History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III, Part 17

Author: Heller, William Jacob; American Historical Society, Inc
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Boston ; New York [etc.] : The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 574


USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III > Part 17


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concerns. He retired from business in 1900, but all his life retained his inter- est in music, his life of definite value to the community, his influence whole- some, sweet and inspiring, his long labor to elevate the musical tone of his community endearing him to his friends of the town and to his brethren of the Moravian church.


Emanuel C. Ricksecker married Ellen Mary Kram. She survives her husband, a well preserved, active woman, now making her home with her son, Henry E. Mr. and Mrs. Ricksecker were married when the bride was but sixteen years of age, they being attracted to each other by their mutual love and talent for music. Children : Florence A., married Dr. H. J. Laciar, of Bethlehem; Fred K., a traveling salesman with headquarters in San Francisco, California, his line, pianos and pipe organs; Henry E., of further mention.


Henry E. Ricksecker was born in the house in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in which he now lives, March 27, 1869. He was educated in the Bethlehem public schools and Moravian School, and began business life as a traveling salesman with the Sohmer Company of New York, piano manufacturers. The death of his father in 1906 made it necessary that he assume control of the Ricksecker Music Company, which had been established nearly half a cen- tury earlier, and from that time he has been its managing head. He carries the Sohmer, Kohler, Campbell and H. E. Ricksecker pianos, also a full line of musical instruments of varied kinds. He has developed a prosperous busi- ness, and is one of the highly esteemed men of his city. He inherits much of his father's musical genius, and is an accomplished pianist. Mr. Rick- secker is a member of the National Association of Piano Merchants of America; was responsible for the exhibit of pianos made by the Sohmer Company at the World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893. He is a member of Bethlehem Lodge No. 191, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Beth- lehem Chamber of Commerce; is treasurer of Lincoln Republican Club ; and in religious faith an Episcopalian.


EUGENE SAMUEL LEITH-One of the oldest villages in Lower Saucon township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, is Leithsville, named after the Leiths who lived in that vicinity and were long its principal owners. Leith, or Leyd, as it is spelled in the older records, is a Scotch name. Benjamin Reidel married a widow Leyd, from New Brunswick, who had a son Peter, a small boy when brought to Pennsylvania. He spoke no German at that time, but living in a German community, acquired the language. His wife, a daughter of Samuel Weaver, was of German descent, and they are the an- cestors of a large family of Leiths, many of whom are yet living in Lower Saucon today. Others have moved to different parts of the county, this review dealing with Eugene Samuel Leith, of Hellertown, Pennsylvania, son of Allan Pierson, son of Samuel, son of Peter, the founder of the family in Lower Saucon township.


Samuel Leith was born in Leithsville, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1813, and spent his life as a farmer and merchant all his active years, and also took a deep and active interest in community affairs, being one of the progressive spirits found in every community who can always be relied upon to aid in every movement looking toward the public good. He became a Democrat, but would never accept any public office in local service. He was a member of the Lutheran church and a man rich in the regard of his neighbors. He married Mary Ann Pierson.


Allan Pierson Leith, son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Pierson) Leith, was born in Leithsville, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1842, and was educated in the public schools. He grew to manhood at the home farm, and all his active vears was interested in agriculture and was one of the sub- stantial farmers of this section. In addition to his farm interests he was long


W. Gilbert Tillucan.


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a merchant of Leithsville, there owning and operating a general store until the death of his wife in 1917, when he retired, and has since made his home with his only son, Eugene S. Leith, in Hellertown. In 1891 he was elected justice of the peace, an office he filled until 1898. Like his father he was a man of upright life and public spirit, highly esteemed in the community in which three-quarters of a century of life was passed. Allen P. Leith married Clarissa Huber, born March 16, 1844, in Upper Milford, Bucks county, and died in Leithsville, December 23, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Leith were the parents of an only child, Eugene Samuel, of further mention.


Eugene Samuel Leith was born in Leithsville, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, December 3, 1871, and there attended public schools. He fin- ished his studies at Springtown Academy in 1887, and from that year until 1910 was associated with his father in a general mercantile business in Leiths- ville. In 1910 he purchased the general mercantile business owned by his uncle, Jacob B. Leith, in Hellertown, and has since devoted himself to its operation. He has increased the business of his store until its volume exceeds that of any other store in Hellertown, and is rated one of the progressive, public-spirited and substantial merchants of Northampton county. He is also a director of the People's Trust Company of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In Leithsville he was justice of the peace for several terms; is a member of Hellertown's School Board; is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Reformed church. He is a member of Hellertown Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Knights of the Golden Eagle.


Mr. Leith married, December 17, 1896, Lelia K. Hess, daughter of Asher S. and Elizabeth D. (Kram) Hess, her father formerly a wholesale dealer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, now a traveling salesman, her mother deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene S. Leith are the parents of a daughter, Clarissa Mar- garet Elizabeth Leith, born at Leithsville, April 24, 1903, a graduate of Hellertown High School, class of 1919.


WILLIAM GILBERT TILLMAN, M.D .-- When Dr. Tillman located in Easton in 1907 and began the practice of his profession, he did not come as a stranger, for his previous life had been spent in the city across the Delaware, Phillipsburg, and Easton was as familiar to him as his own city. The Till- mans, a family of builders, have long been seated in Phillipsburg, Dr. Tillman's grandfather, Peter Tillman, a pioneer contractor of that city, and later of Dover, New Jersey, where he died. Peter Tillman married Matilda Garrison, who yet survives him, aged eighty-seven years, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of George Washington Tillman, who for several years was a contractor and builder of Phillipsburg, but now a locomotive engineer in the employ of the Lehigh Valley railroad. He mar- ried Mahala Harrison, daughter of George and Abbie (Swartz) Harrison, of Milford, New Jersey. They are the parents of two sons: William Gilbert, of further mention, the youngest.


Dr. William Gilbert Tillman was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, De- cember 20, 1880. He was educated in Hackettstown (New Jersey) public schools, finishing with high school graduation, class of 1897. He prepared for college at Hackettstown Centenary Collegiate Institute, whence he was graduated, class of 1900. He then entered Lafayette College, class of 1904, but at the close of his sophomore year withdrew to enter Medico-Chirurgical Medical College of Philadelphia, whence he was graduated M.D., class of 1906. He spent a year as interne at Elizabeth (New Jersey) General Hos- pital, then in 1907 located in Easton and began the upbuilding of a private clientele. The years have brought him recompense for his devotion to his profession, and he is firmly established in public confidence. He is a member of the Northampton Medical Society and for five years its secretary ; member


N. H. BIOG .- 26


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of the Physicians' Protective Association and its secretary since organization ; member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and of the American Medical Association. He holds the respect and regard of his brethren of the profes- sion, and the perfect confidence of his large clientele.


While in college, Dr. Tillman was active in athletics, particularly base- ball, being catcher of the Lafayette College team. He was assistant editor of the College Class Book at Medico-Chi, and took a deep interest in the societies of the college. He was a member of the Wilson Township Board of Health for a number of years, and for two years served on the Wilson School Board. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious faith affiliated with the Second Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Easton. He is a member of the Northampton County Republican Club; secretary of the Easton Motor Association ; member of the Easton Board of Trade; Phi Zeta fraternity; Easton Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Dallas Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Rajah Temple (Reading), Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Bloomsburg Consistory, has attained the thirty-second degree.


Dr. Tillman married, April 7, 1917, Sadie Elizabeth Hillyer, who died October 7, 1918, a victim of the Spanish influenza epidemic in that year. She was a daughter of E. Chauncey Hillyer.


THOMAS JOSEPH REIDY-Thomas Joseph Reidy, treasurer and gen- eral manager of the United Furniture Company of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. and a prominent and influential citizen of this community, is a native of County Kerry, Ireland, where his birth occurred January 6, 1879. He is the youngest of the six children of Thomas and Catherine (Deen) Reidy, both deceased, his father a general merchant and highway contractor during his active business life. The first twenty years of his life were spent in his native country, and in 1890 he journeyed to Cape Town, South Africa, in search of health, remaining there about four years. In 1903 he set sail from Ireland to the United States and landed on March 31, in that year. On April I, he applied for his first citizenship papers, and his naturalization was the quickest ever accomplished in the city of Brooklyn. The young man was exceedingly active and ambitious, and upon reaching this country at once sought employ- ment, a search which his alert manner and obvious intelligence made no difficult matter. He was employed in various concerns until the year 1908, when he became connected with his present company in a very humble capac- ity. He began at the bottom of the ladder and owes his advancement solely to his energy, industry and intelligence. He soon found himself in line 'for promotion, and he eventually became treasurer and general manager, offices he fills at the present time (1919). Since taking this responsible office the affairs of the concern have been largely entrusted to his capable hands, and he is regarded as one of the capable and far-seeing business men in this region. It was largely due to his efforts that the company was incorporated in 1909. He became the manager of the Bethlehem store in the same year, and in 1913 was elected assistant treasurer. He and his associates then bought control of the company and he became treasurer and general manager thereof. In 1918 he bought out his associates and now owns the controlling interest in the stock of the concern. It has been his ambition, an ambition which he has admirably realized, to provide for Bethlehem the finest store of its kind in the region, and to this end he has spent all his energies and devoted his extraor- dinary business talents.


Mr. Reidy is an aggressive and enterprising man, and has exhibited a broad public spirit, which has won him the favor of the community-at-large. and his sucecss has been achieved through a strict policy of fair dealing. He is a firm believer in the proposition that no permanent success can be gained without the foundation of character and honesty. He has made his motto


4. 9.5


houras &. Penny


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the phrase, "Nothing too good for Bethlehem." Through his strict adherence to the Golden Rule his business has grown with a remarkable degree of rapidity and to such an extent that he found his present store entirely too small, and early in 1918 purchased the Hoffman building for the sum of one hundred thousand dollars. This transaction, the largest of its kind in the history of Bethlehem, attracted great and favorable comment, and it was a source of genuine gratification to Mr. Reidy, as it revealed to him that his bankers, the E. P. Wilbur Trust Company, had recognized the healthy condi- tion of his company, and assisted generously in financing the transaction. The acquisition of this building places the United Furniture Company in the largest and most modern mercantile building in the city, and provides a plant large enough to take care of the further great expansion which Mr. Reidy feels is in store for the company. Besides his business interests, Mr. Reidy has taken an active part in public affairs and the general life of the com- munity, and is at the present time a member of a number of fraternal and social organizations, including the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Northampton and Rotary clubs, all of this place. He is an independent politically, and is a communicant of the Holy Infancy Catholic Church. Mr. Reidy is a devotee of all out-of-door sports, retaining a lively interest from his active participation in handball, football and track athletics during his school years.


Mr. Reidy married, June 25, 1912, Clare B. Hamil, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Burns) Hamil, of Paterson, New Jersey, her father being now president of the United Furniture Company. They are the parents of one son, Thomas Joseph, Jr., born April 20, 1913.


ASHER GARFIELD ABEL-The Abel family, of which Asher G. Abel, of Bangor, Pennsylvania, is representative, springs from Squire Jacob Abel, born in 1744, died in 1822. He came from Germany prior to the Revolution, and was a riverman familiar with the handling of the Durham boats so com- mon on the Delaware in that early period. He rendered patriotic service in gathering the flotilla which was used to transport the retreating American soldiers across the Delaware after the battles which forced Washington to retreat across New Jersey to Pennsylvania. He carried the mail from Easton to Philadelphia many times, the mailbags coming from the Eastern States and upper Hudson places over the old main road from Esopus to Van Cam- pen's Mills above the Water Gap. In 1787 he owned the ferry across the Delaware, and was one of the five men who, the same year, purchased Getter's Island of the Penns. He was the proprietor of a hotel at the "Point," and in 1788 his name appears as one of the large property owners of the town. For many years he was a justice of the peace, and for seventy-eight years continued a life of active usefulness. He left two sons, Jacob and John.


John Abel, son of Squire Jacob Abel, was a riverman, who for several years was engaged in running Durham boats on the Delaware, until the opening of the canal, after which he ran regularly between Easton and Phila- delphia. Later, and for several years, he engaged in business as a grocer in Easton. On July 7, 1825, he was appointed by Governor Shulze a member of the commission to take measures for the improvement of navigation on the Delaware river. The act under which he was appointed bore date of March 26, 1821, the first board consisting of Lewis S. Coryell, John Kirkbride and Jacob Shouse. In 1825 the last named commissioner resigned, Mr. Abel suc- ceeding him. For more than three years he served on the commission, accom- plishing a great deal in the way of river improvement. He married Catherine Bleckley, and they were the parents of a large family. John Abel owned and cultivated a farm in Plainfield township, and there his son, Abraham Abel, was born.


Abraham Abel was a farmer of Plainfield township, all his life owning


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and working his own acres. He married Elizabeth Teel, and they were the parents of : Louise, who married Charles Hood; Mary, who married Amandas Price ; and Emillious.


Emillious Abel was born at the homestead in Plainfield township, North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1842, died at his farm in Plainfield township, January 1, 1913. In early manhood he was employed in the slate quarries, but later he became a farmer, so continuing until the end of his life. He was a Republican in politics, and for several years was a member of the School Board. On September 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Thirty- first Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, and served out a ten months' term of enlistment. He was a member of Lafayette Post No. 217, Grand Army of the Republic, and in religious faith was affiilated with the Evangelical Association. Emillious Abel married Irene Miller, daughter of John and Sarah Ann (McCann) Miller, of New Jersey, and they were the parents of nine children : Sarah Edith, now the widow of Simeon Hawke; Emma E., wife of John H. Salt; Fanny Almira, wife of Wesley W. Shover, both deceased ; Amanda Helena, wife of Stewart Stackhouse; Minnie May, widow of Joseph E. Heller ; Edna Aravesta, wife of Frank Bitz; Cora Bell, wife of Stewart Shook; Bertha Louise, wife of Floyd C. Gold; Asher Garfield, of further mention. The old farm upon which Emillious Abel lived and died and reared his family is located near Kesslerville, and is yet owned in the family.


Asher Garfield Abel was born at the homestead in Plainfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1880. He was educated in the district school, Pen Argyl High School, Easton Academy, and the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, but he did not complete his university course. He taught two terms at Edelman public school, then spent a year in New Jersey as teacher of the Parsippany School, then was for four terms in charge of the Plainfield township school. He next taught for four years in the grammar grades in Bangor, where he was acting principal for one of the schools. The following four years he was teacher of English in the Bangor High School, that ending his career as a pedagogue. His next position was as teller of the First National Bank of Bangor, a post of duty he filled for about one year, then was elected cashier, his present position. He is financially interested in the Bangor Water Company, of which he is assistant manager ; is a director of the Blue Mountain Telephone & Telegraph Company ; director of the Blue Mountain Shirt Company; member of the Pen Argyl Lodge No. 594, Free and Accepted Masons; Bangor Chapter No. 274, Royal Arch Masons; Hugh de Payen Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar; Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Bloomsburg Consistory, thirty- second degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Bangor Lodge No. 1106, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Joel Searfoss Camp No. 273, Sons of Veterans (secretary six years) ; and in religious faith is affiliated with the Lutheran church of Bangor.


Mr. Abel married Lucy Ann Uhler, daughter of Amos C. and Catherine (Price) Uhler. Mr. and Mrs. Abel are the parents of a son, Asher Garfield (2).


ESCHER C. YEAGER-On the old family homestead in Palmer town- ship, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, bought by his great-grandfather, Philip Yeager, from the Penns, Escher C. Yeager, now proprietor of the Na- tional Pharmacy, Easton, first saw the light. There Philip Yeager and his wife, a Miss Kocher, lived and reared a family of four sons and two daughters, one of these a child named Christian, who succeeded his father in the owner- ship of the homestead in Palmer township, and there spent his life. He mar- ried Elizabeth Walters, and they were the parents of two sons: Aaron and John, also three daughters. This review deals with the son Aaron, and his son, Escher C.


Aaron Yeager was born at the homestead in Palmer township, North-


Ju A. Titus


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ampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1835, died in 1904. His entire life, save the last four years, was spent at the home in which he was born, he becoming a substantial farmer. He was a Lutheran in religion and a Democrat in politics. He married Matilda Knecht, who survived him, and now, at the age of seventy-five, resides with her only child, Escher C. Yeager.


Escher C. Yeager was born at the homestead, October 12, 1866, and there spent the first fifteen years of his life. He attended the district public school and helped in farm work until 1881, when he began his studies at Trach's Academy, in Easton, under R. H. Trach, there continuing two terms. His first teacher was a relative, Miss Mary Yeager, Professor Trach his last. In 1883 he entered the employ of the Messenger Manufacturing Company in the shipping department. He later applied for a license to conduct a hotel at the old homestead, which was granted, and for seven years he continued in the hotel business. He then retired from this business and became a clerk in the office of the county recorder of deeds, holding that position for three years. He then served six years as deputy recorder of deeds, after which he was elected recorder for a term of four years. He was defeated for re-election, his party ticket, Democratic, going down in defeat that year. In 1912 he opened the National Pharmacy, located at the corner of Seventeenth and Washington streets, Easton, which he is still successfuly conducting. In addition to his service as recorder, Mr. Yeager was assessor of Palmer town- ship for three terms, and for twelve years was justice of the peace, resigning that office when elected recorder of deeds. He is a member of Easton Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Easton Eyrie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Patriotic Sons of America.


Mr. Yeager married, in Easton, June 9, 1889, Annie J. King, daughter of George and Sophia King, of Easton.


WILLIAM A. TITUS-According to a deed in the possession of Wil- liam Titus, of Easton, Pennsylvania, this branch of the family came to Easton about the year 1800, in the person of John Titus, an Englishman. This deed is dated 1802, and is made to John Titus, great-grandfather of William A. He seems to have owned considerable real estate in Easton, one of the hold- ings being the present site occupied by the H. G. Tombler Grocery Company, on Ferry street. Little is known of him further than the above, for he died at a comparatively early age, leaving two sons, one of whom, Lawrence, was the grandfather of William A. Titus, of Easton. John Titus married Cath- erine Bachman, born December 31, 1774, daughter of Abraham and Phoebe Bachman. Her father was born May 24, 1744, her mother, March 9, 1752.


Lawrence Titus was born November 17, 1803, in Easton, Pennsylvania, and there spent his life, which covered nearly the entire nineteenth century, 1803 to 1895. He was a millwright by trade, conducted a prosperous busi- ness, and during his active years played a prominent part in public life. He held the office of burgess, of Easton, and has gone down in history as the last man to hold that office, Easton becoming a chartered city during his term as burgess. It was greatly desired by his fellow men that he be elected first mayor of the city, but the weight of years was upon him and the objec- tions of his family overcame the importunities of his friends, and the honor went to another. He was a man of fine and imposing presence, very active and energetic, a good citizen and neighbor. He bore his years well, and after accomplishing fully ninety-two years, passed to man's reward. In reli- gious faith he was a Universalist. Lawrence Titus married Ann Parker, of Bloomsburg, New Jersey. They were the parents of three sons, who grew to man's estate, and three daughters, as follows : John C., Mary A., William, of whom further; Catherine, Sophia, George, and a son who died in infancy. John C. and George Titus were both successful business men. John C. was the owner of vessel property, then later moved to Chile and settled there,


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where George was connected with the Chilean navy, and both prospered in their business enterprises.


William Titus, the third son of Lawrence and Ann (Parker) Titus, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1828, and died at the age of forty-nine years. He learned the millwright trade under the direction of his father, and continued in that line of business activity until his death. He was a member of the church, and was a citizen of worth, but confined himself to his business affairs and took but little part in the city affairs. He married Sarah Ann Gray, who survives him and yet resides in Easton, now in her eighty-eighth year and wonderfully active. She is a daughter of William H. and Christina (Reese) Gray. William and Sarah A. Titus were the parents of six sons and one daughter : Lawrence Parker, a railroad conductor, residing in New York City ; Belle R .; Harry Gray, deceased ; William A., of whom further ; Frank, Charles H. and Edward H., all deceased. The aged mother, Miss Belle R. Titus and William A. Titus, all reside at the latter's home, which is located on Thirteenth and Bushkill streets.




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