USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III > Part 32
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Massachusetts also had its Ashtons. Samuel Ashton lived in Marblehead in 1698. He married Mary Saudin in that year and had Ephraim, born in 1700, Samuel, and two daughters. Ephraim was a fisherman and schoolmaster. and married Sarah Waldron. His children were Sam, a fisherman and mariner, who married Sarah Laskey; Ephraim, a fisherman, who married Deliverance -; and John, who went to Beverly and married Sarah Green. John and Sarah (Green) Ashton, of Beverly, had John, William Green. Betsey and Sally Green.
Philadelphia was the American home of a goodly number of the early Ashtons whose connection with the Lancashire family is quite obvious. Jonathan Assheton, of Philadelphia, was in fact born at Ashton-under-Lyne. He died in Philadelphia in 1727. In 1683 he came to that city, where he was clerk of Christ Church. He married Hannah , and had Isaac, of Phila- delphia. Isaac had a son William, born in 1732, who married (first) Marion Catherine Easterly, and had George, lieutenant of the Ninth Company of Artillery of the Regiment of Philadelphia, a clergyman and professor of chem- istry. By his second wife, Sarah (Keen) Ashton, he had Samuel Keen Ashton. of Philadelphia, who married Caroline Malinda Smiley.
Jonathan Ashton had a cousin, Robert Ashton, who came from Shipley county, Lancashire. He was a lawyer and the son of William Ashton, an attorney-at-law and coroner of the county of Lancaster. William Ashton's wife was named Frances, and she was kin to William Penn, who was instru- mental in getting the Pennsylvania Ashtons to come to America.
Robert Ashton was the recorder of the Colony. His first wife, whom he brought from England, was Margaret , and after her death he married, at Christ Church, Jane Elizabeth Falconier. They had William, who died in 1723, a prominent man in the State. William Ashton married Elizabeth Merring from the Barbadoes, and had William, a lawyer. Robert, the recorder, had two other sons besides William-Robert and Ralph-who, with their brother, established the family throughout Pennsylvania. The Ashtons in Pennsylvania have intermarried with the following families : Baker, Gayoso de Lemos (governor of Louisiana) Parrott, Pannill, Wikoff, Claxton, Potts, Gardiner, Yocum and Humphreys.
The arms of the family, which are borne with little variation by all of the name, are : Argent, a mullet sable pierced of the field.
WALTER H. ASHTON-The modern mortuary establishment now con- ducted by Walter H. Ashton at No. 31 North Fourth street, Easton, is
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founded upon the business which William Keller began in 1847. A great por- tion of the period the business has been in the Ashton name, Mr. Keller being succeeded by his son-in-law, Frank Ashton, who in turn was succeeded by his brother, E. Harris Ashton, and at his death in October, 1909, Walter H. Ashton became the owner and proprietor. Ashton's Undertaking Establish- nient, as now conducted, is provided with every modern aid to the proper care of the dead, and for the dignified observance of the last rites which can be paid them. If desired, services may be held in the large parlor attached, and every detail of funeral direction is properly attended to. Mr. Ashton has recently bought property in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, at No. 19 West Broad street, at which a similar establishment has been opened, rival- ing Ashtons of Easton in its appointments and conveniences.
Mr. Ashton is a son of Eli and Catherine (Duffield) Ashton of Phila- delphia, and a descendant of an old Eastern Pennsylvania family. The Duf- field family was founded in Pennsylvania by Benjamin Duffield, an English- man, who came over with William Penn. He married a daughter of William Watts, and they were the parents of thirteen children from whom sprang the Duffields of Pennsylvania. Catherine (Duffield) Ashton, mother of Wal- ter H. Ashton, was a daughter of Jesse Duffield, a descendant of Benjamin Duffield.
Walter H. Ashton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1874, and educated in the public schools of that city and of Easton, Pennsylvania, he becoming a resident of the latter city when a lad of fourteen years. After completing his studies he was variously employed, finally becoming an under- taker, and thoroughly mastering the many details of that business, including embalming and modern methods of caring for the dead. He started in busi- ness for himself in Riegelsville, Pennsylvania, in 1906, and there continued until the death of his brother, E. H. Ashton, in 1909, when he returned to Easton and succeeded to the ownership of Ashton's Undertaking Establish- ment. In 1915, Mr. Ashton purchased the present site of the establishment, No. 31 North Fourth street, and removed to his new quarters the same year, after a thorough refitting and alteration to bring it to the point of perfection he desired as a modernly complete mortuary establishment. He is the leader among funeral directors, and is highly esteemed as a citizen of worth.
Mr. Ashton is widely connected with the fraternal life of his city, being affiliated with Prosperity Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Riegelsville, Pennsylvania ; Easton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Pomp Council, Royal and Select Masters; Hugh de Payen Commandery, Knights Templar, all of Easton ; Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Reading; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Junior Order of Ameri- can Mechanics ; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; all of Easton. His clubs are the Pomfret, Rotary and Kiwanis, his church affiliations with Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church.
On April 29, 1897, Mr. Ashton married Anna, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Seipel, and they are the parents of seven children: Catherine, Walter H., Jr., Frederick, Earle, Frank and Henry Scott. A daughter Margaret is deceased.
MARK C. DEVLIN-Mark C. Devlin, well regarded and identified with the industrial and public affairs of the city of Bethlehem since early man- hood, has been justice of the peace for six years, and has become active among the leaders of the Democratic party of that city and district. He is a native of Bethlehem, born April 6, 1879, the son of Alexander and Mary (McCann) Devlin. Alexander Devlin, who was born in County Antrim. Ireland, in 1846, came to America when only fourteen years of age, and is now one of the oldest living citizens of Bethlehem. His long life has been a vigorous one, given almost wholly to steady industrious occupations at the
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Bethlehem Steel Works; he began as a water boy, and is now enjoying a pension awarded him by the Bethlehem Steel Company because of his long and faithful service. He is still hale and hearty, the natural outcome of a steady life, honest daily toil and good habits. His wife, Mary McCann, was of Irish descent, but was born in this country, at Freemansburg, Penn- sylvania. Her decease occurred in May of 1917, at Bethlehem, when she was then sixty years of age. She was a good mother, and she bore to her husband five children, all of whom are living. They are: I. Kate, who was married to James McCreedy, an active and prosperous business man of Bethlehem; they have two children, John and Mary. 2. Alexander, who is constable of the Fifth Ward; he married Mary Hanly, of Bethlehem, and they have two children. 3. Charles, who is a chemist in the employ of the United States Government. 4. Gerald, who during the war has been identi- fied with the United States Army as inspector. 5. Mark C., the subject of this article.
Mark C. Devlin was educated in the public schools of Bethlehem, and having there received a good foundation in general academic knowledge, he decided to follow his father and become a wage-earner without further delay. He entered the employ of the Bethlehem Steel Company, learning the trade of machinist. As such he was associated with the Bethlehem Steel Company for sixteen years.
He had, however, always been actively interested in politics, at least in furthering the policies of the Democratic party, and being by nature a likable man and good comrade, with an abundance of common sense and a logical forcible way of expressing his opinions, he grew in the respect of his fellow workers and the residents in general of his locality, and he was preferred by them for many offices in civic and political affairs. He was twice elected to the Democratic committee of the Fifth Ward; for six years he served on the Board of Health of the city of Bethlehem; and for a like period was a member of the Democratic executive committee. His popularity has been further evidenced by his elections to the office of justice of the peace. He was first elected in 1913, and has been re-elected, so that his commission does not expire until 1922.
Fraternally, Mr. Devlin is affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose, and is a member of the Bethlehem Lodge No. 535. In religious associations he is a devout and steady supporter of the Catholic church, and is active in its observances. And he takes much interest in the affairs of the Holy Name Society.
On November 4, 1901, at the Church of Holy Infancy, Mr. Devlin was married to Mary Agnes, daughter of Dennis and Annie (Sweeney) Reagan, of Bethlehem. Mrs. Devlin's father, though sixty-two years of age, is still in almost constant work at the Bethlehem Steel Company ; her mother died in October, 1901. Mr. Reagan for fourteen years, was janitor of a Bethlehem school, a post'held by election. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mark C. Devlin. They are: James, who was born on March 5, 1903, at Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, and still attending school in Bethlehem; Anna, born January 19, 1905; Gerald, who was born June 5. 1007; Rose, who was born on January 10, 1912 ; and Mark, born May 26, 1914. The four last-named were all born in Bethlehem.
JAMES MCCLELLAND HENTHORN-When a lad of twelve years of age, James M. Henthorn was taken by his parents from his native State, Wisconsin, to the State of Iowa, but after attaining legal age he came East and after a few months in Boston, Massachusetts, came to Easton. Pennsyl- ania, where, in 1903, he established the confectionery business with which his name has since been connected. He is a grandson of John Henthorn, and a son of James Henthorn, the latter born in Ohio in 1842, died February N. H. BIOG .- 32
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29, 1916, a farmer all his active years. He married Nancy Abel, who died February 6, 1916, the mother of ten children, of whom James M. was the fourth.
James M. Henthorn was born in Richland county, Wisconsin, July 4, 1864, and there lived until 1876, when his parents moved to Butler county, Jowa. There he remained until 1885, acquiring his education in the excellent public schools for which Iowa is noted, and working for the farmers of the neighborhood when not employed at home. For a part of that period, how- ever, he was in the employ of an uncle, a nurseryman of Kearney, Nebraska. He continued in the West until 1894, then came to Boston, Massachusetts, where he spent six months, and afterwards located in Easton, Pennsylvania. Here he entered the employ of the Miller Furniture Store, and until 1903 was continuously in that line of business. He then established a lunch business. He still conducts the lunch business, and has conducted the refreshment con- cessions for the past ten or twelve years at Island Park. In 1911 he opened up in confectionery, wholesale and retail, his jobbing business at one time being considerable. His place is located at No. 356 Northampton street. He has been very successful as a business man. For several years he has been president of the Easton Merchants' Ice Company, and has other inter- ests of importance. He is a member of Easton Board of Trade, and the Rotary Club; a Democrat of independent tendencies, and a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. His fraternal orders are the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Woodmen of the World.
Mr. Henthorn married, February 15, 1886, Emma C., daughter of Owen and Margaret (Kurtz) Gower, of Wisconsin, formerly of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Henthorn was one of the organizers, and is treasurer of the Easton branch of Mothers of 1917, also a member of the Red Cross. They are the parents of three children: Margaret, married Calvin Yonson, of Easton, and has daughters, Evelyn and Irma; Roy Evarts, now his father's business asso- ciate, married Anna Wagner, and has children, Elwood, James and Marian; James R., a soldier of the United States, served in Company H, Fifty-first Regiment of Artillery, with the American Expeditionary Forces in France. He was transferred to the Fifty-seventh, has been accorded three chevrons and a gold star, and served in the Verdun, St. Mihiel and other activities.
J. WILSON HARRISON-Only child of Edgar and Cora (Wilson) Har- rison, and grandson of Jacob and Alice (Armstrong) Wilson, J. Wilson Harri- son comes from old Phillipsburg and Easton families now owner and pro- prietor of the foundry and iron business known as the Jacob Wilson Estate. Edgar Harrison was born in Phillipsburg, and with his wife, Cora (Wilson) Harrison, resides in Easton.
J. Wilson Harrison was born in Easton, at the family home in Bushkill street, May 25, 1894. He passed all grades of the public schools, finishing with high school graduation, class of 1912. The two following years were spent at Lafayette College in special study in chemistry, after which he became manager of the estate left by his grandfather, Jacob Wilson, who died in Easton in 1906. Jacob Wilson founded his business in Easton nearly half a century ago; at first he made nothing but stoves at his foundry, but later did a general foundry jobbing business including castings of all kinds. Since Mr. Harrison has been in charge he has doubled his capacity of the plant, and during the progress of the war with Germany filled many govern- ment contracts and has his plant well equipped to handle a large business. In politics Mr. Harrison is a Republican, and in religious faith is affiliated with the First Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of Easton Lodge No. 152, Free and Accepted Masons; the Mckinley Club, and Chi Phi fraternity.
Mr. Harrison married, in Wilmington, Delaware, October 25, 1911, Lena Simmers, of Easton, daughter of Ellsworth J. and Carrie Simmers.
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R.J. Michael
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ROBERT FRANKLIN MICHAEL-The founder of this family in the United States came from Germany when a young man and settled in North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, and there married a Miss Kreidler, of his own race. They were the parents of fourteen children, one of whom, William C. Michael, was the father of Robert F. Michael, a leading citizen of South Easton, Pennsylvania. Grandfather Michael was a weaver by trade, and reared his large family to habits of industry and thrift equalling his own. William C. Michael was born at the homestead near Bath in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1849, and there attended public school for a few winter terms. He was but a small boy when he began working for neighboring farmers during the summer months. After his marriage to Amelia Sandt, of Plainfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Felker) Sandt, he established a home in Plainfield township and there long resided. His first wife died in December, 1899, and he married (second) a widow, Mrs. Shug, and now resides in Easton. Children, all by first marriage: Robert Franklin, of further men- tion; Edgar, residing at home; Floyd; Annie, married Fletcher Blaizer, now a sergeant in the United States Army, was in training at Camp Dix.
Robert Franklin Michael, eldest of the children of William C. and Amelia (Sandt) Michael, was born in Plainfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1873. His boyhood was largely passed in what is now the Eighth Ward of the city of Easton, and there he attended public school until twelve years of age. He then became self-supporting, his first position being in the Simon Silk Mill, where he began at a wage of $3 weekly, which was soon increased to $4. There he remained three years, his wages going to his parents. He then began learning the carriage painter's trade with Albright & Company, their place of business then being at the corner of Fourth and Church streets. He served an apprenticeship of three years, then in September, 1893, at the close of the third year, he was laid off. He at once sought other employment, and until June, 1894, was a clerk with the grocery house, Taylor & Son. He then returned to the painting trade, being employed at engine shops of the Lehigh Valley railroad, in Easton. After fourteen years with the Lehigh, a favorable opportunity presented itself, and he entered another and far different field of activity. This change was effected by his purchase of the grocery business of the heirs of Irwine Brotymeen, a business which was established about 1880 by Brotymeen & Mutchler. That business Mr. Michael restored to a profitable basis and has successfully conducted it until the present. The store is located in Wilkes- Barre street, South Easton, at the corner of Iron, and there Mr. Michael has won a large and liberal patronage, dealing fairly with all and meeting the known wishes of his patrons so far as is humanly possible. He is a good business man, sound in judgment, and agreeable in his personality. He is a member of the Lutheran church, of which he is deacon, and further serves the congregation as chorister of the Sunday school. Like his father, he is a Democrat in politics, and for four years was a member of the Board of Education. He assisted in winding up the affairs of the city when going under the new commission form of government, and has always been loyal in citizen- ship. He is a member of Columbia Lodge No. 139, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Dallas Lodge No. 396, Free and Accepted Masons; Easton Chapter No. 173, Royal Arch Masons; Pomp Council No. 20, Royal and Select Masters; Hugh de Payen Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar ; Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Read- ing, Pennsylvania; Easton Forest No. 35, Tall Cedars of Lebanon; and Tatamy Council No. 159, Senior Order United American Mechanics, in which he is senior mechanic.
Mr. Michael married, November 18, 1897, the bride's brother, Rev. Wil- liam E. Roney performing the ceremony, Sarah A. Roney, born in Easton,
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May 30, 1868, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Weaver) Roney, and sister of John Roney, whose career is traced elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Michael, with their family, reside in the old Roney homestead, No. 912 Ber- wick street. They are the parents of two sons: Joseph, a timekeeper at the Reddington Fuse Plant, and Stanley William, in his first year at high school.
RICHARD S. HAHN-For several years Mr. Hahn has been engaged in business in Easton as a tin and sheet iron worker, his present place of busi- ness, No. 236 Church street. He is a descendant of Philip Peter Hahn, who came from Germany in search of religious freedom. He settled in Plainfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, then became a prosperous farmer and head of a large family. He was a devout member of the German Reformed church, and founder of that faith in Plainfield township. Richard S. Hahn is a grandson of Richard Hahn, a farmer and wheelwright of Plain- field township, who there spent his entire life of seventy-five years. He married Sophia Bender, of the same township, and they were the parents of Alfred Hahn, father of Richard S. Hahn.
Alfred Hahn was born in Plainfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and there spent his years, sixty-two, a farmer. He married Lucy A. McCannon, daughter of Samuel McCannon, a farmer and carpenter of Upper Mount Bethel township, who was one of the progressive, prosper- ous men of his day. Mrs. Lucy A. Hahn survives her husband, and is a resident of Easton, aged seventy-four years. Alfred and Lucy A. (McCannon) Hahn were the parents of three children: Richard S., of further mention; Frederick, married Minnie Achenbach, and resides in Bangor; and Robert C., who died at the age of sixteen years.
Richard S. Hahn, eldest child of Alfred and Lucy A. (McCannon) Hahn, was born in Plainfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber II, 1874, his birthplace, the Bruder farm, inherited through his maternal grandmother. He was educated in the public schools, his first teacher a young man, Ascher Sandt. He attended school and worked at the home farm until 1892, then began learning the tinner's trade, and that of a sheet iron worker as well. His employers were Stolz Brothers, of Easton, Penn- sylvania, and after his years of apprenticeship were over he remained with them as journeyman until twelve years had been spent in their employ. In 1904 he began business under his own name, and as R. S. Hahn, tin and sheet iron worker, No. 236 Church street, conducts a prosperous business. Mr. Hahn is an elder of Grace Reformed Church, and a member of the Men's Bible Class of the church. He is affiliated with Lehicton Lodge No. 244, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Easton Lodge, Patriotic Order Sons of America ; his political faith Democratic.
Mr. Hahn married, in Easton, December 25, 1898, Ida Siegfried, daughter of Zachariah and Lydia (Meyers) Siegfried. They are the parents of five children: Lucy, a high school student; Samuel S., also in high school ; Richard F., Herman A. and Alfred Z.
J. PAUL FELVER-One of Easton's attractive and prosperous busi- nesses is located at No. 36 North Third street, and is the continuation and modern development of the bakery established at No. 167 Northampton street, in 1889, by William S. Felver, now retired, father of J. Paul Felver, now owner and proprietor of Felver's Business House, No. 36 North Third street. The old business was a bakery and delicatessen store presided over by the elder Felver and his capable wife, Matilda, to whom much of the success of the business must be ascribed. With the retirement of the father, his son, J. Paul, became manager, and after the removal to the present loca- tion, the business lost its distinctive character, and is now a general business house with its old-time features supplemented by a soda fountain, candy and
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cigar departments and tea room, all most attractively arranged for the com- fort and convenience of the patrons of the store, and without doubt the most elaborate and attractive place in Easton. He is a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and of the Kiwanis Club.
William S. Felver, the founder of the business, in addition to being a baker, was familiar with the business methods, and now, after a lifetime of honorable effort is living a retired life in Easton. He married Matilda Paul, born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, who died in Easton, in December, 1917, a most capable business woman and true helpmeet. Both were mem- bers of the First Presbyterian Church, where Mr. Felver still continues the connection.
J. Paul Felver was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1885. He attended the Easton Academy, prepared at Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, and completed his education at Lafayette College, class of 1909. For three years after leaving college he was engaged in theatrical ventures, then in 1912, associated himself in business with his father, and became his suc- cessor. He is a man of great energy, progressive and quick to grasp his opportunities. Felver's Business House is an excellent example of mod- ern business methods, and there Mr. Felver is demonstrating a fine business quality which will carry him far.
J. Paul Felver married, January 14, 1913, Caroline Stanley, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and they are the parents of two children: Lela Hazel and Charles Stanley Felver.
The maternal grandparents of Mr. Felver were William and Hannah (Heckman) Paul. William Paul was a miller by trade and the son of a miller. He built and operated the old mill at Mount Bethel, in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, having previously operated a mill in Easton.
CHARLES CARSON SCHIRNER-In part of the territory now in- cluded in the city of Easton, grandfather Schirner roamed as a boy, his home on the hill now occupied by the public library. He came from Germany when a boy and in 1817 settled in that part of Easton on the Delaware river road locally known as Schirnertown. He kept a grocery for several years at the corner of Sixth and Northampton streets, Easton, his life closing in 1870 at the age of seventy-two. His wife died in 1860. His son, Dr. John C. F. Schirner, was born in Easton, at the home in Schirnertown, on the Dela- ware river road, and was educated in the Vanderveer School. He studied medicine under Dr. Field, later entered the University of Pennsylvania, medi- cal department, whence he was graduated M.D. He specialized in surgery, and after graduation located in Tamaqua, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, 1850, where he died in 1893, aged sixty-seven years. There were no hospitals near Tamaqua in those days, and he was obliged to act in surgical cases so frequently that he became famous as a most skillful surgeon. He married Ann M. Seip, of Durham township, Bucks county, daughter of William and Anna Seip. They were the parents of eight children.
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