopting as the "Object and Pur- pose" of the club "to do beneficial work for patriotic causes, for the duration of the Great World War." The administration of the club was in the hands of a board of trustees, of which Mr. Saylor was president from the outset. Soon after the country's entry into the war, the members of the club became active, spent $200 in advertising their purpose, and did not hesitate to sing on street corners to achieve their purpose to raise Company "M" to war strength. When that company left Bethlehem, it had been recruited to full war strength, principally through the efforts of members of the club. And through the effort, mainly, of one of the trustees of the club, Fred C. Kline, who organized a ball game between Company "M" and Battery "A," which netted $1,800 profit, both military units left with their mess funds increased substantially, each unit taking half of the proceeds of the game. The next noteworthy undertaking of the club was a minstrel show which ran for three nights, playing to crowded houses each night, and netting a total profit of $2,500, which was to provide a tobacco fund for Bethlehem soldiers. And the Yo Eddie Club did not confine its efforts only to Bethlehem and soldiers of that district; the members forming the minstrel show gave a performance in Easton, Pennsylvania, for the benefit of the mothers of 1917, and raised in Easton for that purpose a satisfactory sum. However, the selective service draft called so many-twenty-six-of the minstrels into military service that further performances by the troupe were not possible. Later the Yo Eddie Club organized two successful carnivals, with a resultant profit of $4.500. The efforts of the club were endorsed by the City Council, by the Chamber of Commerce, by the Bethlehem Club, and all classes of Bethlehem residents support its work. Latterly, it has reached a membership of thirteen hun- dred, including Charles M. Schwab, and it was the only patriotic organiza- tion allowed to function in Bethlehem after the last drive of the combined war charities organizations. Each soldier upon leaving Bethlehem for camp was given an American flag, and a tobacco kit, and in addition a good "send- off"; and returning, furloughed soldiers found their tobacco needs well pro- vided for, whilst those in active service were maintained in smoking com- fort up to the limit of the funds of the club, which were continually ang- mented by the aggressive, enterprising work of its members. More than, 2,500 soldiers were on the register of the club. and received tobacco kits in turn ; and after going overseas. where the sending of tobacco was forbidden.
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the club furnished the men, through their respective commanding officers, with money orders with which they could purchase their tobacco needs from their canteens at the expense of the people of Bethlehem. Altogether, the work of the Yo Eddie Club has been commendable, and its successful work must reflect creditably the personality and administrative ability of Mr. Say- lor, its president.
Mr. Saylor is a member of the Evangelical church, and fraternally be- longs to the Elks, Lodge No. 191, of Bethlehem, and the Eagles, Eerie No. 284, Bethlehem. On January 13, 1915, he married Lillian May, daughter of Daniel Hartman, of Allentown. She died December 10, 1918, and is buried in Nisky Hill Cemetery.
HOWARD P. KINSEY-In business himself for nearly half a century, Mr. Kinsey has a store which is one of Easton's historic landmarks, and the very oldest store from the standpoint of continuous location. It was estab- lished by Mr. Kinsey's maternal grandfather, James Black, certainly about 1812, for business records of the store bear that date. James Black was an expert coppersmith, and the products of his shop were in demand from points even as far distant from Easton as one hundred miles. Howard P. is a son of Phineas, son of Samuel, son of Ingham Kinsey, the pioneer of the family in Easton. He is supposed to have been engaged in teaching school in Easton. His son, Samuel, was in the office of the Thomas Iron Company. He died at Hokendauqua, Pennsylvania. Phineas Kinscy was for many years in the drug business in Easton. He married Margaret Black, a daugh- ter of James and Mary (Kechline) Black. Her father was born in Bath, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, but in youthful manhood settled in Easton, where he became noted as a coppersmith. Phineas and Margaret (Black) Kinsey were the parents of three children: Mary B. Kinsey, a resi- dent of Easton ; James Black Kinsey, born in Easton in 1850, died in 1892, associated all his business life with his brother, the latter of further mention.
Howard P. Kinsey was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1853, and at the age of seventeen was graduated from the Easton high school. He was prepared to enter Lafayette College, but the death of an uncle caused him to forego further educational advantages, and at once enter upon his business career. This was in 1870, and Mr. Kinsey is still in business at the same location in which he began his business career forty-cight years ago, entering the store as a clerk with his uncle, Daniel Black, who was the son of the founder of the business, James Black. The latter died in early life, about 1825. His widow continued the business until her son, Daniel, had arrived at suitable age to take over the business, which he in turn carried on until his death, in 1896, when Howard P. Kinsey succeeded to the business, which he continues at the present, 1919. The business has undergone vari-
ous transformations. It was originally a coppersmithing and tin store. Eventually tin roofing became the principal line of business, together with heating arrangements for private homes. This line has gradually merged into a supply establishment for tinners and plumbers. in which branch a large business is conducted in both wholesale and retail. The store carries a full line of household articles in cooking utensils, etc. Mr. Kinsey con- ducts also a manufacturing and repair shop in tin and galvanized iron work.
Mr. Kinsey has been a member of Easton's Board of Trade since its organization, and is a member of the Rotary Club. For years he was a member of the board of governors, of the Pomfret Club, and yet retains his club membership. He is also a member of the Northampton County Country Club and the Easton Anglers' Association. Spending stated vacation periods at the club preserves in the Pocono Mountains, his favorite recreation has always been with rod and reel. In religious connection he is affiliated with the First Reformed Church. He is a director of Northampton National Bank
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and president of the Fire Insurance Company of Northampton County, and is a director of the Delaware Valley railroad and a director of the Easton Delaware Bridge Company.
Mr. Kinsey married, January 29, 1884, Katherine Fuller, daughter of John and Elizabeth Fuller. They have no children. The family home is at No. 226 Northampton street.
JEREMIAH S. HESS-Jeremiah S. Hess, principal of the coal and lum- ber business he established in Hellertown more than fifty years ago, which business is now and for many years has been one of the largest in the county, has had a unique career in many respects. He has been a Sunday school superintendent for fifty years; was a church organist for twenty-five years; was a trustee of a well-known college for a generation; was in academic occupation for some time ; has studied for the ministry ; has traveled exten- sively in foreign countries; was a post-graduate student in German uni- versities; and notwithstanding all his professional, academic, theological, church and business activities, he found time to enter determinedly into pub- lic affairs of political character. And his record in local office eventually brought him election to the State Senate ; truly a full and varied, as well as a useful and creditable life-record.
Jeremiah S. Hess was born in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, December 3, 1843, the son of Samuel and Lucetta (Klein) Hess. His mother was a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and she survived her husband by nineteen years, her death coming in 1894. The Rev. Samuel Hess, father of Jeremiah S., was born on the old family estate known as Hess Mill, near Hellertown, Pennsylvania. He was a prominent member of the Reformed Church minis- try, and for forty years was pastor in Bucks county. He organized three churches, and was very highly regarded throughout Eastern Pennsylvania among members of the Reformed church, although his pastorate was in reality in only one community throughout the forty years of his ministerial activity. He was prominent among Pennsylvanians of German origin, as he might well have been, for the American progenitor of the Hess family was one of the pioneer settlers of Bucks county, and a resident within the State as early as 1741, he, Nicholas Hess, having in that year left Zweibrucken, Germany. He settled in Springfield, Bucks county, and his son, George, bought the mill, near Hellertown, that bears the family name, and in which the Rev. Samuel Hess, father of Jeremiah S., was born.
Jeremiah S. Hess received his elementary education in the public schools of Hellertown, and had preparatory instruction in the Allentown Seminary and the Bethlehem Seminary. He must also have studied privately, for he entered the Franklin and Marshall College at an unusually early age, and at his graduation therefrom, in 1862, he was the youngest in his class, being only a little over eighteen years old. He intended eventually to enter the ministry, but for a while after graduating from the Franklin and Marshall College young Hess accepted an education appointment in the Allentown Seminary. In 1864, however, he entered the Theological Seminary in Mer- cersburg, remaining there for one year. For two years thereafter he was in Europe taking post-graduate academic instruction in German universi- ties, Berlin, Bonn, and Tübingen, Germany. During his period in Europe, he traveled extensively on that continent, passing through Germany, Switzer- land, France, and England. He wished to obtain the broadest possible (du- cation before starting his life-work in the ministry, at which there was every prospect that he would succeed. But a physical breakdown in the fall of 1867 caused him to return to the United States, and give up his studious occupations for a time. Eventually, in the following year, he had to forsake altogether the intention of entering the church ministry, for his health would not permit him safely to do so. He then applied himself aggressively to
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business, and established himself, in a small way, in the coal and lumber business in his home town, Hellertown. He has remained there ever since, and, while incidentally his coal and lumber business developed until it be- came one of the most substantial in the county, he has not permitted busi- ness interests to absorb his whole time. Indeed, the record of his additional activities within the community would make it almost appear that his busi- ness was not his chief interest. Certainly, Mr. Hess has placed the church first among the additional activities he found time to participate in. He be- came superintendent of the Christ Union Sunday School, Hellertown, in 1868, and remained its superintendent until 1918. He organized the Sunday school in 1868 with one hundred and two members; its present strength is more than five hundred. A local newspaper, recording his fifty years of Sunday school office, stated: "During his superintendency he missed very few Sundays, and then only because of illness." That, coupled with twenty- five years as organist of the church, is a remarkable record for a busy man of business. But he also had many other public and community duties and interests which took much of his time. He is a "died in the wool" Demo- crat; one of the staunch, unbending type, true to the highest principles for which the Democratic party stands, which is so often forgotten in the stress of party exigencies by less consciencious political leaders. Mr. Hess has been active in furthering the real principles of the Democratic party all his life, and has been preferred to office many times; he has held almost all local offices, including that of burgess, member of council and school board, and for one term sat in the State Senate, being elected senator in 1882, and serving as such for four years. He was the county chairman of the party for several years, and many times attended the State convention as delegate; and was sent as delegate to the National convention ; so that his place among the political leaders of Northampton county is sufficiently clear. Mr. Hess has apparently been indefatigable; for twenty-five years he served as trustee of the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, and was secretary of its board for twenty years. He is an honorary member of the Phi Beta Kappa col- lege fraternity, and had prominent place in the class records at Franklin and Marshall College, being second honor man in his year; and has had an active record in the functions of the local Masonic bodies, having been sec- retary of the Blue Lodge for twenty-five years, and being one of the charter members of the Hellertown body. He also belongs to the chapter, Zenderg- dorf, Bethlehem, of which he is past high priest. But failing eyesight dur- ing the last year or so has caused him to relinquish his active part in almost all these institutions. He still is able, though, to attend to most of the prin- cipal business affairs connected with his coal and lumber interests, and bear- ing in mind his age, seventy-six years, he is still in remarkable health.
Mr. Hess was married, at Hellertown, in 1875, to Tillie Henninger, daughter of Moses and Rebecca Henninger, of that place. His wife still lives, and they are the parents of four children: 1. Herbert H., who was born on April 30, 1876, and married Emily Lindley, of New Brunswick. New Jer- sey. 2. Clara, who is unmarried, and lives with her parents, was for five years a student under Rafael Joseffy, the great Russian pianist. She is now giving piano lessons. She is treasurer of the Liberty Bell Chapter, Allen- town, of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 3. Mary L., who also lives at home, is unmarried, and is a teacher in the Bethlehem High School. 4. Samuel, deceased, whose promising career was cut short by his acci- dental death during a football match in which he was playing while a senior at Lchigh University. For three years he conducted a private school in Hellertown, and a number of these students have since risen to high posi- tion in the commonwealth.
TRYON DRY FRITCH-The milling firm of T. D. Fritch & Sons, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is the monument Tryon D. Fritch erected in the
J & Fritch
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PUBLI LA LARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS K .
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business world, and although he surrendered the active management to. younger men in 1908, the lines along which he operated are closely adhered to, and his spirit of energy, progressiveness and integrity pervades its every department. Tryon D. was the son of another miller, Nathan Fritch, the son of John George Fritch, who learned the milling business from his father, Johannes Fritch, who came from Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, to Pennsyl- vania in 1764 and established a homestead in Long-a-thal (Long's Valley). Longswamp township, Berks county, Pennsylvania. Johannes Fritch was born in Hesse Darmstadt, June 14, 1744, came to l'ennsylvania at age twenty. and five years later (1769) married Maria Palsgrove, of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. They settled on a farm in Long's Valley and there Johannes Fritch owned and operated a grist mill in connection with his farming opera- tion. He prospered and founded a family which in this branch has con- tinued the founder's choice of a business, and in each generation they have been millers and mill owners. Tryon D. Fritch, now retired, is of the fourth generation in Pennsylvania. Johannes and Maria (Palsgrove) Fritch were the parents of four sons and a daughter: John, born in 1771 : Elizabeth, born in 1772; Jacob, born in 1779: John Henry, born in 1781; John George, born in 1786. Descent in this branch is through the youngest son, John George Fritch, grandfather of Tryon D. Fritch, of Bethlehem. John George Fritch was born at the homestead in Long's Valley, Longswamp township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1786, died in Kutztown, Berks county, in 1862. He spent his life engaged in milling, learning the trade in his father's great mill in Longswamp township, and many years were there spent. Finally he retired and spent the last years of his life in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. John George Fritch married (first) Nancy Schwarz and they were the parents of four sons and two daughters. He married (second) Mrs. Dinah (Weida) Matthias and they were the parents of a son, Allen. Chil- dren of first marriage: Nathan, through whom the line continues to Tyron D. Fritch ; George, married Diana Matthias; John, married Mary Glassmever ; Levi, married Sarah Long; Anna, married Reuben Howetter and moved to Illinois; Henrietta, married Aaron Long.
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