USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III > Part 7
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Mr. Hauck has fairly won the honorable position he occupies among the business men of his native city, and can review his course from bovhood with a great deal of satisfaction. He is a member of Dallas Lodge No. 396,
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Free and Accepted Masons; Easton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Pomp Council, Royal and Select Masters; Hugh De Payen Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar ; Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Reading; the Tall Cedars of Lebanon; Lehicton Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; and Easton Lodge No. 171, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is highly esteemed by his brethren of these orders, and takes active interest in their work. He is a member also of Easton Rotary Club. In politics he supports the Republican party, and is affiliated with Brainerd-Union Presbyterian Church.
On June 10, 1906, Mr. Hauck married Sadie M. Zulauf, daughter of John H. and Georgianna Zulauf, and they are the parents of two sons: James Kenneth and John Henry. In 1913 Mr. Hauck erected a residence at No. 723 Reeder street, on College Hill, Easton, which is now the family home.
FRANK JACOB KESSLER, M.D .- When Dr. Kessler located in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1895, he brought with him the experience gained during his two years as resident physician and senior assistant surgeon 'at St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a position he won from eight aspirants after a severe competitive examination. In his quarter of a century practice in Easton he has won unqualified success, and ranks with the leading physicians and surgeons of the city. He is a son of Thomas Kessler, and a grandson of Philip Kessler, a prosperous Pennsylvania farmer. Thomas Kessler was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, learned the trade of blacksmith in Easton, and there married and lived until 1858. He then moved to Bethlehem, where he opened a blacksmith's shop, which he long and successfully conducted, also a carriage manufacturing business. He married Catherine Eva Roth, born in Whitehall, Lehigh county, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of Jacob Roth, a farmer. Thomas Kessler died in 1899, and his wife died in December, 1918.
Dr. Frank Jacob Kessler, son of Thomas and Catherine Eva (Roth) Kessler, was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1869. He there attended public schools until 1887, when he entered the employ of E. T. Meyers, a Bethlehem druggist. He remained with Mr. Meyers three years, then began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. A. C. Moyer. In the fall of 1890 he entered the medical department of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated M.D., class of 1893. He then spent two years as resident physician and assistant surgeon in St. Luke's Hospital, gaining valuable experience, as St. Luke's was even then one of the large and finely equipped hospitals of the State. In the spring of 1895 Dr. Kessler located in Easton, where he has been in continuous and success- ful practice for twenty-five years, 1893-1918. He has a large private clientele in addition to his institutional and corporation practice, and is also examiner for several of the leading life insurance companies. He is a member of the Northampton Medical Society, Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and American Medical Association, his standing among his brethren of these societies being of the highest. Dr. Kessler is a Democrat in politics, served his city four years as a member of the Board of Education and member of the Board of Control. He is a member of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church, and interested in many of the religious, political, business and chari- table organizations of the city. On February 20, 1895, Dr. Kessler married Bertha Atwater, daughter of Ledyard and Adelaide (Paret) Atwater, of Washington, District of Columbia, her father an employee of the United States Treasury Department, and a granddaughter of Bishop William P. Paret, of Baltimore, diocese of Maryland and Washington. Mrs. Kessler is a member of the New Century Club of Easton, is president of the Ladies Auxiliary of Trinity Episcopal Church, and a leader in its charitable work. Dr. and Mrs. Kessler are the parents of five children: Nelson Thomas, now
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overseas with the Hospital Corps in the United States Navy, worked up to first-class pharmacist mate, is a graduate of Easton High School, and was at school in State College, Pennsylvania; Emily Atwater, William Harvey, Donald Charles and Milnor Paret.
EDWIN A. BERKEY-In early Colonial days Peter Berkey was a high sheriff of Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He married a Miss Snyder from the village, which was the forerunner of the now city of Allentown, and they were the parents of a large family. This is an ancient family name, in German Berkey meaning hills, in French de la Barre, having the same meaning. Henry Berkey, a grandson of Sheriff Peter Berkey, was born in Northamp- ton county, March 5, 1800, his parents settling in Mount Bethel township, whether upper or lower section not being clear. He married March 13, 1823, Julia Kestor, born June 24, 1803, a sister of Moses Kestor, a well known resident of South Easton. Henry Berkey was a linen weaver and wool carder by occupation, and in his younger years operated a carding mill at Flicksville in Northampton county. Later he engaged in stock raising. Henry and Julia (Kestor) Berkey were the parents of five children: Mar- garet, married Joseph Garris, and died, aged ninety-one years, a resident of Easton ; John, of whom further mention will be made; Levi Henry, who was a gold seeker of the '49 excitement, making the journey to California in 1849, returning to Pennsylvania and again to California, where he died in 1902; Elizabeth, died unmarried; Mary, unmarried, now at the age of eighty- five, a resident at the Old Ladies' Home in Easton.
John, son of Henry Berkey, was born at the Mount Bethel township homestead, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1830, died in Easton, January 27, 1902. He grew up at the home farm, his father's assist- ant until 1850, when he left home, went to Bethlehem, and there learned the bricklayer's trade. He continued a general mason worker for thirty-five years, then in 1885 retired, residing in Easton until his death at the age of seventy-two. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and a Re- publican in politics, serving in Easton Common Council and as ward assessor. He was a member of Easton Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He married Elizabeth Fritz, of Plainfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, born April 30, 1832, and there resided until her marriage. Her father, George Fritz, was a contracting stone mason, and erected many of the stone bridges of Northampton county. His death occurred at Scranton, Pennsylvania, while employed by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and took an active part in church work. She died November 14, 1906, and both she and her husband were buried in Easton Cemetery. They were the parents of six children : I. Joseph H., a hotelkeeper at Seipsville, Pennsylvania, Northampton county. He married Alma Messinger. 2. Edwin A., of whom further mention will be made. 3. John F., deceased. 4. Peter, died in 1863, very young. 5. William H., of Easton. 6. Charles Frederick, of Philadelphia, connected with the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company. He married Grace Allen.
Edwin A. Berkey, son of John and Elizabeth (Fritz) Berkey, was born in Easton, in what was then the west ward, now the eighth, October 19, 1860. He was educated in Easton public schools and in the private school taught by Reuben H. Trach. After leaving school he began learning the mason's trade under his father's instruction, and became an expert, succeeding to his father's business and conducting it until 1891. He then entered the service of the United States government as letter carrier in Easton, and until 1903 continued in that position. Failing health then compelled his resignation, and he purchased a farm in Bethlehem township, which he occupied and cultivated until 1913, when he returned to Easton, and for a' time was out of business. Later he established in the real estate business, and does a general business in insurance.
N. H. BIOG .- 22
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A Republican in politics, Mr. Berkey has always taken a deep interest in the affairs of his town. . He was a member of the Easton Select Council, one term; in 1915 and 1917 he was the unsuccessful Republican candidate for comptroller of Northampton county, and since 1915 he has been clerk in the office of the board of county commissioners. He is a life member of Dallas Lodge No. 396, Free and Accepted Masons; also a member of Easton Chapter No. 173, Royal Arch Masons; Pomp Council No. 20, Royal and Select Masters; Hugh De Payen Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar ; Lulu Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Philadelphia, having been made a noble in that temple in 1890. On January 19, 1918, he was appointed by Governor Brumbaugh, alderman of the Fifth Ward, Easton, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Berkey married January 16, 1882, Emma R. Reed, daughter of John G. Reed, of Easton, now deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Berkey are members of St. John's Lutheran Church. They are the parents of two sons : Luther E., married Pearl Prout, has a daughter, Betty, and resides in New York; Thomas A., married Julia Ellicott, and has a daughter, Gladys, and a son, John Ellicott. They reside in Easton. Mr. Berkey resides at No. 47 South Fourth street, with his office at No. 49 South Fourth street.
CHARLES FREDERICK AND JOHN KURTZ-Beyond doubt two of the most enterprising and responsible citizens of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and men whose extraordinary energies have been turned to the good of the community-at-large, are the brothers, Charles F. and John Kurtz, whose entire careers have been identified with this city and whose great successes of the past art but embryos of a series of still greater ones which are to mature in the future. The two brothers joined in Bethlehem, April 10, 1894. Their first venture was in the direction of their present great business. They opened a small plant for the manufacture of furniture at No. 324 South New street, later moving to the corner of Broadhead avenue and Third street. They adopted the motto, "Never say fail," from the first, and they have lived up to this difficult ideal with remarkable consistency. By dint of hard labor, indefatigable patience and intelligent resourcefulness they gradually expanded their business from its small beginnings until at the present time the firm of Kurtz Brothers is recognized as manufacturers of the finest type of interior cabinet woodwork office furniture and fixtures in existence, and their market is country-wide. About 1906 they purchased a piece of land on West Union street, and here erected a much larger plant, complete and mod- ern in every particular. They were forced to do this by the immense increase of their business, which had quite outgrown the original quarters. Since that time the growth has continued, and has in fact even accelerated its speed. Another achievement of the firm, which illustrates the perfect quality of the work, is the manufacture of office furniture and fixtures. The concern employs a large number of workmen, and by liberal and humane treatment of the employees has always maintained a merited friendly rela- tionship with them.
The Kurtz brothers have not by any means confined themselves to the development of their one great business, but like the men of enterprise that they are, they have seized every opportunity offered in connection with the growth of the community of which they are valuable members. One very important venture that has turned out with the usual success of all that they attempt was the purchase of a large tract of land located near their plant, which they improved and developed, and then erected there some eighty- three substantial houses, most of which they have sold. The building opera- tions alone amounted to $432,000, an investment well made. Another enter- prise, although still very new, which promises the same success, is the pur- chase of two old homesteads situated on East Broad street, and the erection there in 1918 of the Kurtz building, at the cost of $550,000. This handsome
Charles F. Kurt;
John kurt3
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edifice has a frontage on East Broad street of one hundred and twenty feet, and it is constructed of steel, concrete, granite, brick, terra cotta and glass, while the arch above the entrance of the theatre therein is made up of decorative copper work. There are two entrances or lobbies, east and west, each twenty-one feet wide, the former being that of the theatre and the latter to the other parts of the building. The theatre already referred to is one of the best equipped in this region, and is adapted to the presentation of any type of performance. On the same floor with the theatre are spaces for four stores, while above, occupying the entire second floor, is one of the most up-to-date restaurants in the State. There is one large room accommo- dating three hundred and fifty persons, measuring fifty-three feet six inches by ninety-six feet, the ceiling being fourteen feet six inches high. Besides, there is a smaller room accommodating one hundred and fifty people, and a number of private party dining-rooms seating twenty-four people each. These rooms are divided by removable partitions, which open the whole into a large room in which five hundred and fifty persons can be seated. There are ladies' and gentlemen's parlors fitted with every modern equipment and convenience known for the comfort and ease of the patrons. The floor jon the east side of the dining-room is raised eighteen inches above the general level to accommodate the construction of the theatre on the floor below, and at the same time it makes a suitable place for a speaker or orchestra to be stationed. Mr. Joseph Weiss, formerly of Hotel Astor, New York City, has the management of the restaurant and the building generally. While these undertakings claim much of the brothers' attention, it is still the original manufacturing business to which they devote most of their energies. The plant where their high grade goods are turned out does not consist of one building, but of seven, each devoted to some particular portion of the work; the finishing department being housed in one, the machine department in another, the kiln dry system in a third, while a tire bending and welding plant, a blacksmith shop, and a second machine shop have each separate quarters. In November, 1917, another building was added where boxes and commercial and government auto trucks and wheels are produced to meet the enhanced demand for these articles created by the late war.
Charles Frederick Kurtz was born in Wurtemburg, in the town of Met- zingen, August 13, 1872, a son of Carl Frederick and Barbara (Laib) Kurtz, and a grandson of Carl Frederick Kurtz, Sr. The latter was born October 13, 1807, and was a successful manufacturer of woolen goods in that region. His fabrics were all woven on hand looms, and after a prosperous career he lived retired during the later part of his life. His parents continued to live in Metzingen, where Carl Frederick, Jr., was born, October 13, 1837, and it was in that same town that the early life of Charles Frederick Kurtz was spent. He attended the public schools of his native town, and imme- diately after graduating, at the age of seventeen years, came to the United States. Since that time he has identified himself completely with the life and ideals of his adopted land, and has become one of the most highly trusted and esteemed citizens of the Bethlehems. It was at South Bethlehem that he first made his home, securing employment with W. H. Lehr, of East Broad street, and remaining with him for eleven months. For two and one- half years following he worked for the concern of Fichter & Martin. He went to the city of Paterson, New Jersey, in 1892, and resided there for two years. In 1894 he returned to Bethlehem, and that break of two years is the only one that he has made in his residence in this place since coming to America. On April 10, 1894, Charles Frederick Kurtz became associated with his brother, John Kurtz, and from that time to the present they have remained inseparable, whatever has been undertaken by the one has been undertaken by the other as a single enterprise.
In addition to his business activities, Charles F. Kurtz is prominent in
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social and fraternal circles of the city, and is a member of a number of organi- zations here. He is affiliated with Bethlehem Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Knights of Pythias of this city. He is also a member of Bethlehem Club, the Rotary Club, and the City Planning Commission. He is a director of the E. P. Wilbur Trust Company. He is very fond of nature and out- door life, but the great demands upon his time make it impossible for him to enjoy these things as much as he should like to do. He does find time, however, for the cultivation of his splendid rose beds, and he enjoys, also, occasional trips in his motor car which he himself drives. He is very fond of music, but has not the time for any adequate development of the art. Indeed, he is quoted as saying that "it appears that my hobby really is work and nothing else," and this is to a great extent true, although, with his broad mind and ready sympathies, he keeps up his interest in all departments of life.
Charles F. Kurtz married, September 23, 1908, Anna P. Walter, of Boston, Massachusetts, a daughter of Mrs. Matilda Walter, of that city. They have an adopted son, Richard Wagner, born April 15, 1912. The family are all members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Kurtz is a trustee of St. Luke's Hospital at Bethlehem. In noting the rapid rise to promi- nence of some of the leaders of men, it often seems that such achievement was the result of powers above the normal, as we are acquainted with humanity in the average man, so easily, apparently, are obstacles over- come, and so completely does every factor seem to bend itself to the fore- ordained event. In the majority of cases, however, such appearances are entirely deceptive and the brilliant result is the outcome of efforts as unre- mitting and arduous as any within our experience. Such' in a large measure is true in the case of Charles F. Kurtz, whose name heads this brief appre- ciation, and whose reputation for success gained without the compromise of the highest ideals of honor and justice is second to none in this region. His rise to wealth and influence has doubtless been rapid, but it is the out- come of conscientious labor and consistent effort, labor and effort which in the early stages of his career doubtless felt discouragement such as we all feel at times. If this were not so, it would not be possible to explain. the broad tolerance, the kindly human sympathy and understanding which he has displayed in all his intercourse with his fellowmen. However this may be, it is a well known fact to all who are fortunate in being able to claim his friendship, that as a man, Charles F. Kurtz possesses all the funda- mental virtues, that he lives up to the best standard of ethics in all the rela- tions of his life, that he is a conscientious worker, a public-spirited citizen, a devoted husband, and a faithful and loyal friend.
John Kurtz was born May 21, 1874, in Metzingen, Wurtemburg, Ger- many. He attended the public schools there for eight years, and took a three years' technical training in the night schools, taking courses in draft- ing and designing. At the age of fourteen years, he entered upon an appren- ticeship to the cabinet maker's trade, after which he went to Switzerland and later to Vienna and other Austrian cities, visiting also various other European countries while working at his trade, and at the same time observ- ing the ways of the world. Thus he prepared himself to carry out a plan made by himself and his brother, Charles F., when they were but small boys, to come to America. As boys they had looked over factories and said, "We will have one like that of our own some day." Building a town was also one of their boyhood dreams. A perusal of the story of their successes in the former venture, and the fact that while they have not built a town but a very substantial section of a large city proves again that fact is some- times stranger than fiction. In September, 1893, John Kurtz sailed for America and arrived in South Bethlehem, October I. In association with
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his brother he immediately set about plans to engage in business, and on April 10, 1894, the firm of Kurtz Brothers began in a small way. On April 10, 1919, was the twenty-fifth anniversary of one of the county's first manu- facturing organizations, and also a quarter of a century of valuable citizen- ship represented in Charles F. and John Kurtz. John Kurtz is a member of the Masonic Order, Zinzendorf Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Bethlehem Council, No. 36, Royal and Select Masters; Bethlehem Commandery, Knights Templar ; Rajah Temple of Reading ; Knights of Pythias ; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Protective and Benevolent Order of Elks, No. 190. He is a member also of the Bethlehem Club, of this city. In affairs of national importance, he is a Republican, but in local politics he is independ- ent, preferring to support men and issues most worthy and best suited to the development of his adopted city. Like his brother, Charles F., he is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church.
John Kurtz married, April 30, 1898, Anna Schreib, a native of North Germany. She came to America when a child of five years of age, and was educated and grew to womanhood in the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. John Kurtz is fond of the great world of out-of-doors, and enjoys especially vacations of motorings. Hard work, thorough technical training, honest dealing and a policy of delivering a little better work than the strict terms of the contract demanded have been responsible for the building up of the great business of Charles F. and John Kurtz, and the establishment of its greatest single asset, "good will."
MARVIN LE GRANDE FRITCHMAN-Marvin Le Grande Fritch- man, a prominent business man and influential citizen of Freemansburg, Pennsylvania, is a native of the town of South Bethlehem, in this State, where his birth occurred December 29, 1891. He is a member of a family which has resided in this State for a number of generations, his great-great-grand- father having been a native of Germany, and a pioneer settler of Pennsyl- vania.
This immigrant ancestor came to America before the Revolution, and his son, William Fritchman, was instrumental in the construction of the Lehigh canal, and became its first superintendent. His son, Peter Fritch- man, the grandfather of the Mr. Fritchman of this sketch, lived in this region, and after completing a course in the high school was himself a teacher in the public educational institutions for a number of years. He afterwards became a clerk in a mercantile line of business, and eventually went into business for himself as a contractor. He erected several large bridges for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company and put up the Northampton county prison at Easton.
William Bion Fritchman, son of Peter Fritchman, and father of Marvin Le Grande Fritchman, is a prominent citizen of this community, and at present serving his second term as postmaster of Freemansburg, under the Wilson administration. He also served during the two administrations of Grover Cleveland, and has been very prominent in local affairs. He is a member of the Town Council and has served on the School Board and in several other capacities at various times. He is a staunch Democrat in politics, and is one of the leaders of his party hereabouts. William Bion Fritchman has been twice married, the first time to Belle F. Snyder, a daughter of Mrs. Anna M. Snyder, of this place, by whom he had the fol- lowing children: Calanthe L., Paul A., and W. Bion, Jr. He married (second) Millie N. A. Ochs, a daughter of Tighlman Ochs, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, by whom he had the following children: Marvin Le Grande, with whose career we are here especially concerned, Emily Margaret, Leon A., and Harold D.
Marvin Le Grande Fritchman passed but the first few years of his life
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at South Bethlehem, where he was born, his family then removing to Free- mansburg, which place has since remained his home. It was here that he attended the public schools, graduating from the Freemansburg High School with the class of 1906. He completed his schooling at the Allentown Pre- paratory School in 1908, and in the fall of that year entered Lehigh Univer- sity, where he took up the courses in chemistry. In 1910 Mr. Fritchman accepted a position in the office of the Bethlehem Steel Company, but left this place a little later to take up the duties of assistant chemist with the Pennsylvania Cement Company, of Bath, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, however, his health failed at about this time and he was compelled to resign. With the intention of finding some work which would keep him more in the open air, Mr. Fritchman, shortly after his resignation, entered the office of the Globe Publishing Company of Bethlehem, as a reporter, and served that concern in this capacity for about seven years. His health having been practically restored in that time, he became associated with the Bethle- hem Steel Company and is at present serving that concern in charge of the drop forging order department. For a young man of his age, Mr. Fritch- man has already made a very considerable position for himself, not only with the company that he is directly connected with, but in the business circles of Bethlehem and Freemansburg, and is regarded in both places as a very progressive and capable business man. Mr. Fritchman has always taken a lively interest in politics, and has played no small part in public affairs, hav- ing served in several local offices here. For two years he served as bor- ough auditor, and is now holding his third term on the county committee of the Democratic party. In 1915 he was elected justice of the peace by the citizens of Freemansburg. Like his father he is a staunch Democrat, and ardently devoted to the principles and policies of his party. He is also a well known member of several orders and similar organizations here, and is affiliated especially with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Fritchman is a Lutheran in his religious belief, and has for many years been a member of Christ Church of this denomination at Freemansburg.
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