USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume II > Part 44
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He has been much interested in all matters of social and municipal reform and is a director of the Social Service League of Easton. In the Methodist Episcopal church he is a Sunday school superintendent of First Church, and a member of the board of trustees. In 1897 he organized the Lehigh Valley Epworth League Union, of which he was president for ten years. He is a member of the Rotary Club, of Easton; and the City Club. of New York City; the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society ; the Moravian Historical Society : the Pennsylvania Civil Service Reform Association ; and since 1899. the American Association for the Ad- vancement of Science; since 1905. the National Education Association ; and in Pennsylvania educational circles he is chairman of the committee on co-operation between the State Association and the State Teachers' League. He was a member of the joint committee which drew up the bill for the establishment of a State retirement fund for teachers, and in December, 1918, was elected by the teachers of the State as a member of the Pennsylvania State Retirement Board.
He is especially fond of life outdoors, and enjoys trips afoot as his chief recreation. These have included several extended tramps in the northeastern counties of Pennsylvania, one trip in the Selkirk Mountains of British Co-
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lumbia, and several in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where he bas a number of peaks to his credit.
Mr. Laramy married, November 23, 1901, Mary Emily Brodhead, daugh- ter of Joseph K. and Ella (Andre) Brodhead, of Bethlehem. They are the parents of two sons and three daughters: William John, born in Bethlehem, January 6, 1903; Rachel Elizabeth, born in Bethlehem, October 30, 1904; Robert Edward (2), born in Phoenixville, April 18, 1907; Mary Brodhead, born in Phoenixville, February 5, 1911 ; and Margaret Ellen, born in Phoenix- ville, February 20, 1913. The family home is at No. 207 Burke street, College Hill, Easton.
HARRY LUSTER ACHE-Harry Luster Ache, cashier of the South Bethlehem National Bank, of South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was formerly a prominent resident of Hellertown. Pennsylvania, where for twelve years he was borough auditor and for some time chief burgess. He comes of an old Pennsylvanian family, his ancestry going back to one of the pioneer settlers of a section of Northampton county.
Harry L. Ache was born in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1885, the son of Henry M. and Matilda (Muschlitz) Ache. His mother, Matilda (Muschlitz), was of an old Northampton county family ; she died in 1905, in which year she was fifty-four years of age. . His father. Henry M. Ache, is still living at Hellertown. He was born in Lower Saucon township, Penn- sylvania, October 30, 1845, where the ancestral homestead was; he was educated there, and as a young man assisted in the duties and tasks of the farm. When the great call came in 1861 he was still a boy, but before the Civil War ended in 1865 he had joined the Union forces, enlisting as a sub- stitute for another who had been called. Young Ache was attached to the Ninety-First Pennsylvanian Regiment, and served with it until mustered out after the termination of hostilities. Subsequently he became a locomotive engineer, and as such was in the employ of the Thomas Iron Company. Hellertown, for twenty-six years, leaving that firm to take employment with the Bethlehem Steel Company. He served that corporation for twenty-two vears, for the greater part of the time in No. 2 machine shop at the Bethlehem Steel Machine Shop. Ile was then pensioned, and has since enjoyed com- fortable leisure. For forty-eight years he labored steadily, so that he has a well earned rest. Henry M. and Matilda (Muschlitz) Ache were the parents of eight children. They are: 1. Ida M., who married James J. Kichline, a dairy farmer, now retired from business ; they have three children, daughters : Blanche, Verna and Hilma. 2. Stephen H., who married Lillian Rice, of a well known Northampton county family, who bore him five children, only two of whom, however, now live. One son, Asher Ache, went to France in 1918 with the American Expeditionary Forces ; the other child is Marguerite at home. The father, Stephen H .. was for many years a locomotive engineer in the employ of the Bethlehem Steel Company, and is now locomotive fore- man for this same company. 3. Oscar M., who remained on the farm and followed agricultural occupations all his life until his recent retirement. He never married. 4. Cora P., who with her two daughters now lives with her father. She is the widow of John Krause, who was killed at the Bethlehem Steel Works in 1906. 5. Allan A., who has been in the employ of the Bethle- hem Steel Company for twenty-six years, for the greater part of the time as yard dispatcher. Ile married Caroline Dimmick, of a local family, and they had six children. 6. Myrtle M., who married Thomas Lawrence, of South Bethlehem, a machinist in the employ of the Bethlehem Steel Com- pany. They have two children. 7. Vincent F., who is in responsible execu- tive office under the Bethlehem Steel Company. Latterly he has been chief clerk to R. A. Lewis, general superintendent of the corporation, and for many years has lived in Bethlehem. He married Caroline Bachman, of
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Bethlehem, and they have two children. S. Harry Luster, the subject of this article.
Harry Luster Ache, born in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1885, was educated in the schools of that place, eventually graduating from the high school when fifteen years of age. His schooling then closed, and for the next fifteen years he faithfully served the Bethlehem Steel Company in executive capacity, and concurrently became active in public affairs of his native place. Early in 1916 he saw an opportunity of advancement which caused him to relinquish his connection with the steel works. On February 16, 1916, he entered the employ of the South Bethlehem National Bank, as clerk. A year later, to be exact, on February 1, 1917, he was promoted to the position of assistant cashier of that bank, and on December 5, of the same year, was appointed cashier, which position he has since held. Banking officials do not generally get rapid promotion, but Mr. Ache, within two years, advanced from a clerkship to the chief executive post, outside the directorate. He is a man of engaging personality, and his circle of acquaint- ances has been appreciably enlarged during the last few years.
In local affairs, civic, communistic, political and fraternal, Mr. Ache was for many years one of the most active men in Hellertown. For twelve years he was borough auditor, and in 1914 was elected chief burgess for a term of four years. He was unable to serve for the full term, owing to the banking responsibilities that came to him in 1916, and the consequent residence in Bethlehem. In patriotic and fraternal society work, as well as in church work, Mr. Ache has long been active and enthusiastic; by reason of his. father's war service he holds membership in the Sons of Veterans organiza- tion, and is a past officer of Camp No. 295, Pennsylvania Division, in fact, has been treasurer for more than fourteen years. He is affiliated with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, member of Eerie No. 112, Hellertown Castle; is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 606, Saucona Lodge; and of the Masonic bodies he belongs to Hellertown Lodge No. 563, of which he has been worshipful master ; to the Ezra Royal Arch Chapter No. 291, South Bethlehem; to the Bethlehem Council; and Knights Templar, Bethlehem Commandery No. 283. He is a member of Caldwell Consistory, thirty-second degree, of Bloomsburg; and Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Reading. Mr. Ache is an energetic Christian, a member and consistent supporter of the Reformed church. He worshipped at the Hellertown church while resident in that town, and since he has lived in South Bethlehem, at the South Bethlehem First Reformed Church. His record in church service at Hellertown includes fourteen years as consistory member and member of choir, and for four years as financial secretary. Since he has lived in South Bethlehem he has been a member of the church choir there.
He married at Hellertown, November 3, 1904, Irene C. Leidich, daughter of Charles A. and Susanna (King) Leidich. Her temperament is very much like that of her husband, both being musically inclined and members of the church choir, and both were friends in childhood and youth, graduating from the same high school in the same year. Her father, who died on March 27, 1917, was a prominent lumber merchant of South Bethlehem and Hellertown, and a leader in community and church activities of Hellertown. For many years he was assessor of the borough, and for more than forty years was a member of the church choir. He, also, throughout his life gave unselfishly and enthusiastically of his time to Sunday school work; for ten years he was assistant superintendent of the Hellertown Union Sunday School, and for more than twenty years he went each Sunday to the Limekiln Sunday School, about two miles from Hellertown, as superintendent. His widow, Susanna (King) Leidich, still lives in Hellertown, which has been her home for almost sixty years. The children of Harry Luster and Irene C. (Leidich) Ache are:
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Harold Bruce, who was born on June 17, 1906; Dorothy Irene, born May 3, 1914; and Homer Leroy, born January 8, 1916.
D. ERWIN KEIM-D. Erwin Keim, justice of the peace of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, was born July 20, 1856, in Plainfield township, Pennsylvania, and has right to a place in any history dealing with the pioneer efforts of the settlers of the district now treated, because the Keim family was among the carly pioneers of Plainfield township. And in any biographical chron- icling of the present residents of Northampton county, Mr. Keim must be included by reason of his own creditable record in industrial and public activities. In the direct line and also in collateral lines, his lineage connects with old families of the district. D. Erwin Keim is the son of John J. and Regina (Andrew) Keim, whose married life was lived mainly in Moore township. Both his parents lived to the venerable octogenarian age, and the valuable slate deposits of the parental estate were later worked and developed into one of the important industries of Northampton county.
D. Erwin Keim after passing through the public schools advanced to the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Berks county, and graduated therefrom in the class of 1876. For a few terms he was a teacher in the public school of Moore township, and was then appointed principal of bor- ongh of Bath schools, holding the position for eighteen consecutive years, and it is interesting to note that among his pupils was Mr. McElhaney, a member of the advisory board of this history. He exerted much influence over his pupils in general, and in particular fostered the inclinations of those of his pupils who gave marked aptitude for academic or professional life. His former pupils are to be found creditably placed today in all the professions, which is a source of much gratification to Mr. Keim. After two decades of services as an educator in principal capacity, Mr. Keim turned to industrial affairs, engaging in merchandising and in the coal and lumber trades, interest- ing himself for a time in business at Lehighton. About eighteen years ago lie removed to Nazareth to take position as superintendent of a brickmaking plant, where thirty-five to forty men were employed. Under his direction the plant maintained a daily output of 30,000 to 40,000. More recently his business interests have centered in slate properties and in real estate ; he is part owner of an attractive and increasingly valuable residential holding at Folsom. The proximity of his land to the progressive Hog Island territory is causing his lots at Folsom to be rapidly pre-empted for residential purposes.
Since he has lived at Nazareth, Mr. Keim has taken active interest in public affairs and enjoys solid popularity in his ward. He is a Democrat, and keenly follows national affairs, but has never sought political office. The local offices which have come to him have come more because of his fitness for them than from his seeking; his knowledge of real estate values has been useful in his duties as assessor, and as a justice of the peace, to which office he was elected in 1917, his years of professional work have given him breadth of view and a judicial aptitude.
Mr. Keim was married when only twenty-two years of age, his wife, who still lives, being Ellen R., daughter of Auguste J. and Mary Walker, of Bush- kill, both deceased. There has been no issue to the marriage, but Mr. and Mrs. Keim have been able to center their love in one who by long residence with them has become almost as much their son as if he had been born to theni, their nephew, Charles E. Keim, who was orphaned at the age of five years, and was adopted by them then. He received the fullness of their parental solicitude during the years of his infancy and youth, so that he grew into manhood as proud of his foster parents as they are of him. He was given every educational advantage, and did full justice to those advantages. At eighteen years he had graduated from Mühlenberg College with honors, gaining the junior oratorical prize, and the president's prize in addition.
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Thus his college career clearly indicated the profession for which he was best fitted. Without delay he entered the Mount Airy Theological Seminary at Philadlephia, and four years later graduated therefrom. He soon became an ordained minister, being called to the Lutheran church at Spring City, Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he has already gained distinction as an orator. He is also a good pastor, reflecting in his work many of the charac- teristics of his foster parents to whom some credit is due for making his entry into professional life so successful and promising. Their greatest satisfaction is that the popular young minister in his daily actions reflects the wholesome home influence under which he grew to manhood. The young minister accepted the charge at Spring City in preference to that offered him in a much larger city, Brooklyn, New York, where he might have gone as pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd.
SCHUYLER HENRY DECH, M.D .- In 1904, Dr. Dech established in practice in Easton, Pennsylvania, and there continues, a physician of skill and high reputation. He is a son of James Dech, a retired farmer of Bath, Pennsylvania, two of whose sons are practicing medicine in Easton.
(I) The ancestor of the Dech family in Pennsylvania is John Dech, born in Germany in 1720, who came to Pennsylvania in 1734. He worked out his passage money after arrival, as did many others, but he later became pros- perous, and for years resided at Sumneytown, in Bucks county. Later he was attracted by reports from the newly created county of Northampton, came to this county, and settled near Bethlehem.
(II) Jacob Dech, son of John Dech, the founder, was born in 1746, and died in 1833. He lived in Forks township, and married Christina, sister of Conrad Best, and daughter of Jacob Best, of Williams township. He owned various tracts of farm land in Allen township, and was fairly well-to-do. In 1772 he bought and settled on the farm now owned by a descendant, George H. Dech, of Bath. During the Revolution he enlisted and performed military duty. Jacob and Christina (Best) Dech were the parents of five children : I. John, who later purchased the homestead; married Elizabeth Oberly. 2. Anna, married David Kemmerer. 3. Jacob (2), of further mention. 4. Eliza- beth, married Christian Laubach. 5. Andrew, born in 1793, died in 1854; was the owner of a large farm near Schoenersville in Allen township; mar- ried Katherine Heller, born in 1790, died in 1866, daughter of Joseph Ileller, and great-granddaughter of Christopher Heller, who came to Pennsylvania in 1733, and the founder of Hellertown.
(III) Jacob (2) Dech, son of Jacob (1) Dech, was a farmer of East Allen township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and there lived and died, his burial place, Hecktown. He married Mary Magdalen Oberly, and they were the parents of nine children: I. Jesse, of further mention. 2. Reuben, of Lower Nazareth. 3. Aaron, who died September 18, 1898, in his eightieth year ; was a merchant of Farmersville ; he made frequent trips to Philadelphia with a four-horse team, taking heavy loads of produce to the city and bringing back merchandise for his store; from all around the people came to bring him money to deposit in Philadelphia banks, and frequently he carried large sums. 4. William, of Hanover. 5. Joseph, of East Allen township. 6. Stephen, of Bethlehem township. 7. Charles, of Lower Nazareth. 8. Thomas, who lived at the Rising Sun. 9. Mary, who married Samuel Keller, of Allentown.
(IV) Jesse Dech, eldest son of Jacob (2) and Mary Magdalen (Oberly) Dech, was born in East Allen township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. He settled in Bath, Pennsylvania, married a Miss Ritter, and reared a family including a son James, of further mention.
(V) James Dech, son of Jesse Dech, was born in Hanover township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. He spent the active years of his life engaged in farming in Northampton county, owning his own farn. of one
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hundred acres, situated near Bath. He was a soldier of the Union during the Civil War, a member of the Reformed church, and is a most highly esteemed man. He married Lucinda Unangst. Children: 1. Samaritan. 2. Oscar. 3. Harvey J., deceased. 4. Sevilla, married Andrew Persen. 5. Elmer J., a practicing physician of Easton. 6. Rudy J., married Jacob Danna. 7. Schuyler Henry, of further mention. 8. Palmer, deceased.
(VI) Dr. Schuyler Henry Dech, son of James and Lucinda (Unangst) Dech, was born in Bath, Northampton county Pennsylvania, August 1, 1879. After completing public school courses of study he studied under the private teaching of Prof. Asa K. Mcllhany, then entered East Stroudsburg Normal School, whence he was graduated, class of 1897. Choosing the profession of a physician and surgeon, he prepared in Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, and received his degree M.D. with the graduating class of 1901. After a year's experience gained as interne at Seaton Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Dech gave another year to study in private clinics devoted to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. From 1902 until 1904 he was engaged in private practice in Allentown, Pennsylvania, but in the latter year he removed to Easton, Pennsylvania, where he succeeded to the practice of Dr. O. E. E. Arndt, deceased. Since his coming he has established himself firmly in public favor as a skilled practitioner along general lines, and a physician whose integrity could always be relied upon. He is a member of the Northampton Medical, Pennsylvania State Medical, and the American Medical societies, and is held in high regard by his professional brethren. He is devoted to his profession, and to call upon him for medical assistance is never disregarded, but he is not unmindful of his responsibilities as a citizen, and takes a lively interest in public affairs.
Dr. Dech is a member of Easton Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Easton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Pomp Council, Royal and Select Mas- ters ; Hugh de Payen Commandery, Knights Templar ; Rajah Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Reading) ; Easton Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Easton Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose; and of the Jackson Democratic Club.
Dr. Dech married, August 23, 1903, Jennie E. McBride, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Merritt) McBride, of Rochester, New York. Both Dr. and Mrs. Dech are members of the First Reformed Church. They are the parents of a son, Schuyler Henry (2) Dech, born in Easton, March 19, 1905. Dr. Dech takes his receations in that form of out-of-door enjoyment which hie greatly enjoys, motoring, although he is a great admirer of and usually owns a good horse of the light harness variety.
GEORGE O. RICE-Now enjoying well earned retirement from business cares, Mr. Rice reviews a life of honorable and successful effort, and such retrospective view can bring him naught but satisfaction. He is a son of Joseph Rice, and of old Pennsylvania family. Joseph Rice, son of Henry Rice, was born in Moore township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and there spent his life as a carpenter and builder. During his active ycars he erected many of the farm buildings and residences in his section of the county, but in his later life he retired to his farm, and there lived a quiet life. Hc was a member of the Lutheran church, and was highly esteemed in his com- munity as a man of upright, honorable life. He married Caroline Best, also born in Moore township, and they were the parents of three sons and three daughters: William, Samuel Franklin, George O., Elizabeth, Lucy and Janc.
George O. Rice, son of Joseph and Caroline (Best) Rice, was born in Moore township Northampton county, Pennsylvania, May 16, 1853, and there spent his youth in acquiring an education and in farm work. After finishing the public school courses in the nearby schools, he entered the State normal school at Kutztown, and there qualified for a teacher's position. He taught
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eight terms in Northampton and Lehigh county schools after leaving normal, then located in Easton, Pennsylvania, which has ever since been his home. In Easton he assumed the management of the wholesale provision business of D. W. Howell, his father-in-law, and for six years continued in that capac- ity. At the end of that period he formed a partnership with his brother, Franklin Rice, and purchased the business which he had managed for six years, and had proved a profitable one. Their store, located at No. 130 Dela- ware street, was operated by the Rice Brothers for two years; then George O. became sole owner, and personally managed the business until September.
1917, when he practically retired, and Franklin, going to South Bethlehem, continued in the same line. In 1908 he moved his location from No. 130
Delaware street to No. 32 South Green street, and there served in wholesale quantities an extensive line of customers extending from Shamokin, Penn- sylvania, to Newark, New Jersey. During sixteen years of this period in which he was in active business, Mr. Rice conducted also a malt house on Ferry street in the old Seitz Building. He gave his business his close personal supervision, and prospered in all his undertakings. Sound in judgment, quick to act, and progressive in his ideas, Mr. Rice was one of the substantial busi- ness men of his city, who were safe and sane in their leadership, and stood for all that was best in city life. His other business relations were with the First National Bank of Easton, and the Northampton Trust Company, both of which he served as a director. After retiring from his own individual business, he entered the employ of Arbigast and Bastian, meat packers, Beth- lehem, Pennsylvania, as road salesman.
Reared a Lutheran, he was a member of the choir of St. Paul's Church for several years, and for many years was a member of the council of Christ Lutheran Church, and director of music in the Sunday school. Later he and his family became members of Brainerd-Union Presbyterian Church. In political faith he is a Republican.
Mr. Rice married, April 27, 1878, Minnie Howell, who died in 1908, aged forty-nine years, daughter of D. W. Howell, of Martins Creck, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: Emily, Clara, Chester Howell, Walter Douglas and Frances.
Emily Rice was educated in Easton public schools, and Maryland Col- lege, at Lutherville, Maryland. After completing her classical education she entered New England Conservatory of Music, at Boston, finishing her musical studies at Cornell University. For several years she was organist of St. John's Lutheran Church of Slatington, Pennsylvania; one year organist of St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Paterson, New Jersey; organist of Christ Lutheran Church, Easton, five years ; supervisor of music in the public schools of Easton, two years; of the schools in Cranford, New Jersey, two years ; and of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, three years. During the years 1917 and 1918, she has been connected with the educational department of the Victor Talking Machine Company, traveling and lecturing in the interest of that department, now an important one.
Clara Rice married Rev. E. Graham Wilson, of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, a graduate of Lafayette College and Hartford Theological Seminary, now an ordained minister of the Presbyterian church, and head of the reli- gious work of the Fifty-seventh Street Branch of the Young Women's Chris- tian Association in New York City.
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