History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III, Part 27

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 27


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HENRY PRUNARET-As vice-president and manager of the John H. Meyer Silk Mills Company, a corporation operating four mills, with its main office and two mills at Northampton, Mr. Prunaret occupies a leading posi- tion in the company and in the silk manufacturing business, the company's line being broad and fancy broad silks. His rise in the business has been phenomenal, considering the fact that he spent his first twenty-one years in another land, and not until 1879 did his American residence begin, and then several years were spent before he could rightly demonstrate his value. But he had been thoroughly trained in silk manufacture by his able father in his native France, and when the young man had acquired the English tongue and American customs he advanced rapidly to responsible position. He was born in Cevennes, an old district of France, formerly divided into Gevaudan, Velay, Vivarais and Cevennes proper, the last now chiefly included in the department of The Gard. His father, Henry Prunaret, was a silk manufac- turer of Cevennes, who there lived and died. He married Henrietta Theys- sier, and they were the parents of several children, one of whom, Henry, is the principal character dealt with in this review.


Henry Prunaret was born November 21, 1859, and spent the years of his minority in his native Cevennes, France, acquiring an education and a good knowledge of silk manufacture. His education included courses in commer- cial and trade schools, and his knowledge of the silk-making was taught him in the silk manufacturing city of Lyons, France, and by his well informed father. He came to the United States in 1879, not yet having reached legal age, but well informed and capable. He arrived in New York City a com- plete stranger, totally ignorant of the language, but with a stout heart and the will to conquer. He began as an office clerk with the Poidebard Silk Manufacturing Company of West Hoboken, New York, starting at twelve dollars weekly, rising through sheer merit and forceful personality through many promotions to the position of assistant manager of the company. He made no change in employer for twenty-five years, but finally, in 1906, he resigned his position to accept a similar one with the Home Silk Manufac- turing Company, of Haverstraw, New York. He most satisfactorily filled that position for three years, then yielded to the offers of his old employers, the Poidebard Silk Manufacturing Company, and returned to their employ, but as general manager. For five years he continued in that position, then


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again resigned to become general manager of the John H. Meyer Silk Mills Company, and moved his residence to Northampton, Pennsylvania, the seat 01 the company's mill office and the location of their Mills No. 1 and 2, the other Mills Nos. 3 and 4, being at Bloomsburg, New Jersey, and Weatherly, Fennsylvania. The New York office and salesrooms of the company are at Nos. 50-54 Union square, New York. The company bears the name of its founder and president, John H. Meyer, and is one of the most successful broad silk manufacturing companies of the State. Mr. Prunaret is also a mem- ber of the board of directors and vice-president of the company, his expert knowledge gained through a lifetime of practical connection with the silk business, rendering him an important factor in the company's success. He is general manager in Northampton, and has under his personal direction a large number of operatives in whom he feels a genuine interest and who have for him the highest esteem.


Genial in nature, and of attractive personality, he wins friends wherever known, while his genuine, manly character holds them to him as with bands of steel. He is interested in borough affairs and in borough institutions, his aid and advice given freely to further all projected improvements. He be- longs to lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic order, is a noble of the Mystic Shrine, a member of Zion Lutheran Church, and a Republican in politics. He reviews his American career with satisfaction, and his many friends are the best evidence that he is well appreciated and esteemed.


Mr. Prunaret married (first) in 1882, Julia Manson, born in France, who died without issue. He married (second). in West Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1808, Freda Schopman, of Hoboken, New Jersey, and they have two children : Henry (2), born in 1900, now a student of Lehigh College, Bethlehem, Penn- sylvania ; and Frances, born in 1908.


ROY L. GEEHR-Eastern Pennsylvania, the birthplace of Roy L. Geehr, has also been the scene of his business activities, with the excep- tion of a short period spent in connection with the automobile industry in New York. He is a son of Frank P. Geehr, who until his death in 1902 was a prominent shoe merchant of Easton. Frank P. Geehr was born in 1849, and for the greater part of his life was identified with the business circles of Easton. He was a devoted member of the Reformed church, a member of the official board for twenty-seven years, in charge of its choir until a year prior to his death, and between that church and his home he divided all of luis time not required by his large business. He was a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and also of the Royal Arcanum. He married Emma Kilpatrick, of Freemansburg, Pennsylvania, who survives him (1019), a resident of Easton, at the family home. Frank P. and Emma (Kil- patrick) Geehr were the parents of: Roy L., of whom further; Stanley, born in 1881. associated with the Snyder Boot & Shoe Company of Easton, Penn- sylvania, married Cora Koch, of Easton, and they are the parents of two children.


Rov L. Geehr was born in Freemansburg, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1870. He attended school in Easton, graduating from Easton High School in the class of 1897, after which he pursued commercial studies in the same city. For nine years after the completion of his schooling, Mr. Geehr was secretary to Herman Simon, a silk manufacturer of Easton, then becoming secretary and assistant treasurer of the Mack Brothers Motor Company of Allentown. also serving this form as auditor. This latter connection continued for two years, after which Mr. Geehr accepted the position of auditor of the Maxwell Briscoe Company. automobile manufacturers, at Tarrytown, New York. where he remained until. after two vears. failing health compelled him to resign. In 1007. Mr. Geehr's present connection with the Lehigh Storage Company of Bethlehem began, when he became secretary of the company.


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Upon the death of Mr. Kratz in October, 1917, he succeeded to full manage- ment of the affairs of this prosperous concern, and has since continued as secretary and general manager of the company. He has directed its inter- ests with the ability of experience and thorough knowledge, and during the two years of his administration the business has expanded along strong, progressive lines. In addition to his business activity, Mr. Geehr engages in farming and poultry raising on a large scale. He specializes in the produc- tion of fruit, raising some remarkably fine crops, while his chicken runs contain specimens of finely bred stock with excellent laying records.


Mr. Geehr is, like his honored father, a student and lover of music, and both in Easton and Bethlehem has been active in musical circles. In Easton he led the choir of the Reformed church, while in his present home he directs the music of the Sunday school. He fraternizes with the Masonic order, belonging to Solomon Lodge, of Tarrytown, New York, and he is a believer in Republican political principles. His business and personal interests have precluded his taking active part in public affairs.


Roy L. Geehr married, in February, 1902, Jennie, daughter of Adam and Kate (Oyer) Christman, of Easton, Pennsylvania, her father a merchant of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Geehr are the parents of Donald E., born March 20, 1903, a student in Bethlehem High School. In 1917, Mr. and Mrs. Geehr adopted a five-year-old daughter, Evangeline D.


WILLIAM F. BECK-At his home two and one-half miles east of Naza- reth, in Lower Nazareth township, and about five miles west of Centre square, Easton, on the Turnpike road, William F. Beck died January 22, 1919. He was a son of Henry J. and Adeline (Biery) Beck.


Henry J. Beck was born March 7, 1821, and died April 13, 1882, his birthplace the farm which his great-grandfather had secured direct from the Pennsylvanians. That old farm has never been owned outside of the Beck family. Henry J. Beck was the son of George H. Beck, who was a son of John Beck, the first of the family to be born in the United States, and the latter a son of the emigrant ancestor. Each generation head, in turn, passed most of his life on the old farm, and when life's course was ended, were buried in the cemetery of the Hecktown Lutheran Church. Adeline (Biery) Beck was born in 1830 in Catasauqua, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and died in Lower Nazareth in 1894.


George H. Beck was born in 1799, and died in 1880. His wife, Elizabeth (Johnson) Beck, died in 1876. They were the parents of nine sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to years of maturity : Henry J., Jacob, Simon P., William G., John, James, Charles, Samuel J., Stephen, Elizabeth and Salvina. All of this family married and passed to their reward after lives of usefulness.


Henry J. Beck passed his life at the old farm, and there built a new resi- dence. He married, and his children were: William F., of further mention; Alavesta C., married Milton A. Dech, who is now living retired at Bath, Pennsylvania ; she died May 13, 1917; Alan, who died at the age of two years.


William F. Beck was born at the home farm in Lower Nazareth, Novem- ber 4, 1851, and there he spent the years, until 1873. He was educated in district and private schools, and for four years taught school. He then became his father's assistant and eventually succeeded him in the ownership of the farm. Mr. Beck married, October 4, 1873, Sibylla M. Ehret, daughter of Joseph and Angelina (Vest) Ehret, who was born on the Ehret home farm, where she still resides. Her father, Joseph Ehret, was born on the same farm, August 16, 1819, and there died June 22, 1907. His wife Angelina died October 2, 1899, aged seventy-two years, five months, twenty-six days. Jos- eph Ehret was a son of George and Margaret (Ritter) Ehret. George Ehret was born on the old Ehret farm, where he died in the fall of 1873, aged seventy-seven years, son of John Ehret. His wife Margaret survived him N. H. BIOG .- 30


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to the great age of ninety-five years and six months, and ended her long life at the Ehret farm in Lower Nazareth.


In the spring of 1875, William F. Beck took charge of the Ehret home- stead farm and managed it for Joseph Ehret, his father-in-law, who at his death willed it to his only child, Sibylla M., wife of William F. Beck. This farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres is located in Lower Nazareth township, two and one-half miles from Nazareth square. The old buildings on the farm were erected by George H. Ehret in 1842. The present house was built in 1901 by Joseph Ehret, and stands on the opposite side of the road from the old farm house built in 1842. The old barn was built in 1836 by George H. Ehret, who spent his last years at the old farm, as did his son Joseph. Mrs. William F. Beck later inherited the old Ehret farm from her father. Joseph Ehret served as poor director of Lower Nazareth and held other township offices. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Hecktown Reformed Church. He also owned a farm of one hundred acres in Crystal Springs, which was sold to the Cement Company. Mrs. Beck inherited also, at the time of her husband's death, January 22, 1919, the one hundred and forty acre Beck homestead farm, about two miles distant from the old Ehret homestead, which is cultivated for her by a tenant farmer, her husband leaving this to her at the time of his death.


Mr. Beck was a Democrat in politics, served on the School Board and as township auditor. In 1902 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Assembly, and in 1906 was again the successful candidate of his party for the Legislature, and during the 1907 session served on the Com- mittee of Agriculture. For years he was active in the County Fair Associa- tion, and was instrumental in securing State aid for the fair. He took an active part in securing the repeal of the law under which poor directors received increased salaries. Mr. Beck took part in several floor discussions and did valuable committee work. He served as delegate to several State conventions, and for nine years was a member of the. State Board of Agri- culture, and for one year was its chairman. He was chairman of the North- ampton County Institute for nine years, and president of the County Agricul- tural Society seven years, having been active in the work of the last-named society for forty years. He was a member of the Lutheran church, his wife a member of the Reformed congregation.


One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Beck, Floyd W., born December 8, 1877, died January 23, 1904, aged twenty-six years, one month, fifteen days; he was a student at Lafayette College, but his health failed and he returned to the farm; he married Minnie E. Schnable, who survived him, and mar .. ried (second) Clarence P. Laubach, who now operates the old farm; they are the parents of two daughters: Marion M. Laubach, aged ten years ; and Verna Laubach, who died at the age of one year.


QUINTUS E. SNYDER-Quintus E. Snyder, tax collector for the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, since 1911, when he succeeded his father to the office, comes of a family long associated with Northampton county, in its public and industrial affairs. The Snyder family in its various branches have been in Northampton county for at least three generations, and were among the pioneers of its development.


Quintus E. Snyder was born in South Bethlehem, February 6, 1869, the son of Stephen A. and Elizabeth (Gibbons) Snyder. His father, Stephen A. Snyder, was born in Northampton county, in 1839, and lived a life full of activity in public affairs until 1911. He was in office until his death; was a Democrat of the staunch, unbending, old type, his firm character and polit- ical integrity bringing him many responsible offices during his lifetime. He was popular and highly regarded in his district, and was held in the office of assessor for twenty-five years, and for the last five years of his life he was


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tax collector for the city. It is not known to the present chronicler whether Quintus E. Snyder comes of Revolutionary stock, or whether his immediate line holds veterans of national service during the Civil War, but through his wife his line is linked with that of men who were soldiers of the Union dur- ing the Civil War. Two uncles of his wife, Charles E. Graves and John J. Graves, gave distinguished service during the struggle; both were sharp- shooters, and both were slightly wounded. John J. Graves is now secretary of the Grand Army of the Republic of New York State, and his son, Walter Ross Graves, is a senator of that State, being elected to the Senate after a long and notable term as assemblyman. The children of Stephen A. and Elizabeth (Gibbons) Snyder were: Susan E., who married William Osborne, ยท of New York City, and has two children; Annie, who is unmarried, and lives in Bethlehem ; DeWitt, now of Ballston Springs, New York State, who mar- ried Jeannette Herrick, of New York; Ida, who died in infancy ; and Quintus E., of whom more hereafter.


Quintus E. Snyder received his elementary education in the public schools of his native place, his parents afterwards sending him to Allentown, Pennsylvania, for higher collegiate preparation in the Muhlenburg Prepara- tory School of that place. From that institution he eventually graduated, but then decided to terminate his school days, and enter business life without delay. He was of mechanical bent, and his father agreed to his being appren- ticed to engineering. Some years later, he was given supervision of the engi- neering plant of H. W. Draper, of Albany, New York. There he remained for twelve years, returning then to Bethlehem to assist his aged father in the duties of the office of tax collector. As deputy tax collector he assisted his father until the latter's death, which occurred in 1911. He was then offered the collectorship, and as such has since been part of the city admin-


istration. Like his father, Quintus E. Snyder has always firmly adhered to the Democratic party in national politics, and on the election boards of his district has served the party well. He is also identified with many of the leading fraternal organizations ; is an Elk, member of Lodge 1209, Bethlehem ; is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he be- came associated while at Albany, New York; is a member of the Bethlehem lodge of Knights of Pythias; and also of the Bethlehem Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose. Religiously, he is a member of the Lutheran church, attending St. Peter's Church at Bethlehem.


Mr. Snyder married, February II, 1890, at Albany, New York, Anna, daughter of John S. and Anna (Graves) Charter, of that place. Mrs. Sny- der was only an infant when her father died, but her mother is still living, and of late years has resided with her daughter and son-in-law in Bethlehem. The children of Quintus E. and Anna (Charter) Snyder are: I. Charles Stephen, born November 4, 1890; received an excellent education, passing through the common and preparatory schools and then entering Lehigh University, from which he was graduated in due course; he entered the pro- fession of civil engineering with encouraging prospects, but the national call to arms in 1917 found him ready and eager to transfer his service and his technical knowledge to the nation; he became a member of the Twenty-third United States Engineers, which was early in France, and bore the brunt of much of the earlier fighting; when last heard from he was a sergeant in Company C of that regiment, and although his regiment has been assigned to many of the more hazardous tasks at the front that have fallen within the scope of the work of the Engineer Corps, and his parents had many anx- ious moments of suspense during the terrific last one hundred days of the war, it is believed that he was still alive when the fighting terminated in November. 2. Anna Evelyn, born July 22, 1893, at Albany, New York, mar- ried Henry R. Cox, also a graduate of Lehigh University, and now a respon- sible official of the Bethlehem Steel Company; they live in Bethlehem, and a child, Evelyn A., was born to them on January 30, 1916.


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DR. FRANK J. EDELMAN-A veterinary surgeon, Dr. Edelman is widely known as one skilled in his profession, and in public life as the capable burgess of the borough of Bath, Pennsylvania, an office into which he was inducted in the spring of 1918. He is a son of William and Amelia Edelman, his father born in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, a farmer, member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and a Republican in politics, who died in 1914. His widow, Amelia, survives him at the age of seventy-five years. Willliam and Amelia Edelman were the parents of four sons and six daughters, nine of these children yet living: Ella, married a Mr. Rossmiller; Sarah, married R. A. Freeman; Ida, married James Delong; Saville, married John Schlegel; Ger- trude, married George Ludlum ; Florence, married Samuel H. Kunkel; How- ard, married Alice Lichtenwalter; George; Frank J., of further mention ; and Victor, married Mabel McAllister.


Frank J. Edelman was born at the home farm near Nazareth, North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1879. He attended the district school, and a school in Bath, Pennsylvania, his teachers in the latter place being Asa McIlhaney and George Humbert. At the age of sixteen, after obtaining his father's permission, he accompanied an older sister to Chicago, and there made his home and greatly improved his educational standing. After completing high school study he began the study of pharmacy and clerked in a drug store four years. He then entered a department of the Northwestern Uni- versity of Chicago, whence he was graduated in pharmacy, 1900. He con- tinued a drug clerk in Chicago for ten years, then moved to North Dakota, and opened a drug store in Battineau. Later he conducted a drug store at Rollo, North Dakota, continuing until 1913, when he returned to Chicago, and became a student in the Chicago Veterinary College. He was graduated D.V.M., class of 1916, and at once returned to his native State and opened an office in Bath, Northampton county, where he is now in successful prac- tice as a veterinarian.


Dr. Edelman is a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with Dunseith Lodge, No. 99, North Dakota, until joining with Manoquesy Lodge, No. 413, Bath, Pennsylvania, by demit. Member of the Easton Forest, No. 35, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Through the generosity of Edelmans in relieving the United Evangelical church of its debt by canceling a mortgage held against it, the church has since been known as the Edelman Memorial, and of that church Dr. Edelman is a member. He is a member of the Republican party, and he was elected burgess of Bath in 1918.


RUSSELL J. MORRISON-Although established in business, and with a family depending upon him, Russell J. Morrison, of Easton, answered his country's call, and from July 19, 1918, until honorably discharged December 18, 1918, was in the United States naval service, stationed at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Washington, the base for the Pacific fleet of United States war vessels. He is an electrical contractor of Easton, a man of skill, with knowl- edge of electricity and its varied uses. He is a grandson of Samuel Morrison, who canie from Scotland, and in 1852 settled at Glendon, near Easton, Pennsylvania.


John C. Morrison, son of Samuel Morrison, was born in Hokendauqua Pennsylvania, and was educated in the public schools of Coledale, his parents moving to these villages after their coming to Glendon. He was variously employed in his younger years, but finally he entered railroad employ and became a locomotive engineer, serving the Lehigh Valley railroad in that capacity for thirty-one years. He married Margaret Evans, daughter of John Evans, of Welsh birth and parentage. John Evans came to the United States with his wife and eight children, in 1865, locating in Hazleton, Penn- sylvania. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Morrison were the parents of two children: Russell J., of further mention; and Florence S.


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Russell J. Morrison, only son of John C. and Margaret (Evans) Morri- son, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1889. He was educated in the public schools of Easton and Lehighton, finishing in the Lehighton High School. At the age of sixteen years he began electrical work with the Ill & Ill Company, continuing with that company for five years. In 1910 he engaged in business for himself as an electrical contractor and dealer in electrical supplies, locating his store at No. 467 Northampton street. He found his venture a successful one, and in June, 1915, he moved to a better location at No. 646 Northampton street, where he continues at this date, 1919. He is a skilled electrician and finds abundant demand for his services. Mr. Morrison enlisted in the United States Navy, July 19, 1918, and was at once assigned to duty at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Washington, as an electrician with non-commissioned rank. He continued in the service there until mustered out, December 18, 1918, when he returned to Easton, reaching home on Christmas Day. The signing of the armistice cut short his naval service, but he performed every required duty, and had occasion required, the two millions of soldiers and sailors who did not have the oppor- tunity would have rivaled the deeds of their brethren who so gloriously met their foe on land and sea, in the waters beneath, and in the air above. After his return home, Mr. Morrison resumed business as electrical contractor and supply dealer. He is a member of Easton Lodge No. 152, Free and Accepted Masons; Easton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Pomp Council, Royal and Select Masters; Hugh de Payen Commandery, Knights Templar; Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. . In politics he is an independent voter, and in religious connection a member of the South Presbyterian Church.


Mr. Morrison married, in New York City, April 17, 1909, Nellie Rake, of Easton, daughter of George Rake, of Easton.


MICHAEL ALOYSIUS McNAMARA-Eighty-six years ago, in 1833, Cornelius McNamara first saw the light of day in County Limerick, Ireland. About 1838, Elizabeth Dinan was born in County Clare, Ireland. This boy and girl, when young, came to the United States, met in Easton, Pennsylvania, and were there married. The wife died in Bethlehem, leaving nine children ; but Cornelius, the father, is still active, and in his appearance gives little evidence of the weight of years he is carrying. He is living in Bethlehem, long since retired from active duty, but during all the industrious years of his life he was a mechanic in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Com- pany. Children of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Dinan) McNamara: John, a railroad man until his death; Patrick, a railroad employee until 1916, when he entered the employ of the Bethlehem Steel Company, married Sarah Maxwell, and they are the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are living ; Thomas, a railroad man all his life and for fourteen years a member of South Bethlehem borough council, married Mary McFadden, of Bethle- hem; James, unmarried, a railroad employee all his life and a resident of Bethlehem; Dennis, a railroad man residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Cornelius, unmarried, a resident of Bethlehem; Elizabeth, married John Mc- Fadden, manager in charge of the open hearth department of the Bethlehem Steel Company ; Robert, an employee of the Bethlehem Steel Company, mar- ried Almeda Snyder; Michael A., of further mention.




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