USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 15
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Of Peter Wycoff little can be authentically related, except the fact that he was born near Bound Brook, N. J., in 1808, studied law under Mr. MeDowell, of Doylestown, was admitted to the bar of this county Sept. 3, 1838, and died March 8, 1877 .. ITis office was near where Evan Holben's now is. A few years, about the middle of his professional life, were passed in Philadelphia. He is remembered as an honest, upright man, a good office lawyer, and fairly suecess- ful in his profession. His widow, who was a daughter of Gen. William Brown, is still living.
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Robert Emmett Wright, now the oldest attorney at the Lehigh bar, was born at Carlisle, Pa., Nov. 30, 1810. After attending for several years the sehool of Charles Wales in his native town, he entered the drug-store of John C. Baehr, in 1826. Two years later he came to Allentown and entered the employ of John B. Moser, with whout he remained until twenty-one years of age, when he went into the drug business for himself. But he had never cared par- ticularly for this or any other line of mercantile life, and consequently he soon abandoned it and entered his name as a student of law, and upon Sept. 5, 1838, was admitted to practice. Almost immediately after taking up the duties of his profession he attained popularity, which was based upon his unselfish devo- tiou to various public interests, as well as upon his generally recognized professional ability and trust- worthiness. Politieally he was and is a Democrat. While not in any sense a place-seeker, the possession of various fitting qualities led to his appointment to a number of honorable and responsible stations, in all of which he proved himself more than adequate. He was twice appointed distriet attorney by Attorney-
General J. K. Kane, and was twiee given the office of postmaster at Allentown. He acted as school director for twenty-three years, and few men have done more than he for the advancement of the educational in- terests of the city, or, for that matter (though more indirectly), of the county. He also served two termis as burgess of Allentown. He was appointed a re- porter of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania by Governor William Fisher Paeker, and published the first Index Digest of the Supreme Court Reports.
Always faithful in the discharge of whatever of duty devolved upon him, and always kind and eon- siderate to all with whom he has come into contact, he has commanded the respcet and affeetion of the people in the community in which he has passed the adult years of a long life. Few men have had more friends ; few shown their worthiness of having them by so numerous unselfish labors for the good of indi- viduals and institutions. It can be said of Mr. Wright that he has been uneeasingly a publie bene- factor.
The subject of these few inadequate lines (which, however, are more extended and more full of praise than perhaps he would wish) was joined in marriage in 1836 with Maria, daughter of Charles Hutter, of Allentown. Their children are Carrie H., Charles (deceased), Ida (wife of Hon. Evan Holben), Mary (wife of Dr. Laubach), Sarah R. (wife of A. C. Brooks), Robert E. Wright, Jr. (born in 1847, now a well-known member of the Lehigh bar), J. Holmes Wright (born in 1850), Mary (deceased), Minna A. (wife of C. A. Miller), and J. Marshall Wright, the present district attorney.
Ilenry C. Longnecker, one of the best-known at- torneys of his time, was born in Cumberland County, Pa., April 17, 1821. He was placed at school at Wil- braham, Mass., from whence he entered the Norwich Military University of Vermont, and was subsequently graduated at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa. After he graduated he chose the law as his profession, and en- tered upon its study in the office of Hon. James M. Porter. He was ealled to the bar Jan. 26, 1843. After the appointment of alr. Porter as Secretary of War in the cabinet of President Tyler, Mr. Longnecker took charge of his law business, and conducted the same with entire satisfaction until the return of Mr. Porter from Washington, after which Mr. Longnecker con- eluded to make his residence in Lehigh County, and accordingly was admitted to the bar here on the 30th of January, 1844, and soon entered upon a successful practice. Upon the breaking out of the war with Mexico, Mr. Longnecker volunteered, serving as lieutenant and afterward as adjutant of his regiment. He participated in all the principal engagements under Gen. Scott, which ended in the triumphal entry of the United States army into the city of Mexico. Upon his return from Mexico he was elected district attorney of Lehigh County by a very flattering vote, and in this capacity he acquitted him-
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self with satisfaction. In 1851 and 1854, Col. Long- neeker was a delegate to the State Democratie con- vention of those years. In 1856 the trouble in Kansas assumed a grave aspect, and Mr. Longnecker, like many earnest and conscientious Democrats of that day, opposed the principles by which his party was made the means of extending the area of slavery, and was afterward an ardent advocate of the measures of the Republican party. In 1858, Mr. Longnecker was elected a representative from Pennsylvania in the Thirty-sixth Congress from the Sixth District, which was then decidedly Democratic, and served as a mem- ber of the Committee on Military Affairs. In the war of the Rebellion he became colonel of the Ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, and as such commanded a brigade in Western Virginia in 1861. He subse- quently eonnanded a brigade at the battle of An- tietam. Col. Longnecker was no ordinary man. In addition to the liberal education which he received he was endowed with a sound judgment upon public affairs, and his counsels were often invoked by those in power during the dark days of rebellion.
He died Sept. 16, 1871, and left a widow (a daughter of Mr. Samuel Lewis) and two children.
Jolin D. Stiles, a native of Pennsylvania, settled at Allentown in the practice of his profession in 18444, and has been a very successful lawyer. He was (as the civil list in the preceding chapter will show) three times elected to Congress, the last time in 1868. On the expiration of his term, in .1871, he returned to the practice of law, in which he is still engaged. Ile had been three times a delegate to Democratic national conventions, the first being the convention of 1856, when he aided actively in the nomination of James Buchanan, as he afterward did in his election.
C. M. Runk is a native of Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the bar at Allentown, Ang. 31, 1846. He has had a successful practice, and is still living.
James S. Reese was one of the successful prac- titioners at the Lehigh bar, and became a member of the Legislature, as will be seen by reference to the preceding cliptor giving the civil list of the county. He would doubtless have reached higher stations in the gift of the people had his life been spared, but he died quite young. He was a native of Easton.
E. J. More, who was admitted to practice in 1849, the year after Mr. Reese, was a native of Allentown, and died there. He studied his profession with Sam- uel Runk, and became quite a popular lawyer, espe- cially as a counselor,
William Samuel Marx, in his time a leader of the bar, was born at Weseosville, Lehigh Co., March 1, 1829, and was the son of Samnel and Magdalena (Beary) Marx. His father held several offices of publie trust and honor, and while register of wills for Lehigh County removed to Allentown, residing oppo- site the court-house. William received his early education and preparation for college at the Allen- town Academy, then under the charge of Mr. -
Douglass. He was ready for the freshman class of Princeton at the age of fourteen years, but on account of his youth was put off for a year, after which delay he was entered there. He was graduated regularly in the class of 1848, having for his classmates, among others, Rev. W. C. Cattell, D.D., late president of La- fayette College, and Henry C. Pitney, vice-ebrancellor of New Jersey.
He entered the law-office of Hon. Henry C. Long- necker, at Allentown, immediately, and after faithful study was admitted to the bar of his native county Feb. 5, 1850, before he was fully of age. He was characterized by great energy and determination, and early established himself as a force among his brethren at the bar. At that date the courts were regularly attended by Judge J. M. Porter, Hon. A. E. Browne, A. H. Reeder, and others, leaders of the Easton bar, and with them the younger men hesitated to contend; but Mr. Marx early demonstrated his willingness and ability to meet and cope with them in the trial of cases, and with more than ordinary success. He was appointed sheriff's attorney by Sheriff Nathan Weiler in 1853, and in 1856 was nominated and elected dis- triet attorney, and served the full term. His labors were ardnous, because of an increase of important cases growing out of riots during the construction of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and in securing the con- viction of some ringleaders he, by overwork, laid the foundation of ill health, which, later, culminated in the disease which carried him off. Among his asso- ciates of the bar he was early regarded chief, and had one of the most snecessful and lucrative practices before he had been ten years admitted. About 1860, on account of ill health, he associated with him in practice Hon. C. M. Runk, and continued the part- nership until the autumn of 1864. In April, 1866, while trying an important case at Easton, he con- tracted a severe cold, and, unable to have it at once checked because of his duty to his client, it took a hold on his system which could not be shaken off, and after five months of sickness he died, Sept. 2, 1866, at the early age of thirty-seven and a half years. Mr. Marx was in polities an ardent Democrat up to the war, and in the campaign of 1860 a follower and great admirer of Stephen A. Douglas, and cast one of the thirteen straight ballots given in Allentown to that Presidential candidate. When the South chose the arbitrament of war, he was prompt to range him- self on the side of the government, and never swerved in the fiercest contests of partisanship of the succeed- ing years to aid by voice and vote the administration of Abraham Lincoln in vindicating the constitutional supremacy of the laws. This course separated him widely from his party, then and now dominant in his native county. His later votes were consequently given to the Republican candidate. Ilis nature was such that he always entered ardently into and pushed whatever he undertook, and, nothing of a politician, it was always easy to understand where he stood upon
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THE BENCH AND BAR OF LEHIGH COUNTY.
any question of the day. His eircle of friends and admirers was large, and many of them surviving ean tell of interesting ineidents in his career.
May 18, 1854, he was married to Josephine W. Baldwin, of Bloomfield, N. J., by whom he had four sons and one daughter. His widow and four children survive him.
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Another strong lawyer, who, like Mr. Marx, died very young, was John Oliver. He was born at Eas- . ton, received his early education at Vandever's pri- vate school in that place, and then entered Franklin and Marshall College, at Laneaster, from which he graduated, standing high in his class. Immediately commencing practice-he was admitted Nov. 3, 1856 -at Allentown, he rose rapidly in his profession. He was popular and a good speaker, and therefore it was not strange that in 1870 he beeame the choice of the Republicans of the distriet for Congress. He lacked only about one hundred and fifty votes of defeating his opponent, E. L. Ackerman, although the Demo- cratic majority in the district was very heavy. During the war Mr. Oliver was major of the Fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Militia. He died not long after his candidature for Congress, at the age of thirty-four, very widely and deeply lamented, and in his death the Lehigh bar lost one of its most brilliant orna- ments. He was a man of strong character and yet very fine intellectual fibre,-a scholarly and polished gentleman.
George B. Schall, one of the members of the bar who has passed away, was a native of Trexlertown, and a graduate of Princeton College. He was ad- mitted to practice in 1857, became successively dis- trict attorney and State senator.
Adam Woolever was a descendant of a family among the pioneers to this country from the Palati- nate, named Wohlleber ( Well-liver), numbering sev- eral brothers, one of whom first settled in what is now Columbia County, where a town located by them was given the name of " Woolever-Stettle" (Woolever- town). Another planted his home in the Mohawk Valley, N. Y., while another nestled down amid the hills of New Jersey, within sight of the Delaware, and in the original home of the proud Lenni Lenapes. These hardy pioneers, having by hard labor founded a home, cleared the forests, and broken up the soil in Columbia County, anticipating rest and comfort in the days to come, had scarcely time to enjoy the fruits of their toil before the hand of oppression reaching across the broad occan again grasped them, and by the unjust taxation of her Majesty Queen Anne, and some technical plan in the titles of land they occupied, deprived them of their rights and homes and compelled them to renew their efforts elsewhere. Almost disheartened, but braving the dangers and trials awaiting them, with Spartan energy they packed their humble furniture on sleds and, in the midst of a severe winter, wended their way through an unbroken and almost trackless way
to the Mohawk Valley, where they settled once more. From this hardy and determined race sprang Adam Woolever, the subject of this sketch, born in Franklin township, Warren Co., N. J., on the 7th of March, 1833, and the son of Adam and Diana Woolever. In his boyhood he enjoyed excellent educational advantages, and at the age of about fifteen he entered a store in Easton as clerk. After remaining for a time he entered the office of Judge Joseph Vliet, of Washington, N. J., and read law for one year. With a view to better opportunities for study he left Wash- ington, and removing to Easton, entered the law- office of the Hon. Judge-McCartney, one of the most eminent lawyers of the day. Here he read law until 1855, when he was admitted to the bar. In Mareh, 1855, he removed to Catasauqua and opened an office, continuing in practice until 1859, when in the fall of that year he was appointed by Sheriff Haines as his attorney, and served three years in that capacity. At the end of his term, in 1862, he was elected distriet attorney, in which official relation he served cred- itably for three years. In 1866 he, in connection with David O. Saylor and Esaias Rehrig, conceived the idea of starting the Coplay Cement-Works, now so well and favorably known, and which projeet proved successful. While thus engaged in manufac- turing interests he continued the practice of law, and in the fall of 1869 was elected to the Legislature, serving creditably during the years 1870-72. In 1872 he was nominated in the Democratic caucus for Speaker of the House, but the Republicans having a majority, one of their number was chosen. In 1875 he was elected chief clerk of the House of Repre- sentatives, in which capacity he served until the spring of 1877, when the Republicans gained the aseendeney and ended his term. From that time he lived a more or less retired life. He was also a can- didate for the office of State senator, and at one time mentioned for the gubernatorial chair.
In 1876, Mr. Woolever published a very meritorious book entitled "Treasury of Wit and Humor," eon- taining sayings of 981 authors, 1898 subjects, and 10,299 quotations,-a work favorably received by the press, as also by literary and professional men. He was a fine scholar, devoted much of his time to books, and was as thoroughly versed in the standard and light literature of the day as any man in the eity of his residence. His social nature and genial temper made numerous friends, and rendered his home the al- most daily meeting-place of many kindred spirits. His word ever was regarded as a law unto him. A man of generous, kindly impulses, with the hand of charity ever open for the needy and deserving, the poor ever found in him a practical helper aud friend. As a citizen he was plain and unassuming, treating the poor and humble with the same deference as the rich and exalted. His simple and polite demeanor made him universally esteemed by all who knew him.,
There were excellencies of character displayed in
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
his private life, there were traits of goodness and kind- ness and genial warmth and brightness exhibited in his social intercourse with those friends whose " adop- tion he had tried," which the world knew not of. Few men exhibit the best that is in them to the world. Those who have mingled in the strife of politics and have done battle in the arena in which selfishness and hardness and cynicism are a part of the armor of suc- cessful combatants, hide the better feelings of their nature from the gaze of the multitude. It was so with Adam Woolever. It was only to those with whom he was on terms of elosest intimacy that he spoke without reserve of those things of which he thought most deeply. They only knew the enthusi- astic love he had for all that is strong and pure and beautiful in humanity, and his detestation for false- hood, cruelty, and deception. He had the manliness of a man united with the tenderness of a woman. He was as straightforward and honest in the warmth of his friendships and the intensity of his dislikes as a child. He was bluff and hearty in his ways, with a keenly humorous instinct, but with an undercurrent of grave, old-fashioned courtesy and thoughtful con- sideration for the feelings of others. A gentleman because he possessed a gentle, kind heart, he was utterly incapable of mean and despicable things. His knowledge of history was remarkable ; he had studied it as one who looks beneath the surface to discover the hidden springs of action which have changed the current of national life. He believed in the universal brotherhood of man, and all forms of oppression out- raged the fine sense of justice which was a prominent trait in his character.
In politics Mr. Woolever was always a Democrat. He took an active part in every State campaign, and was popular with the masses as a speaker. With a elear perception of the issues involved, a lucid style of speaking, and a pleasing address, he combined an agreeable modicum of facetiousness, never failing to attract and hold the attention of his auditors. He was also equally successful as a lecturer; his produc- tions evincing close thought, careful study, and great
purity of language. He believed in " woman's rights," and the injustice and inequality of the laws of the various States with regard to women and their prop- erty was a subject upon which he could quote an array of faets absolutely unanswerable.
Mr. Woolever was married in January, 1857, to Miss Eliza Ann Saylor, only daughter of Samuel Saylor, of Hanover township. Their children are Lilly, Ida, Samuel S., Harry, Maggie, and three who are deceased. The death of Adam Woolever oc- curred on the 24th of September, 1882, in his fiftieth year. The virtues of his true heart were apparent in all his life to those who knew him best, and to them is known how much constancy, truth, and man- liness, how much tenderness, kindness, and charity, are buried in his grave.
bench and bar of Lehigh County is that of Edwin Albright, the president judge of the several courts. He was born Nov. 8, 1838, in the part of Upper Mil- ford township which, since its division, constitutes the township of Lower Milford, and is of German ori- gin. His ancestors, settled here early in the last cen- tury. His parents are Michacl and Maria Albright (Schaeffer).
After receiving a common-school and academic education, he prosecuted the study of the law with great zeal and success, and in 1862 was admitted to the bar. From this time he was engaged in the active practice of his profession until 1878, when he was elected to his present position. He was district attor- ney from 1865 to 1868, and served two terms in the Senate of Pennsylvania (1870 to 1876), having been elected as a Democrat for the first term in the district composed of Lchigh and Northampton, and for the second in that of Lehigh and Carbon Counties.
During his term of service in the Senate that body contained among its members some of the most emi- nent lawyers in the State; it covered the period in- mediately following the adoption of the new Consti- tution of 1873, which necessitated the enactment of a large body of most important laws. An opportunity was thus afforded for the application of his extensive knowledge of the law and its practice in the courts. He served on the Judiciary Committee, and was one of the committee of lawyers to examine and report upon an elaborate civil code which had been prepared by a commission. He ranked with the most eminent lawyers with whom he was associated in his legisla- tive eareer, and the most important legislative enact- ments during this period bear his impress.
His administration of justice is distinguished for kindness, impartiality, firmness, and energy, while his decisions show great learning and research, are well considered, and rarely disturbed. He has earned and maintained the confidence of the people of his native county by a faithful discharge of every duty with ability and integrity.
In 1866 he married Rebecca Y. Sieger, and has children, a daughter, Bertha, and a son, Roderick.
Hiram H. Schwartz, who was admitted to practice in 1858, now a resident of Berks County, was a native of North Whitehall. He was, as will be seen by refer- ence to the civil list, at one time superintendent of schools of Lehigh County. Removing to Kutztown, he was thrice elected as the representative of Berks County in the State Legislature. He is now judge of the Orphans' Court.
The late Alfred B. Schwartz, brother of Hiram HI., was born in North Whitehall, graduated from Frank- lin and Marshall College, was admitted to practice in 1859, and by the time the war broke out had attained a very respectable clientage. He entered the army as captain of a company in the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Regiment, and after considerable ser-
One of the foremost names in the history of the | vice returned home and died.
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THE BENCH AND BAR OF LEHIGH COUNTY.
Thomas B. Metzgar is the son of Nathan and Re- becca (Worman) Metzgar, the former a native of North Whitehall and the latter of Allentown, being a descendant of the pioneer Abraham Worman, who settled at and owned Crystal Springs. Mr. Metzgar removed to Allentown in 1830, when fifteen years of age, and his son was born there Dec. 25, 1839. He received his general education at the Allentown Academy under those excellent instructors, McClena- chan, Chandler, and Gregory. Having very early formed the intention of studying law, he bent his en- ergies toward that end. He taught school at Ruchs- ville, and subsequently, by invitation of Mr. C. W. Cooper, became instructor in the Allentown Gram- mar School. In 1859, when eighteen years of age, he realized his hope, and began reading law with Hon. Samuel A. Bridges. In 1860 and 1861 he continued his studies in the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania, and, concluding the course, returned to Allentown, and was admitted to the bar on April 7, 1862. The success which attended him almost from the start proved the choice of profession to have been a wise one. His practice increased evenly and with satisfactory rapidity from year to year, as also did his personal popularity. In 1868 he was elected district attorney, and he discharged the duties of that office until 1871. Twice he was elected city solicitor, the two terms being separated by a period of several years. He was a delegate to several State Conven- tions of his party from this district, and in 1876 was the district delegate of his native county to the National Convention at St. Louis, which nominated the Hon. Samuel J. Tilden for President. Official or political life, however, has had but little attraction for Mr. Metzgar, and a large clientage has claimed the greater part of his time and energies. He has had an extensive practice in the Lehigh and other Eastern Pennsylvania courts and in the Supreme Court, and has been extensively intrusted with the settlement of estates. Mr. Metzgar was married Sept. 1, 1863, to Susan R., daughter of Solomon Sweitzer.
Edward Harvey, a prominent member of the Lehigh bar, was born in Doylestown, Bucks Co., Pa., Jan. 17, 1844. He is the only son of Dr. George T. and Mary K. Harvey. After passing through the common school and the excellent private school of Dr. S. A. Andrews, in his native town, he completed his aca- demic course at the Lawrenceville High School, near Princeton, in the State of New Jersey. In 1860 he was matriculated as a member of the class of 1864 at Princeton College. Deciding, however, npon entering the profession he has so successfully followed, he left college in his junior year and commenced the study of law at Doylestown, under the preceptorship of Hon. George Lear, then the leading member of the Bucks County bar, and subsequently attorney-general of the State. At September term, 1865, the subject of this sketch was admitted to practice in the courts of his native county. In November of the same year
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