History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III, Part 42

Author: Heller, William Jacob; American Historical Society, Inc
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Boston ; New York [etc.] : The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 574


USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III > Part 42


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Francis Patrick McGinnis was united in marriage, August 25, 1892, with Alice Durning, a daughter of James and Catherine Durning, and a native of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Durning both came from County Clare, Ireland, and are now deceased. They were the parents of thirteen children. Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis are the parents of the following children : John J., who served with the American Expeditionary Forces in France; Kate, deceased; Ellen, deceased ; Francis, deceased; Rose, deceased ; James, a student in Holy Infancy Parochial School at Bethlehem ; and Lawrence.


HARVEY WIEND FREEMAN-Mr. Freeman's present position among the progressive and successful business men of Bethlehem is one that he owes solely to his own industry and perseverance, for it had its beginning only in his own thorough knowledge of his trade, plumbing, and his determination to rise above the position of journeyman plumber. Mr. Freeman is a son of


Harvey freeman


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Irving I. Freeman, a native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, a farmer of that vicinity, active in his calling and in the work of the Evangelical church. Irving I. Freeman married Emma Wiend, of Allentown, and they are the parents of: Elmer, a druggist, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, married Florence Dawning, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and has children; Mabel, married Frazier Sassaman, of Lansdale, an inspector in an ammunition plant of Phila- delphia ; Helen, lives at home; and Harvey Wiend, of whom further.


Harvey Wiend Freeman, son of Irving I. and Emma (Wiend) Freeman, was born in Reddington, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1892, and as a youth attended the public schools in the vicinity of his home. After completing his studies in Freemansburg High School he apprenticed himself to the plumber's trade under the instruction of P. Kiernan, of Bethlehem, for four years. At the end of this time he began independent business operations, his own industry and ability comprising his capital, and during the period in which he laid the foundation of his present prosperous business he was unsparing in the de- mands he made upon himself. So zealous was he for the success of his enter- prise, and so loathe to incur any expenses that might be avoided, he walked back and forth between his home and his work, a distance of eight miles each way, to save traveling expenses. There could be but one result of such persistent efforts, and that is the achievement of a sound business position which Mr. Freeman, as a young man, enjoys. He employs at times as many as thirty men, and throughout the city is known as a capable and reliable business man. The prompt service and high grade of workmanship that so increased the demand for his services he has maintained throughout his force, and this is the stronghold of his secure position in popular favor .- Mr. Free- man is a communicant of St. John's Evangelical Church.


Mr. Freeman married Mabel May Beahm, daughter of Mel Beahm, and they are the parents of Gladys Lincoln Freeman.


TITUS M. RUCH-Christian Ruch, the first of the family of whom we have record, was born January 7, 1748, and died December 10, 1827, aged seventy-nine years, ten months, twenty-six days. He emigrated from White- hall township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, to Lower Saucon township about 1770. We find in the records of the old Williams Church that he communed there from 1771 to 1774. There is a deed in existence showing that he bought real estate in Lower Saucon township, sixteen acres, in the year 1793, also a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in the year 1806. There is a will on hand saying that he had nine children, four boys, namely: John, Jonus, George and Christian ; and five daughters : Eva, Susanna, Margaret, Rebecca and Catharine.


A descendant of Christian Ruch, one of the Alsatian founders of the family, was Benjamin Ruch, born in Lower Saucon township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1824, and died January 23, 1897. He married Mary Ruth, and they were the parents of seven children : Titus M., of whom further ; Susanne, married Uriah Bishop, of Easton, a retired farmer ; Benja- min, Jr., an employee of the Bethlehem Steel Company; Charles, died at the age of thirty-three years, and was buried in Upper Milford Churchyard ; Mary, married Edward Werkheiser, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania ; Kate, married Amos Ache, of Lower Saucon township, a farmer; an infant died unnamed. Ben- jamin Ruch, the father of these children, enlisted October 6, 1862, in Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and saw active service during the nine months he served.


Titus M. Ruch was born in Lower Saucon township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1871. He was educated in the public school of this district, attending the Hexagonal schoolhouse, so called from its peculiar shape, being the only one in the county built in the shape of a hexagon. He lost his mother when sixteen days old, and until seventeen years old he lived


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with his uncle, Edward Knauss, a farmer, who gave him the opportunity to obtain an education, and taught him the art of the agriculturist. But he craved for a mercantile life, and began his business career as a clerk in the E. & D. Moll general store in Hellertown. He remained in that employ for two years, then transferred his services to Hess Brothers in Hellertown, dealers in coal and lumber. He was in the undertaking business in Hellertown for one year, then until 1901 was an employee of the Bethlehem Steel Com- pany. Since 1901 he has conducted the millinery and furnishing store in Hellertown which was formerly conducted by Mrs. Susan Reihman, his mother-in-law.


Through the patriotic service of his father, Mr. Ruch became a member of the Sons of Veterans, and for twenty-seven years has been prominent in that order. He has held all offices of Hellertown Camp, served on the staff of the division commander as chaplain in 1891, and also was a member of the Division Council. In 1905 he served as junior vice-division commander, and in 1913 was elected division commander, the highest State office the order can bestow, the annual meeting being held that year at historic Gettysburg. He has served Hellertown as school director for fifteen years, and for eight years was secretary of the board. Since 1910 he has been president of the School Directors' Association. He was a mercantile appraiser for the county of Northampton; president of the advisory committee, and for twelve years a deacon of the Hellertown Reformed Church; member of the Improved Order of Red Men; Knights of the Golden Eagle; Fraternal and Patriotic Order of America; Free and Accepted Masons; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Patriotic Order Sons of America ; and in politics a Republican. He is president of the Ruch Family Association. As a business man and public official, he has shown both ability and fidelity, and he holds the high regard of his fellow men.


Mr. Ruch married, December 1I, 1890, Mary W. Reihman, daughter of Francis and Mary (Moll) Reihman, of Hellertown. Her grandfather, Peter Moll, was builder in 1832 of the store in which Mr. Ruch is now located. Mr. and Mrs. Ruch are the parents of six children: I. Miles Roscoe, born in 1891; now in the automobile business; he married Marie Kostenbader, daughter of Samuel and Ida Kostenbader, of Hellertown; they are the parents of two children : Mary A., born in 1912; and Miles, born in 1917. 2. Lottie Adelaide, married Paul Trumbower, a garage proprietor of Hellertown; they are the parents of a son, Titus, born in 1917; and a daughter, Elizabeth A., born in 1918. 3. Bessie Jennie, married R. C. Mauch, an attorney of Heller- town, now practicing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; they have four children : Meryl, born in 1913; Charles, born in 1915; Doris, born in 1917; and Phyllis, born in 1918. 4. Ada Irene, married Howard Strohl, of Bethlehem; to them one child, Howard R., was born in 1918; Howard Strohl was lieutenant of Company M, Fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, later the One Hundred and Ninth Machine Gun Battalion with the American Expeditionary Forces in France ; he lost his life in service at Fismes, France, August 9, 1918. 5. Joseph Stanley, a student in high school. 6. Joyce Catherine, died aged six years.


Francis Reihman, father of Mrs. Ruch, came from Germany when young, and was a cabinetmaker in Hellertown until his death in 1885. He married Mary Moll, who died in 1909, she the pioneer milliner and millinery merchant in Hellertown.


FRANK P. SNYDER-Mr. Snyder's association with financial affairs in his native city covers a period of about twenty-six years, nearly his entire active life having been passed in that field of endeavor. He is a son of George V. and Sarah (Solt) Snyder, his father head clerk in the employ of the Lerch & Rice Company, and was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1875.


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After attending the public schools, he became identified with the Lehigh Valley National Bank, in 1893, and since 1916 has served that institution in the capacity of cashier. Mr. Snyder is high in the councils of the bank, one of the firmly founded and strongly rated financial organizations of the dis- trict, and capably discharges the responsible duties of his office. His social organizations in Bethlehem are the Bethlehem Club, Yo-Eddie Club, and Rotary Club, and he is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, Bethlehem Bankers' Association, a director of the Community Chest, director of the New Street Bridge Company, and one of the executors of the Gen. W. E. Doster Estate. He is a communicant of the Reformed church.


Mr. Snyder married Mamie W. Wilt, daughter of Josiah R. Wilt. They have two children : Carl H. and Richard G.


ALMER CHARLES HUFF-This branch of the Huff family came to Northampton county from Berks county, Pennsylvania, the locality there being known as Huff's Church from the fact that members of the Huff family were among the early founders of the church and donated the ground upon which the first church edifice was erected. There David Huff was born, but later he moved to Lehigh county, where his son, Almer Charles Huff, pro- prietor of Huff's music store, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was born. David Huff married Messena Deibert, born at Deibertsville, Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania, daughter of Daniel and Anna (Crouse) Deibert. Daniel Deibert, a farmer, blacksmith and hotelkeeper, had his shop and hotel at the farm, and as a village grew up there it was given the name Deibertsville. Three of the children of David and Messena (Deibert) Huff are living: Clara, married Edward Schertzinger, a jeweler, in business at Slatington, Pennsylvania; Daisey, married Abraham S. Brahm, deceased, of Reading, Pennsylvania ; Almer Charles, of further mention.


Almer Charles Huff was born at Deibertsville, Lehigh county, Pennsyl- vania (a village now known as Newside), February 27, 1869. He attended public school in Allentown, continuing until attaining suitable age at which to begin learning a trade. He became an apprentice to a carriage builder, and devoted eight years of his life to carriage building, becoming an expert work- man. He then decided to make a change in his business activity, and in July, 1894, he located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and at No. 136 South Main street opened a small shop, dealing in sewing machines and allied goods. He conducted the little store along that line for one year, his small capital gradually being increased from his earnings until in 1895 he enlarged by adding pianos to the original lines of trade. He kept the little store, inade- quate as it was to accommodate his growing business, until 1897, then moved to more commodious quarters and again extended his lines of operation. Since that year he has greatly enlarged and expanded, and in 1917 purchased the building in which his large and prosperous business was located, until 1919, when the five-story building at Nos. 53 and 55 South Main street was purchased, and the entire building devoted to the business, making the store the largest of its kind in this section of the State. His store is headquarters for musical instruments in Bethlehem, everything from a Steinway grand piano down to a ukelele there being found in stock, also the mechanical players and Victrolas. A full line of music and music teachers' supplies are also handled, and every corner of the five stories occupied is needed to prop- erly conduct the large business Mr. Huff has developed through his energy and ability. He contracts the sale of Steinway pianos in Northampton county and has the exclusive sale of other musical goods, his business being so widely known in the county that he is in a position to make his own terms with the makers. He has a prosperous branch store in Slatington, the branch being conducted along the same lines as the parent house. That store was opened in 1915, is located on the main street of Slatington, and is rapidly N. H. BIOG .-- 36


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becoming a valuable part of the business. Hardly yet a quarter of a century has elapsed since Mr. Huff opened the little sewing machine store in Bethle- bem, his rise to leadership in the music business speaking his ability louder than words. He has won his way fairly and honorably and bears the good will of all who know him either in a business or social way. His honorable method and upright life have brought the reward they deserve, and he is one of the highly esteemed men of his city.


Ever since becoming a merchant of Bethlehem, Mr. Huff has taken an active part in public affairs, and when in 1906 Bethlehem and West Bethlehem consolidated as one municipality he was burgess of the last-named. Under the charter adopted for the single city, the burgess of Bethlehem at the time of the consolidation became without appointment or election, but by virtue of his office, a member of the City Council, and was chosen its first president. At the expiration of the term for which he was originally elected burgess, he was re-elected to the City Council, and for six years filled that office and as president of the city governing board. He is one of the progressive, public- spirited men of the city, always ready and willing to aid in every forward movement. Prior to the organization of the present Chamber of Commerce, he was a member of the Industrial Commission and for two terms its presi- dent. He is affiliated with Bethlehem Lodge No. 191, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks; Lodge No. 267, Knights of Pythias; Camp No. 39, Patriotic Order Sons of America; Goodwill Castle No. 75, Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is a member of the Rotary Club, and Chamber of Com- merce, is a Republican in politics, and a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. He has long been an active member of that congregation, was for twelve years a member of the church council, and for ten years its president. When the new church was erected on Third avenue, in 1913, he was a member of the building committee.


Mr. Huff married, at Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, August 25, 1892, Annie Rosser, daughter of William and Anna (Davis) Rosser. They are the parents of a son, Ensign Rosser Almer Huff, United States Navy, born April 27, 1896, and prepared for college in a Bethlehem school. He then entered for the . scientific course at Lafayette College, and there pursued his studies until enlisting in the United States Navy, entering the day he was twenty-one, April 27, 1917. On February 11, 1918, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and there completed a special course of four months' intensive training as a line officer. He passed the examin- ing board with high honor, and was graduated from the Naval Academy, class of May 29, 1918, and commissioned an ensign of the United States Regular Navy. He served twenty-two months afloat and ashore, the former both on battleship and destroyer, and the latter in the Naval Intelligence Department. His resignation as an officer of the Regular Navy was accepted in February, 1919, after which time he returned home and was immediately appointed general manager of the Huff music store at Bethlehem, Pennsyl- vania, where he is making a success along the lines laid down by his father.


DANIEL ZEHNDER-Considerably more than a quarter of a century ago, in 1885 to be exact, Daniel Zehnder began the manufacture of brick in South Easton, and there he has converted clay into many millions of brick so excellent in quality that they have been largely consumed by his neighbors, the builders of Easton and vicinity. The plant is located at Davis street and Philadelphia road, and the output in some of these thirty-three years has reached four millions of marketable brick, while twenty men there find em- ployment when the yard is run to capacity. Mr. Zehnder is a South Easton boy, having been born there, a son of Anton and Sophia (Exerly) Zehnder, natives of Switzerland, who immediately after their marriage came to the United States and located in Easton, Pennsylvania. Anton Zehnder was an


Daniel Zehnder


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all around mechanic, handy with the tools of several trades. He died in Easton, aged fifty-six years, but his widow survived him until seventy-eight. They were the parents of eleven children: Mary, Sophia, Margaret, Daniel, of whom further; Thomas, Lizzie, Rose, Pauline, Henry, Cordelia and Kate.


Daniel Zehnder was born in South Easton, Pennsylvania, at the family home on St. Joseph's street, in July, 1859. His parents were members of the Catholic church, and sent their son to the parochial school until he was nine years of age. Since that age he has been a worker. His first employers were the farmers near Easton, for whom he did a boy's work for scanty pay. Later he was a worker in the cotton mills, and later a general laborer. Finally he learned the mason's trade, which he followed for several years, then learned brick-making, and for seven years was employed in a blast furnace, working at his trade. He next built a barbed wire plant, and was employed for seven years. During all these years, 1868-85, he had fought his own battles, and from the timid child of nine had become the strong, self-reliant man of mechanical skill and business experience. He had been careful of his expenditure, and in 1885 with capital which he had saved he bought the land, installed machinery, and began the manufacture of brick. He has been a hard worker, but has reaped the reward of his industry, and is one of the substantial men of the South Side. During off seasons he has utilized his product in the erection of buildings for himself, and has been a factor in the development of that section of Easton.


Mr. Zehnder married (first) Mary Slacer, who died, leaving a son Charles, who married Sarah Herson, who died leaving children: Mary, William and Donald. Daniel Zehnder married (second) Rachael Walbach, a widow. The family are members of the Catholic church.


WILLIAM D. WERKHEISER-Edwin Werkheiser, father of William D. Werkheiser, was born in Forks township, Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, December 15, 1842, and died in September, 1907. He was engaged as a general merchant all his life, beginning as a clerk in Easton, then establish- ing a store in Belfast, which he conducted for eight years, and in 1876 moved to Windgap in the same county, where he conducted business for thirty-one years. He was a man of energy and public spirit, serving as school director, town councilman, and an all around citizen who, until the day of his death, held the high regard of his fellow men. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran church, serving as trustee, deacon, treasurer and elder. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, and from its organization until a few years prior to his death he was a direc- tor and its honored president. He was also treasurer of the Windgap Slate Company for a number of years.


Edwin Werkheiser married Emma E. Metz, who died in 1915, aged seventy-one years. Children: I. George S., in business with his brother ; he is now and has been constable for many years; married Clara Russell, daughter of Samuel J. Russell, her father now living retired ; children: Rus- sell A., born October 7, 1900, a graduate of Easton High School, and a student at Muhlenburg College, class of 1921; Ralph E., born February 6, 1906; and Louise, born December II, 19II. 2. William D., of further mention. 3. Anne E., residing at the homestead.


William D. Werkheiser was born in Plainfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1866. He was educated in the public schools of Windgap, Pennsylvania, and Trach's Academy, Easton, taking a commer- cial course at the latter institution. He then entered mercantile life in the store of his father established in 1876. The business is located in Windgap, and is a modern general store. Mr. Werkheiser, with his brother, succeeded the father as head of the business, and they have conducted it successfully. He is a director of the Second National Bank of Nazareth, Pennsylvania,


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director and secretary of the Arvon Slate Company of Windgap, and secre- tary of the Windgap Cemetery Company. He is a Democrat in politics, has served as secretary of the Borough Town Council since 1901, and since 1914 has been postmaster of Windgap. He is a member of the Masonic order, Order Patriotic Sons of America, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Lutheran church, in which he served in various offices and as treasurer of the Sunday school. He is held in high regard by his townsmen, and is one of the strong, influential men of his community.


Mr. Werkheiser married, in June, 1891, Clara Savitz, daughter of Moses and Catherine (Rissmiller) Savitz, her father deceased, her mother now living, aged eighty-seven years. Children: 1. Harold E., born in August, 1893; a graduate of Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1915, now connected with Weaver's Pharmacy, Easton; he married Elizabeth Boehmer, of Easton. 2. Bertram M., born in 1901 ; now a student at Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, High School, class of 1919.


RAY CLIFFORD ROACH-The Industrial Engraving Company is Mr. Roach's contribution to Easton's business houses, and from its first appear- ance among the commercial enterprises of the city it has prospered and grown in importance until it is the largest engraving establishment in that section of Pennsylvania. Mr. Roach is a practical engraver, and gives to the business which he founded his close personal attention. This insures a high quality of work, and to this uniform excellence the success of his venture is due. He is a grandson of - Roach, born in Genesee county, New York, of ancient New England Colonial family. He was the father of Sabert Roach, born in Michigan, where he spent his active years, a farmer and stock grower. He retired several years ago, and is now residing in Toledo, Ohio. He married Delia Stayton, daughter of Andrew and Dorothy Stayton, who died in 1885, and they were the parents of an only child, Ray Clifford, to whom this review is inscribed.


Ray Clifford Roach was born in Dundee, Monroe county, Michigan, March 29, 1883, and there completed public school study with graduation from high school in 1900. He then perfected himself in stenography, and for some years held office positions, finally locating in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and serving a long apprenticeship to the engraver's trade. He applied himself closely to the finer details of the art, and continued in Philadelphia until 1909, becoming a recognized expert. In 1909 he moved to Easton, and established in the engraving business as the Industrial Engraving Company, and has won a most gratifying success. He is a member of the Easton Board of Trade, the Easton Rotary Club, and has taken his place among the city's progressive, public-spirited young men. He is an independent voter, and a member of Grace Reformed Church.


Mr. Roach married, January 25, 1912, Elizabeth Kemerer, daughter of Wilson and Sarah (Shock) Kemerer, of Easton, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Roach are the parents of a son, Albert Kemerer, born October 10, 1913.


MAURICE BAUMANN-When thirteen years of age, Maurice Bau- mann, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, came to the United States from his native Austria, his mother, brothers and sisters accompanying him. The husband and father had previously come to New York City, and there the family joined him. The father, Barnett Baumann, is yet a resident of New York City, having been in the country about thirty years. Barnett and Esther (Boudin) Baumann were the parents of four children, all born in Austria : Maurice, William, Fannie and Ida.


Maurice Baumann was born in Dwinski, Austria, April 23, 1879, and there spent the first thirteen years of his life. He came with his mother to the United States, in 1892, and until twenty-one years of age resided in New


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