USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III > Part 4
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J. Elwood Bixler, son of William and Sophia (Tolan) Bixler, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1848, his birthplace No. 317 North- ampton street, then a double stone house. The original jewelry store site is now occupied by the Bush & Bull store. He was educated in the Easton public schools, and early in life was taught by his father the same trade and business he had inherited. He became an expert jeweler and in time suc- ceeded to the ownership of the business, continuing its active head until his
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David Stoddard
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death at his home in Easton, June 12, 1891. Mr. Bixler was one of Easton's valued citizens, one who took active part and interest in all that pertained to the upbuilding and improvement of his city. He was one of the earliest and generous contributors to the Children's Home, and in his will he gave the society the valuable property fronting on Ferry street through to Walnut street, five building lots in all. The original idea of the donor was that the property be used for kindergarten purposes, but it was used as a donation to the Children's Home for the benefit of destitute and homeless children. The land donated had been in the family three generations, having been deeded by the Penn heirs to Christian (2) Bixler. He was a liberal con- tributor to the support of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, the family being attendants of that church.
J. Elwood Bixler married, in Towanda, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1876, Emma Eilenberger, who survives him, daughter of Peter F. and Marietta (Smith) Eilenberger, he a son of Andrew Eilenberger, of Monroe county, Pennsylvania. Marietta (Smith) Eilenberger was a daughter of Isaac Smith, a retired tobac- conist of Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, and his wife, Elizabeth Rymond. Isaac Smith was a grandson of Melchoir Smith, a Moravian missionary to the Indian Colony, and his wife, Catherine Margaret, who came to this coun- try with the first colony of Moravians on the ship Simmins, chartered by Count Zinzendorf about the year 1770, which settled in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They had one son and one daughter. The son, John, married Mary M. Kreider, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, and from their union there were two sons, born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, one of whom was Isaac, who married Elizabeth Rymond, grandparents of Emma E. Bixler. Peter F. Eilenberger was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1815, died in 1874. His wife died in Easton in 1889. He was a prominent Eastonian, county treas- urer in 1853, and between 1860 and 1866 represented Easton in the State Legislature. He was a warm friend of the Union cause and of the Union soldier, his efforts in their behalf being so greatly valued that as an apprecia- tion the men of 147th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, presented him with a valuable cane. He was an official of the Western Union Telegraph Company, and after every battle won by the Union army he caused a small Union flag to be displayed on every telegraph pole the company owned in Northampton county.
Mr. and Mrs. Bixler's two children both reside in Easton: I. William Opp Bixler, educated in Easton public schools and the University of Penn- sylvania ; he married on June 12, 1901, Grace Ingersoll Simon, and they are the parents of four children: Hermina Simon, Grace Roberta, Elizabeth Telfair and William Townley. 2. Edith, married Henry B. Laubach, April 30, 1907, and they have two children: Elwood Bixler and Marion Edith.
Mr. Bixler, in his youthful manhood, was a member of the Easton Greys, holding the rank of sergeant. During the Molly Maguire troubles in Penn- sylvania, he was on duty with the Greys, and when laid at final rest his com- rades honored him with a military funeral. He was devoted to his home and family, a lover of music and art, a man genuinely respected by all who knew him in life, and deeply mourned at his death.
DAVID STODDARD-When in 1886 David Stoddard located in Ban- gor, Pennsylvania, to engage in the slate business, he had already won high reputation as a machinist, an inventor and telephone expert of the city of Newark, New Jersey. In Bangor and other towns of the slate belt he has operated largely in the more than thirty years which have since passed, and as the present head and principal owner of the Albion Vein Slate Company, and other corporations, holds a position of eminence in his adopted town. He is a son of John Stoddard, who came from England about 1850, married Sarah Steckle, daughter of Mahlon and Dorothy Steckle, of Parsippany, New Jer- sey, located in Newark, New Jersey, and there David Stoddard, their son, was born.
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David Stoddard was born in Newark, New Jersey, February 27, 1858, and. there attended the public schools until twelve years of age. He then began helping his uncle, who was the owner of a retail milk business. Later he established a milk route of his own, and for three years he operated quite profitably for a boy. He then began learning the machinist's trade with the Huntington Machine Company, continuing at their plant for five years, be- coming an expert worker in metal. His next employment was with the Domes- tic Sewing Machine Company of Newark, New Jersey, his service with them being as a machinist, but he also installed a system of water works for their plant. He next turned his attention to electricity, and among the results of his connection with the electrical business was the invention of a trap or device to prevent the burglarizing of safes, the device giving notice that the safe was being tampered with. This trap came into extensive use, particu- larly, in the jewelry manufacturing district. He also gave a great deal of attention to the telephone, and was rated an expert in that business in its mechanical features, and was identified with the installing of the first tele- phone system in Newark. In June, 1886, Mr. Stoddard left Newark, and henceforth his business record is part of the history of the slate belt of Pennsylvania.
On coming to Pennsylvania, Mr. Stoddard located in Bangor, North- ampton county, and in 1888 he erected the first modern slate mill in that county. His introduction to the business community was as manager of the North Bangor Slate Company, a position he filled during the three years, 1886-89. The latter year saw the beginning of his partnership with John Bennett, a firm which, during its life of six years, 1889-95, leased and operated the New York slate quarries at North Bangor, Pennsylvania, very success- fully. In 1895, Mr. Soddard with G. W. Mackey organized the Bangor Star Slate Company, and for eighteen months maintained his interest in that com- pany, then selling out to Mr. Mackey. His next venture was at Danielsville, where he leased the slate producing property known as the Big Quarry, and. the slate mill known as the Hower Quarry Mill, conducting both enterprises, quarries and mills, for about five years, when from lessee he became control- ling owner, so continuing for two years. He next invested in Pen Argyl slate properties by leasing the West Albion Mill, he then admitting his sons to a partnership, and operating as David Stoddard & Sons. The firm conducted both his Danielsville and Pen Argyl quarries and mills until 1914, when they withdrew from Danielsville, and then concentrated their attention upon the West Albion quarries. In 1907, Mr. Stoddard organized the Albion Vein Slate Company, the firm D. Stoddard & Sons being the principal owners of the stock of that corporation. Of that and other companies, David Stoddard is the executive head, his interests being very large. He has taken active interest in other than slate productions, being one of the founders and a direc- tor of the Bangor Building & Loan Association; director of the Merchants' National Bank of Bangor for the past fourteen years ; and when the great fire swept away the plant of the Samuel Flory Manufacturing Company, he was one of a committee of six, appointed by the citizens of Bangor, who secured $150,000 to finance the re-establishment of the plant. The great war worked havoc with the slate industry as a whole, and in 1917 the Venders Slate Company was formed for the purpose of finding better methods of marketing the output of the quarries of Northampton county. Of that company, David Stoddard was elected president, a position he now holds, and through his efforts he personally carried this business to Europe, establishing agencies in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Belgium, Australia, New Zea- land and South Africa, which has been of great value to their industry. He is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is neutral.
Mr. Stoddard married (first) Harriet Maria Morse, daughter of John Morse, of Newark, New Jersey. Mrs. Stoddard died in 1887, leaving six
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children : George; Mabel, deceased; Frank; Clara, wife of Thomas Brinton, of Bangor ; Harry ; and Nellie, wife of Dr. Piffley, a practicing dentist of Bangor, Pennsylvania. Mr. Stoddard married (second) Elizabeth Ann Bennett, daughter of John Bennett, of Bangor. They are the parents of five children : Fred, Arthur, Elsie, died in 1909; Beatrice M., and David (2) Stoddard. The family home is in Bangor, Pennsylvania. Mr. Stoddard has traveled extensively.
ALLEN JOSEPH CLIFTON-A veteran in every sense, Mr. Clifton reviews a life of wonderful activity which includes three years of active mili- tary service with one of the hard-fighting Pennsylvania regiments of the Union army, thirty-seven years of continuous service with the Central Rail- road of New Jersey, and present service as jury commissioner of Northampton county. He is a grandson of John Clifton, who came from Morristown, New Jersey, and died in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, in 1850. John Clifton married Gertrude Weygandt, who died in Easton in 1872. He established a boot and shoe business in Easton, which he conducted until his retirement. Mr. and Mrs. Clifton were the parents of six children, including a son Alexander J., father of Allen Joseph Clifton, of Easton, Civil War veteran and long-time valued citizen.
Alexander J. Clifton died in Easton, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1868, after a life largely spent in the boot and shoe business. He married Sarah A. Nagle, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, who died in Easton, January 1, 1906. They were the parents of nine children, including a son Allen Joseph.
Allen Joseph Clifton was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, October 21, 1843, but in 1851 the family moved to Easton, which city is still his home. His education was begun in Allentown public schools, his first teacher a Mr. Slemmer. He continued his studies in Easton public schools, and also at- tended Wood Brothers' private school held in a room on the third floor of the building on Northampton street occupied by Grant's Clothing Store. Other private school teachers under whom he studied and yet recalls were: Robert Lehman, Newton Kirkpatrick, Patrick and Robert Potter, the latter afterward becoming congressman from a western State. Around most of these and other teachers, under whose instructions he sat, pleasant memories linger, but occasionally he fell under the wrath of a severe master and full toll was exacted for all delinquencies. He continued through junior year in high school, employing his out-of-school hours in selling papers on the street and working around the newspaper offices. He was in turn printer's devil and reporter, working on the Easton Express under William Davis as proprietor. His father's shoe store was on Northampton street, the site now covered by the Laubach Department Store, and there Allen J. was employed as clerk for some time. Such were his occupations until September 10, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Company B, Fifty-first Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, Capt. F. W. Bell commanding Company B, Col. John F. Hartranft. He enlisted for a term of three years, which he fulfilled, receiving honorable discharge, October 9, 1864. His first service was with the Burn- side 'Expedition, his first battles being Roanoke Island, Newbern and South Mills. The Fifty-first Pennsylvania was then ordered to the Army of the Potomac under Gen. George B. McClellan, then fighting in the Peninsular campaign, but before reaching his destination was transferred to Fredericks- burg and sent up the Rappahannock to reinforce General Banks, but arrived too late to take part in the battle of Cedar Mountain. They retreated to Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock river, and there engaged the Confederates. From that time until the second battle of Bull Run he was engaged in many skirmishes, but in that battle the Fifty-first took active part. Mr. Clifton was also engaged at Chantilly, fought in part during a severe thunderstorm made memorable as costing the Union cause the lives of the gallant Gen. Philip Kearney and the brave General Stevens, Mr. Clifton witnessing the fall of
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General Stevens from his horse when struck by the fatal bullet. He next spent some time in Harewood Hospital, Washington, then rejoined his regi- ment in camp at Pleasant Valley, Maryland, leaving the hospital by stealth, the doctors not deeming him sufficiently recovered from his illness to return to his regiment. At Upperville, Virginia, he was detailed on provost guard to protect Christian Commission workers, then led by Clara Barton, known to the whole civilized world as the founder of the Red Cross Society, his especial charge being Miss Barton's private wagon. At Fredericksburg he was wounded in the right forearm by a rifle-ball, being struck about the same time that his captain sustained mortal injury. Private Clifton went to the army hospital in Fredericksburg, where the surgeons wished to amputate, but he refused. He then crossed the river to the Lacey House, where Miss Barton herself bandaged his arm and finally got him to Trinity Church Hospital in Georgetown, District of Columbia. After recovering, he rejoined his regi- ment at Winchester, Kentucky, they being in pursuit of Morgan, the raider ; thence to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he took part in the historic siege of that city under General Grant, thence to Jackson, Mississippi, in pursuit of General Johnson, under General Sherman, later returning to Covington, Ken- tucky, thence to Camp Park and Crab Orchard. The regiment next crossed the Cumberland Mountains to Knoxville, Tennessee, and to Louden, Ten- nessee, meeting Longstreet's forces, which were marching north to rejoin General Lee's army. After the siege of Knoxville, followed the retreating of Confederates up through Greenville, and in the spring of 1864 the Fifty-first was sent to Annapolis, Maryland, for reorganization of the Ninth Corps under General Burnside, there being but few of the original regiment left, eight hundred and twenty of the first, one thousand having dropped out, killed, wounded or missing. They were reviewed in Washington by President Lin- coln, and operated with the Army of the Potomac. They were sent to Ger- mania Ford, Virginia, and went into the battle of the Wilderness, then on to Petersburg, which was but one continuous battle. At Spottsylvania Court House, Private Clifton was taken prisoner, but made a daring dash for liberty and escaped. On October 9, 1864, he was mustered out at Waldon Railroad.
Upon returning to civil life, Mr. Clifton located at Oil City, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in the refining of coal oil until 1868, when he returned to his home in Easton. For a year or more he was conductor on the city horse railway cars, but on August 1, 1869, he entered the employ of the Central Railroad of New Jersey as car checker, and for thirty-seven years he con- tinued with that company, filling many intermediate positions up to general yard master. He then was connected with the inspection department of the Ingersoll Rand plant for a time, then was with the Lehigh & Hudson railroad a short period, afterward retiring until appointed jury commissioner for Northampton county in 1917 by Judge Stewart. At a later election he was elected for a full term, which expires in 1921. He is a member of Delaware Lodge No. 52, Free and Accepted Masons, of Phillipsburg. of which he is a past master ; Eagle Chapter No. 30, Royal Arch Masons, also of Phillipsburg ; Pomp Council No. 20, Royal and Select Masters; and Hugh de Payen Com- mandery No. 19, Knights Templar, of Easton. In 1868 and 1869 he was a member of Humane Fire Company No. I, of Easton ; since December 30, 1898, has been a member of Lafayette Post No. 217, Grand Army of the Republic, of Easton, of which he is now quartermaster; and was formerly member of and past commander of John G. Tolmie Post No. 50, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey. He is a lifelong member of the Republican party, and was reared in the faith of the Reformed church.
Mr. Clifton married, in Easton, in 1868, Mary Alice Mettler, daughter of Jacob and Matilda (Osterstock) Mettler. Mrs. Clifton died March 29, 1906. Children: Sarah Mabel, married John Salzmann, and resided in Jersey Cit., New Jersey ; Annie L .; Nellie B., married Fred Schwenk, and has two sons, Clifton F. and Paul J., the family home being in Easton; Martha Alice, died aged eight years; Paul Douglas, died in infancy.
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GEORGE F. HELLICK-When the Hellick Tea Company of Easton was incorporated in 1908, the founder placed it in the column of profit-sharing corporations, and it has been successfully operated on that basis from that time until the present. The company was founded in 1906 for the purpose of dealing in teas, coffees and grocers' sundries, and that line has been adhered to, the company operating within a fifty-mile radius from Easton as a centre. The business was founded by George F. Hellick, who had his initial training in this highly specialized business with the Grand Union Tea Company in Easton. His management of the Hellick Tea Company reflects nothing but credit upon his business quality and executive ability, the concern having met with abundant success during their ten years of corporate existence.
The Hellick family came to the United States from France, the first Hellick locating in Pennsylvania, near what is now Newburg. Little further is known of him except that he left a son, Jacob Hellick, whose life was largely spent in Northampton county. Jacob Hellick was a farmer and served his country as a major, duly commissioned in the Mexican War. Both he and his wife, Catherine (Smith) Hellick, were members of Hecktown Lutheran Church. They were the parents of eight children : Urbanus, Xerxes, of whom further ; Washington, Jacob, Reuben, Stephen, Caroline, married a Mr. King; and Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Walter.
Xerxes Hellick, of the third generation in Pennsylvania, was born at the old homestead in Nazareth township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and passed his years, eighty-one, in his native county, a weaver by trade. In the intervals of trade occupation, he cultivated a small farm which he owned. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and a man well esteemed in his. community. He married Sarah Handlong, and they were the parents of five children : Jeremiah; Elizabeth, widow of Monroe Steuber, of Nazareth, Penn- sylvania; Evan F., deceased ; Andrew A., of further mention ; Emma E., wife of Adam Sandt, of Northampton county.
Andrew A. Hellick, son of Xerxes and Sarah (Handlong) Hellick, was born in Nazareth township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1856. He married Ida Jones, both now living in Easton.
George F. Hellick, son of Andrew A. and Ida (Jones) Hellick, was born in Forks township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1880, and there attended the public schools until twelve years of age. He then began to provide for his own support and welfare, seeking employment with the farmers, and for two years working at carriage painting as an apprentice. He came to the city of Easton in 1887, a lad of seventeen years, finding em- ployment with C. K. Williams & Company. His next position was with P. Lehr & Sons, grocers, with whom he spent two years. The following two years were passed in another branch of the grocery business and in another city, J. A. Eberts, a wholesale grocer of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, securing his services for that period. His next change brought him into association with still another branch of business, and until 1906 he was in the employ of the Grand Union Tea Company. That special branch of the grocery business particularly appealed to him, and in 1906, after four years with the Grand Union, he established a similar business, which was incor- porated two years later as the Hellick Tea Company, of which Mr. Hellick is the managing head. The company store is located on Ferry street, adjoining the post-office, and there a prosperous business is transacted on a profit- sharing plan, about thirty people now being employed, although the begin- ning was very modest. The business reflects the genius of its founder, and is one of the substantial business enterprises of commercial Easton.
While a worker from boyhood, Mr. Hellick has not slavishly devoted his life to its sordid side, but has sought expansion for his finer nature in books, social life and fraternal organizations. He is a member of that famed modern organization of business and professional men, the Rotary Club ; is a member of the Northampton Historical Society; Easton Board of Trade; and the N. H. BIOG .- 21
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Young Men's Christian Association. He is affiliated with the Masonic order in 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; and Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to that strongly social order, the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and to the Easton Motor Association. In religious affiliation he is connected with Christ Lutheran Church.
Mr. Hellick married, March 28, 1905, Mabel A. Siegfried, daughter of Zachariah and Lydia Siegfried. They are the parents of a daughter, Mae Belle, and a son, George F.
JAMES JOHN QUINEY, M.D .- When a boy, James John Quiney, father of Dr. James John Quiney, of Easton, Pennsylvania, came from his native Leamington, England, finding a home at Beverly, New Jersey. There he was educated and spent the earlier years of his life, finally moving to Camden, New Jersey, where he became a successful wholesale grocer. James J. Quiney was a son of Solomon and Charlotte Quiney, both of whom died in Beverly, New Jersey, their only American home. James J. Quiney mar- ried Amanda Hancock, daughter of Capt. Isaac and Elizabeth (Sutton) Han- cock, her father a sea captain and of a seafaring New Jersey family many generations back.
Dr. James John Quiney, Jr., only child of James John and Amanda (Hancock) Quiney, was born in Camden, New Jersey, July 31, 1881. His father died when his son was but an infant, his widow yet surviving him and again married. The family moved to Cape May county, New Jersey, where the lad was educated in the public schools, and at South Jersey Insti- tute, Bridgeton, New Jersey. After deciding upon the medical profession, he entered Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and received his M.D. from that old and famous institution of professional learning with the graduating class of 1903. He selected Easton, Pennsylvania, as a location, but before beginning private practice he served for one year as interne at Easton Hos- pital, opening private offices for the practice of his profession in 1904. He has conducted his practice, both as physician and surgeon, being skilled and capable in both branches of the profession. He has specialized to a certain extent in Roentgen Ray work, and is rated one of the highly skillful men of his profession. He is a member of the Northampton County Medical Society, Pennsylvania State Medical Society, American Medical Association, Easton Medical Association. His standing is high both within and without his profession, and he has borne his full share of civic responsibility both as official and citizen. Dr. Quiney is an ex-president and an ex-secretary of the Northampton Medical Society, and present secretary of the Easton Medical Association ; member of the staff of Easton Hospital, and a member of the Easton Board of Trade. He is an Independent in politics, and for nine years was Easton's health officer. He is a member of the Masonic order, holding membership in Easton Lodge No. 152, and Easton Chapter; and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; his clubs, the Pomfret and Kiwanis; his college fraternity, Alpha Kappa Kappa.
Dr. Quiney married, September 21, 1894, Pearl Anna Norton, daughter of Coleman and Anna Belle (Scull) Norton, of Cape May county, New Jer- sey. Mrs. Quiney is a member of the Women's Club, the Red Cross, the Navy League, and helpfully active in woman's work in civic affairs. Dr. and Mrs. Quiney are the parents of two children: Elizabeth Ingles and James John (3).
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