USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III > Part 50
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Giusepp Maiorana was born in Santo Stefano di Camastra, Province of Messina, Sicily, Italy, January 1, 1879. He attended the State schools until thirteen years of age, and then was taken on board the vessel of which his father was captain and taught the boatman's manner of life and business. He remained as his father's assistant, and became so capable that he was also made a captain and placed in charge of his own vessel, succeeding his father, who retired. He sailed to many ports, trading principally between Santo Stefano and Messina, Palermo, Catania, Syracusa and Naples, his car- goes the manufactured goods and products of the various sections with which he traded. He continued a seaman until the year 1902, when he came to the United States.
He sailed from Naples, Italy, and arrived at New York City, there remaining about two years, employed as a slate roof worker. He then came to Easton and at once formed a partnership with Louis Stefano, but after five months Mr. Maiorana became sole owner of the business, which he has since successfully conducted. In connection therewith he has opened a store and office for the sale of foreign exchange. His place of business is located at No. 159 South Third street, previously having been at No. 336 Lehigh street and No. 223 South Third street. He is a Republican in politics, mem- ber of the Sons of Italy and Black Knight Commandery. Both he and his wife are members of the Protestant Episcopal church.
Mr. Maiorana married, in Santo Stefano di Camastra, Italy, October 10, 1907, Serafina Famularo, born in Santo Stefano, November 3, 1889, daughter of Salvatore Famularo and his wife Dominica Dagostino. She came to the United States, and upon her return to Italy was married, her husband having returned to his boyhood home to visit. They are the parents of five children : Marie, Dominica, Serafina, Antonio and Josephine.
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WILLIAM FREDERICK DANZER-In the year 1863, on July 28, Wil- liam F. and Barbara Danzer, natives of Bavaria, in Europe, had born to them at their farm a son, William F. Danzer, now a prominent contractor and builder, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The boy, William F., remained with the parents on the Bavarian farm until he was seventeen years of age, in the meantime having acquired a good education. In 1880 he came to the United States, locating in Lehighton, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, where he became a carpenter's apprentice, serving four years under a Mr. Cumfer, a contractor of Lehighton. After completing an apprenticeship he came to South Bethle- hem and from the year 1885 until the present (1919) has there resided. He quickly secured employment at his trade and in course of time built a house for himself. After he had completed that building, he decided that what he could do for himself he could do for others, and from that time forward he has been constantly engaged as contractor and builder. Up to that time he had been employed by other contractors, the first man to secure his services being James Ritter, a contractor then living in Allentown, and the first build- ing upon which he worked the Nurses' Home at St. Luke's Hospital.
In 1888, Mr. Danzer began business for himself, and since that time has erected many important buildings and has executed contracts with corpora- tions, municipalities, institutions and individuals. Among the important buildings which he has constructed under contract are the following: The Northampton Club building (one of his first) ; Taylor Hall dormitory, Lehigh University; Drom Memorial, Lehigh University ; power house, Lehigh Uni- versity ; Sayre Ward, St. Luke's Hospital; Thomas Operating Pavilion; St. Luke's Students' Pavilion, St. Luke's; depot, at Palmerton, Pennsylvania, for the Central Railroad of New Jersey; freight depot, at South Bethlehem for the Lehigh Valley railroad; Citizens' Bank building at Lehighton; an office building for the Lehigh Valley railroad, at Easton; and buildings for the Central Railroad of New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley railroad along their lines at different points all the way from Jersey City to Buffalo. His contracts have not been confined to buildings, but he has constructed bridges both in Easton and Nazareth, and to obtain better information concerning cement mixing and construction, he made a voyage to Europe and studied from builders there the manner in which they made artificial stone from cement, and other details valuable to him as a builder. He has also fulfilled many commissions for the Bethlehem Steel Company, one of his contracts being for shop No. 4 of the tempering plant. He has built also, during this more than a quarter of a century of activity, many churches in Bethlehem and vicinity, besides many school houses. The number of private residences constructed are legion, among them being the Dallett H. Wilson (near the Northampton County Country Club), the J. E. Matthews and W. A. Wilson mansions. These all testify to the high reputation he bears as a skillful builder and as a contractor to whom important commissions may be entrusted with the certainty that they will be executed with fairness and honor. He also deals in real estate for his own account, buying vacant lots, erecting buildings thereon, and selling them upon the easy payment plan, if desired.
Mr. Danzer married Susan E. Miller, born in Bethlehem, and they are the parents of five children: Edna; Russell, now a student at Lehigh Uni- versity ; May and Sadie, graduates from South Bethlehem High School; and Ruth, the youngest, now attending South Bethlehem High School, class of I92I. All the children are residing with their parents in their beautiful South Bethlehem home. All are members of the Evangelical church.
REV. MARTIN C. MACIEJEWSKI-When John and Mary Maciejew- ski left their native Poland and came to the United States, they settled in Shenandoah, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where John labored as a coal miner until his death. Both were devoted members of the Catholic church and rejoiced in the fact that their son Martin C. was a member of that church.
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Martin C. Maciejewski was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, November II, 1882. He began his education in the parochial school, and there rendered his first church service as an altar boy. After exhausting the advantages of the parochial school, he continued study in the Polish Seminary at Detroit, Michigan, there pursuing the full classical course until graduation, class of 1910. Being destined for the priesthood, he began theological study at Over- brook Seminary, at Overbrook, Pennsylvania, and in 1915 was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic church by Archbishop Pendergast, of Phila- delphia. He began his work in the ministry as assistant pastor of St. Stanis- laus Church, of Philadelphia (Polish), there performing all the duties pertain- ing to an assistant pastorate for one year. The burden he had carried in. preparing for and performing priestly duty had caused his physical condition to fall below the full standard of health, and a short rest was imperative. In the meantime a new parish, St. Michael the Archangel, had been created at Northampton, Pennsylvania, and upon Father Maciejewski's return to active work he was appointed by the Archbishop pastor of that parish. On arriving at Northampton he found a small parish without a church edifice, services having been held by a missionary priest on Sunday in a small hall. The new pastor at once set out to better such conditions, and soon affected the purchase of the George H. Stearn homestead with a frontage of two hundred and fifty feet and a depth of one hundred and fifty feet .- A foundation for a suitable edifice was at once begun, and shortly a suitable edifice will arise in which the congregation of St. Michael the Archangel will worship. In the meantime the homestead mansion has been temporarily converted into a church, and there Father Maciejewski administers to the spiritual welfare of his parish of three hundred souls, most of his parishioners being of Polish birth or descent.
AUGUSTUS W. SCHMICH-For thirty-six years Mr. Schmich has been connected with the Bethlehem Steel Company, severing that connection in 1909, and later accepted a position as superintendent of streets and public improvement in the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, January, 1918. He is a son of J. Peter Schmich, born in Baden, Germany, December 17, 1828, who, in 1853, came to the United States, settled in Bethlehem, and for many years was in the employ of the Bethlehem Steel Company. He is now, at the age of ninety, residing with his son Augustus W. He is a member of the Moravian church, and a Democrat in politics. J. Peter Schmich married Christina Stein, born in Germany, coming to the United States on the ship with her future husband. The long voyage of about one hundred days gave the young couple ample time to become well acquainted, and not long after their arrival in this country they were married. The veteran outlived his wife and five of their eight children; among those living are: Augustus W., of further men- tion; Samuel S., for a long time clerk with the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, married, and had a son, John Emil Schmich, a graduate of Lehigh University, now serving with the American Expeditionary Forces in France ; and Frank A., also a Lehigh Valley railroad man.
Augustus W. Schmich was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1858, and was there educated in the public and Moravian Preparatory schools. After completing his years allotted to the securing of an education, he entered the employ of the Bethlehem Steel Company, and from 1874 until January, 1909, he has continued in the service of that company, holding posi- tions of responsibility. In January, 1918, he was elected superintendent of streets and public improvement, the position he now (November, 1918) is ably filling.
Mr. Schmich is an independent voter, but with Democratic proclivities. He was chosen a member of the first board of commissioners when Bethle- hem adopted the commission form of government, and is serving a two years'
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term. For ten years he was a useful, interested member of the school board, and is a member of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce. He is a trustee and a member of the Moravian church, and is active in the work of that church and its allied interests. He is a member of Bethlehem Lodge No. 283, Free and Accepted Masons ; and a thirty-second degree member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He is a man of genial, friendly nature, and is greatly liked by all who know him. He is a member of the Bethlehem Club, and of other organizations of a social nature.
In Bethlehem, in 1885, Mr. Schmich married Annie Louise Jacoby, daughter of James and Lucy A. (Luckenbach) Jacoby, of a prominent Beth- lehem family, both parents now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Schmich are the parents of G. Raymond Schmich, born December 20, 1886, a graduate, B.S., Moravian College; M.A., Lehigh University, 1916, now inspector of all gun parts at the Bethlehem Works. He married Ellen H. Hermany.
ROBERT H. SCHOENEN-The parents of Robert H. Schoenen were married in Germany, in 1852, and in 1856 came to the United States. Their son at that time was two years of age. They first settled in Toledo, Ohio, but not long afterward came to South Bethlehem. Robert Schoenen, the father, died in South Bethlehem, leaving a son, Robert H., and a daughter, Gertrude, who married Jacob R. Unger, of West Bethlehem. The widow, Mary Elizabeth Schoenen, married a second husband, Michael Freed. This review deals with the useful life of the son, Robert H. Schoenen, now deceased, his life from an early period having been spent in South Bethlehem, where as boy and man he was highly regarded.
Robert H. Schoenen, son of Robert and Mary Elizabeth Schoenen, was born at Hemmerden, Dusseldorf, Prussia, August 9, 1854, died in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, February 21, 1913. He was brought to Bethlehem by his parents at an early age, and obtained a public school education. He learned telegraphy with the Western Union at Bethlehem, later being in the employ of the tele- graph department of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. After leaving that employ he conducted a meat market for a time, then was an insurance agent until 1901, when he accepted a position of claim agent with the Lehigh Valley Transit Company, a position he held until his death, aged fifty-eight years, six months and two days.
Mr. Schoenen took a deep interest in public affairs and served South Bethlehem in official capacity. He represented the First Ward of South Bethlehem in the Town Council during the years 1892, 1893 and 1894, and was the first president of the South Bethlehem Borough Council after the passage of the law requiring that the chairman of the body should be a member of the council. It was through his efforts that many important ordinances were passed. He was very public-spirited and bore his full share of civic responsi- bility and burden. He was a very popular man, kind-hearted and even- tempered, well liked and highly esteemed. During his youth he became a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, but in later years he united with the Moravian church, the faith of his wife, and was buried in Nisky Hill Cemetery, according to the rites of the Moravian church. In his political belief he was classed as an independent Republican ; his course in council was straightforward and conscientious, aggressive in debate, striking hard when the occasion demanded. He was particularly strong as a debater and was a powerful advocate for any cause which he championed.
Mr. Schoenen married Mary Louise Luckenbach, who survives him, a member of one of the old and prominent families of Northampton county. Mr. and Mrs. Schoenen were the parents of two daughters: Cary Elizabeth, married Samuel Buchhaupt, and has a son, Robert A. Buchhaupt; and Mary Adeline, married Henry Loux, and has a son, Robert Schoenen Loux. The mother, Mary Louise, was born on Broad street, Bethlehem, October II, 1856,
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and her father, John A. Luckenbach, also was born here October 1, 1830, and later died here. He was a carpenter by trade. The mother, Caroline Amanda (Kremser) Luckenbach, was born here June 10, 1830, and is still living with Mrs. Schoenen, aged eighty-nine years. There are two brothers: Morris, lives in Bethlehem; and Russell J., lives in Philadelphia.
CONSTANTINE GEORGE ANDREW-Now a partner in the Candy- land Company of Easton, Pennsylvania, Constantine G. Andrew is fairly started on a career of business success, and is fairly entitled to success, for he is a hard worker, a good business man and a good comrade. He was born in Constantinople, Turkey, a city which was selected as the capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great in the year 330 A. D., he rebuilding it and renaming it Constantinople. No city in the world has stood so many sieges, and the city has played an important part in the history of Christianity, the Patriarch of Constantinople rising to the position of head of the Christian church. Constantine G. Andrew is a son of George Andrew, a merchant of Albania, where he died at the age of eighty-four years. His widow was brought to Easton by her son Constantine G., and there yet resides, aged eighty-two years. They were the parents of three children: Constantine G., of further mention; Spiro George Andrew, now living in Chicago; Ellen, married Pericle Menekcy, and has five children.
Constantine G. Andrew was born February 22, 1881, the son of Albanian parents, who when their son was still small moved to Cordzell, Albania, which was the lad's home until fifteen years of age. He learned the language of both Turk and Greek, obtained a good education, and was his father's assistant in the shop so long as he remained at home. At fifteen he returned to Con- stantinople, then back to his Albanian home, thence to Massalia, France, there shipping as a sailor on a vessel trading between Massalia and Con- stantinople. He remained a sailor two years, then yielded to his father's wishes and returned home, becoming a clerk under his merchant father. At the age of twenty-four years he came to the United States, via Havre, France, landing in New York, going direct to Phillipsburg, New Jersey, upon arrival. He was there employed in the Ingersoll plant a short time, going next into a silk mill, remaining for a brief period. Neither business attracted him, and he is next found working in a hotel kitchen in Philadelphia, there working his way to the position of chef. The following three months were spent in a visit to his widowed mother in Albania, and upon his return to the United States he became chef at the Sterling Hotel, Trenton, New Jersey. Woodrow Wilson, then governor of New Jersey, was a frequent patron of the Sterling, and Chef Andrew prepared for the governor several of his favorite dishes. Later he made a second visit to his old Albanian home, returning with his mother and his newly acquired wife.
Upon returning to the United States with his bride, Mr. Andrew located in Easton, Pennsylvania, two brothers-in-law being residents of that city. Leaving wife and mother with these relatives. Mr, Andrew returned to his old position as chef at the Sterling Hotel in Trenton, remaining one year, then transferring his services to the Carlton, at Point Pleasant, New Jersey, where he passed another year, after which he came again to Easton. There, with his brothers-in-law and James D. Moska, he formed the Candyland Company and opened two stores, one on the square, the other at No. 425 Northampton street. These stores are well conducted and prosperous, and the owners reap a just return for their industry and enterprise. Mr. Andrew is a member of the Albanian Orthodox church.
Mr. Andrew married, in Albania, Rodolphi Moska, and has a child, George Andrew, born in 1914.
EUGEN BARNAKO-Eugen Barnako, ladies' tailor, designer and cutter of Easton, Pennsylvania, was born in Hungary, October 15, 1881. He was
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educated in the State schools, finishing with a technical course, and continued in his native land until 1896. He traveled in Austria, Bavaria, Germany, France, Switzerland and England until 1907, when he came to the United States. His father, Charles Barnako, was a farmer of the gentry class, his mother, Theresa Barnako, a woman of intelligence and social standing. In 1908, Mr. Barnako located in Easton, and as a ladies' tailor he established himself in a good business. He is past officer of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; is president of the Odd Fellows Association ; member and past officer of the Encampment; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Easton Board of Trade; Rotary Club; Northampton County Historical So- ciety ; is chairman of the Northampton County Americanization Committee; and member of the Paxinosa Automobile Club. In religious faith he is a Lutheran, belonging to St. John's Church.
Mr. Barnako married, in Manchester, England, May 24, 1907, Lavinia Richardson, daughter of William and Esther Richardson. Mr. and Mrs. Barnako are the parents of two children: Eugenie Gladys, born March 23, 1908; and Frank Richardson, August 2, 1912.
STEPHEN MANESCU -- Stephen Manescu, enterprising and prosperous business man and property owner of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in which city he has lived since 1905, is a native of Southern Hungary, and of Roumanian ancestry. He was born in Hungary, June 10, 1876, the son of George and Martha (Lazaroy) Manescu. His father, George Manescu, died in 1909, having then reached the venerable age of seventy-nine years. His mother, Martha (Lazaroy) Manescu, is still living in her old Hungarian home, not- withstanding that most of her children now live in and are citizens of this country. Of her six children only one of her sons remained in their native land; two are dead. Two sons live in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, John and Stephen, John being the older. John is employed at the Bethlehem Steel Works, and is comfortably placed, both in business and domestically. He married, before emigrating, and now has five children, most of them American born.
Stephen Manescu was educated in the public schools of his native place, and there grew to manhood, taking industrial employment and eventually marrying. He was twenty-four years old when he married Gazella Partlly, and three children were born to them before he emigrated in 1904, he being then twenty-eight years of age. He came alone to this country, and the fact that he received his final certificate of naturalization in the shortest period of time possible, in 1910, indicates that he emigrated with the full intention of becoming an American citizen. He had little money when he arrived, and it was eighteen months before he felt sure that he might venture to send for his wife and family, but he was steadily advancing, and having settled in his mind the question of citizenship he was saved from the handicap so many emigrants experience, the new country not being to him the foreign country it is to those who have not taken the first definite step and declared intention to became a naturalized citizen. Stephen Manescu, upon arrival in America in November, 1904, proceeded almost immediately to Amsterdam, Ohio, where, however, he only remained a few months. In March, 1905, he joined his brother in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and for a time found employ- ment in the Bethlehem Steel Works. Eventually, however, he ventured into independent business and prospered; so much so, that he now has quite a substantial business, is well thought of in the city, and is a generous supporter of church and community charities.
Stephen Manescu is a member of the Greek Orthodox church, and during the momentous years of the great European War came much to the fore among citizens who are of Roumanian origin. It was mainly through his initiative, persistence and organizing ability that the Truth, a Roumanian
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Society, was founded, and it may be stated that he was its founder, and his status was recognized by his incorporating colleagues, as Stephen Manescu was elected president of the society after the State had granted it corporate powers. And generally in all public movements of patriotic nature, Stephen Manescu has always been found ready in support, personal as well as financial, when there is need of it.
Nine children have been born to Stephen and Gazella (Partlly) Manescu, six being American born. The children, in order of birth, are: Anna, born July 18, 1901, eventually graduated from the Bethlehem High School; Stella, born October 2, 1902, also a graduate of Bethlehem High School; George, born October 28, 1904; Elizabeth, born in 1906; Frieda, born 1908; Edward, born 1912; Julia, born 1913; Stephen, born 1915; and Ethel, born 1917. The three first named were born in Hungary.
WILLIAM HENRY MEYER-There is no custom so thoroughly American as the nation-wide preference for ice-cream, and in consequence no industry so typical as its manufacture. It is in this business that William Henry Meyer, of Bethlehem, has achieved such pronounced success in the six years of his connection therewith, Mr. Meyer having taken over the ownership and management of the old established firm of which John S. Ruth was the head. The development and progress of his venture have been strong and steady, and at the present time (1919), housed in a large and modern fireproof building, it is a leading concern in its line, accommodating a volume of business three hundred per cent. larger than at the time Mr. Meyer assumed control.
William Henry Meyer is a descendant in the fourth generation of Michael Meyer, founder of the family in this country, and is a son of Michael and Julia Ann (Gold) Meyer. Michael, father of William Henry Meyer, was a native of Bushkill township, Northampton county, where he was a farmer all his life and where his death occurred in 1910, his wife surviving him until 1916. They were the parents of six sons and five daughters, of whom the following survive: John Jacob, a farmer, of Northampton county, married Ida Barthold, and has two children; James F., proprietor of a creamery in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, married Ella Slagle, and has five children; Adam, a teamster, married Adelaide Newhart, and has two children; Howard Thomas, a hardware dealer, of Nazareth, married Florence Messinger; Lizzie Alice, married Samuel D. Smith, of Northampton, Pennsylvania; Anna Maria, mar- ried Samuel Fritz, of Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, connected with a slate factory at that place, and has two children; Eva E., married Richard Bath, of Bel- fast, Pennsylvania, a slater ; and William Henry, of whom further.
William Henry Meyer was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1869. He attended the public schools of his birthplace, was later a student in the Centre Academy, and for five years thereafter he taught in the schools of Lehigh township. Farming occupied him for the following fourteen years, and in 1906 he established in Hecktown a creamery which he conducted for seven years. In 1913, Mr. Meyer purchased from John S. Ruth the ice-cream manufacturing plant of which he is now owner, a concern of long standing in the community. The expansion of his business made necessary a similar increase in space and equipment, and a fireproof brick and concrete building of three stories and basement was erected, sixty-one feet front by fifty-two feet in depth, fitted with the most modern machinery for the manufacture of ice-cream. Under the new management a new era of prosperity began, and from this factory Mr. Meyer, who is sole proprietor, ships two thousand gallons of ice-cream each day, while daily sixteen tons of ice are manufactured. In the delivery of his product to the distributing centers to which his trade extends, he utilizes fourteen trucks and four teams, in addition to the service afforded by the public carriers. The vast increase
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