USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III > Part 39
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George Washington (2) Turner was born in Chemung county, New York, where he engaged in farming until forty-five years of age, then became a hotel proprietor, and is now living retired in the city of Elmira, New York. He married Mary Ellen Griggs, of Chemung county, New York, daughter of Elliott and Ellen Griggs. Mr. and Mrs. Turner were the parents of eight children: Adelaide, married Robert Boeitker, of Elmira, New York; Mabel, married W. R. Smith, of San Francisco, California; George Elliott, of fur- ther mention ; Elias R., of Elmira, New York, married Sarah Updike; Joseph R .; Jennie Updike; David B., now an enlisted soldier, serving with the United States Marines ; and Catherine A.
George Elliott Turner, eldest son of George Washington (2) and Mary Ellen (Griggs) Turner, was born in the village of Jericho, Chemung county, New York, April 5, 1880, and there spent his youth, attending the district schools and helping on the farm. He left school at the age of fourteen, and during the next four years continued a farm worker, then at the age of eighteen started out to make his way in the world. He secured a position with the Lehigh Valley Railroad in the department of signals between Sayre, Pennsylvania, and Buffalo, New York, and for two years was in that employ, then for one year worked on a farm near Rochester, New York. From the farm he went to Elmira, New York, and for three years was there employed by the Street Car Company, in different capacities, in the car barn, as motor- man, conductor, and general repairman. For the next two years he was with the same company as electric light lineman, then was advanced to the position of general foreman at Elmira, holding that post for three years. From Elmira he went to Newburgh, New York, as construction foreman of a transmission line of the Central Hudson Gas & Electric Company, remain- ing there one year. He spent the next eight months at Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts, as chief patrolman of the Connecticut River Transmission Com-
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pany, then returned to the Central Hudson Gas & Electric Company at New- burg, remaining with that company as foreman of construction until 1912, in which year he became foreman of transmission and construction for the Pennsylvania Utilities Company, holding this until October, 1917, when he was promoted to the post of chief engineer, which he is now most efficient- ly filling. He has literally worked his way upward from the bottom of the ladder of success, and by sheer merit and worth has thus far ascended. He has come far for so young a man, and for him the future holds brilliant promise. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, is an ardent Demo- crat, holds fraternal membership in the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 145; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 121; Knights of Pythias, Manor Lodge; Noble Order of Equines Stable, No. 1 ; all Easton bodies of which Mr. Turner is a popular member.
Mr. Turner married, in Elmira, New York, June 8, 1903, Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Mrs. Catherine (Brown) Lovejoy, of Elmira.
PAUL TRUMBOWER-Paul Trumbower, who is the owner of a spa- cious and well equipped up-to-date garage in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, and is rapidly developing a substantial automobile business throughout North- ampton county for the "Dodge" car in which he specializes, comes of one of the pioneer families of Bucks county, Pennsylvania. His father was jus- tice of the peace in Bucks county for twenty-five years, and his grandfather held like office in the same county for forty-seven years.
Paul Trumbower was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1891, the son of Aaron R. Trumbower, and grandson of Henry T. Trum- bower, all of Bucks county, in the early history of which the family has promi- nent place. Henry T. Trumbower followed agriculture, tilling the ancestral acres. He was a man of strong character and undeviating uprightness, and held the respect of the community to such an extent that for forty-seven years he held the responsible post of justice of the peace. His son, Aaron R. Trum- bower, father of Paul Trumbower, was born May 27, 1857, and to an extent in early life followed agricultural pursuits. He is still alive, and has for many years been actively engaged in substantial lumber business. He also is partner with his son in the automobile enterprise now being developed. For twenty- five years Aaron R. Trumbower was justice of the peace in Bucks county, and took a prominent part in the local activities of the Democratic party.
Paul Trumbower was given a very good education, starting in the pub- lic school, and continuing in the high school, after graduating from which he took the collegiate course at Perkwaen Seminary. Entering industrial life, he served an apprenticeship of four years as machinist in the shops of the Bethlehem Steel Company. For eighteen months he was manager of the Quakertown & Delaware River Railroad. In 1915, attracted by the prospects of success in the automobile field, he bought the garage he now operates from S. L. Stevens. It is a splendid building of brick, two stories high, one hundred and thirty by forty-two feet, and is equipped with up-to- date tools, so that all repair work may be expeditiously executed. And the garage, which has capacity for twenty-five cars, is also used by Mr. Trum- bower in his new car business, he being the local representative for the "Dodge" car. Mr. Trumbower is an optimistic, active and aggressive man of business, and is succeeding well. His father also is interested in the auto- mobile business, although obviously at his age he could not be expected to take as aggressive a part in the business as does the younger partner. How- ever, between them, quite a promising business has been established. Paul Trumbower is, like his father, a Democrat, but he does not appear to have taken active part in politics. He has held no office, and probably finds that the demands of his own business take most of his time. Religiously, Mr. Trumbower is a Lutheran, and a supporter of the local church. Frater-
Charles A. porter
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nally, he is identified with the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of Saucon Lodge, No. 469. He also belongs to the Local Lodge of Modern Woodmen.
On June 21, 1915, Paul Trumbower married Lottie, daughter of Titus and Mary Ruch, of Hellertown, a well known family of that place, whose record has been already written for inclusion elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Trumbower have one child, Titus, who was born March 28, 1917, at Hellertown.
ADOLPH FISCHER-Among the newcomers of Easton's florists, Adolph Fischer brought expert skill and knowledge to his American busi- ness, having been trained under the direction of his father, a leading florist. The Fischer establishment at Easton includes 35,000 square feet under glass at the greenhouses on Twenty-fourth street and Ealer avenue, and a store for the sale of plants and cut flowers a No. 5 Center square. Adolph Fischer, son of Conrad and Augusta (Boeck) Fischer, was born at Pirna, on the river Elbe, Saxony, Germany, January 25, 1885, and there obtained a good edu- cation. He was taught the florist business most thoroughly by his father, and to that practical training he added the knowledge obtained from books on botany and the culture of plants and flowers. He remained with his father in his large floral gardens and greenhouses until 1908, becoming thor- oughly skilled both in flower culture and business methods, by which profit is derived from the products which skill and knowledge have caused to grow and bloom. In 1908 the younger Mr. Fischer came to the United States, arranging that his passage across be paid for in labor. He arrived in Phila- delphia, and there spent four years, at the end of which period he came to Easton. He was first employed by florists of the city, but gradually he built up a business of his own which he formally opened in 1915. He has won a generous patronage, and has prospered abundantly.
Mr. Fischer married Sophia Grove Schanz, daughter of Louis Schanz, of College Hill, Easton. She was born in Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany, and they are the parents of a son, Ludwig, who was educated in the Easton pub- lic schools and is now associated with his father in the floral business, having charge of the store. The family home is a part of the greenhouse property which Mr. Fischer purchased in 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer are members of the Lutheran church.
CHARLES A. PORTER-When the Rosendale Cement Company in 1898 increased their plant at what was then Siegfricd, now Northampton, Pennsylvania, by the addition of the Lawrence Portland Cement Company, Charles A. Porter was superintendent of the company's plant at Binnewater. New York, and appointed assistant superintendent of the Northampton branch. From. that date he has been a resident of Northampton, and the present general superintendent of the company and its third vice-president. He is one of the best known of cement manufacturers in Eastern Pennsyl- vania. The Lawrence Portland Cement Company is one of the important units of the cement industry, and during the twenty years Mr. Porter has been connected with the company in official capacity he has been one of the factors in its success. He is a son of Ishmael and Anna (Mullen) Porter, his father a well known brush manufacturer of Troy, New York, where he died. His widow is now a resident of Northampton, Pennsylvania.
Charles A. Porter was born in Troy, New York, October 25, 1867, and there attended public schools until beginning business with a brush manu- facturing concern. That did not particularly appeal to him, so he started clerking in a grocery at Troy, New York, continuing in that business for several years. In 1888 he began his connection with the cement industry as a laborer at the plant of the Lawrence Cement Company, there remain-
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ing ten years, rising to the position of superintendent of their plant at Binnewater, New York. In that position he demonstrated his ability as a manager of such ability that in 1898 he was transferred to Northampton, as assistant superintendent of the Lawrence Portland Cement Company, which the company had acquired, and there he has since remained. Until 1901 he held the position of assistant superintendent most satisfactorily, then was advanced to the general superintendency, and later was elected a member of the board of directors and chosen third vice-president. He is an authority on cement manufacture, and has literally worked his way from the bottom to the top. He is president of the Alliance Hollow Cement Block Company since it was incorporated in 1903, and a director of the Allen Trust Com-
pany of Northampton. He has entered heartily unto the life of North- ampton, and since the outbreak of war with Germany has patriotically sup- ported every movement to aid in its vigorous prosecution. He is a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, holding the thirty- second degree; belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and in politics is a Republican.
Mr. Porter married, in New Salem, New York, Almena Freer, of New Salem, a lady of education and refinement. They are the parents of a daughter, Irene, wife of Stanley Lamber, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, that city also now the home of the Porters.
JOHN WILLIAM HARLE-John William Harle, of Easton, is a son of William (2) Harle, born in White House, New Jersey, and grandson of William (1) Harle, a wheelwright of Hunterdon county, New Jersey. Wil- liam (2) Harle was born in White House, New Jersey, in 1833, died in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, April 12, 1900. He was a mill worker and a farmer, employed for twenty years by Ephraim Stair. He married Sarah Ketchum, of New Hope, Pennsylvania, daughter of Samuel and Jane Ketchum. They were the parents of the following children: John William, of whom further; James T., of Phillipsburg, New Jersey; Alice, Mrs. C. A. Stephenson, of Hoboken; Gertrude, Mrs. James Thorne, died in Phillips- burg; Emma, Mrs. Thomas Sovreign, died in Newark; Lillie, Mrs. Alfred Heath, died in Lambertsville, New Jersey; Ella, Mrs. Clifford Seip, died in Phillipsburg.
John William Harle was born in Lambertsville, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, January 9, 1854, and there spent the first twenty years of his life. He was the eldest of seven children, and at the age of eleven left school that he might contribute something to the family purse. Until nineteen years of age, he was employed in a flax mill, saw mills and as a team driver, his wages in the flax mill at first being $2.50 weekly. At the age of nineteen he began learning the carpenter's trade under the instruction of Cornelius Arnet, serving an apprenticeship of three years, but did not follow his trade as a builder, accepting employment in the planing mill owned by Ephraim Stair, and for twenty-two years he operated a circular saw. For fourteen of those years he was employed by Searfoss & Steinmetz, of Easton. After twenty-two years inside working, he became an outside carpenter, so con- tinuing until 1917, when he bought his present business, furniture repairing, in shop at No. 3 North Seventh street, Easton. His residence is No. 675 Spring Garden street, a double dwelling which Mr. Harle built and owns, he also owning two brick houses on Bushkill street.
Mr. Harle married, in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, December 25, 1875, Annie Davis, daughter of Thomas and Mary Davis. They are both mem- bers of the Evangelical church, Mr. Harle a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Royal Order of Buffalo. In politics he is a Republican.
CHARLES MADDOCK-About 1845 there came to Glendon, now a borough of Northampton county, two miles from Easton, William Firmstone,
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MAMolar
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the founder of the Glendon Iron Company, and with him came George Mad- dock, an Englishman, an expert in iron manufacture. He was with the Glendon Iron Company from its beginning, and far from his English home wrought and labored until the end of his life. With him at the beginning of the Glendon Iron Company was Daniel Thomas, a Welshman. Both George Maddock and Daniel Thomas were the grandfathers of Charles Mad- dock of Easton. George Maddock had a son, Samuel Maddock, who was born in Burslem, a town of England, in County Stafford, and came to the United States with his father in 1845. Upon arriving at a suitable age he, too, became an employe of the Glendon Iron Company. Samuel Maddock married Elvira Thomas, born in Glendon, Pennsylvania, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Evans) Thomas. Her father was born in Wales, and was connected with the Glendon Iron Company. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Mad- dock were the parents of an only son, Charles Maddock, whose career is hereinafter traced, and a daughter, who died in childhood.
Charles Maddock was born in Glendon, Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, June 2, 1868, and was educated in the public schools of Easton, graduating with the high school class of 1885. Having a passion for and early displaying decided talent for music, he was given a musical educa- tion, and specialized in the study of the piano and pipe organ. Some of the instructors who led him through those days of hard working practice were: Dr. Mason and Dr. Carl, of New York City ; Professor Knauss, of Easton; and Dr. Frederick Wolle, of Bethlehem; all wonderful musicians and deeply interested in their pupil. It was not until 1890 that Mr. Maddock entered the public field as a teacher, but his studio quickly became a noted musical center, and its prestige increased with the years. He has for nineteen years been organist of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, and at all times has classes to which he is imparting musical instruction on piano or pipe organ. He is a leader in Easton's musical circle, and has a large patronage from outside the city.
Professor Maddock is a member of the National Association of Organists, is a member of the Rotary Club, and an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton. In politics he is an Independent Republican. He mar- ried, June 7, 1893, Mildred Burwell, daughter of Samuel and Fredericka (Boller) Burwell, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Mrs. Maddock is a grad- uate of Phillipsburg High School, a worker of the Red Cross and church activ- ities, and a member of the Woman's Club.
WILLIAM HENRY MOHR -- In Bethlehem, the scene of his prepara- tory and technical education, William Henry Mohr has assumed responsible position in his profession, civil engineering, and now, as the superintendent of the Bethlehem Construction Company, holds place in his profession as an able, resourceful, and progressive engineer. Mr. Mohr's connection with this concern dates from February, 1917, when he began the discharge of his duties, first as chief engineer, and later as superintendent, a relationship that, filled with busy endeavor and accomplishment, has been mutually profitable and satisfactory. William Henry Mohr is a son of Henry K. and Mary (Moyer) Mohr. His father was born on a farm near Lansdale, Pennsyl- vania, and passed his life in farming; he is a communicant of the Baptist church, and now lives retired. Mary (Moyer) Mohr is a daughter of Levi Moyer, of Hellertown, Pennsylvania. Children of Henry K. and Mary (Moyer) Mohr: Raymond L., a graduate of Lehigh University in the class of 1917, now a mechanical engineer in the employ of the Bethlehem Steel Company; Carrie, married Dr. William G. Moyer, a physician of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, now (1919) a lieutenant in the United States Armv, medical department, and has children: Stanley, Willard, Catherine, and William G., Jr .; Charlotte, married David Longacre, a farmer, of Spring-
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town, Pennsylvania; Helen, a graduate of the Quakertown High School and the West Chester State Normal, now a school teacher of Quakertown, resid- ing at home; William Henry, of whom further.
William Henry Mohr was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1890, and after attendance at the Quakertown High School he entered the Bethlehem Preparatory School, at the completion of his course in that insti- tution enrolling in the engineering department of Lehigh University. He was graduated in the class of 1911, winning first honors in civil engineering, in which he took his degree. His first position was with the Lewis F. Shoe- maker Company, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where he was employed until February, 1917. On this date Mr. Mohr accepted the position of chief engi- neer, and in September, 1917, became the superintendent, his present posi- tion, with the Bethlehem Construction Company, of Bethlehem, a position he has since most capably filled. His interests are entirely in his professional work and in his family. He is a member of the Menonite church.
Mr. Mohr married, November 22, 1913, Pearl Moyer, a graduate of the Quakertown High School and the West Chester State Normal School, and for two years a teacher in public school. She is a daughter of Abraham G. and Hannah (Fretz) Moyer, her father a general merchant of Quakertown and prominent . in local affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Mohr are the parents of one daughter, Elizabeth, born September 3, 1914.
WILLIAM W. FRUTCHEY-Now again settled on the old homestead and living in the house in which he was born, Mr. Frutchey is returning not only to the scenes but to the pursuits of his youth when, as his father's assistant, he tilled the acres he now owns. The Frutcheys came early to the Lehigh Valley, but from where there seems grave doubt, France, Switzer- land and Germany all being claimed as the original home of the family according to the authority consulted. The family was seated in Saucon township as early as 1750, and Peter Frutchey was born there in 1776. Wil- liam, Peter and Maurice Frutchey settled in Upper Mount Bethel town- ship, where William died, April 11, 1843, aged sixty-nine. He owned eighty acres of fertile land, which he cultivated, and was a man highly respected in his community. He was a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife loyal and devoted members of the Reformed church. He married Susan Allenburg, born about 1775, died September 1, 1843, only surviving her husband a few months. They were the parents of sons: Jacob, John, Wil- liam, Matthias, Peter W., Christian, and a daughter, Susan, and three chil- dren who died in childhood. Descent is traced in this line through Mat- thias Frutchey, the fourth son of William and Susan ( Allenburg) Frutchey.
Matthias Frutchey was born at the farm in Mount Bethel, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and there spent his youth. Later he learned the harnessmaker's trade and located at Richmond, Washington township, in his native county, there following his trade and operating his own nearby farm all his life. He married Catherine Reimer, and among their children was a son, Samuel.
Samuel Frutchey, son of Matthias and Catherine (Reimer) Frutchey, was born at the home farm near Richmond, Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, December 21, 1823, and there lived until 1849, engaged in farming. In 1849 he moved to Bangor, then called Ottsville, where he bought a farm, upon which he resided until his death. In addition to his farming opera- tions, he was engaged in butchering to a certain extent and was a veteri- narian of recognized ability. He died at his Bangor farm, January 21, 1898. He married (first) Susanna Richard, and they were the parents of twelve children: Samuel, who died in infancy; Joseph H., died in infancy ; John J. ; William W., of further mention ; Edward F .; Irwin, died in infancy ; Mary E., married Daniel Stiles; Amanda E., married Horace J. Miller; Emma S .;
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Valeria, deceased ; Ann M., married A. J. Nagle; Sarah Alice, died unmar- ried. Samuel Frutchey married (second) Christina Weiss, and they were the parents of four children: Violet, married Arlington La Bar; Flora May ; Ruth, married Louis La Bar ; and Jennie.
William W. Frutchey, son of Samuel Frutchey and his first wife, Susanna Richard, was born at the home farm near Bangor, now the corner of Seventh street and Pennsylvania avenue, in the house in which he now resides, May 7, 1860. He attended the public schools, then remained at home, his father's assistant, until 1882, when he established a teaming busi- ness of his own in Bangor, which he conducted for three years. He then entered the employ of Henry Kern, a public truckman and street sprinkling contractor of New York City, with whom he was employed for eleven years. In 1893 he bought the business for himself and operated it for five years, selling out and retiring from the street sprinkling business in 1898, but con- tinuing the trucking business until 1915, when he purchased the homestead farm on which he was born, and returned to Bangor. He has since then cul- tivated the old farm, and in connection with agriculture conducts a team- ing business.
Mr. Frutchey married Mary Elizabeth Peter, daughter of Carl and Elizabeth (Jostin) Peter, her parents both born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Frutchey are the parents of six children : Florence E., a graduate nurse of New York City ; Carl W., a graduate of high school in New York City, class of 1917; Margaret E. S., a graduate of Bangor High School, class of 1919; Irene C., died in infancy ; Marie A., a student in Bangor High School; and Ralph P.
JESSE COLLINS KANE-When the Chipman Knitting Mills came to Easton they were soon followed by Jesse C. Kane, their present, capable superintendent, who had formerly been connected with that company in the Philadelphia plant. Mr. Kane has since made his home in Easton, where he is well known and deeply respected. He is a grandson of James Kane, and a son of John L. Kane, both of whom were residents of Philadelphia.
James Kane, a contractor of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hav- ing lost considerable money through bank failures, decided to leave the city and settle in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, although Philadelphia had long been his home. His father came to Philadelphia from the north of Ireland prior to the Revolution, and fought in that war on the side of the Colonies. He married an English lady. James Kane, after leaving Philadelphia, located at Port Carbon, in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and there died. John L. Kane, son of James Kane, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1828, and there died in 1914. He was a bricklayer by trade, a good mechanic and a good citizen. He married Rachael Collins, born in Philadelphia in 1836, and died there in 1914, daughter of Caleb and Annie Collins, her parents both members of the Society of Friends. Caleb Collins was a son of Caleb Col- lins, also a Quaker, who settled in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, after his arrival from England, he leaving his native land on account of the persecution Quakers were subjected to. John L. and Rachael (Collins) Kane were the parents of seven children: John, died at Port Carbon, Pennsylvania, aged nineteen years; Anna, died aged seventeen years; George, died aged nineteen years ; Christopher, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, aged forty-eight years ; Jesse Collins, of further mention ; Carrie, married John Mair, of Philadelphia ; and Sarah, married Louis Zyers, of Collingwood, New Jersey.
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