USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III > Part 33
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Charles Carson Schirner, son of Dr. John C. F. and Anna M. (Seip) Schirner, was born in Tamaqua, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1854, and was there educated in the public schools. After leaving school he chose the trade of pattern-maker as his life work, and after serving a long apprenticeship, went to Philadelphia where he spent ten years engaged at his trade. He then spent three years at Phoenixville as foreman of the pattern-making department of the Phoenix Bridge Company, remaining until after his marriage in 1895. He then moved to Easton, entering the employ of the Ingersoll-Rand Company as assistant foreman. He soon gave up that position to return to pattern-making as a journeyman. Later he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company as pattern-maker, there winning the reputation of being the most skillful man at his trade who had
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ever been employed in that department of the shops. During the past four years, 1914-1918, Mr. Schirner has been engaged in the management of his own private real estate holdings in Easton, among which the Schirner build- ing is one of the most important. He erected that building at the corner of Sixth and Northampton streets in 1913-1914, with basement and first floor stores, with three stories arranged according to the modern system of tenement houses. He is an Independent in politics, and a man of high repu- tation as a citizen.
Mr. Schirner married in Tamaqua, May 17, 1876, Anna M. Alspach, daughter of Philip Alspach. Mr. and Mrs. Schirner are the parents of three children : Clarence, married Miss Schwan, and resides in Easton; Clifford R., married Miss Wright, and resides in Hellertown; Charles C. F., married, and resides in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Three children, Guy P., Roy and John, are deceased.
EUGENE ABRAHAM RAU-The drug business located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, from which Eugene A. Rau has recently retired, is one of the oldest establishments in the State. The record of this business dates to 1743, when John Frederick Otto, a physician, came from Saxe-Meiningen, Germany, and in 1745 he opened the first apothecary establishment in Beth- lehem, which was under the control of the Moravian church. The location of the store was in the old Moravian Bell House until 1752, then the business was moved to a new stone building on Main street, next to the Moravian church, where it remained until 1845. In that year a new drug store was erected by Simon Rau, on a site directly north of the old stone building. In 1863, the stone building and the adjoining store, built by Simon Rau, were razed to make room for a residence and store, respectively, as shown by the way they stand in the present day. Thus it can be truthfully stated that the original apothecary of Bethlehem has been in the same location since 1752. Dr. Otto first conducted the business from 1745 to 1764; his brother, Dr. John Mat- thew Otto, from 1764 to 1786; from 1786 to 1790, Dr. Timothy Horsfield; from 1790 to 1839, Dr. Eberhart Freytag, and it was in 1796 that Dr. Freytag purchased the drug store, stock and buildings from the Moravian church; and in April, 1839, Simon Rau, who had been assistant for nine years, became owner of the business by purchase.
For a number of years, Simon Rau conducted the business alone be- fore any other drug stores existed in Bethlehem, and he won the confi- dence of his townsmen and the surrounding country to a remarkable degree. In 1866 he admitted to a partnership his brother, David Rau, who was with his brother seventeen years as a clerk. At the same time David's son, Robert Rau, also was admittted, and the business then took the name it has borne for more than half a century, Simon Rau & Company. Robert Rau was not only a skilled druggist, but was also a musician of high order, who both arranged and composed music. He was gifted with a fine tenor voice, and was a member of the musical organizations of the Moravian church. His literary pursuits have left various valuable papers which have been read before the Moravian Historical Society, Pennsylvania Historical Society, Pennsylvania German Society, and he was one of the founders of the Bethlehem Club. He had a very affable disposition, and in his business relations made many friends.
In 1865, Eugene A. Rau, the last of the name to retain his connection with the business, and son of Simon Rau, entered the store, but not until 1870 was he admitted to a partnership. David Rau died in 1879, and ten years later, in 1889, Simon Rau retired. Robert and Eugene A. Rau, cousins, continued the business, and after the death of Robert Rau, in 1906, Eugene A. Rau continued the business with Charles N. Lochman, until April 1, 1913, when Eugene A. Rau retired from the firm, and his stock interest was pur-
Eugene A-Claus
Simon Rau
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chased by Frank P. Miller, the old name being retained, a name it has borne since 1866, a period of fifty-three years. Robert Rau, Eugene A. Rau, Charles N. Lochman and Frank P. Miller are all graduates of the Philadelphia Col- lege of Pharmacy, and all worked as clerks in the store prior to becoming partners. They were not only skilled pharmacists, but were also good busi- ness men, and the store has always enjoyed a very high reputation. The Rau interest is now extinguished after a period of eighty-three years. Simon Rau entered as a clerk in 1830, as proprietor in 1839. David and Robert Rau became partners in 1866. Eugene A. Rau became a partner in 1870, and the last of the name continued in the firm until April 1, 1913.
Such, in brief, is the history of the oldest drug business in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and one in which most of the life story of Eugene A. Rau is interwoven. Under the old regime many preparations were made and sold in the store, which the busy pharmacist of today buys direct from the whole- saler or manufacturer, and many other changes could be noted, for the mod- ern drug store is a very different institution from the drug store of twenty- five years ago. The business is a monument to Simon Rau, his son, brother and nephew, and in all Pennsylvania it is not likely that there exists a busi- ness with such an interesting family attached thereto.
Eugene Abraham Rau was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1848, and has ever made that city his home. He is a son of Simon and Lucy Ann (Luckenbach) Rau, both deceased, his father, in addition to having been the first and leading druggist in Bethlehem, was also a citizen of high repute, serving as councilman and as treasurer of a number of societies of the Moravian church. Eugene A. Rau was educated in the Moravian Paro- chial School, early became associated with his honored father, and after graduation from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy became his partner, and after a connection of forty-eight years, retired, April 1, 1913. While the drug business has been the principal work of his life and all else was sub- ordinated to it for so many years, Mr. Rau has acquired other interests, and he is a learned botanist, well known for his work in connection with the flora of Northampton county. He is a member of a number of scientific societies, including the American Association for the Advancement of Sci- ences, New York Academy of Sciences, Torrey Botanical Club, Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, and Sullivant Moss Society. He is secretary of the board of trustees of the Moravian Seminary and the College for Women, also treasurer of the Alumni Association Endowment Fund of that institution ; a vice-president of the Free Library of Bethlehem; member of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce; member of the Moravian Historical Society ; and of the Northampton County Historical Society; treasurer of one of the Moravian church societies, and also treasurer of the Beth- lehem branch of the Dickens Fellowship. He is also a leading member of the Moravian church. In connection with his scientific and botanical re- search, Mr. Rau has prepared a number of papers and notices, the following being a partial list of subjects treated, and places of their publications : "Catalogue of North American Musci," Eugene A. Rau, A. B. Hervey, Taun- ton, Massachusetts, 1880, p. 52, octavo; "Additions to the Habitats of North American Sphagna," Botanical Gazette, IX-X, 26; "Helonias Bullata in North- ern New Jersey," Botanical Gazette, IX-X, 113; "List of Musci and Hepaticae Collected in Southern Colorado," by T. S. Brandegee, determined by E. A. Rau, Department of Interior, Washington, District of Columbia, June 6, 1876; "Revised and Augmented List of Sphagna, Musci and Hepaticae of New Jersey," final report of State Geologist, New Jersey, Vol. II, 1889; "Notes on the Flora of Northampton County, Pennsylvania," Torreys, Vol. XII, December, 1912.
Eugene A. Rau married, April 3, 1888, Matilda Sophia Klose, daughter of John Gottlieb and Maria (Spence) Klose, both now deceased. Since retir-
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ing from business in 1913, Mr. Rau has devoted himself to his botanical studies; his library and floriculture form the greatest enjoyment of his retired life. He is a man of strong character and learning, very companion- able and friendly, and he is highly esteemed by a very large circle of friends.
CURTIS ATWOOD DAVIES-While the Pennsylvania State constabu- lary cannot compete in age nor tradition with the Northwest mounted police of Canada, it is an organization built up along the same lines, and since its comparatively recent organization has compiled a record of efficiency, cour- age, daring and personal merit equal to that of the older organization. From that body, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, secured Curtis Atwood Davies, now superintendent of the police department of the city and special agent for the United States Department of Justice. He is a native son of Pennsylvania, and as an officer of the law has won high and honorable standing. He is a son of Isaiah and Susan (Frederick) Davies, his father a merchant and respected citizen of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, his mother a daughter of Samuel Frederick, of Shamokin, a veteran of the Civil War.
Curtis Atwood Davies was born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1884, and there completed grade and high school courses of study. In 1899 his spirit of adventure led him to enlist in the United States regular army, and for six years he wore the uniform of a soldier of the United States, serv- ing in the Philippines, in China, and in Cuba, or wherever enemies of his country challenged. He received wounds during the march on Jolo in the Province of Panay, Southern Philippines, again at Illocos Norte, Northwest- ern Luzon, in the Philippines, and at Laguna de Bay, a lake, the most beauti- ful in the southern part of Northern Luzon. In 1905 he was honorably dis- charged from the United States Army, and soon afterward he returned to Pennsylvania, rich in experience, and with his love of adventure thoroughly satisfied. From 1905 to 1907 he was in the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad as fireman, and during 1908 was with the Pressed Steel Car Com- pany, as a special officer. The Pennsylvania State constabulary then made a strong appeal to his adventurous disposition, which had now begun to again assert itself, and, possessing at least one of the chief requisites for admission to that very select body of men, an honorable discharge from the United States Army, he applied for appointment. Upon close scrutiny he was found not lacking in any particular, and from 1908 until 1918 he was connected with the State police in charge of detective work. A history of the Penn- sylvania State police force will some day be written in full, and therein will appear a record devotion to duty even unto death, which has never been surpassed by any body of men. Mr. Davies' record is a fine one, and these ten years constitute a period of hard and exhaustive work, done not for applause or gain, but because duty demanded that he give the State his very best. Among the captures he made were the Barnes brothers, Theodore Cohn, the platinum thief at the Bethlehem Steel Works, a case Mr. Davies went on at the personal request of Charles M. Schwab, and many, many others.
After ten years of brilliant service on the State police force, Mr. Davies resigned to accept the position of superintendent of police of Bethlehem, an appointment made by Mayor Johnson, January 7, 1918. In his new position he has met the expectation of his friends, and is creating a record of effi- ciency in office which is well worthy of emulation by others entrusted with public duty. While with the State police he acted as special agent for the government, and in his present position he also is closely identified with the United States Department of Justice as special agent for Bethlehem and vicinity. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Shamo- kin, Pennsylvania, and is a Republican in politics.
Superintendent Davies married, in 1910, at Pottsville, Mabel Agnes Kurtz, daughter of Frank and Agnes (Smith) Kurtz. Mrs. Davies is a graduate
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of the Pottsville High School, and has specialized in music. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davies are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are the parents of a daughter, Dorothy Godcharles, born April 7, 19II.
CHARLES M. LUDWIG-For forty-five years Charles M. Ludwig was identified with the Phillipsburg National Bank, beginning as messenger and reaching the cashier's desk as assistant cashier. His military service was with the Army of the Potomac for nine months, and under a second enlist- ment as a volunteer during the period of General Lee's invasion of Pennsyl- vania, under Capt. Jacob Hay. He is now retired from business cares, the house in which he is living also the place of his birth. He is a son of Samuel Ludwig, and a grandson of John Ludwig and his wife, Elizabeth (Dingler) Ludwig. For many years John Ludwig was toll taker and tender at the Northampton street bridge, across the Delaware, connecting Easton with Phillipsburg. They were the parents of six children: Samuel, of further mention ; Henry, Frank, Henrietta, Mary and Angelina.
Samuel Ludwig was born in Easton, February 10, 1816, and there died, October 3, 1849. He obtained a good education, and after school years were ended learned the carriage builder's. trade and conducted business in a plant which he erected at the corner of Fourth and Church streets, there continu- ing until his death. He married Ebejena Schmeeitzer, born June 15, 1818, in Easton, and there died April 27, 1895. Both were members of St. John's Lutheran Church, Mrs. Ludwig a very active church worker, especially inter- ested in infant class work. Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig left children, the only sur- vivor being Charles M., the principal figure of this review.
Charles M. Ludwig was born in the home in which he now resides, No. 43 South Fifth street, Easton, May 4, 1842. He was educated in the public school, and was one of the first pupils to enter Easton High School. His first teacher in high school was Mr. Potter. After high school he spent a year at Gettysburg College, then pursued a commercial course in a Phila- delphia business college, and obtained a position. War soon broke out be- tween the North and South, and on August II, 1862, he enlisted in Capt. Herbert Thomas's company, Col. Jacob Frick's One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was engaged at the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg, returning to Easton when his nine months' term of enlistment expired. When General Lee invaded Pennsyl- vania in 1863, Mr. Ludwig enlisted for three months' service in Capt. Jacob Hay's company, but was out but six weeks. He then returned home, and shortly afterward began his long connection with the Phillipsburg National Bank. He continued in the service of the bank for forty-five years, receiving several promotions, and in 1909 retired, holding the position of assistant cashier. Mr. Ludwig is a Republican in politics, a member of the First Reformed Church, and a member of Lafayette Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He served one term on the School Board of Easton.
Mr. Ludwig married, in Easton, October 21, 1880, Virginia E. Siegert, born November 22, 1840, died in Easton, October 20, 1903. Mrs. Ludwig was a member of the First Reformed Church and active in the work of her church.
WILLIAM C. LAZARUS-The progenitor of the Lazarus family origi- tially settled in Northampton county, near Schoenersville, three miles north of Bethlehem. With the arrival of Martin, Peter and Jacob Lazarus in America, November 30, 1750, the American record of the branch of the family begins. They left their German home, sailing on the ship Sandwich, August 30, 1750, and were nearly four months enroute. Martin Lazarus was the first known settler in Dryland, now known as Hanover township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, near Schoenersville, where he began farming on what is known
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as the Lazarus homestead, approximately three hundred acres of land. In the same year he learned of the arrival of Christina Reichard, who also left her German home and landed in Philadelphia, and they married shortly after her arrival, and were the parents of six children, namely: Fredrick, Leonard, George, Elizabeth Shaffer, Daniel and Martin, Jr. George spent his life with his brother Daniel and his nephew George, and followed the blacksmith trade at the old homestead. The life work of Martin Lazarus was farming at Salisbury, near South Bethlehem, and he was buried in the Salisbury Church Cemetery.
Daniel Lazarus, son of Martin and Christina (Reichard) Lazarus, was born at the old homestead, April 10, 1768, and died November 5, 1857. His life work was farming, he being the owner of the old homestead; he divided it into two farms, and erected the original buildings. He was a Lutheran in religious belief, and a member of the Schoenersville Lutheran Church, which he served faithfully as an officer. He married Elizabeth Paul, born April 18, 1776, and died February 14, 1833 ; they were the parents of : Peter, who settled in Michigan; David, who made his home in Ohio; Jacob, who settled in Allentown; Elizabeth, married Elias Houseknecht, settled in Ohio; Christina, married a member of the Schmoyer family ; Daniel, Jr., married a Miss Fox, and with her is buried in Kansas; Maria, married William Herbst; Joseph, married a Miss Miller; Thomas, became the owner of one of the divided farms, and married Anna Maria Balliet; and George, of whom further.
George Lazarus, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Paul) Lazarus, was born November 1, 1799, and died June 3, 1883. His calling was that of farmer, which he followed on the homestead. He was a Republican in politics, held the offices of school director and assessor of Hanover township, and in reli- gious faith was a Lutheran, serving the Schoenerville congregation as deacon, elder and trustee. He married Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Henry and Barbara Miller, and they were the parents of: I. Henry D., of whom further. 2. Reuben D., born March 17, 1838; became the owner of the Lazarus home- stead; married Belinda Scholl, and had two children: John and Edward. 3. Rev. George M., born May 26, 1839, died January 31, 1874, as the result of an accident; married Amanda Dech, and had four sons: Rev. Jacob W .; Newton, deceased; Dr. George M., and Rev. Luther D .; the eldest and young- est followed their father's footsteps in the Lutheran ministry. 4. William M., born October 23, 1841 ; married Amanda Shuler, and had sons: Harry, Calvin, Morris and Howard. 5. Elizabeth, married Reuben Lerch, and had children : William, Emma and Ida.
Henry D. Lazarus, son of George and Elizabeth (Miller) Lazarus, was born October 18, 1835. He married Sarah R., daughter of John and Julianne (Albright) Laubach, granddaughter of Leonard and Mary (Thomas) Lau- bach, and a direct descendant of Rheinhart Laubach, pioneer of Lower Sau- con, and a founder of one of the county's most numerous and prominent families. Leonard Laubach was born on the old Saucon homestead, April IO, 1776, and followed farming, one mile west of Rittersville, along the Lehigh canal. In religious faith they were Reformed, and members of the Ritters- ville Reformed Church, and are buried in the cemetery adjoining the church. His son John was born January 1, 1804, and died May 1, 1856, the result of injuries suffered during the building of the old Lehigh canal. He also fol- lowed farming on his father's homestead. Sarah R. (Laubach) Lazarus died June II, 1886. Children of Henry D. and Sarah R. (Laubach) Lazarus : I. Albert, married Sarah R. Rother, and their child, Eva, married Dallas Semmel, principal of one of the Catasauqua schools. 2. Bertha E., married Frank Wisser, and upon her death was survived by three children: Samuel, Anna, now deceased, and Sallie. 3. William C., of whom further. 4. Franklin G. (q.v.). 5. Victor J., married Kate M. Bleiler, and had children : Edna, mar- ried Warren Szweifle, Lillian, Elmer, and Howard, deceased. 6. Acquila M.,
Janon J. Miller
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married Eugene Bleiler, and had children: Charles, Erwin, Helen, Florence, Ralph and Clyde, deceased.
William C. Lazarus, son of Henry D. and Sarah R. (Laubach) Lazarus, was born in Whitehall township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, January II, 1863. He attended the common schools, passing his youthful years on his father's farm, and in 1880, a youth of seventeen years, began learning the harness-maker's trade at Beersville, Northampton county. He moved to Bethlehem in 1883, associating with Adam Brinker in the harness and leather goods business, and subsequently became a partner in the firm of Adam Brinker & Company. In 1918 he withdrew from this firm and established in independent dealing at No. 339 Broadway, Bethlehem, where he has since continued one of the city's successful and prosperous merchants. He has found time from his personal affairs for participation and leadership in the activities of the various business organizations of the city, and was one of the originators, a director, and for some years vice-president of the Business Men's Association of Bethlehem. For thirty-three years he has been inter- csted in the Industrial Building & Loan Association, has been a director for thirty years, and for the past fifteen years has been its president, having previously served in the vice-president's office. He is a member of the Beth- lehem Chamber of Commerce, and aided in the organization of the Commer- cial Real Estate Association and the closing up of its affairs after a number of houses had been built in Bethlehem. A citizen and merchant of standing, he has been numbered among Bethlehem's progressive citizens in civic affairs and has borne a part in the various movements that have been productive of good to the city; including the consolidation of the boroughs and the great hill-to-hill bridge project. Like long generations of his ancestors, Mr. Lazarus is a Lutheran in religious faith, and has served St. Mark's Church as deacon, trustee and elder, the last-named his present church office. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic order, in which he holds the thirty- second degree, the Knights of Pythias, having served in all its chairs during the thirty-three years of his membership; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Malta. His identification with all circles of the city's life, business, civic, religious and fraternal, has found him zealous for its welfare and diligent service, and he is highly regarded by his associates of trade, of the church, and of the lodge room.
Mr. Lazarus married, September 20, 1900, Jennie E. Knappenberger, daughter of George and Amanda L. (Lacey) Knappenberger. They are the parents of one son, William C., Jr., born September 17, 1902, who was edu- cated in the Moravian Preparatory School and the Bethlehem Business Col- lege, and is now associated with his father's business.
ARNON PERMIN MILLER-In numerous fields of activity members of the family of Miller, of which Arnon P. Miller is a present-day representa- tive, have been well known and have held respected position in Northampton county. This locality has been the scene of the business career of Mr. Miller, vice-president of the E. P. Wilbur Trust Company, of Bethlehem, and an official of numerous other corporations operating in varied lines in the region. He is a son of William Frederick Miller, and grandson of Abraham Miller, founder of the line of Saucon township, Northampton county. William Frederick Miller was born in that township in February, 1832, and died in March, 1892. His wife was Diana Catherine Reichard, whose family had long been resident in the neighborhood of Schoenersville.
Arnon P. Miller was born in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1865, and removed to Bethlehem (South) in infancy. He attended the public schools, being graduated in the class of 1880 from high school, and then com- pleted three and one-half years of the electrical engineering course at Lehigh University. Just before graduation he left college to become private secre- tary to Elisha Packer Wilbur, then president of the Lehigh Valley railroad,
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