USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume II > Part 52
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Dr. Benjamin Rush Field, son of Dr. Cridland Crocker and Susannah (Freeman) Field, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1861. After completing public school courses he entered Lafayette College. IIc
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was a member of Rho Chapter, Chi Phi fraternity, and in 1882 founded Nu Chapter, University of Pennsylvania. Deciding to follow the profession of his honored father, he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated M.D., class of 1883. Hc at once began practice in Easton, and has so continued during the years, thirty-six, which have since intervened. He was official physician to Northampton county prison, 1885-87; physician to the coroner of Northampton county, 1888-98; founded Easton Medical Society in 1890; member of Northampton Medical Society and its president in 1911; member of the Pennsylvania State Society ; American Medical Association ; member of the House of Delegates, Pennsylvania Medical Society, in 1910-II.
When the United States and Spain declared war, Dr. Field aided in organizing Company E, Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, of which he was commissioned captain by Governor Hastings, July 12, 1898. On August 20 following, he was elected major of the Second Battalion, and after the war, upon the consolidation of the Eleventh and Thirteenth regi- ments, he was commissioned major by Governor Stone of the Thirteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, and assigned to the command of the First Battalion, with companies in Scranton, Easton, Honesdale and Montrose. On August 25, 1904, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel by Governor Pennypacker, a rank he held until 1908, when he retired at his own request. From 1916-18 he was medical examiner for the United States Marine Corps, Eastern Recruiting Division, and from 1917 until 1919 served as Director of Military Service (Northampton county), Committee of Public Safety.
Dr. Field's public spirit led him into public life, and as a Democrat he was a member of and president of Easton's Civic Council, 1890-93. In 1893 he was elected mayor of Easton, serving three years, and in 1899 he was again chosen mayor, although the city went Republican. He served until 1902, then retired to his private pursuits. In 1914 he was chosen city com- missioner, Department of Public Safety, serving two years; and in 1916 he was chosen for a term of two years as commissioner of the Department of Parks and Public Property, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected as commissioner, receiving the highest number of votes on the ticket.
As an author, Dr. Field's works present an interesting study of Shakes- peare from the viewpoint of the cultured physician. flis first work, "Medical Thoughts of Shakespeare," published in 1884, reached a third edition in 1905; this was followed in 1887 by "Shakespeare and Byron on Man, Woman and Love"; in 1888 by "Medico-Shakesperian Fanaticism" ; and in the London Lancet, November 17, 1889, there appeared from his pen, "An Argument Refuting the Claim That Shakespeare Possessed Knowledge of the Circulation of the Blood Prior to Harvey's Discovery." He published in 1892 "Fielding's Un- conscious Use of Shakespeare," and he has contributed numerous critical arti- cles to Shakespeariana, and for ten years was a newspaper dramatic critic. In 1889, at the request of the Shakespeare Society of New York, he edited "Romeo and Juliet," the fifth volume of "Bankside Shakespeare." He was honorary librarian of the New York Shakespeare Society, 1886-1903; and from May, 1903, to 1909 was vice-president. Other societies, patriotic, literary, historical and social, in which Dr. Field is interested as a member are: Mili- tary Service Institute of the United States; Pennsylvania German Society ; Sons of the American Revolution ; National Geographical Society ; Jacksonian Democratic Association, president in 1893; Historical and Genealogical So- ciety of Northampton County, president 1906-08; trustee, Easton Public Library, 1902-19; Easton Board of Trade, president in 1918; charter member, Easton Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, trustee (1917) ; League of Cities of Third Class in Pennsylvania; Kiwanis Club of Easton, president in 1918.
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Dr. Field married, April 9, 1902, Nan Edna Rounsavell, daughter of John Davis and Mary A. (deHart) Rounsavell, of Washington, New Jersey. They arc the parents of a son, Benjamin Rush, Jr., born March 25, 1908.
FREEMAN M. MESSINGER-From Switzerland came the ancestors of Freeman M. Messinger, of Easton. Pennsylvania, their settlement in North- ampton county, dating from 1743. The American ancestor, Michael Messin- ger, bought land in Forks township from the heirs of William Penn, there located and founded the important Messinger family of Northampton county. The line of descent to Freeman M. Messinger is thus traced.
Michael Messinger was born in Switzerland, November 10, 1719, dicd October 24, 1791, in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. He married Cath- erine Abel, born April 23, 1723, died July 1, 1785, and they were the parents of: Michael (2) Messinger, born January 1, 1773, died July 8, 1842. IIc mar- ried, July 29, 1798, Rev. Thomas Pomp, of Easton, officiating, Elizabeth Uhler, born April 15, 1776, a member of Forks Township Lutheran Church, and one of Northampton's highly esteemed citizens. Michael (2) Messinger had chil- dren: Michael (3). Jacob, John, Andrew, of whom further; Lawrence; a daughter, who married Melchoir Meixell ; Sally, married (first) Feliz Hartzell, (second) Peter Hartzell; Elizabeth, married Philip Lattich, a daughter, Mrs. Heinline; Rosa, married Reuben Hartzell; Kate, married Jeremiah Best; Susan, died unmarried.
Andrew Messinger, of the third generation, was born on the old home- stead in Forks township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, died in 1890. He followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, and all his active life was a farmer, tilling his own acres. He, too, was a member of Forks Township Lutheran Church and a man of upright life, highly esteemed. He married Charlotte Deiley, and they were the parents of six children who reached mature years: Amelia, deceased, married Charles Messinger ; Bartle; who resides at College Hill, Easton; Amanda, deceased, married William Jones ; Rosa, married James Steckler, of Tatamy, Northampton county ; Stew- art, a resident of Tatamy ; and Freeman M., of further mention.
Freeman M. Messinger, son of Andrew and Charlotte Messinger, was born at the Messinger homestead in Forks township, Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, April 14, 1867, the old homestead also being the birthplace of his father, and is now the property of Freeman M. Until fourteen years of age he attended the public school nearby, then began an apprenticeship to a machinist of Tatamy, Pennsylvania, serving five years, but when that period expired he did not continue longer at the trade. For one year he was engaged in the fruit business, then returned to the farm, and has since been engaged in agriculture in its varied branches. Until 1901, Mr. Messinger confined his operations to his own farm, but in that year organized the business which is now the Messinger Teaming & Supply Company, wih offices in the North- ampton National Bank Building and yards at Twenty-fifth street and Penn highway. The company do a general supply business, teaming and trucking. The business was conducted by Mr. Messinger until 1914, when it was incor- porated with a capital stock of $15,000, Freeman M. Messinger, president; W. T. Mitman, treasurer ; and Dr. William Mock, secretary. Mr. Messinger is an active factor in the management of the business, which he built up from a small beginning, and in addition owns and operates three farms in Forks township. He specializes in the growing of potatoes, his crops totaling from four to nine thousand bushels yearly. The management of his business and of his farms, added to the oversight of considerable Easton property, occu- pies his time to the limit, but as he is the personification of energy, every detail is attended to in the proper manner and at the proper time. The plant of the Messinger Teaming & Supply Company is one of the largest of its class in the city, containing five acres, and every department is well equipped
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for its purpose. The coal pockets have a storage capacity of three thousand tons, the other departments being operated upon a similar scale.
For about three years Mr. Messinger dealt largely in cattle, traveling in northeastern Pennsylvania and a part of New York State purchasing the cattle and driving them to his farm and there preparing them for market. For five years he maintained a dairy, marketing the milk from his herd, at retail, in Easton. At one time he had in his stable sixty horses of superior quality, and one of his trucking feats was the loading of a rock weighing thirty-three tons, carrying it two miles on his truck pulled by twenty-six horses and then loading it on to a freight car from the truck. This was done in his usual efficient style, no accident or mishap occurring. He was an elder of Forks Lutheran Church, a congregation with which his family has been identified since its organization. He is also a member of the United Order of American Mechanics and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, his political faith, Republican.
Mr. Messinger married Agnes Schugh, daughter of William Schugh, of York township. They are the parents of a daughter, Dora May, wife of Walter G. Uhler, of Plainfield township, Northampton county, and the mother of two children, May Emma and Amas Freeman Uhler. In 1918, Mr. Mes- singer completed the erection of a fine modern residence at No. 1837 Wash- ingon boulevard, which is the family home.
REV. J. ARTHUR GLASIER-As rector of Trinity Protestant Episco- pal Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Rev. J. Arthur Glasier is winning the high regard of the parish over which he was settled June 1, 1918, and in the city generally is making many friends. He is a son of Jacob Archer Glasier, a veteran of the Civil War, who died when his son was but three years of age. Another of the fighting Glasiers was Capt. Willis Glazier (another form of the name), who was the author of a book dealing with the Civil War. Jacob Archer Glasier enlisted in the Seventeenth Regiment, New York Volunteers, as a drummer boy, and served until the close of the war. He was born at Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, and died in 1885. He married Frances Green, daughter of William Campbell Green, and they were the parents of two children : Belle Iola, wife of George H. Werner, a merchant of Orange, New Jersey ; and Rev. J. Arthur Glasier, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Bethlehem.
J. Arthur Glasier was born in Orange, New Jersey, January 21, 1882, and there completed public school courses with graduation from high school, in the class of 1900. He was a student at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, for one year, then in 1904 entered the General Theological Semi- nary, New York City, there pursuing studies in divinity until graduated B.D., class of 1907. He was ordained a priest of the Protestant Episcopal church the same year and appointed curate of Trinity Episcopal Church, Mount Vernon, New York, there remaining two years. From 1909 until 1912 he was rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Hamburg, New Jersey, going thence to Trinity Church, West Pittston, Pennsylvania, serving that parish as rector with great acceptability for six years, resigning to accept a call from Trinity Church, Bethlehem, his service there beginning June 1, 1918.
Rev. J. Arthur Glasier married, April 12, 1909, at Orange, New Jersey, Sarah Frances Byles, daughter of William and Marie L. (Bowman) Byles, both deceased, they leaving four children : Charles J., Mary E., Grace A. and Sarah Frances. Rev. and Mrs. Glasier are the parents of: Helen Frances, born September 8, 1910; Arthur Keith, born June 1, 1913; and John Borne, born June 12, 1916.
CLINTON B. PALMER, V.S .- Although a resident of Easton from I9II until his death, Dr. Palmer came to the city a stranger, having acquired
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his professional degree, V.S., in Chicago. In Easton he developed a large business which he confined to Easton, Pennsylvania, and adjacent New Jer- sey, his modernly cquipped animal hospital in Easton being taxed to its fullest capacity to care for the high class patients which were brought to him for treatment. Dr. Palmer ranked very high in his profession, and he proved not only an acquisition as a veterinarian, but also as a citizen.
This branch of the Palmer family is one of the oldest in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Dr. Palmer's great-grandfather. Obadiah Charles Palmer, set- tling there with Colonel Stroud, and crecting the first mill in Stroudsburg. as the new settlement was called. He was a miller by trade, and for a long time operated the grist mill which he built. His son, Charles S. Palmer, was the patentee of a combination iron and wood bridge which he erected over a wide scope of territory, becoming one of the important bridge contractors of his day. His son, Samuel B. Palmer, was also a bridge contractor, his opera- tions being conducted all over the United States. He married Caroline A. Albert, and they were the parents of Dr. Clinton B. Palmer, of Easton, and of A. Mitchell Palmer, who during the war between the United States and Germany was by appointment of President Wilson, custodian of alien property seized as the property of enemies of the United States, and now (1919) attorney general of the United States.
Clinton B. Palmer was born in Stroudsburg, Monroe county, Pennsyl- vania, March II, 1878, son of Samuel B. and Caroline A. (Albert) Palmer, his parents both deceased. He was educated in the public schools of Strouds- burg, and as he grew to manhood he became greatly interested in animal surgical and medical treatment. He acquired a certain amount of knowledge on the treatment of horses and cattle, and gained considerable local fame while practicing under another veterinary surgeon. Finally he decided to become a professional veterinarian and practice regularly. He entered Chi- cago Veterinary College, pursued full courses, and in 1911 was graduated with the degree of V.S. The same year he located in Easton, and there built up a fine reputation as a skilled veterinarian. He erected at No. 15 North Second street, a modern hospital fully equipped with all appliances for the treatment of sick or injured domestic animals, and there he performed some wonderful cures. He was kept busy every hour of the day, notwithstanding an assistant was always on duty at the hospital, who is also a graduate veterinarian. Dr. Palmer took a deep interest in public affairs, and it was through his advice that the city garbage is now used to maintain a drove of hogs, a practice which has met with success and brought profit to the city. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Easton, Pennsylvania State Veter- inary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and of Alpha Psi fraternity.
Dr. Palmer married in 1909, Harriet Van Aiken, of Scranton, Pennsyl- vania. Two children were born to them, Alice L. and Clinton B., Jr. The death of Dr. Palmer occurred October 19, 1918.
JESSE STEWART CARTER-The firm, Drake & Company, Easton's pioneer wholesale grocery house, was organized in 1836 by John Drake, with a partner, and for nearly one-half of this period Jesse Stewart Carter has been connected with the business, now being junior member of the firm, office and credit manager. Since March 17, 1880, he has been connected with the firm in which now he is an important factor, and he is one of the prosperous merchants and eminent citizens of Easton, whose progressive public spirit has been and is one of the city's greatest assets. Mr. Carter is a son of Wil- liam and Anna (Stewart) Carter, of Still Valley, Warren county, New Jersey, he the eldest of their two sons.
Jesse Stewart Carter was born in Still Valley, Warren county, New Jersey, August 10, 1859, and there attended the public school. Later he came
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to Easton, where he attended Trach's Academy and the old Kanuss Business College, there completing his studies. After leaving business college he re- turned to Still Valley, where for two years he conducted the home farm, later again leaving the farm for Easton. On March 17, 18So, he entered the employ of the Drake firm, then trading as J. Drake's Sons & Company, the present title, Drake & Company, not being assumed until 1889. Mr. Carter, when just twenty-one years of age, began with the firm as bookkeeper, and has continued in the office department of the business ever since. His duties be- came more responsible as the years passed, general charge of the office and credits finally being completely his especial concern. He also obtained a small interest in the business which gradually increased, and eventually he was admitted to a full partnership. He has given to the business his entire business life, and has no other interests which conflict with the duty he owes to Drake & Company. That company has now become the largest wholesale grocery in Eastern Pennsylvania, and in no small measure is this due to the loyal service and ability of Mr. Carter, the junior partner. Early in his business life he formed habits of industry, never "working by the clock," but throwing his entire energy into the task in hand until it was completed. He won each promotion, and his success is the result of his natural ability plus fidelity and integrity.
Although strictly a business man, Mr. Carter has not buried himself slavishly to mercantile life, but has cultivated the social side of his nature, and has been of service to his community through his generosity and per- sonal labor. For many years he has been treasurer of Easton Hospital and its loyal, consistent friend. He assumed the responsibility for the recent building fund campaign, and saw its successful termination. So, too, the Young Men's Christian Association has profited by his public-spirited interest. He is a member of Easton's Board of Trade, the Pomfret Club, Northampton County Country Club, the Mckinley Club, and Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club. In politics he is a Republican, in religious affiliation an attendant of College Hill Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Carter married, December 8, 1880, Isabel Stevenson, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca A. (Young) Stevenson, of Still Valley, New Jersey. Mrs. Carter is an active Red Cross worker, and is tireless in her work for the Easton Hospital. She is president and a member of the board of trustees of that institution, and in Young Men's Christian Association work she has taken an active part as manager of their dinner and entertainment programmes. Mr. and Mrs. Carter are the parents of a daughter, Mabel S., who married John P. (2) Treadwell, and they have two sons, John P. (3) and Jesse Carter Treadwell. The Carter city home is at No. 329 Clinton Terrace, Easton, their country residence at Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, where Mr. Carter spends his week-ends during the summer months and indulges in his favorite sports, fishing and boating.
REV. HUGH J. McGETTIGAN-The Church of the Holy Infancy, South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is one of the large and influential Roman Catholic parishes of Pennsylvania, and evidence of the spirit of patriotic purpose which pervades it is the fact that three hundred members of the parish werc with the colors in France or in training. Over this parish and church Father McGettigan presided until his death, October 8, 1919. He presided with great acceptability for seven years, 1912-19. While he was a profound scholar and Icarned theologian, he took a deep interest in the every- day affairs of life and believed that good is everywhere and not confined to theology. Hence, the Young Men's Temperance Society Drill Corps is an organization in which he took great pride and evidenced his interest by serving as chairman. In March, 1913, this corps was a feature of the inaug- uration of President Wilson, and is considered one of the best drilled organ-
Re Hugh & melytigan
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izations in Pennsylvania. This but indicates why Father McGettigan so readily gained the confidence of the young and was able to organize them for useful purpose and to do them good. He fairly radiated confidence, and he was held in high esteem by all who came within his sphere of influence.
Father MeGettigan came to the Church of the Holy Infancy from St. Joseph's, at Ashland, Pennsylvania, where he had been rector for nineteen years. Commenting editorially upon his removal, the Ashland Telegram said :
The announcement to the people of St. Joseph's Church that they were to lose their beloved pastor, Rev. H. J. McGettigan, through his transfer to South Bethlehem, was not the kind of a Christmas gift that they cared for. Father McGettigan has exerted a great power for good among the people of this community, and his departure will be regretted by all without regard to creed. The loss of a good man is to be regretted in any case, and Ashland will miss Father McGettigan very much for a long time to come.
The fact that he was to go to South Bethlehem was made known to Father McGettigan while celebrating Mass at 8:30 o'clock Christmas morning, 1912, the announcement being coupled with the order to report at his new pastorate four days later. At the conclusion of the service he told his people, and they listened with bowed heads and tearful eyes. He had endeared him- self to every one in the mining town, and the Ashland Evening Telegram said of his departure :
Had a bomb been thrown among the people, they could not have been more startled or surprised. Many could not believe that they had heard correctly, it taking some time for them to realize the truth, and then they went from the church in sorrow, all the joy having been taken out of Christmas Day for them.
Hugh J. McGettigan, son of Hugh and Susan (Shields) McGettigan, was born at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1860, and there attended the public schools, worked in breaker as a slate picker, and taught school prior to beginning his studies for the priesthood. He completed his studies in divinity at the Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, at Overbrook, Pennsylvania, in 1889, and was there ordained by Archbishop Ryan, June 15, 1889. Other members of that class were Archbishop Dougherty, formerly of the Philippine Islands, now archbishop of Philadelphia, and Bishop Car- roll, formerly Philippine bishop. Father MeGettigan was first assigned to St. Patrick's Church at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, there remaining three years, going thence to St. Clair, Pennsylvania, as rector of St. Mary's Church. Two years later he was transferred to St. Joseph's Church, at Ashland, and there his pastorate was greatly blessed. While rector of St. Joseph's Church he organ- ized the parish at Gordon, Pennsylvania, and left as a memorial the beautiful little church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, built through his inspiration. The fine church edifice of St. Joseph's also was improved during his pastorate, and every department of parish work left in a quickened, healthful condition. He labored with all his powers to bring St. Joseph's to a high plane of Chris- tian experience and temporal prosperity, and so well did he succeed that Archbishop Prendergast decided that he was the man needed in South Beth- lehem, but the appointment was not announced. For twelve of the nineteen years that Father McGettigan was in Ashland, he was president of the Board of Health, and he took a deep interest in matters educational. Finally the archbishop appointed Father McGettigan to succeed Father Joseph J. O. O'Connell as rector of the Church of the Holy Infancy, at South Bethlehem, and St. Joseph's mourned.
The South Bethlehem church was equally surprised to learn of the change, and what was Ashland's loss was their gain. Father MeGettigan celebrated his first Mass in the Church of the Holy Infancy on Sunday, De- cember 29, 1912, and at cach Mass urged strongly the need of close co-opera- tion between pastor and people if the best good was to follow his ministry. One of his first official acts was to extend the Christmas holidays for the N. H. BIOG .- 16
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parochial school children until January 6, 1913; that announcement was made at the 9:30 Mass and was followed by a short but inspiring sermon to the children. In the evening, following the vesper service, he met the officers of the various societies of the parish : Holy Name, Knights of Columbus, An- cient Order of Hibernians, Temperance Society, and Pioncer Corps. He desired an early acquaintance with the men of the church, for he said, "A priest should not be a stranger in this community." The six years of his pastorate in South Bethlehem were fruitful ones, and both parish and rector grew in spiritual stature and power. The eloquent father faithfully guided his church, and the members benefited. He took an interest in civic affairs, and his coming was beneficial. He won the respect of those who knew of his work; even those without religious sympathy or learning being warm in his praise. Within his parish, where he was best and most intimately known, he was beloved and admired, not more for his Christian virtues than for his manly life, and friendly, helpful nature.
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