USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume II > Part 55
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Dr. Daniel W. Richards was born at the home farm in Williams town- ship, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in April, 1838, died in Easton, Pennsylvania, March 23, 1902. He prepared for the practice of medicine at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, whence he was graduated M.D., going thence into the service of his country, being appointed surgeon to a Pennsylvania regiment. He served for two years of the Civil War, then resigned, returned to Pennsylvania, and settled in Bucks county, where he practiced until after the birth of his son, Ellerslie W., in 1872. He then located in Easton in his native county, and there practiced continuously until his death, thirty years later. He was one of the eminent men of his profes- sion, and through his skill and ability added greatly to the sum of human happiness. He married Susan Weirbach, who survives her husband, a resi- dent of Easton, the mother of seven children.
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Dr. Ellerslie Wallace Richards, fourth child of Dr. Daniel W. and Susan (Weirbach) Richards, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1872, but the same year his parents moved to Easton, which has ever since been his home. He began his education in Easton public schools, finishing in high school in 1889. He completed a onc-ycar course at Lafayette Col- lege, A.B., class of 1893, and a two years' course at the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, M.D., class of 1895. From the latter year until 1900 he was assistant physician and dispensary physician to Easton Hospital, although engaged in private practice at the time. He has prac- ticed continuously in Easton for twenty-three years, and is one of the most able physicians and surgcons of the city. When war was declared upon Germany by the United States, and the medical profession was called upon, Dr. Richards volunteered his services, was accepted, commissioned first lieu- tenant, United States Army, but was not called into active service.
Dr. Richards is a member of the Northampton County Medical Society, Pennsylvania State Medical Society, American Medical Association, and takes a deep interest in the proceedings of all. Dr. Richards is a Republican in politics, a member of South Presbyterian Church, Sons of Veterans, Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, Free and Accepted Masons, Royal Arch Masons, Pomp Council, Royal and Select Masters; Hugh Dc Payen Com- mandery, Knights Templar ; all of Easton, and Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Reading, Pennsylvania.
On November 23, 1898, Dr. Richards married Anna Folkenson, daugh- ter of Samuel and Catherine (Clark) Folkenson, of Easton. Dr. and Mrs. Richards are the parents of a son, Donald Clark, a student at Lafayette Col- lege, class of 1921, and was a member of the Students' Army Training Corps, now disbanded.
HARLAN EDGAR WOEHRLE - As senior member of the firm, Woehrle & Young, wholesale hatters of Easton, Mr. Woehrle occupies a prominent place in the business life of his city, and through his musical gifts he has brought pleasure and real enjoyment to thousands as a public enter- tainer.
Charles S. Woehrle, father of Harlan E. Wochrle, was born in McMichael, Monroe county, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1860, dicd November 16, 1903, in Easton. He was a son of Christian and Mary (Epting) Woehrle, both born in Germany, who in 1850 came to the United States, settling on a farm in Monroe county, Pennsylvania. Charles S. Woehrle was a graduate of Orange- ville Academy, and in earlier life taught school for a few years. Later he engaged in general merchandising at Effort, Pennsylvania, but in 1889 he moved to Easton, becoming a member of the firm, Shiffer, Wochrle & O'Con- nell, wholesale hatters. He was rated an able business man, and after com- ing to Easton he took an active part in public affairs. He was chairman of the county Republican committee for several years, a member of the Easton School Board, and in all possible ways aided in a wise and progressive ad- ministration of civic affairs. In religious faith he was a Lutheran, and for many years was a trustce of Christ Church of Easton.
Charles S. Wochrle married Emily C. Krone, who survives him, a resi- dent of Easton. She is the daughter of William and Mary Krone. She spent the carly part of her life at Effort, Monroe county, and for many years was prominent in all musical activities of the community. After her marriage, she was associated with her husband in the general store business at Effort, Pennsylvania, where both were successful for over eight years. Besides her musical abilities, she is possessed with a wonderful talent for oil and water color painting and her work has often received highest awards at various art exhibits. Much, if not all, of the musical and artistic talents of her son have been hereditarily handed down by her.
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Harlan Edgar Woehrle, only son of Charles S. and Emily C. (Krone) Wochrle, was born in Effort, Monroe county, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1882. He was educated in Easton, completing the high school course with the graduating class of 1901, then entered Lafayette College, finishing the fresh- man and sophomore years. The death of his father in 1903 prevented his completing his junior year as it was necessary that he take his place at once in the business world. He succeeded to his father's place in the firm, Shiffer, Woehrle & O'Connell, the business continuing as before until 1912, when a reorganization was effected, and a new firm. Woehrle & Young, wholesale and retail hatters, was introduced to the Easton public. In 1918 the retail feature of the business was discontinued and the wholesale department re- moved to more commodious quarters on South Sitgreaves street. The busi- ness is a large and well managed enterprise, and well known in its particular field.
Mr. Woehrle is perhaps better known to Eastonians through his talents as a musician, he having been organist of Brainerd Union Presbyterian Church since the year 1912. and served other churches since 1900. For a number of years he was organist of the organization known as The Covenant of Peace, and was also manager of the Easton Symphony Orchestra. In recent years he has been responsible for bringing to Easton many celebrated musicians, artists of high repute and orchestras of national reputation, giving to the city a class of musical entertainment enjoyed by few cities of that size. He has arranged the musical programme for many public occasions by request of those in charge, and was appointed by the governor of Pennsylvania to act as musical supervisor for all public meetings held in the interest of war work, Liberty Loan campaigns, etc. A remarkable thing concerning Mr. Woehrle's skill as a musician is the fact that he has had but very little instruc- tion from any professional teachers, his talents having been developed through self-study entirely. In college he first began taking active part in musical and dramatic entertainment, he then holding membership in the Lafayette Glee Club, the Dramatic Association and the Mandolin Club. For many years he has been a leader in amateur theatricals in Easton, and has arranged for and staged many of the annual plays given by the local lodge of Elks. In November, 1918, he was appointed manager of the Third Street Theatre, which adds to his opportunity for furnishing entertainment to the public. In this new capacity, Mr. Woehrle is upholding in every way the high standards set by the previous management, and is adding materially to the previous success of this popular playhouse. During the war he was a member of Easton's Committee of Safety, and in many ways his loyal, progressive public spirit was made manifest. He is a member of the Board of Trade, serving on the entertainment committee ; member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elk's, the Rotary Club, Pomfret Club, Christ Lutheran Church, and the college fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta.
Mr. Woehrle married, October 25, 1905, Lillian May Sharp, daughter of Charles B. and Sophia (Miller) Sharp, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey. They are the parents of two children : Dorothy Bass and Charles S. Mrs. Woehrle has for years been active in musical circles as a concert and choir singer, her present position being as director of the music of the Third Street Reformed Church. She began her vocal training in Easton, and continued her studies under vocal music masters in New York, and has gained more than local prominence. She was soloist with the Arthur Pryor organization, has given a series of song recitals in the great Ocean Grove Auditorium, and has ap- peared on the programme with noted New York vocal artists on innumerable occasions. She is a member of the Women's Club, the Red Cross Society, and various charitable organizations, her zeal being displayed in earnest work in the various societies to which she belongs, and in the Liberty Loan and other drives made necessary by the war. Wherever music was needed during these drives, Mrs. Wochrle gladly gave her services, and with all her might aided these patriotic activities.
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LLOYD BYARD STROCK-The Bethlehem firm of L. W. Strock & Company, Lloyd B. Strock and Robert A. Schaeffer the present members, is one that has been numbered among the important industries of the city since its founding in 1891 by Lycurgus William Strock, father of Lloyd B. Strock, of the present firm. Under the direction of the elder Mr. Strock, a business was founded and a firm organized that became a leader in its line, the manu- facture of tool handles, and that has carried the firm name and that of Beth- lehem into all parts of the world. Lycurgus William Strock was a son of William Nicholas and Lucy Ann (Deemer) Strock, William Nicholas Strock a prominent citizen of Bucks county, who served as a mail carrier from Doylestown to Springtown for many years, and was also street supervisor for Springfield township for many years.
Lycurgus William Strock was born in Springtown, Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, August 10, 1864, died March 15, 1913. Until he was fourteen years of age he attended the public schools of his birthplace, and at that age became employed in a handle manufactory of Springtown, so improving his opportuni- ties that as a young man of nineteen years he acquired control of the business. He developed its possibilities along lines of his own planning and operated in the manufacture of wooden handles with notable success, his interests extend- ing to the South, where he became the owner of large tracts of land, operat- ing three mills in Tennessee. In 1897, Mr. Strock established the warehouse and office of the company on Lehigh avenue, Bethlehem. The exhaustion of the available supply of hickory timber, from which the handles are made, necessitated the closing of the Springtown plant, since which time the Ten- nessee mills have supplied the entire output of the company. Their linc includes axe, pick, sledge hatchet and hammer handles, and they also mani- facture wooden door knobs and stops, chisel handles and novelties in wood turning, ash farming tools and handles of all descriptions, special hand-shaved sledge and hammer handles and linemen's wooden handles. The warehouse in Bethlehem has a capacity of about thirty carloads, maintained for the con- venience of northern trade, while the Tennessee plants have a capacity of three hundred and fifty carloads a year. On hundred and twenty-five men are employed in the plants of the company, and Strock handles are shipped to all parts of the world.
Lycurgus William Strock was a citizen of public spirit and progressive tendencies, and was a leader in every enterprise for the welfare of his city's industrial and civic interests. He was a director of the First National Bank for several years, director of the Industrial Commission, and in 19II was elected to the Bethlehem Council from the Sixth Ward, with the endorsement of both parties. He was a member of the Hanover Aid Society for fourteen years, and was a communicant of the Lutheran church, holding a place on the Church Council of the Holy Trinity congregation until his death. He fraternized with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Mr. Strock was a man held in high and friendly esteem in his community, where his death at an age when much of further usefulness and service was expected of him was mourned as a heavy loss to his fellows. He won business success by devotion to the soundest principles of mercantile dealing, and in private and public life as in business he adhered to a code of the strictest honor. He recognized and carefully discharged his duty to his community, and to his associates, and in the quiet pursuit of his duty won the regard of all who knew him. Lycurgus W. Strock married, December 22, 1887, Emma jane Smith, daughter of William S. and Susannah (Lambert) Smith, of Lower Saucon township, Northampton county, the Rev. O. H. Melchior, of Spring- town, Pennsylvania, officiating. William S. Smith was a lifelong member of the Lower Saucon Lutheran Church and served as its treasurer for thirty years. Mr. Strock's death occurred March 15. 1913, after a brief illness, when N. H. BIOG .- 17
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he was forty-nine years, seven months and five days of age. Children of Lycurgus William and Emma Jane (Smith) Strock: Lloyd Byard, of further mention ; Mabel May, died February 10, 1899, aged eight years; Laura M., married A. J. Polk of River Rouge, Michigan, a real estate dealer ; William H., died March 13, 1899, aged five years ; Garrett Mckinley, died March 18, 1899, aged two years; James L., an employee of the Bethlehem Steel Com- pany ; Frances Elizabeth, married William Hallman; Emma Lealı, born De- cember 30, 1907, attending school; Lycurgus William, Jr., born May 14, 1908; Robert Ellis, born November 1, 1910.
Lloyd Byard Strock, oldest son of Lycurgus William and Emma J. (Smith) Strock, was born in Springtown, Bucks county, March 26, 1889. He was educated in the public schools of his birthplace, and at the age of fifteen' years became associated with his father in the manufacture of wooden imple- ment handles. In 1913 he became a partner in the firm of L. W. Strock & Company, and with Robert A. Schaeffer he now conducts the large affairs of the company, which has developed along progressive modern lines into a leading concern in its line. The offices of the company are in the First National Bank Building, and Mr. Strock, trained in business under his hon- ored father, gives to its direction the careful attention and wise, far-sighted management that has made for the initial prosperity of the concern. Mr. Strock is a Democrat in political belief, a communicant of the Lutheran church, and is a member of the Masonic order, being a member of Bethlehem Lodge No. 283, Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, Rajah Tem- ple, Reading, Pennsylvania, also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Malta, and a member of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Strock married, August 12, 1911, Anna E. Sensenbach, daughter of Alfred D. and Emma (Kunsman) Sensenbach, of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Children : Emma Octavia, born March 19, 1912; Lucille Burnetta, born April 1, 1913.
PHILIP W. RICE-At the great age of ninety-seven years Philip W. Rice, of Easton and Lower Saucon township, passed to a good man's reward, but even his length of years was exceeded by his mother, who was a cente- narian, living into her second century, one hundred and eight years, one month and twenty-four days, the combined ages of mother and son being over two hundred and five years. John Rice died in the early fifties, leaving five sons and five daughters. They resided in Lower Saucon township, the family being long settled in that part of Northampton. John Rice married Miss Webber, also of an old county family, she long surviving her husband and reaching the most unusual age of one hundred and eight years, one month and twenty-four days. This review deals with the life of Philip W. Rice and his family, he being one of the ten children of John Rice, of Lower Saucon township.
Philip W. Rice was born in Lower Saucon township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1803, died in his native township, October 2, 1900. In his youth he was indentured to the mason's trade, and until after his second marriage he followed his trade in Lower Saucon and vicinity. He then moved to Easton and became a foreman under Mr. Lehman, a contractor of mason work. He was also foreman for Mr. Conley, and during his years in Easton was in charge of much of the most important construction in the city. Many of the leading buildings of the city and surrounding country were erected under his direction, his standing in the trade being very high. After spending four years in Easton he returned to Lower Saucon township, where he owned a farm and there resided until his death.
Mr. Rice was a man of kind, loving nature, and was well liked by all who knew him. He was a member of the Reformed church, but usually attended
Philip Từ. Rice
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the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Lower Saucon township. When that church was first organized, the congregation being short of funds, cach contributed a certain amount of labor in lieu of cash. Mr. Rice laid the cornerstone and did the mason work as his contribution, and was always a good friend of the church, his home being always open to the traveling min- isters who served the circuit.
Philip W. Rice married (first), Mary, daughter of Abraham and Chris- tina (Wildauger) Rodenbaugh, and they were the parents of three daughters : Anna Maria, married Aaron L. Transue, of Atchison, Kansas; Emmeline, married S. E Stocker, of Easton; Sarah Catherine, married (first) George B. Case, (second) Frank Fritsch. Mr. Rice married (second), Catherine Rodenbaugh.
George B. Case, first husband of Sarah Catherine Rice, was born in Hughesville, New Jersey, and there spent his boyhood. His father died when the lad was fifteen years of age, and from that time he made his own way in the world. He married Miss Rice, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1881, she born on the Rice homestead in Lower Saucon township, October 22, 1858. The young couple began married life at the Franklin House, in Easton, of which Mr. Case was proprietor, and for fifteen years they operated it very successfully. For two years they lived on a farm, then purchased a home at No. 35 South Second street, Easton, where Mr. Case died, May 18, 1908. He was a member of the First Reformed Church of Easton, and in politics, a Democrat. Mrs. Sarah C. (Rice) Case married (second) April' 11, 1911, Frank Fritsch, born in New York, December 13, 1879. He was educated in the grade and high schools, and after completing his studies became confi- dential secretary to Judge Edward Brown, of New York City. He continued with Judge Brown until the latter's death, then located in Easton, Pennsyl- vania, where he is engaged in the real estate business. While associated with Judge Brown he studied law, but has never practiced. Although formerly a Presbyterian, Mr. Fritsch in Easton became a member of the First Reformed Church. In politics he is an independent voter.
CLAYTON PRYOR STRUTHERS, M.D .- Dr. Struthers, one of Easton's young and progressive physicians, is a descendant of Scotch ances- tors who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where their grandson, Angus Struthers, was born, his father being also born in Philadelphia, son of the emigrants. Angus Struthers married Mary Brakcall, and settled in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, where for many years he was a general merchant. Angus and Mary Struthers were the parents of Jesse Pryor Struthers, born in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1850, and there died August 23, 1901. He was educated in the Mauch Chunk public schools, and after finishing his studies entered the employ of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, and during his lifetime that association was never broken, he holding the rank of paymaster at the time of his death. He was a member of St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Church of Mauch Chunk, and all his mature life took an active part in public affairs, being well known and prominent. He mar- ried Fannie Epwright Schoffield, her father born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, but later moving to Weissport, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, where he continued a merchant during the active years of his life. Jesse Pryor and Fannie E. Struthers were the parents of two children: Fannie S., who mar- ried Lester Newton Brasefield, secretary of the Easton Young Men's Chris- tian Association, and they are the parents of two sons, James and Clayton Edgar Brasefield; Clayton Pryor, of further mention.
Dr. Clayton Pryor Struthers, only son of Jesse Pryor and Fannic E. (Schoffield) Struthers, was born in Weissport, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1891. He completed public school study with graduation from Easton High School in 1912, and in 1916 was graduated M.D. from Medico-Chirurgi-
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cal College in Philadelphia. The year following medical graduation he spent as interne at St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and later took special post-graduate courses in serology and bacteriology under Professor Rosenberger, of Philadelphia. In 1918 he began private practice in Easton, and is winning his way to public favor. He is a member of the staff of Corrells Hospital, specializing in laboratory practice. He is affiliated with the Northampton County Medical Society, American Medical Association, Physicians' Protective Association, secretary of Wilson Township Board of Health, member of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church, and deeply inter- ested in the work of these bodies. He brings a love of football and athletic sports from his college days, and also has a love for the sports of hunting and fishing. His career seems full of promise, and he is already tasting the joy which comes to the successful, young, professional man.
CHARLES N. MILLER-Until reaching man's legal estate, Mr. Miller remained in his native city of Baltimore, then began his long connection with the business interests of Bangor, Pennsylvania, attracted to that town by the fact that his brother Conrad was there located as a contractor. That was in 1879, and during the forty years which have since clapsed, he has gained high position among State operators, and has in official capacity been associated with all the leading industries of the slate belt. Charles N. is a son of John Miller, who came from Germany about 1854 with his family, and founded a home in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was actively engaged as a merchant until about 1889, when he retired. His wife, Mary (Ashenberg) Miller, died in 1872, he surviving her until 1889. John and Mary Miller were the parents of the following children: Conrad, deceased ; John, deceased ; Mary, married John Hebner, of Baltimore; Henrietta, deceased, wife of Henry Hoffman, of Ackermanville ; Kate, widow of John Appleby, a resident of Bangor, Penn- sylvania ; Elizabeth, widow, residing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and Charles N., of further mention.
Charles N. Miller was born in Baltimore, Maryland, December 2, 1857, and there was educated in the grade and high schools. At the age of eighteen he became clerk in a Baltimore general store, there remaining three years. In 1879 he located in Bangor, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and formed an association with his eldest brother, Conrad, then engaged in construction of the Bangor & Portland railroad. From contracting, he enlarged his lines, and since the year 1900 has been officially connected with many of the cor- porations which have brought to the slate belt an era of great prosperity. Among the corporations which he has aided as organizer or official, and frequently both, are the Albion Slate Company of Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania ; Jackson Bangor Slate Company of Pen Argyl; Alpha Slate Company of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania; Penn Bangor Slate Company of Wind Gap; Dexter Cement Company of Nazareth, Pennsylvania; Merchants' National Bank ; Slate Belt Trolley Company ; Slate Belt Telephone Company ; and the Hazen Sand Company, being now president of the last-named company, one of the prosperous enterprises of that section. He has won his position in the busi- ness world through well directed effort, and in his rise has developed the strong traits of character which alone can bring success. He holds the con- fidence of the community in which his success has been won, and is widely known.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Miller has served his town as school direc- tor and member of the town committee ; has been president of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian church of Bangor for a number of years; and has passed all the chairs of the local lodges of the Royal Arcanum, and of the Heptasophs. He married in December, 1885, Anna C. Brown, daughter of Daniel Brown. of Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the par- ents of a daughter, Lucy, and three sons, Daniel J., Carl N. and George C.
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