USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III > Part 8
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Marvin Le Grande Fritchman was united in marriage, January 27, 1916, at Philadelphia, with Maude E. Getter, a daughter of Irvin and Elizabeth (Herger) Getter, old and highly respected residents of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Fritchman are the parents of one child, Marvin Le Grande, Jr., born. January 29, 1917.
GEORGE CHASE MACAN-Nearly a century ago George C. Macan left his home in Scotland and came to the United States, finding a home in Wilmington, Delaware, where his descendant, George Chase Macan, of Easton, was born, son of William Alexander Macan, also born in Wilming- ton. During the greater part of his life William A. Macan was engaged as a distributor of a pipe covering material, and now is vice-president of the Ehret Magnesia Manufacturing Company, of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He married Katurah Turner, and they were the parents of George C. Macan.
George C. Macan was born November 1, 1877, and was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, Swarthmore Preparatory School, and at Drexel Institute in the same city. He began business life as a clerk with A. P. Swayer & Company, of Philadelphia, later became a salesman, and was so engaged until 1896 when he located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and there started the machinery and supply business under the firm name, Macan, Jr., & Huntington. That business he successfully conducted in Wilkes- Barre until 1902, when he sold out and came to Easton, Pennsylvania, here establishing in the mill supply business under the firm name, Macan, Jr., Company, and in 1907 incorporated his business as The Macan Jr. Com- pany, of which he is president and manager. The business of the company
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is one aggregating one-half million dollars annually, and is principally mill and electrical supplies, machinery and electrical construction work. Mr. Macan has grown with his business, and is one of the strong men of the city from both a manufacturing and business standpoint. He is highly regarded in the trade, highly esteemed socially, and is a patriotic, progres- sive citizen. He is a member of the Engineers' Club of Philadelphia, Easton Board of Trade, the Rotary Club, Lodge, Chapter, Council and Consistory of the Masonic order, the Shrine of Reading, Sons of Delaware, College Hill Presbyterian Church, and is a Republican in political faith.
Mr. Macan married (first) 1903, Ruth Ellen Struthers, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, daughter of Cameron and Ruth (Barnes) Struthers. Mrs. Macan died in 1912, leaving a son, Cameron Alexander. Mr. Macan mar- ried (second) June, 1914, Helen Worman Arny, daughter of Louis W. and Linette (Worman) Arny, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, her father a promi- nent leather manufacturer of Philadelphia. Mrs. Macan is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, is interested in Red Cross and social work, and is treas- urer of the Inter-Collegiate Association. She served for a time on the fac- ulty of St. Timothy School, Catonsville, Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Macan are the parents of a daughter, Linette Arny.
EDWIN E. EICHLIN-As an optometrist, Mr. Eichlin has taken rank with the rising young business men of Easton, a city of which he is a native son. His family has long been seated in Pennsylvania, his father, Charles E. Eichlin, having been born on his father's farm in Forks township, a son of Henry Eichlin, also born in Northampton county. Charles E. Eichlin married Ella Serfoss, daughter of Peter Serfoss, also of an old county family.
Edwin E. Eichlin was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, August 25, 1884. He attended the public schools of Palmer township, later completed a course of study at Wood's Business College of Easton, and then entered Phila- delphia Optometrical College, whence he was graduated, class of 1905. For two and a half years after graduation he practiced his profession in New- port, Kentucky, then returned to Easton, where he is now well established and rated among the leaders of the profession in that city. He takes an active part in civic affairs, is a member of Easton Board of Trade; Easton Rotary Club; Easton Lodge No. 152, Free and Accepted Masons; Easton Chapter No. 173, Royal Arch Masons; Pomp Council No. 20; Hugh de Payen Com- mandery No. 19, Knights Templar; Rajah Temple, Ancient Accepted Order No- bles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Lehigh Valley Optical So- ciety, Pennsylvania State Optical and the American Optical societies. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Young Men's Christian Association, is a Republican in politics, and a communicant of St. John's Lutheran Church.
Mr. Eichlin married, October 20, 1914, Margaret Walters, daughter of Jacob and Emma (Ricker) Walters, of Easton. Mrs. Eichlin is an accom- plished vocalist and active in church work, also social and charitable work. They are the parents of a son, Edwin E., Jr.
HARRY C. FISLER, M.D .- A native son of Easton, where he has risen to honorable position as a physician and surgeon, Dr. Fisler traces descent from Swedish ancestors, who settled in what became known as Fislerville, but is now Clayton, Gloucester county, New Jersey, where some of the name yet reside. There his father, Samuel L. Fisler, was born, he whose name is a cherished memory in Easton, more particularly in Lafayette College circles, for from 1869 until his resignation in 1907, Samuel Fisler was the faithful secretary-treasurer of the college, which was also his alma mater. The debt Lafayette owes Mr. Fisler is a great and lasting one, for as superintendent of grounds and buildings from 1869, he was in charge of
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laying out and beautifying the college campus, and under him Pardee Hall was built and later rebuilt after the fire of1879. Most of the college build- ings were erected under his supervision.
Samuel L. Fisler was born in Clayton, Gloucester county, New Jersey, in 1836, one of a family of three. He prepared for college at the Edgehill School, and at Academia, both in the State of New Jersey, and in each of which he was an assistant teacher. He graduated with the honorary ora- tion, A.M., Lafayette, class of 1861, and from that year until 1865 he taught school at Towanda, Pennsylvania. Failing health then compelled him to abandon plans for a professional life, and from 1865 to 1869 he was super- intendent of lumber manufacturing at Bear Creek, Pennyslvania. In 1869 he was appointed superintendent of grounds and buildings at Lafayette College, and in 1873 was elected treasurer. He held that office until resign- ing in 1907, a year prior to his death. He was an influential Republican, an eloquent and effective campaign orator, and for many vears was the usual presiding officer at important political meetings in Easton. He served for one term as postmaster of Easton, appointed under President Benjamin Har- rison's administration. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and for many years was superintendent of the Sunday school. He was the first president of the Easton Young Men's Christian Association. Mr. Fis- ler married Emily, daughter of John Stewart, that branch of the Stewart family of Easton being written at length in this work. Samuel L. and Emily (Stewart) Fisler were the parents of three children: Laura, died at the age of nine years ; Harry C., of further mention ; and Frank, died in infancy.
Harry C. Fisler was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1873. He is a. graduate of Easton Academy, class of 1888; Lafayette College, A.B., class of 1892, and of the medical department of the University of Pennsyl- vania, M D., class of 1895. He spent three years, 1895-98, in practice at Merchantville, New Jersey, then located in Easton, where he is well estab- lished in the confidence and loyal esteem of a large clientele. He specializes in diseases of children, but conducts a general practice as well. He is a member of the medical staff of Easton Hospital, surgeon to the Northampton Traction Company, and the B. & H. Simon Silk Company, and is affiliated with his professional brethren in membership in the Northampton County Medical, Easton Medical, Lehigh Valley Medical, Pennsylvania State Med- ical societies, and is a member of the American Medical Association. His clubs are the Pomfret and Northampton County Country. His college fra- ternity is Delta Kappa Epsilon.
Dr. Fisler married, October 28, 1896, Hattie Mann, born in Easton, daughter of Levi H. and Lenora (Kern) Mann. Dr. and Mrs. Fisler are the parents of three daughters: Emily Stewart, Helen M., and Kathryn Elizabeth. The family are attendants of Olivet Presbyterian Church, Dr. Fisler serving as elder. While in college, Dr. Fisler took a deep interest in athletics and excelled in track team work. He made the college track team, and at a one hundred yards sprint to half a mile run was invincible. His present recreations are less strenuous, tennis and. trap shooting being his favorites.
EDWIN H. STEINMETZ-The Steinmetz family is of German origin, many generations, however, having been native to Northampton county, Pennsylvania. George Steinmetz was a farmer of Moore township, in that county, a Lutheran in religion, and a Whig in politics. He married Chris- tina Leight, and has sons: Samuel, of whom further; Solomon, George, Aaron, Joseph William; also daughters: Christina, May, Sarah, Lydia, and Sophia.
Samuel Steinmetz, the eldest son of George and Christina (Leight) Steinmetz, was the father of James and grandfather of Edwin H. Steinmetz,
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both of Bangor, Pennsylvania, the father there establishing the bakery which is now owned and operated by the son. Samuel Steinmetz was born near Cherry Hill, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and spent his life in that section of the county. He married and had children: Gideon, of Colo- rado ; William; James; Edwin, of further mention; Elizabeth, married Sam- uel Henner ; Fietta, married Henry Clewell.
James Steinmetz was born, in 1844, in Bushkill township, Northampton county, died in Bangor, Pennsylvania, in 1909. He spent his youth and early manhood in Bushkill township, engaged as a farmer there, and later operated a grist mill for some years at Aluta, Pennsylvania. In 1888 he located in Bangor, and established a bakery which he successfully managed until the end of his life, twenty-one years later. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; a Republican in politics, serving as school director and tax assessor. He married Sarah Drumheller, daughter of Philip and Lydia (Burgur) Drumheller. They were the parents of seven children: Wilson, Oliver, deceased; Edwin H., of whom further ; Howard L. of Bangor; Alice, married Elmer Breidinger; Sybilla, married (first) Ayres Lomirou, (second) W. S. Smith, of Bangor ; and Sarah, married Walter Stocher.
Edwin H. Steinmetz was born in Bushkill township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1870, and was educated in the public school. Early in life he began learning the baker's trade with Richard S. Shaffer of Bath, Pennsylvania, and there remained until his father opened his bakery in Bangor, in 1888. He then went into the Bangor bakery and continued in that business until about 1904, when he formed a partnership with Jacob Friedman, and under the firm name, Friedman & Steinmetz, con- ducted a clothing business for four years, a disastrous fire then sweeping their business away. In 1907, upon the death of his father, the son suc- ceeded him in the bakery, and has since continued the business founded in Bangor, thirty years ago, 1888-1918. The original plant has been greatly enlarged, and in connection with the baking department Mr. Steinmetz has one of the finest stores in Bangor. In 1917 the Never Break Products Com- pany was formed, Mr. Steinmetz being the prime mover, and they manu- facture the steel emergency brakes for automobiles; the output is found to be a valuable accessory to the automobile world. He is a director of the Bangor Trust Company ; member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Knights of Malta, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Steinmetz married Ida Faulstick, daughter of Samuel and Hester (Gowen) Faulstick. They are the parents of two children: Lulu M., mar- ried Matthew Walsh; and Roscoe Lester, who enlisted December 12, 1917, and was in the service of his country overseas with Three Hundred and Seventy-fifth Aerial Squadron ; mustered out June 21, 1919, and is now assist- ing his father in the business.
EDWARD LESLIE KNAUSS-This descendant of one of the oldest of Northampton's families traces his descent from Ludwig Knauss, who came from Titelheim, Wetteraira, in the Palatinate, in 1723, and settled first at Whitemarsh, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, later . with his sons, Sebastian H. and Johannes Heinrich Knauss, he located at Emmaus, founded by the Moravians in 1732. Ludwig Knauss married, in Germany, Anna Margaret Gorlach, and raised a large family.
(II) Their son, Sebastian Heinrich Knauss, born in the Palatinate, near Manheim, Germany, October 6, 1714, came with his parents to Pennsylvania in 1723. He married, January I, 1741, Anna C. Transue, who came from the same district in Germany in 1730. He was a farmer and wheelwright, learn- ing his trade under Henry Autes in Montgomery county, and through him becoming familiar with the Moravians and their work. Soon after 1741,
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when the Moravian missionaries were making converts to their faith in various parts of Pennsylvania, he became deeply impressed, and later in life left the Reformed church and joined what was then known as the Society of the Brethren. He was one of the founders of Emmaus in 1741, and of a church there, and with others walked from Emmaus to Bethlehem, over the Indian trail and there established a separate church. He and Jacob Ehrenhard formally donated one hundred and two acres of land for the building thereon of a Moravian village, this including a site for church and school. The village was surveyed and laid out in 1757, and in 1761 officially received its name Emmaus, which has since become Emaus. He was a steward of the church at Emaus until his death, February 26, 1777. His wife, a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Munster) Transue, died in Emaus, June 26, 1799. Sebastian H. and Anna C. (Transue) Knauss were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom were married at the time of the death of Mrs. Anna C. (Transue) Knauss, June 26, 1799. They had ninety- one grandchildren born, of whom seventy-three were living, and thirty-six great-grandchildren had been born to her, all but four of whom were living. It is impossible to follow the lines of these thirteen children, but the eighth child, Jacob Knauss, was undoubtedly the great-grandfather of Edward Les- lie Knauss, of Easton.
(III) Jacob Knauss was born June 26, 1757. He was a farmer. He married Rosina Corr.
(IV) Harrison Knauss, grandfather of Edward Leslie Knauss, of Easton, was born about the year 1790, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. About 1847 he located at Bath, Northampton county, as a retired farmer, he having owned and cultivated a farm at Cherryville, Northampton county. He died at the great age of ninety-eight years. For thirty years preceding his death he sat in total darkness, but one week prior to his death his sight was re- stored and he again looked upon the faces of loved ones who had passed from his view thirty years before, he having been totally blind for that period. He was a member of the Reformed church. He married a Miss Russell, of English parentage, and they were the parents of four children: Harrison, of further mention; John, who settled in the West; Benjamin, who also settled in the West; George, a widely known inventor and investigator, and expert mechanie, operating a mechanical laboratory at Rittersville.
(V) Harrison (2) Knauss, eldest son of Harrison (I) and (Russell) Knauss, was born at the home farm in Cherryville, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1832, and there spent the first fifteen years of his life. In 1847 his parents moved to Bath, in the same county, and there he learned the machinist's trade, and later, as a member of the firm of Smock & Knauss, he engaged in business at Bath, dealing in agricultural implements and kindred lines until 1899. He then sold his interest to his partner and moved to Easton, where he spent the last six years of his life in retirement, dying in 1905. He was a member of the Reformed church, and in politics a Republican. He is buried at Bath, which had been his home all his active years, 1847-99. Harrison Knauss married Harriet Sherman, daughter of Charles Sherman.
(VI) Edward Leslie Knauss, son of Harrison (2) and Harriet (Sher- man) Knauss, was born at Bath, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1861. He was edu- cated in Bath public schools, primary, grammar and high, and at Lafayette College, where he completed the freshman year. He then spent several years at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a Mr. Gurnet, a merchant tailor, and after becoming thoroughly familiar with that business located in Easton, where with John Heil as a partner he opened a merchant tailoring estab- lishment. Their shops were in what is now the Studio for two years, when the firm dissolved, Mr. Knauss purchasing the entire interest. For twenty- eight years he continued in business as a merchant tailor, then in 1914 sold
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out, and for two years was not actively engaged in any business, giving him- self well earned relaxation. He then accepted his present position, travel- ing salesman for the Mobile Oil Company of Philadelphia. Mr. Knauss is a Republican in politics, a member of Third Street Reformed Church ; Dallas Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Pomp Council, Royal and Select Masters; the Commandery, Knights Templar; the Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was a charter member of the Lodge of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in all these bodies retains a lively interest.
Mr. Knauss married, in Bath, Eleanor Jane Batholomew, born in Easton, May 15, 1861, daughter of William and Jane (Stuart) Batholomew. Mr. and Mrs. Knauss are the parents of a son, Stuart Russell, born in Bath, Penn- sylvania, June 26, 1884. He was a student at Nazareth Hall, Military Acad- emy, Easton Academy, Lerch's Preparatory School, later under Professor Charles Lerch, then entered Lafayette College. In 1909 he entered the Art Students League of New York City, spending one year as an art student, then returning to Easton, where for five years he was engaged as a draughts- man with Williams Michler, architect. He then was with the engineering corps of the Lehigh Valley Railroad for eightcen months, after which he associated himself with the Cameron Pump Works, New York City, as marine pump draughtsman, a position he is now most satisfactorily filling.
GEORGE H. WISE-From an early period in the development of the Lehigh Valley, ancestors of George H. Wise, of Bangor, Pennsylvania, have been identified with the development of that section, particularly active in the lumber business. The first representative of the family in Northampton county was John Weiss, who moved from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at an early date, the German ancestor, Weiss, now anglicised as Wise, there settling upon his first coming. John Weiss owned a small farm between Portland and the Delaware Water Gap, the exact location being known as Slateford. In addition to cultivating his farm, he engaged in boating, and rafting lumber on the Delaware river. He there lived a quiet, peaceful life, and had been greatly respected in his community. He married a Miss LeBar, of French parentage, and they were the parents of a large family, including sons: Charles, Reuben, Jesse, David, Micajah, and George H., who is the grandfather of George H. Wise.
George H. Weiss, son of John Weiss, was born near Portland, Penn- sylvania, and there educated in the public schools. He early became a lum- berman, and finally engaged in business for himself, conducting for many years a lumber business of large proportions. He made Portland his head- quarters, and there built a large saw mill and converted into lumber the logs cut in the northern part of the State and in New York, which were rafted to his mill on the waters of the Delaware. After the plentiful supply of timber began to diminish, Mr. Wise engaged in the lime business, establishing kilns at Portland, and becoming a large dealer. He prospered in both enterprises, and was one of the influential and substantial men of his town. He took active part in public affairs, and for a term was burgess of Portland. He married Susan Yetter, and they were the parents of a large family, including sons: Joseph H., of Portland, Pennsylvania; Lewis Reuben, also of Port- land. Pennsylvania ; Hiram, a real estate dealer in Easton ; Frank S., of whom further ; Clark C., of Bangor ; also daughters: Rosanna, Alice, and Hannah ; these children all marrying.
Frank S. Wise, son of George H. and Susan (Yetter) Wise, was born in Portland, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1862, and there attended the public schools. When school years were over he at once became associated with his father in the lumber business, beginning in the saw mill at Portland. He remained in Portland with his father until 1884, then moved to Bangor, where
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he soon afterward, in connection with his brothers, Clark C. and Joseph, formed a partnership and invested in a 5,000 acre tract of timber land located in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania ; a devastating forest fire swept their tract, causing a severe loss to the brothers, which they estimated at $40,000. Pre- viously, in 1881, three of these brothers, Reuben, Joseph and Hiram, had opened a lumber yard in Bangor, Pennsylvania, under the firm name, Wise Brothers. That business, in 1886, had been acquired by Clark C. Wise, who conducted it alone until 1890, adding to the lumber yard a planing mill. After the fire, which put him temporarily out of business, Frank S. Wise joined his brother, Clark C., in Bangor, and in 1891 was admitted to a part- nership in the business, both lumber yard and planing mill. They jointly conducted the business in Bangor until 1901, when Frank S. purchased his brother's interest and became sole owner. The planing mill had been destroyed by fire the previous year, causing a severe loss, and in 1902 Mr. Wise replaced this loss with a modern planing mill, equipped with the newest and best working machinery. He still continues a successful lumber and planing mill business, and in addition to the Bangor plant has lumber inter- ests in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and in West Virginia. His entire life from boyhood has been given to the lumber business, and while he has per- haps met with more than his due share of misfortune from the fire fiend, not only calm, cool judgment was necessary, but courage and fortitude of the highest order were required in such times of financial stress and storm. But trials of his mettle but developed that strong, reliant business man, and he won substantial success. Frank S. Wise married, in 1881, Clara A. Sny- der, born in Bangor, Pennsylvania, daughter of Jacob A. and Rebecca (Albert) Snyder, the Snyders an old county family. Mr. and Mrs. Wise are the parents of twelve children: George H., of further mention ; Samuel J., Sadie M., married George Pritchard, of Bangor; Fred F., Margaret E., Mildred, Grace, deceased; Helen, deceased; Frank S. (2), Ronald S., Clare, and Barbara.
George H. Wise, eldest son of Frank S. and Clara A. (Snyder) Wise, and grandson of George H. Wise, was born in Bangor, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 18, 1881. After public school courses in Bangor, and a special course in Pierce's Business College, of Philadelphia, he began business life under his father's direction in his Bangor lumber business. He continued in that line for several years, acquiring familiarity with mercantile and financial meth- ods, this experience gained under so capable an instructor freely equipping him for the place in the business life of his town which he was destined to fill. In 1906 he saw the benefit that would be derived from the establish- ment of an additional financial institution to the general business interest of the community, and that year effected the organization of the Bangor Trust Company, in association with George M. Slack, A. A. Seem and Wil- liam H. Smith. Mr. Wise was elected treasurer of the company, and most ably fills that position. He is also secretary of the Bangor Silk Knitting Company, and treasurer of the Bangor Electric Company.
In politics Mr. Wise is a Republican, takes a deep interest in public affairs, and bears his share of civic burdens. He has served Bangor as auditor, and school director, his present position being that of borough treasurer. He is a member of the Masonic order, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, one of the founders of the last named order, and in 1908 was a member of the building committee in charge of the construc- tion of the Elks Home.
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