USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume II > Part 42
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Ambrose Jacob Welker was born in Upper Hanover township, Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1866. He was educated in the public schools and Perkiomen Seminary, after which he spent four years in a printer's office, then for nine years he was a telegraph operator and station agent for the Reading railroad at various places. He came to Hellertown in 1883, and during President Cleveland's second administration he was post- master of the village from 1893 to 1897. After four years in the post-office he accepted a position in the South Bethlehem National Bank, and for seven- teen years, 1897-1914, he was in the employ of that institution. ranking as assistant cashier, 1908-14. During these years he continued his residence in Hellertown, and there, in 1914, he established a real estate and insurance business, resigning his position in the bank. He is a notary public and has developed a good business in the various departments. In politics he is a Democrat, and for several years he was a member of the Borough Council, for two years he served that body as president, and for twelve years as secretary. For nine years he was a member of the board of school directors, six of those years being secretary of the board, and he has served the borough in various capacities. Mr. Welker is a director of the South Bethle- hem National Bank and a director of the Lehigh Valley Cold Storage Com- pany. He is a member of the Reformed church, and a member of the consis- tory of the Hellertown church for twenty-four years, and now vice-president of that body. He is a member of Hellertown Lodge No. 563. Free and Accepted Masons : Ezra Chapter, Roval Arch Masons; Killatin Tribe, Im- proved Order of Red Men; and the Fraternal Patriotic Americans.
Mr. Welker married, September 19, 1890, Carrie V. Wagner, daughter of Jacob and Amanda (Snyder) Wagner, ot Hellertown. Mr. and Mrs. Welker are the parents of a daughter, Kathryn Irene, born January 11, 1892, who married Asher S. Kichline, who previous to his enlistment in the United States army was assistant teller of the South Bethlehem National Bank. He was with the American Expeditionary Forces in France, connected with field hospital service.
WILLIAM SIEBLER-On March 26, 1881, William Siebler, of Easton, Pennsylvania, arrived in New York City, being then a young man of thirty- one years, a stone cutter by trade. He at once located in Easton, and under the fuller opportunities of this freer, happier form of government he has become a leader in his line of business-stone cutting, cement work and tile setting. He is a son of Christian and Magdalena (Kreesly) Siebler, of Baden, Germany. Ilis father was a shoemaker by trade and a grocer.
William Siebler was born in Baden, Germany, May 28, 1850, and there obtained his education in the public schools. He learned the stone cutter's trade, but in 1870 was called to the army service and during the Franco- Prussian War was with the German army as cavalryman, ranking as sergeant. After three years of active army service he returned to his trade, and until 1881 was thus employed, becoming a foreman. On coming to the United States in 1881 he came to Easton, where until 1890 he was in the employ of George and Isaac Smith. In 1891 he purchased the Smith Brothers' busi- ness and has conducted it most successfully until the present, 1918. He
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added a concrete department to the original line, and in 1908 a tile depart- ment, which has become one of the largest in the county ; all these depart- ments contribute to the prosperity of the business, of which Mr. Siebler has been owner and managing head for more than a quarter of a century.
Deeply interested in all forms of church and charitable work, he has served Zion's Lutheran Church from his coming to Easton, as a worker in the Sunday school and as its secretary, and for twenty-five years has been a member of the church council. He is a member and past grand of Venderveer Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the Encampment. He is also interested in the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, showing his interest both as a working member and generous contributor to its financial needs. The Young Women's Christian Association, Easton Hospital and Easton Old Ladies' Home are also objects of special interest to him and beneficiaries of his generosity. Work of the Red Cross, the various Liberty Loan and Easton War Chest drives have met with his hearty support and personal aid; in fact, he has closely identified himself with every public interest of his adopted city. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Siebler married in Germany, February 19, 1873, Barbara Kroener, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Kroener) Kroener. Her father for many years was burgomaster of Nottingen, Germany, where his daughter Barbara was born. Mr. and Mrs. Siebler are the parents of six children: 1. William F., of further mention. 2. Emma, wife of John Fortner, of Easton. 3. Freda, married Edward Zinn, of Easton. 4. Anna, married Harry P. Mayer, of Cleveland, Ohio. 5. Charles, who was with the American Expedtionary Forces in France, in the Engineers' Corps. 6. Harry, who also saw service in France, after taking a course at Lancaster (Pennsylvania) Officers' Train- ing Camp.
William F. Siebler, eldest son of William Siebler, was born in Germany, April 22, 1874, and in 1881, was brought to New York by his parents, and later to Easton. He was educated in the Easton public schools, and after completing his studies was employed for two years in a silk mill, but in 1891 joined his father in his business operations, and in 1910 became head of the firm, William Siebler practically retiring. He is a member of Easton Board of Trade and the Rotary Club, and is highly regarded as one of the progressive men of his city. He is a member of lodge, chapter, council and commandery of the Masonic order; Rajah Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, (past grand), Easton En- campment, and for twelve years was a member of the choir of the First Reformed Church of Easton, to which he belongs. William F. Siebler mar- ried (first) in October, 1893, Mary A. Schaefer, daughter of William and Emma (Young) Schaefer. Her father was an early merchant of Easton. Mrs. Siebler died June 1, 1909, leaving a son and daughter. The son, Fred W. Siebler, a graduate of Easton Business College, is now associated with his father in business. He married, January 23, 1915, Mary E. Evans, and they are the parents of William F. (2) and Robert E. The daughter, Helen M., resides at the family home. Mr. Siebler married (second), February 13, 1918, Florence Scherr, of Slatington, Pennsylvania.
WYE JOSEPH BROWN-Wvc Joseph Brown, of Hellertown, is one of the responsible officials of the Bethlehem Steel Company, and is a respected resident of Hellertown, with the history of which town his family has place. His father, Dr. Brown, practiced medicine in Hellertown for almost forty years, and his memory is still revered by many of the older residents of the county.
Wye J. Brown was born in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1884, the son of Alfred and Amanda (Person) Brown, and grandson of one of the Union's distinguished leaders during the Civil War, General Brown, whose
Alfred Brown
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war record is already national history. Alfred Brown was born in Bethlehem township, Pennsylvania, on January 11, 1846. He pursued the usual elemen- tary studies possible in the public schools of the place, and after proper collegiate preparation entered Lafayette College, from which he eventually graduated. With the intention of entering the medical profession, Alfred Brown, soon after he had graduated from Lafayette College, became a medical student in the State Medical College, and in due course graduated, gaining the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After some post-graduate and hospital work, Dr. Alfred Brown opened office in Hellertown, as a general practitioner. He was very well known throughout the county as a physician, and his professional success was noteworthy and long sustained. For almost forty years he followed his profession, practicing actively until the year of his death, 1902, when the full extent of his acquaintance throughout the county became known by the expressions of sympathy and regret that came to the widow from all parts of the county and from many other parts of the State. Dr. Brown was also well known in Masonic circles ; he was a charter member of the Hellertown lodge; in fact, was its first master; and his interest in Masonic movements and benevolent purposes was active. His widow, Amanda (Person) Brown, survived him thirteen years, her demise occuring in 1915, she then being sixty-two years of age. She was descended from an old Pennsylvania family, and was born in Quakertown in 1853. The children of Alfred and Amanda (Person) Brown were: I. Robert P., a successful manu- facturer, living in Reading, Pennsylvania ; he married Helen Snyder, who bore him three children: Elizabeth, Neil and Marcus. 2. Myrtle, who mar- ried John Lease, of Dayton, Ohio, a paper manufacturer at that place. 3. Wyc Joseph, of further mention.
All the children of Dr. Alfred Brown were primarily educated in Heller- town. Wye J. passed from the public school to the high school, from which he graduated, and then attended South Bethlehem Business College. His inclina- tions were toward things mechanical, and he decided to follow industrial occupations. He became a machinist in the Bethlehem Steel Works, with which company he has been for ten years, rising to the responsiblity of a foremanship of an important department. In the capacity of foreman of the shell department of the Bethlehem Steel Company, Mr. Brown may con- scientiously realize that his "bit" for his country during the World War was an appreciable one, and may also be conscientiously certain that he probably could not have served his country to a greater effect in any other capacity. Mr. Brown is a Democrat, though not active in the work of the party. He is, however, an enthusiastic and active member of many of the leading fraternal organizations; in Masonry, he belongs to the chapter and council; he has served in all the offices of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is prominently identified with the local affairs of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Red Men. Religiously, Mr. Brown is a Presbyterian.
Mr. Brown married in April, 1908, Stella Weaver, daughter of Linas and Susan Weaver, of Lower Saucon. Mrs. Brown's mother died in 1901. hut her father still lives, though he has given up his active farming occupations for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Wye J. Brown have been blessed in marriage, being the parents of six children, as follows: May, born October 30, 1910; Joseph, born April 27, 1912; Alfred, born May 24, 1913; Paul, born June 27, 1914: Robert, born May 24, 1915; and Elmer, born February 12, 1917.
FRANCIS GRAHAM McKELVY-Since his coming to Easton in July, 1906, two years after graduation from Princeton University, Mr. McKelvy has advanced rapidly in the business world, and is now intimately associated with the management of some of the important corporations of the city, notably the Alpha Portland Cement Company and its subsidiary companies.
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Clear headed, energetic and capable, he brought to each position the needed qualities, and with intelligent effort easily kept in line for further advance- ment. His entire business life has been spent with the Alpha companies, and from general office assistant he has risen to the first vice-presidency of the parent company and to the presidency of the subsidiary companies ; hardly inore than twelve years have elapsed since he first entered their service. Francis G. is the son of William M. and Frances (Graham) McKelvy, both born in Pittsburgh, North Side (then Allegheny), Pennsylvania. William M. McKelvy, born December 1, 1839, died February 28, 1909, one of the wealthy and influential men of the Pittsburgh district, identified with the Standard Oil interests during his active business career. Frances (Graham) McKelvy died February 1, 1889, the mother of four children of whom Francis Graham McKelvy is the fourth child in order of birth.
Francis Graham McKelvy was born in Pittsburgh, North Side (Alle- gheny), Pennsylvania, August 9, 1883. He attended Pittsburgh public schools and Shady Side Academy, finishing his college preparation at Lawrenceville Academy, Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He entered Princeton University with the class of 1904, continuing until graduated A.B. with that class. He then spent two years in foreign travel and study, returning to Pennsylvania in 1906. On July 5, 1906, he entered the employ of the Alpha Portland Cement Company of Easton, as general office assistant, and for twelve years he has continued in that association in positions of constantly increasing responsibility and trust. He was promoted to the position of assistant secretary, then was given the secretary's desk and placed in charge of the purchasing and stores department. He was elected second vice-president in January, 1915, and in addition to his former duties as purchasing and stores agent was made manager of plant operation. He was elected president of the Alpha Supply Company and the General Supply Company, and to a place upon the directorate of the parent and subsidiary companies. He was elected first vice-president of the Alpha Portland Cement Company in 1917, and is also vice-president of the Annville Stone Company, another subsidiary com- pany. The development of the Alpha Portland Cement Company and its branches is one of the wonders of American manufacturing, and too much credit cannot be given the men who during these years of rapid growth have so wisely administered the affairs of this giant concern, fourth in size among American cement manufacturing corporations. Mr. McKelvy is also a direc- tor of the Northampton Trust Company of Easton, and has other business interests of importance.
Keenly alive to his responsibilities as a citizen, Mr. McKelvy, all through his years of Easton residence, has taken an active interest in all movements of civic importance and has lent a willing hand. During the 1918 campaign for the War Chest Fund he captained one of the teams and so inspired the members with his own spirit of enthusiasm that the team bore off first honors. He is a member of the American Society for Testing Materials, the Princeton Engineering Association, the Cannon Club of Princeton, the Pomfret Club of Easton, the Northampton County Country Club, of which he is a member of the board of governors : the Racquet Club of Philadelphia, the Greenwich Country Club of Greenwich, Connecticut ; and the Pine Valley Golf Club of Camden, New Jersey. As the foregoing club memberships indicate, he is fond of out-of-doors recreation, and at the country clubs he indulges in his favored sport, golf, motoring coming next in his list of sports. He is de- servedly classed among the leaders of Northampton's younger business men, and the future holds for him bright promise.
Mr. McKelvy married, November 9, 1910, Louise Corwin, daughter of John E. and Elvira (Makepeace) Corwin, of Middletown, Orange county, New York. Her father was a prominent banker and financier for many years. Mrs. McKelvy is a social leader and is active in Red Cross and charitable
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work. They are the parents of a daughter, Louise Makepeace, born July 28. 1913, and a son, William Graham, born June 1, 1916.
HOWARD FRANKLIN JUDD-Howard Franklin Judd, secretary and manager of the Bethlehem public schools, comes of Revolutionary stock, and is a son of a veteran of the Civil War. He has given practically the whole of his life to activities within the city of his nativity, and has come into a position of high regard among its inhabitants. He was born at Bethlehem, September 18, 1873, the son of Bishop D. and Sarah Ann (Deemcr) Judd, and great-grandson of A. Derr, a soldier of the Revolution.
Bishop D. Judd, father of Howard Franklin Judd, was born in Durham township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on June 14, 1838, and is still living in comfortable retirement. With the exception of the period during which he took national service on the side of the Union during the Civil War, he was an agriculturist all his life. His Civil War service was in the 145th Pennsylvania Volunteers. He married Sarah Ann Deemer, sister of the Hon. Elias Deemer, who represented the district of Williamsport, Pennsyl- vania, in the National Congress. She was born in Durham, Bucks county. Pennsylvania, on September 9, 1839, and reached the age of seventy-three years, her death not occurring until August 23, 1912. They were the parents of six children, who have all reflected in their life the wholesomeness and Christian integrity of their parental home. The children born to Bishop D. and Sarah Ann (Deemer) Judd were: I. Keturah, who married Charles Laufer, of Bethlehem, and died in 1888, leaving one child, Jennie. 2. Addie, who married Edgar R. Laubach, of the firm of Kurtz Brothers, Bethlehem. 3. Stella, who was married to Edward M. Tuttle, manager of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, Jersey City ; they have four children. 4. William H., of Bethlehem, who married Ida Laubach, of same place ; they have one daugh- ter, Florence, who is the wife of Elmer Renner, teller of the Bethlehem Trust Company. 5. J. Erwin, who is general manager for Nazareth Brick Company, of Nazareth, Pennsylvania. 6. Howard Franklin, of whom further.
Howard Franklin Judd received the complete customary public school education, and later took a preparatory collegiate course at Swartz Academy, but with his graduation therefrom his academic education ended. excepting that which has since come to him by private application. After completing the course at Swartz Academy, young Judd determined to enter upon a busi- ness career without further delay. For seven years thereafter he was em- ployed by the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company as a ticket agent, after which he entered the shipping department of the Bethlehem Steel Company, where he remained a responsible official until February, 1912. That month the Bethlehem City administration created the office of secretary of the board of education, and offered the appointment to Mr. Judd. He accepted, and has since held the post, his efficient administration of the office giving full satisfaction to the board. Mr. Judd is a capable city official, studious, careful and indefatigable. He is possessed of a pleasing personality, and his interest in public affairs and particularly in the development of educational facilities for the younger generation of Bethlehem brought him into association with the board of education long before he had left the Bethlehem Steel Company's employ. He has been a member of the board of education since 1907.
His interest in national politics has many times been evidenced, but he has not taken office in national affairs, though he has been a strong and active supporter of the Republican Party. He has not affiliated himself with any of the principal fraternal organizations, but by reason of his father's national service during the Civil War he is a member of the Sons of Veterans. His religious association is staunch; he and his family have attended the Christ Reformed Church of Bethlehem for many years.
Mr. Judd was married, October 14, 1896, to Mamie, daughter of Enoch N. H. BIOG .- 12
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and Sarah Ann (Knauss) Snyder, of Snyder's Church, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. The marriage was solemnized at Bethlehem. The Snyder family has long been associated with Northampton county ; all her father's generation were born in Hanover township. The Snyders were pioneer farmers of the district. Mrs. Judd's father, Enoch Snyder, was born on April 28, 1837; he is active still, though he has lived in retirement in Bethle- hem for thirty years. He was at one time a school board director of Han- over township. To him and his wife, Sarah Ann (Knauss), who died on May 29, 1905, were born seven children, five boys and two girls, all of whom still live, including Mamie, wife of Howard Franklin Judd.
To Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Judd have been born two children: Merritt Frederick, whose birth date was August 17, 1898. He has already taken to business activities, and, in fact, has already risen to the responsible position of inspector in the plant of the Bethlehem Steel Company. On August 17, 1918, Merritt F. joined the United States Navy, and is now employed in the City Engineers' Department, Bethlehem. The second child, John Robert, was born on November 24, 1902, and is now a senior in the Bethlehem High School.
NEWTON RAYMOND HAAS-With a business record in South Easton extending over a period of thirty-five years, Mr. Haas reviews with satisfaction that period of his life. Prosperity has come to him, but it has been fairly earned, for from the beginning he has appreciated the value of small savings, and from those small things grew his ability to take advantage of business or investment opportunities as they presented themselves. Public- spirited and progressive, he has kept pace with the march of progress, and has thoroughly modernized his business. His father, Howard W. Haas, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, but when he was a child his parents moved to Schuylkill county, and there he obtained a public school education. At the age of sixteen he ran away from home and enlisted at Pottsville in the Forty-Eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served the entire four years of the war between the States of the North and the South. After receiving an honorable discharge from the army he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley railroad, becoming a fireman, and later an engineer, meeting his death in a railroad accident. In 1875 he removed his residence to South Easton, and made that borough his home until the end of his life. He was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic ; a member of the borough council prior to the consolidation, and held a promi- nent place in community life. He married Priscilla Krecker, daughter of Rev. Frederick Krecker, and sister of Dr. Frederick (2) Krecker, a missionary, of Japan, also a sister of Rev. Augustus Krecker, of the faculty of Schuylkill Seminary. Mr. and Mrs. Haas were the parents of six sons and two daugh- ters: Newton Raymond, of further mention ; Bertram M., deceased ; William A., deceased; Ernest F., associated with his brothers' business; Earle A., deceased; Grace E., deceased; Howard K., of Easton; and Ethel, married Walter E. Dodwell, of Easton.
Newton Raymond Haas was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, August 1, 1867, but when he was eight years of age his parents moved to Easton, and there he has ever since resided. He attended the Easton grade and high schools, but in his junior year in high discontinued attendance, and entered the employ of Aaron Richards, as grocery clerk. He remained with Mr. Richards three years, then formed an association with P. S. Kibler, which existed for twelve years until Mr. Kibler's death in 1899. He then bought the business from the Kibler heirs and has continued one of the suc- cessful merchants of Easton until the present (1919). He is a director of the Easton Merchants' Ice Company, and has other property interests of importance. He is a member of the Easton Board of Trade, serving on the
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membership committee and on the committee of entertainment of departing soldiers. He is a member of the Rotary Club, Easton Motor Association, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and Sons of Veterans. He is a Republican in politics, and for twelve years was a member of the Easton school board, and part of that time was vice-president of the board. After the consolida- tion, Mr. Haas was the first councilman elected from the Eleventh Ward, and he has always been one of the public-spirited, progressive men of the city. During the great Liberty Loan Campaign (October, 1918) he served as team captain, and in all the various Loan and War Chest drives he has taken an active, patriotic part. He is a member of Bethany United Evan- gelical Church, is president of the board of trustees, and for twenty-five years has been superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, and contributing member of the Young Women's Christian Association.
Mr. Haas married, August 1, 1893, Emma Jane Wagner, daughter of David and Mary (Hawk) Wagner, of Little Gap, Carbon county, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Haas are the parents of three daughters : Mildred Ruth, Miriam Irene and Florence Evelyn.
In his younger years Mr. Haas was devoted to football and baseball, and is still a patron of these sports. All healthful recreations appeal to him, and, although a fully occupied man, he has not allowed business to fill his life to the exclusion of the pleasures and recreations of life.
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