Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, Part 10

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1006

USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10
USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 10

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maiden name of Catherine Boyer, and is a daugh- ter of Isaac Boyer, who was one of the pioneer set- tlers of Northampton County.

The gentleman whose name heads this record spent the days of his boyhood and youth near Betlilehem, and acquired his education in the pub- lic and high schools of that place, after which he began to earn his own livelihood by working at house and sign painting and frescoing in Bethle- hem. There lie remained until 1861, when he came to Mauch Chunk, and worked at his trade until 1866 in the employ of others. He then began bus- iness for himself, and continued operations as a painter, paper-lianger and frescoer until 1877, in which year he leased the store building at No. 61 Broadway, and opened up a stock of wall paper, paints and everything necessary for that line of trade. He takes contracts for the exterior and in- terior finishing of houses, and employs from six to twenty men. He also at this time put in a stock of miscellaneous books, fine stationery, blank books, fancy goods and toys, and everything pertaining to a first-class stock in these lines.

In 1865 Mr. Luckenbach was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of Peter Deremer, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Mauch Chunk. Four children grace this union, three sons and a daughter, namely: Albert H., Har- riet L., William F. and Charles C.

Our subject is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, and has ever given his support to those en- terprises which are calculated to advance the gen- eral welfare. He was elected a member of the City Council, which position he filled for three years, and has been Secretary of the Upper Mauch Chunk Water Company since its organization some twenty-one years ago. He manifested his loyalty to the Government during the late war by entering the Union service as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania In- fantry, the regiment being commanded by Col. Jacob G. Frick. The regiment was assigned to tlie Army of the Potomac, Humphrey's Third Division, Fifth Army Corps. Mr. Luckenbach enlisted in May, 1863, participated in the battles of Freder- icksburg and Chancellorsville, together with other engagements of lesser importance, and at the end

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of his term of enlistment was honorably discharged from the service. He is a charter member of L. F. Chapman Post No. 61, G. A. R .; was twice its Commander, and has filled all of its other offices. He also belongs to the Knights of Honor and the Royal Arcanum. In his business he has met with success, his perseverance, industry and good man- agement gaining for him a handsome competence.

H ENRY D. SNYDER is the popular and genial station agent at Parryville, Car- bon County, in the employ of the Lchigh Valley Railroad. He comes from one of the very old families of the Lehigh Valley. His paternal great-grandfather was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and the Moser ancestors were also among the early settlers of Lehigh County.

The birth of our subject occurred in Carbon County, December 13, 1853. His parents are Na- than H. and Esther (Moser) Snyder, both of whom were born in Lehigh County, and are now resi- dents of Franklin Township. The father was originally a gunsmith, but later in life turned his attention to blacksmithing. He was born in 1817, and is one of the worthy old citizens of this neigh- borhood. The youth of our subject was passed on a farm, and until fifteen years old he worked with his father in his blacksmith shop. On New Year's Day, 1868, he met with a great misfortune by ac- cidentally shooting his hand, thus necessitating the loss of that useful member. He was edu- cated in the district schools and for a short time attended Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, this state. Afterward he was for several sessions a student in the Keystone Normal School, and still later in the select school at Normal Square, con- ducted by Prof. Thomas Balliet. These schools he attended during the intervals of his teaching. For a number of years he was thus employed, with the exception of a few months each year.

For about two years Mr. Snyder studied law with Joseph Kalbfus, of Mauch Chunk, and in his

nineteenth year took up telegraphy in the employ of the road with which he is now connected. In 1880 he was appointed station agent at Parryville, which has been his place of residence for the past fourteen years. He is a representative Republican, and is now serving his third term as Justice of the Peace. As one who has always been greatly inter- ested in educational affairs he has served on the Board of Education of this place and is now the Treasurer of that honorable body. At various times he has also served as President and as Secre- tary of the Board.

In 1823 Mr. Snyder married Eliza A., daughter of Solomon Solt, formerly of Franklin Township. Three sons have been born of their union, in order of birth as follows: Earl H., Ira H. and Herbert B. The parents are members of St. John's Reformed Church of Parryville, in which Mr. Snyder is now officiating as Deacon, and also holds the positions of Secretary and Treasurer on the board of officers. When the church was under construction, Mr. Snyder was Treasurer of the Building Committee, and is Superintendent and Treasurer of the Sun- day-school. Moreover he is Secretary of the Joint Consistory of the Towamensing charge of his de- nomination.

R EV. NERI FRANKLIN PETERS, Pastor of the St. John's Reformed Church at Slatington, is a native of North White- hall Township, Lehigh County, Pa., having been born in a farm house between Unionville and Schnecksville, May 19, 1857. The family is of Swiss ancestry, and its earliest representative in America, so far as known, borc the name of Casper Peters. Coming from Switzerland to this country, he entered three hundred acres of land between Union ville and Slatington about the year 1742.

The grandparents of our subject, Daniel and Maria (Fenstermacher) Peters, had three sons and four daughters, namely: Monroe, Neri, Daniel, Sa- bina, Maria, Julia and Amelia. The second of the sons was the father of our subject, now a retired farmer residing in the village of Egypt, South

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Whitehall Township, Lehigh County. He was born in 1828, and has spent his life principally in the locality where lie now resides.

The mother of our subject, Sarah Anna, is the only daughter of Jacob and Anna (Henninger) Graul, and was born in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pa., August 21, 1836. An earnest Christian woman, it was her endeavor to rear her children in sound religious principles and in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Especially was this the case with her first-born son. The prin- cipal tutorship in learning to read and write the German language was exercised by his mother. The principal reading book was the New Testa- ment Scriptures.

The time of his infancy and early boyhood, our subject passed partly at the home of his grand- mother near Unionville, and partly with his mother near Rockdale. At the age of seven years he was sent to the public school in what is known as Dei- bert's Valley during the winter term, and to a select school at Unionville during the summer montlıs. His progress in learning was so rapid that in his fourteenth year he stood at the head of the school in all the branches taught. Anxious to earn a livelihood for himself, he was advised to lire out as a boat hand on the canal. This he did, and for three consecutive summers traveled the tow-path, refraining from severe study, save dur- ing the winter months.

When sixteen years of age, Mr. Peters appren- ticed himself to S. H. Schneck, a cabinet-maker and dealer in furniture at Slatington. Learning the trade, he was thus engaged for two and one-half years, when he passed the required examination, received a teacher's certificate, and from the bench entered the school-room as teacher of the Rock- dale school in his home neighborhood. Six months later he removed to the west and settled at Great Bend, Barton County, Kan., where he resumed his trade in the furniture establishment of C. F. Will- ner. With that gentleman he remained for eigh- teen months, when he was chosen Deputy County Treasurer of Barton County under John Alefs.

For about two years Mr. Peters held that posi- tion, at the same time reading law with a leading firm in the county seat. He then entered the law

department of the Iowa State University at Iowa City, graduating from that institution with the de- gree of LL. B. on June 21, 1881. However, other influences were meantime turning his thoughts along a different line. His religious life dates back to his infancy, when, June 25, 1857, he was dedicated to the Lord in holy baptism, Rev. Jere- miah Schindel, a Lutheran clergyman, performing the sacred rite. After a regular course of religious instruction, in accordance with the teachings of the church of his choice, he was confirmed and be- came a member in full on the 13th of April, 1872, at Unionville, Rev. E. J. Fogel, D. D., pastor.

Through some unusual spiritual impressions, Mr. Peters was constrained to yield to a higher call than that received from the legal fraternity, and therefore prepared himself for the gospel min- istry. After three years' additional study, he was graduated from the theological seminary at Tif- fin, Ohio, May 24, 1884. Being licensed May 31, 1884, by Tiffin Classis of the Reformed Church, he shortly thereafter received a unanimous call from the Orbisonia charge in Huntingdon County, Pa. On the 17th of June, he accepted the call, and on September 1, entered upon his duties as pastor. At a special meeting of Juniata Classis held at Orbisonia November 6, 1884, he was or- dained and installed pastor of said charge, which consisted of three congregations located respect- ively at Orbisonia, Shirleysburg and Saltillo.

After having served that charge faithfully for a year and nine months, Mr. Peters resigned to ac- cept a call from the Slatington Church, which he is now serving. On the 1st of June, 1886, he en- tered upon his work in the new field. At that time the congregation numbered two hundred and forty members, but now more than six hundred are officially reported. During this time the con- gregation has raised large sums of money for be- nevolence, and made numerous improvements, such as the purchasing of additional ground, thie erection thereon of a commodious brick parsonage, the introduction of steam heat and electric lights, and the complete renovation, remodeling, carpet- ing, etc., of the church edifice, which is now con- sidered a very convenient and handsome one.

At Rising Sun, Pa., Rev. Mr. Peters was united

JOHN WILLIAMS.

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in marriage with Miss Serena J. Kuntz, the aecom- plished daughter of Elias M. and Catharine (Hel- frich) Kuntz. Of this union there have been born one son and two daughters, whose names and dates of birth are respectively: Allan Walter, born November 10, 1888; Edna Ruth, December 7, 1890; and Esther Mary, January 13, 1893. Mrs. Peters was born in North Whitehall Township, Le- high County, June 28, 1858, and is a lady of great worth of character and amiable disposition.

After special courses of private study by corre- spondence and otherwise, the degree of A. M. was conferred upon Rev. Mr. Peters by the Board of Direetors of Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pa., at their annual meeting in June, 1891. Aside from his ministerial duties, he conducts an advanced course of literary and seientific reading. He is a graduate of the Chautauqua course, in which he studied for four years. A pleasing speaker, tire- less worker and earnest Christian man, the future years will doubtless bring to him ever-increasing usefulness and honor in the Gospel ministry.

J OHN WILLIAMS. The record of the life of a man of acknowledged worth and great prominence in his community may most appropriately adorn the pages of biographi- cal history. Such an one was the late Jolin Will- iams, formerly an influential citizen of Catasauqua. For nearly a half-century he was eonneeted with the Crane Iron Company, of which he was ap- pointed Assistant Cashier in January, 1849. In 1856 he was promoted to Cashier, which important position he held until the day of his death. Dur- ing that time he maintained the warm regard and implieit confidenee of his superiors, as well as those who were lower than he in rank.

With many of the local enterprises Mr. Williams was actively connected. He assisted in the organ- ization of the Catasauqua Manufacturing Com- pany, of which he was an official at the time of his demise. For many years he was Passenger Agent for the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad Company, served first as Director and later as

President of the Catasauqua Gas Company, was a Director, and at the time of his death Vicc-Presi- dent of the National Bank of Catasauqua, Direc- tor in the Lehigh Valley Trust & Safe Deposit Company of Allentown, President of the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company of Upper and Lower Saucon Township, and President of the Fairview Cemetery Association. To those who knew him it is needless to say, that in every possible manner le endeavored to promote the welfare of his fel- low-townsmen and to advance their interests.

A native of Landore, Wales, John Williams was born November 20, 1824, and when a little over eight years of age he came with his parents to America, locating near Schenectady, N. Y. When a lad of fourteen- he entered the employ of John Fullagar, of that eity. as a clerk. In 1845 he fol- lowed the rest of the family, who were then liv- ing in Catasauqua, and at once entered the office of the Crane Iron Company. Step by step he was promoted, earning the respect and commendation of his superiors by his unfailing courtesy and de- votion to his work.

September 14, 1852, Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Miss Emina Heilig, who was born in Montgomery County. Her father, Rev. George Heilig, a native of Germantown, was a minister in the Lutheran Church, his life being spent in the work. His death oceurred at the home of his daughter, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Susannah Hook, was of English descent, and her death oceurred in Tama- qua. The Heilig family originated in Germany, and became prominent eitizens in this state. To Mr. and Mrs. John Williams eight children were born, four of whom survive: Mrs. Frank M. Horn, Mrs. Edward D. Boyer, John T. and George H. The handsome residenee of the family on Bridge Street, which was erected by the father in 1870, has al- ways been noted for the liberal hospitality ex- tended to the many friends of this worthy couple.

In politics Mr. Williams was an ardent Repub- liean, and in 1876 was delegate from this district to the National Republican Convention at Phila- delphia which nominated General Grant for his second term. In. 1853 he united with the First Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, and in 1872

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he was elected an Elder, afterward becoming Su- perintendent of the Sunday-school, which positions he retained until his death. Charitable and kind in his judgments, he won the love and respeet not only of those who were associated with him in chureh work, but of all who were brought in con- taet with him. The unswerving integrity mani- fested by him in all the business relations of life won for him the confidenee of the community, who sought his aid and counsel oftentimes. In 1861 he was elected Burgess of the borough of Catasau- qua, and was re-elected successively each year un- til 1873, with the exception of one year. After a long illness he was ealled to his final rest, May 24, 1892, having reached the advanced age of six- ty-seven years and six months.

EVI SHUPP, Tax Colleetor and cigar man- ufacturer in West Bethlehem, was born in Monroe County January 21, 1837. His father, Fredriek Shupp, was born at the same place and was a farmer and miller, dying at the age of sixty-five. George Shupp, the grandfather, was born in Monroe County and served in the Revo- lutionary War. The wife of Fredrick Shupp, and mother of Levi, Elizabeth (Dreisback) Shupp, was born in Monroe County, and is a daughter of Con- rad D. Dreisback, who was a miller at that place, but later removed to Pine Swamp and engaged in the lumber and teaming business. There were nine children in the family of Fredrick and Elizabeth Shupp, of whom eight attained the age of maturity, but our subject is the only one now living. He was reared in Polk Township, attended the com- mon school there, and learned the miller's trade. While working at this oeeupation he met with a serious accident, losing his left hand by the explo- sion of a gun.

Mr. Shupp married Miss Ellen M. Huebner, who was born in Bethlehem, and is the daughter of Dr. Abram Huebner. The Doetor was educated at Nazareth Hall, receiving the degree of M. D., and practiced for some time at Philadelphia. He

was Professor of English language and physiol- ogy in the Female Seminary at Bethlehem, was the first physician in Bethlehem, and erected the first briek residenee there. When over sixty years of age he passed to his last rest, living and dying a true Republican. The wife of Dr. Abram Hueb- ner was Justine B. Frytog, a native of Weissport, Carbon County. She was the daughter of Rev. Casper Frytog, who is the pastor of the Moravian Church.

There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Shupp, only one of whom is living, Victor M., who is a paper-hanger and decorator. After their mar- riage they eame to Bethlehem, and Mr. Shupp was first employed as watchman of the Lake Shore Railroad, at the Canal Bridge, on Main Street crossing for two years. He then engaged with the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and was their wateh- man at the' Wyandotte Street crossing for one year, then was tool collector for the Broad Street Bridge Company, remaining with them for five years. He next was janitor of the First National Bank, doing a merehant tailor business at the same time.

Mr. Shupp then started his cigar store, and in 1887 was elected Tax Collector for West Bethle- hem, giving a bond for $35,000. He is a member of the Moravian Chureh, and in political faith and action is a Demoerat. His son is the father of five children, viz .: Freddie, Victor, Jr., Granville, Ella and May.

W ILLOUGHBY E. HENRY is one of the oldest employes on the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad. He has been con- neetcd with this company as engineer since 1866, and looks baek upon the intervening years with great satisfaction, remembering how faithfully he has performed every duty belonging to that re- sponsible position. He was born in Lowhill, Le- high County, January 30, 1842, and is the son of Edward Henry, likewise a native of this county, and Lydia Henry, who was born in Berks Coun- ty, and was the daughter of George Miller, a prom- 1

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inent teacher in early life, who later turned his attention to farm pursuits. Edward Henry and his wife were both members of the Evangelical Church, and reared a family of seven children. They also lost four, who died when quite young. The subject of this record, who is the third in or- der of birth, had four brothers who fought as sol- diers in the late war.

W. E. Henry spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in this county, and in September, 1863, found employment as brakeman on the yard train of the Thomas Iron Company. He worked for them for three years in that capacity, and in the spring of 1867 was promoted to be fireman, and one year later to the position of engineer. He ran the gravel train for two scasons, was then engincer on the ore train, and later hield the same position on the local passenger, his run being onc hundred miles or more each day. He is one of the oldest employes of that company, and can truthfully say that no person has ever been injured while on his train, nor has he had a serious wreck in his time. He makes his home in this city, hav- ing a good residence located on the corner of Race and East Streets.

When ready to establish a home of his own, Mr. Henry was married, January 31, 1864, to Miss Catherine, daugliter of Henry Hoch. This lady was born in Northampton County, and her father was a native of the same county, where also hier grandfather, who likewise bore the name of Henry, was born and carried on farm pursuits. The lat- ter died when in his sixty-second year, and the father of Mrs. Henry departed this life when sev- enty-nine years of age. Her mother, Mrs. Susan (Rohn) Hoch, was born in Whitehall Township, and died when sixty years old. She was the daugliter of James Rohn, also an agriculturist of considerable prominence. Mrs. Henry was one in a family of ten children, only three of whom are living at the present time.

To W. E. Henry and his wife one child has been born, Ellen J., now the wife of Harvey Kurtz. They have also an adopted daughter, Miss Minnie Frick. They are members in good standing of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and their friends are many throughout the city. Mr. Henry has always

been a Democrat in politics, and in his relations with his fellow-men he is upright and conscien- tious, and justly ranks among the best citizens of the county.

RIFFITH ELLIS. Among the most noted and representative men of Slating- ton stands the name of Griffith Ellis, whose high reputation and material prosperity came as the reward of unusual abilities industri- ously applied. He is the proprietor of a prosper- ous business, and is conducting his trade under what is known as the Keystone Slate Company. He is also greatly interested in the Ellis Slate Company, Northampton County, of which he is the principal stockholder.

Our subject was born in the north of Wales, March 31, 1833, and spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native land, in the mean- time receiving a common-school education. He subsequently completed his education in Cherry- ville, Northampton County. In 1851, deciding to try his fortunes in America, lie came to the United States, landing in New York City, whence he came to Slatington. Here he found employ- ment in a slate quarry, which business he followed for several years, and one time was foreman for Henry Williams. He was later foreman and su- perintendent for a period of seven years of the Girard Slate Quarry, the richest slate company in Lehigh County. In 1875 he determined to en- gage in business on his own account, and being thoroughly versed in every detail of the work and a practical business man, he has met with signal success. He manufactures all kinds of roofing slate, which he ships to different points through- out the states.

In politics our subject is a stanch advocate of the platform laid down by the Republican party. He is public spirited, interested in all improve- ments, and is one of the city 's most influential men. In 1871 Mr. Ellis was elected to the Council, serv- ing acceptably for a term of three years. His

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marriage withi Miss Jemimah Evans was celebrated in 1854. Mrs. Ellis was also born in Wales, and by her union with our subject has beconie the mother of the following children: Laura, the wife of John Hart; Katherine Louisa, living in New Orleans, and the wife of John W. Reppen; Lizzie, now Mrs. E. D. Peters; and G. Weldon. Three boys dicd in infancy.

In 1861 Mr. and Mrs. Ellis returned to their old home in Wales, remaining there for three or four years. They occupy a beautiful residence in Slat- ington, and are classed among its best citizens.

ENJAMIN D. WEHR. The life of this gentleman, who makes his home in Washi- ington Township, Lehigh County, fur- nishes a good lesson to youths who must begin their careers as he did, without means. He now occupies a high position among the agriculturists of this section, and is living with his family in the fincst residence in the township.

Our subject is a native of this county, and was born November 8, 1844, to Daniel and Hannalı Wehr, also natives of this section and lifelong res- idents of Washington Township. The grandfather, Michael Wehr, was also born in Lehigh County, while his father was a native of Germany and the founder of that branch of the family in America, of which our subject is a descendant. Daniel Wehr departed this life February 6, 1890, leaving a famn- ily of five children, namely: David S .; Leah, now the widow of Eli Deibert; our subject; Synia, the wife of H. Seibert, and Moses. The father had served for many terms as School Director of his township, and was a strong Republican in politics. In religious affairs he was prominently identificd with the Reformed Church, with which he has been connected for many years and in which he has al- ways taken a decp interest.

Benjamin D. Wehr, of this sketch, was reared a farm lad, and consequently carried on his studies in the district school. When ready to choose a

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Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, Part 10

Author: Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1006

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1006