History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III, Part 26

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 26


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location on February 5, 1918, and there, in more commodious quarters and with increased stock, he was able to cater to the ever-increasing demands for his workmanship. He now is conducting a very substantial and satis- factory business, and takes care that his stock, styles and everything per- taining to the business is up-to-date.


Mr. Ray has been too much engrossed in the development and demands of his own business to be able to give much of his time to public matters. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and by political allegiance is a Republican, but has not been able to take active part. He is identified with some of the leading fraternal organizations, including the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Union Wheelmen of Bethlehem. Of the last-named he is financial secre- tary, and a member of the board of governors. His father's worthy National record has also made him a member of the Sons of Veterans. Mr. Ray is a member of the Lutheran church, attending Grace Church of Bethlehem.


Mr. Ray married, February 20, 1917, at Monessen, Pennsylvania, Louise Elizabeth, daughter of James Filson and Nellie (Mellott) Boore, of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Ray was well educated; she graduated at Ever- ett High School, and also at Slippery Rock Normal School, of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. For three years prior to her marriage she was a teacher in the public schools of Monessen, Pennsylvania. Both her parents are still living, and her father holds prominent place as a publicist in Bedford county. He is a very able man, and has been one of the leaders of the Republican party in that county for many years, and has held many local offices. Mr. and Mrs. Ray have one child, a son, James Edward, who was born at Bethlehem, March II, 1918.


REV. ANSELM MURN, O.F.M .- Rev. Murn's entire life has been de- voted to religious work as a pastor and missionary. He was born in Carniola, Jugoslavia, August 29, 1875, son of Frank and Josephine Murn, his father a farmer. He attended the local schools and gymnasium, and upon the com- pletion of his theological studies became a priest of the Order of Friars Minor. His present charge is St. Joseph's Catholic Slovenian Church, of Bethlehem, and his work among the foreign-born residents of the Bethlehem district is large and important. Rev, Murn is a member of the Carniolian Slovenian Catholic Union, the Croatian National Union, and the Knights of Columbus, and although loyal in his Americanism is no less devoted in his sympathy for his countrymen in their native home, for whom so vigorous a fight has been waged by the forces of right in the council of nations. Rev. Murn's pastoral work in Bethlehem covers a period of six years. He organ- ized the congregation and built the second finest church of Slovenian Cath- olic people in America.


CHARLES E. GOODENOUGH-Trained from youth in the line that he has made his major interest, Mr. Goodenough, as owner of the Goodenough Piano Company, of Bethlehem, is the head of one of the largest enterprises of its kind in this section of Pennsylvania. He is a son of William E. and Elizabeth (Cameron) Goodenough, and grandson of Ralph L. Goodenough. William E. Goodenough died in November, 1905, engaged in dealings in musical instruments at the time of his death.


Charles E. Goodenough was born in Newark, New Jersey, Mav 25. 1885, and attended the public schools, grammar and high. In early manhood he began to learn his present business, associated in various capacities in piano manufacturing with his uncle, Charles E. Cameron, owner of the Lauter Piano Company of Newark, New Jersey, until 1910. He came to Bethlehem in that year, and was employed with cousins in retail piano dealings, in IOII becoming a member of the firm of the Cameron Piano Compan , estab-


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lished by his relatives. In 1915 Mr. Goodenough purchased their interests, and since that time has conducted his operations independently as the Good- enough Piano Company, the business developing to such an extent that the old quartersat No. 73 South Main street were outgrown and a' new location found at Nos. 532-536 Main street, which property Mr. Goodenough pur- chased and is the present home of the company. The Lauter," Davenport- Treacy, Milton, Weser, Schenke and other high grade manufactures of pianos are carried by the company, its stock including piano and player- pianos, Columbia Grafonolas, Pathephones and records, a large selection of sheet music and cabinets, benches, etc. It is widely and favorably known, and under Mr. Goodenough's able direction has become a vigorous, pros- perous business, supplying in a competent mannner a real need in the Beth- lehem community. Mr. Goodenough is a Republican in political belief, and fraternally is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.


Mr. Goodenough married, in New York City, November 27, 1917, Flor- ence, daughter of George B. and Laura Jane Deemer, of Hellertown, Pennsyl- vania, her father a well known resident of that district. Mrs. Goodenough, an only child, was graduated with honors from the Allentown College' for Women, at Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the class of 1904.


ELI SYLVESTER MANTZ, M.D .- In an old graveyard at New Tripoli, Lynn township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, is buried a man bear- ing the name, Jacob Mantz, born about 1740. The family is one of the oldest of that township, and has many spellings in the old records, Mance, Mans, Manse, and Mantz being the varied forms of spelling the name. From this family comes Dr. Eli Sylvester Mantz, who for eighteen years, 1901-19, has been a successful practicing physician of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. .


Dr. Mantz is a great-grandson of Jacob Mantz, who appears on the, tax list of 1812 as a property owner in Lynn township, Lehigh county. Jacob Mantz married Anna M. Wertman, of Lynn township, and they were the par- ents of an only child, Elias, born at the homestead, May 1, 1814, died at this homestead in 1871. He was educated in the district school, and all his life- time was a resident of Lynn township. He married Anna, daughter of Peter George, of Lowhill township, Lehigh county, and they were the parents also of an only child, Phaon Wilson Mantz, father of Dr. Eli Sylvester Mantz, of Bethlehem.


Phaon Wilson Mantz was born at the old homestead in Lynn township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1843, and died August 21, 1917. He grew to manhood at his home residence, obtained his education in the public schools, and after completing his studies taught school for several years in several townships of Lehigh county. Later he bought a farm in Heidel- berg township, and soon afterwards opened a store at Saegersville, Lehigh county, sixteen miles from Allentown. He also owned a store at Slatedale, near Slatington, where he held interests in the slate industry. He was suc- cessful throughout his entire career, especially as a merchant and business man. He held several local offices, assessor and school director. He was a Republican in politics, and a man highly respected. On June 6, 1867, he married Senia Snyder, daughter of Stephen Snyder, of Saegersville, Penn- sylvania, both being members of the Reformed church. Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Mantz were the parents of four sons and a daughter: Eli Sylvester, of fur- ther mention ; Howard, married Flausa Bachman; Ulysses, married Elizabeth Ziengenfus ; Tevillia, married Quincy A. Stettler, of Slatington ; Gillespie, died in infancy.


Dr. Eli Sylvester Mantz, eldest son of Phaon Wilson and Senia (Sny- der) Mantz, was born in Saegersville, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 30, 1872. He there obtained his public school education. He was a stu-


The Mesmo Histo- 15 ety


Of Manty


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dent at Keystone State Normal School, then entered Ursinus College, but the following year matriculated at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and there completed his literary education. Deciding upon the medical pro- fession, he selected his uncle, Dr. L. A. Snyder, of Ashland, Schuylkill county, as his tutor. Then he entered Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, whence he was graduated an M.D., class of 1899. He received the Pennsyl- vania State medical diploma in June of the same year. Afterwards he took a post-graduate course at the Polytechnic College and Hospital, Philadelphia, and in 1901 located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and began the practice of medicine and surgery. He has thoroughly endeared himself to Bethlehem- ities, and has a large practice among the substantial families of the city. His practice is general in character, and he ranks as one of the most skillful and honorable practitioners of his city.


Dr. Mantz is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, Penn- sylvania Homeopathic Medical Society, the Lehigh Valley Homoeopathic Medical Society, and in these societies has won the respect and esteem of his professional brethren. He is a member of the Bethlehem Club, the Univer- sity Club, and the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. In religious affiliations he is a member of Christ Reformed Church.


JAMES A. G. MICKLEY-The traditions of this family assert that orig- inally the Michelets were French Huguenots who fled from their native land to avoid persecution. In America they descend from Theobald Mech- ling, whose sons fought to preserve the liberties of their native land. The ship James Goodwill arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September II, 1728, with about ninety natives of the Palatinate on board, one of them being Theobald Mechling, the founder of the Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, family of Mechling, and his brother Jacob. The Mechling brothers settled in Ger- mantown (Philadelphia) and there established a tannery. In 1734, Theobald Mechling obtained a grant of land, one hundred and seventy acres, in Lower Milford township, Northampton (now Lehigh) county, from Thomas and Richard Penn, proprietors of the province of Pennsylvania, the parchment establishing this grant yet being preserved in the family. Theobald Mech- ling moved his family to this grant and built a house near Hosenback, which is still standing. He was one of the founders of the old Lutheran church near Dillingersville, and his subscription of fifteen shillings to the pastor's salary made him one of the three largest contributors. He died in April, 1765, and was buried with his wife, Anna Elizabeth, in the old graveyard near Dillingersville, which is still preserved, although the old church no longer exists. He had five sons: John Theobald, John Peter, John Jacob. Philip and Thomas. His daughters were: Anna Margaret and Anna Elizabeth. The estate in Lower Milford township, valued at four hundred pounds, was left to his son Thomas, who had to pay the other heirs twenty-five pounds yearly until their shares amounting to two hundred and thirty-six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence were discharged, and they all signed a deed of release dated January 23, 1773. All of these sons save Thomas later moved to Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, where a second Mechling family line was established, a Mechling family association now existing with more than two thousand members. This branch descends through the third son, John Jacob Mechling, born February 28, 1747, and his wife Katherine, who moved from Lehigh to Northumberland county, Pennsylvania.


This John Jacob Mechling was a patriot of the Revolution, and was one of the men who, upon the approach of the British Army in 1777, took the Liberty Bell from its place in Independence Hall belfry in Philadelphia to Allentown, and secreted it in old Zion's Reformed Church to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy. Thomas Mechling, youngest brother of John Jacob Mechling, was a lieutenant of Northampton county militia, and served in the Revolution; John Theobald was an ensign and wounded at the battle


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of Long Island ; and Philip Mechling also served as an ensign. Thus, in the second generation, these sons of the founder recompensed their native State for the kindness shown to their alien father. John Jacob Mechling was the grandfather of Peter Mechling, who married Elizabeth Burkhalder, whose son David Mickley, as the name from now on is spelled, is still living at Allentown, Pennsylvania, aged ninety-two years, September 2, 1918. He married Mary Frantz, who died in 1886, her husband having now survived her thirty-two years. They were the parents of eight children: Albert J., of further mention; Amanda K., Ellen J., Henry, Margaret, and three sons who died young.


Albert J. Mickley, eldest son of David and Mary (Frantz) Mickley, was born in North Whitehall township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and there spent the years of his youth in farming. Later he entered railroad employ, settled in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he died at his home, No. 803 Packer street, August 9, 1908, aged sixty years. He was a member of the Reformed church, and a man of honorable, upright life. He married, in Allentown, Emma R. Brader, who survives him, residing at the old home on Packer street. She is of the Methodist faith. They were the parents of four chil- dren: James A. G., of further mention; Irving, of Easton; Edgar D., resid- ing at home; Mary Alice, deceased.


James A. G. Mickley, eldest son of Albert J. and Emma R. (Brader) Mickley, was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Chew street, October 17, 1880. South Easton soon afterward became the family home, and there he was educated in the public schools. He first attended the old Webster school, his first teacher being J. Irving Snyder. He completed the grammar school grades and spent one year in high school, his last teacher, A. J. Le Bar, now supervising principal of Easton school. At the age of fifteen he left school and entered the employ of the R. H. Simon Silk Mill, first going to the spinning, then to the weaving department. Mill work did not appeal to him, and he apprenticed himself to the Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill Company, and for four years he served faithfully, acquiring the machinist's trade. After be- coming a journeyman machinist he remained with the Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill Company for eight years longer, going thence to the erecting shop of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, in Easton, continuing with that com- pany until January 9, 1915, when he resigned to accept his present position, superintendent of Hays Cemetery in South Easton. He is a member of St. Peter's Reformed Church of South Easton, and since 1909 has held the office of treasurer, a post held by his honored father for twelve years. He is also secretary of the church consistory, and active in the varied forms of church' work. He is a member of Columbia Lodge No. 139, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; secretary of Red Wing Tribe No. 170, Improved Order of Red Men; secretary of William Penn Chamber No. 30, Order of Knights of Friendship; South Easton Council No. 590, Fraternal Patriotic Americans. He is a Republican in politics, and for five years served as a member of Easton Common Council from the Twelfth Ward, has served on the election board several times, has been a delegate to county conventions, and was appointed alderman from the Twelfth Ward by Governor Brumbaugh to fill out the unexpired term of W. Ascher Mutchler, deceased.


Mr. Mickley married, in Stewartsville, New Jersey, Hannah A. Cole. She is a member of St. Peter's Reformed Church, and like her husband inter- ested in many of the church activities. They were the parents of two daugh- ters : Emma Alice and Ruth Myrtle.


FRANKLIN CHRISTIAN STOUT-In 1857, Dr. Abram Stout retired from the practice of medicine in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and was succeeded by another Abram Stout, his nephew, whose preceptor he had been until admitting him as partner. The first Dr. Abraham Stout was a son. of Isaac Stout, Sr., a farmer of Williams township, Northampton county, Pennsyl-


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vania, until his death at the age of eighty years, and a grandson of Jacob Stout, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, who came to the United States, settled in Williams township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and founded a family.


Franklin C. Stout, son of Dr. Abram Stout, grandson of Isaac Stout, and great-grandson of Jacob Stout, the founder, was born in Graceland, Maryland, March. 9, 1837, but when a child was brought to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the Moravian Parochial School at Bethlehem, and Naza- reth Hall, Nazareth, Pennsylvania, completing the courses of both institu- tions. He entered business life in 1873 as an employee of the Beaver Brook Coal Company, and for forty-five years has been continuously in the service of that company, being now its treasurer. The old company name has ceased to exist, but the business which is now conducted as the Charles M. Dodson Coal Company is the same. Mr. Stout was elected treasurer, having worked his way upward from the bottom.


In 1862, Mr. Stout enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel J. C. Frick, of Pottsville, and served nine months, seeing hard and active service. In 1863, when General Lee invaded Pennsylvania, Mr. Stout recruited a company of ninety day men, to repel the invader, marching with them at the call, which reached him while in church. Before nightfall he had gathered his com- pany and was on his way with them to the front. He has been very suc- cessful in all his business undertakings, and is one of Bethlehem's solid, sub- stantial, and highly esteemed citizens, and a devoted member of the Mora- vian church.


Mr. Stout married, June 10, 1864, Clara O. Clewell, daughter of Philip Clewell, of Schoeneck, a Moravian settlement north of Nazareth, Pennsyl- vania. Children : I. Robert Paul, killed in an explosion at the Bethlehem Steel Company, he at that time being forty-six years of age; he married Emma W. Walle, and they had two sons: i. Robert Paul, Jr., who served as first lieutenant in the United States army, in World War, participated in the bat- tle of Argonne Forest, severely wounded in right shoulder and left arm, but after recovering was again in active service, later being assigned to Paris, where he is attending the University of Serbonne, pursuing French and law courses; he is a graduate of Harvard, and a practicing attorney. ii. Frank Walle, who served as second lieutenant in the United States army, in World War, serving at Fort Sheridan, Austin, Texas, and Galveston, Texas, where he was medical student drill officer; after the armistice returned to Austin, Texas, then was transferred to Hoboken, New Jersey, from there was sent to Camp Merritt, where he was a receiving officer of men returning from over- seas service. 2. Louis Frederick, died at the age of seven years.


WILLIAM HENRY REPSHER --- Now little more than past the prime of life, Mr. Repsher reviews a life of unusual activity eventually crowned with abundant success. William H. Repsher was born at Butztown, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, midway between Easton and Bethlehem, December 3, 1860, son of Joseph D. and Anna Matilda (Buss) Repsher. Joseph D. Rep- sher was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania; his wife near Farmersville, Northampton county. In early days he was a boatman on the canal, but when war broke out between the States he enlisted in the Union army, and on October 19, 1864, was killed at the battle of Cedar Creek in the Shenan- doah Valley of Virginia. He served under Gen. Philip Sheridan. and a valued memento in the family is a letter written the day before he was killed.


Joseph D. Repsher left three children, and by pluck and hard work the bereaved wife kept her family together. The struggle was a hard one, and once she took the children to the county infirmary and left them, coming the following Sunday to visit. She asked permission to take the children for


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a walk, and when out of sight hurried away, never bringing them back. The children were: William Henry, of whom further; Samuel, who is yet a resi- dent of Bethlehem; Mary Etta, who married Joseph Kretzer, of Freemans- burg, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Repsher died in Bethlehem, aged forty-six years, a woman of rare devotion and force of character.


William Henry Repsher was a lad of but six and one-half years when he began earning a few pennies daily to help his mother provide for the other children. He secured a job on the canal as a mule driver, and until he was seventeen years of age he was employed on the canal in some capacity. He grew up a strong, healthy lad, very industrious and of steady habits. . He finally quit the canal and spent a year in farm work; then began learning the milling business at Freemansburg, Pennsylvania. He was to receive fifty dollars yearly with his board while learning, and for a time he held on to the place, but afterwards he went to South Bethlehem and entered the employ of the Bethlehem Iron Company. He worked for that company at various times, the pay then being one dollar and five cents daily for labor, and work not always plentiful. He finally saved enough money to buy a team, which he at once put to work on the towpath of the canal. This was a common practice for team owners during the summer months, the teams being used for other purposes after the canal closed in the winter. From the canal the young man went to the railroad as a section hand, working first for the Lehigh Valley, then going to the New Jersey Central. He next was a rail driller at the Bethlehem Iron Works. then boated on the Morris and Essex canal for one season, then returned to the iron works. This brought him to the age of twenty-one years, and that year he located in Jersey City, and for a season boated on the Raritan canal across New Jersey to the Delaware, and on the Erie canal across New York from Albany to Buffalo. He then returned to Bethlehem, where he was employed in a brick yard, and was later hired by Mrs. M. B. Hoffis, of the Eagle Hotel, and while there embarked on a business venture which promised well but which resulted badly. Mrs. Hoffis financed the purchase of a bunch of hogs, Mr. Repsher agreeing to feed and market them for one-half the profits. But the hogs were attacked by a fatal disease, and there were no profits to divide. From the hotel he went to the zinc works, where he remained for one year, followed by four years as lineman with the Bethlehem Electric Light Company.


The varied experiences through which he had passed had sharpened his wits and he was keenly alive to any opportunity. Occasion presented itself to him in Bethlehem, and while it looked small it was the foundation of his fortune and has only recently been abandoned. This was the gathering of ashes from all the houses he could get to give ashes to him at a weekly cost of ten cents. He secured a great number of patrons, bought a horse and wagon for the work, and did a profitable business. He expanded, hired help, and this led to contracts with the borough for the removal of garbage. This business grew into a profitable and important one, which he long continued. With his business well founded and profitable, he sought other lines of enter- prise, and about 1889 established a coal and wood yard which he developed into a large and profitable retail coal and wood business. In this undertak- ing he was assisted by his sons, but they went to the war at the call of their country, and in addition help became so difficult a problem that Mr. Repsher in April, 1918, sold out his coal business and retired, having previously given up his garbage contracts. On February 6, 1919, he rebought the business on account of his three sons returning from the battlefields of France, and they now operate the same.)


Mr. Repsher has the right to review his career with pride, for he has won success from most discouraging circumstances, and today is one of the substantial men of his community. ( He has been too much occupied with business to mingle in political affairs, but he has not been unmindful of his


Amy Prunaret


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responsibilities as a good citizen. He is a member of Holy Infancy Roman Catholic Church; the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Loyal Order of Moose. He has won his success fairly, has wronged no man, and is well liked and respected.


Mr. Repsher married (first) in November, 1884, Catherine Reagan, who died November 21, 1907, daughter of Patrick and Mary Reagan. They were the parents of thirteen children: I. Joseph W. 2. William, married Cath- erine Auer, and has three children: William Henry; Mary, married Adam Reiner; and Anna, married William Burns. 3. John Thomas, unmarried, was with the American Expeditionary Forces in France. 4. Thomas John, unmarried, served with the American Expeditionary Forces in France. 5. Robert J., was also in France. 6. Mary. 7. Catherine. 8. Agnes. 9. James. 10. William Henry. II. Helen. 12. Lizzie, deceased. 13. A boy who died in infancy. Mr. Repsher married (second), April 4, 1908, Bridget O'Horn, daughter of John and Margaret O'Horn, both of whom were born in Ireland and both deceased. Of second marriage seven children were born: Mildred, died at the age of one year ; Margaret, Clement, Paul, Edward, Charles, and Wilfred. The family are all members of the Holy Infancy Roman Catholic Church. The family home is at No. 311 East Fourth street, and Mr. Repsher is exceedingly fond of that home and is deeply interested, as all parents are, in the welfare of his large family of sons and daughters.




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