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 105

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 105
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 105
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 105

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In 1848 Benjamin Kemerer became a resident of Philadelphia, where he became a member of the firm of Rex, Kemerer & Co., one of thic leading stores in the city at that time, and continued to do business until the year 1858. He then went to New York City, where he engaged in merchandising on commis- sion and also in the transportation business. His

death occurred in Philadelphia when he was sixty- six years of age, in 1882. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and was a Republican in politics. His wife, Mary (Bachman) Kemerer, was born in Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, and came of a good family of that district. Mrs. Kemerer dicd in 1867, leaving three children, of whom Sa- rah died in Philadelphia; our subject is next in order of birth; and Albert H., a member of the firm of Dickie & Co., is engaged in the real-estate busi- ness in Pittsburg.

The birth of J. B. Kemerer oceurred December 21, 1844, and his education was mainly acquired in the public and high schools of Philadelphia, from the latter of which he was gradnated in 1861. He then came to Bethlehem, where he pursued a course of legal studies with U. J. Wenner, and in 1876 he was admitted to the Bar. Prior to this he had been engaged for three or four years with the firin of H. B. Claflin & Co., the largest wholesale house in New York. Since being admitted to the Bar Mr. Kemerer has continued in active practice at his present location and has been very suc- cessful. In 1887 he formed a partnership withi Clarence A. Wolle in the real-estate and fire insur- ance business and has made a specialty of com- mercial law and the examination of records. With others he projected and laid out the West Side Ad- dition to West Bethlehem, a tract of fifty or sixty acres, and has done much for the town in which he dwells. Moreover, he laid out forty acres of North Bethlehem, and it is mainly due to this firm that the Boston capitalists who control the excel- lent electric railway system connecting Allentown, Catasauqua, Bethlehem and South Bethlehem were induced to invest their money there.

As a Democrat Mr. Kemerer has done good service to his party, and in the year 1889 his prominence led to his election as Burgess of Beth- lehem, to which office he was re-elected the two following years. From 1880 to 1889 hie repre- sented the Third Ward in the City Council, and for the last two years was President of the same. He served on the Highway or Street and Water Sup- ply Committees, and was Chairman of the Street, Police and Law Committees. The last year he served in the Council, and under his influence, was

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started the macadamizing on Main Strect, and later other improvements were introduced. At the pres- ent time he is a member of the State Central Dem- ocratic Committee from Northampton County. At the spring election of 1894 Mr. Kemerer was again elected to the office of Chief Burgess for a term of three years.

In this city, in 1865, J. B. Kemerer married Miss Amanda J. Seem, daughter of Joseph Seem, who was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Kemerer was born near Bethlehem, and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, Albert G., who is engaged in business with his father in the insur- ance department. The residence of the family is located on North Main Street. Both Mr. Kemerer and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

S IMON A. FELDMAN, general United States agent for Charles Millheiser, of Richmond, Va., manufacturer of the Virginia Star Cheroots. has his head office located in Allentown, where he is residing. Mr. Feldman was born in Myerstown, Lebanon County, this state, November 30, 1843, and is a son of Abraham Feldman, a na- tive of Baden, Germany. The mother of our sub- ject, whose maiden name was Henrietta Fern berger, was likewise a native of the Fatherland, and on emigrating to the United States with her husband located in Lebanon County.

When our subject was a lad of five years his parents moved to Philadelphia, where he grew to mature years, and completed his education in the public schools of the Quaker City. His first work after leaving school was as clerk in the cloth house of Shaw Bros., with whom he remained for three years. At the end of that time he accepted a posi- tion in the wholesale establishment of Feldman & Co., where he was employed for a period of five years. Later he was engaged with George W. Middleton & Co., of Philadelphia, and afterward with Fernberger Bros. In 1872 he came to Allen- town, representing Ruhe Bros., cigar manufacturers. In 1883 he severed his connection with this firm,

and in 1884 was engaged by Charles Millheiser as general agent of the United States for the sale of his fine cigars. He established his headquarters in Allentown, making occasional trips over the coun- try in order to establish agencies.

November 3, 1870, Mr. Feldman and Miss Anna M., daughter of Henry Schnurman, were united in marriage. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two sons, A. J. and Henry P. Mr. Feld- man has always taken an active part in public affairs, and for two years was a member of the Board of Health. Socially be is a Mason, belong- ing to Lafayette Lodge No. 71, at Philadelphia. He is also a member of the American Legion of Honor. He takes great interest in other secret so- cieties, and belongs to Philadelphia Lodge No. 2, Order of Elks, and is a member of Lehigh Lodge No. 83, I. O. O. F., of which he is Past District Deputy Grand Master. He is also a member of Red Hawk Tribe No. 55, I. O. R. M .; of Beacon Council No. 422, R. A., of which he is Past Regent; and of Allen Lodge, K. of H. He was Vice-Presi- dent of the Americus Club of Lehigh County, and has served as President of the Jewish Congrega- tion. He has also served as a member of the Com- mon Council from the Fifth Ward.

N ATHAN E. WORMAN, a well known citi- zen of Allentown, and the successful man- ager of the Academy of Music since No- vember, 1893, was here born November 20, 1850, and is a son of Abraham Worman, also a native of Lehigh County. The family was founded in the Keystone State at an early day. The father fol- lowcd farming for some years, but afterward be- came a contractor and builder. His death occurred in 1884. The mother of our subject, who died on the old homestead in August, 1858, bore the maiden name of Esther Kemmerer, and was a daughter of John Kemmerer. She became the mother of six- teen children, eight sons and eight daughters, and four sons and four daughters are yet living.

The subject of this sketch was the fourteenth in order of birth in his parents' family. The public

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schools of Allentown afforded him his educational privileges, and in his native county he was reared to manhood. He learned the printer's trade after completing his studies, becoming familiar with it in all its details, and in the year 1884 he estab- lished a job-printing offiee in Allentown, which he successfully conducted until March, 1892. He then formed a partnership with A. W. Haines, un- der the firm name of Haines & Worman, and this connection still continues. He is a man of good business ability, enterprising and energetic, and the success of his life is all due to his own efforts. In February, 1888, he was elected to the office of Alderman, and continued to serve therein until 1891, when he resigned. From 1892 to 1895 he was Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions. He has ever been prompt and faithful in the discharge of his public duties, and has thereby won the com- mendation of all concerned. The community recognizes in him a valued eitizen, one who ever labors for its best interests.

In November, 1876, Mr. Worman was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Person, of Allentown, now deceased. They had two children, one yet living, Gertie E. Mr. Worman was again married, in 1885, his second union being with Miss Sallie B. Snyder, daughter of Nathan Snyder, of Allen- town. They are highly respected people of this community and hold an enviable position in social eireles. In politics Mr. Worman is a supporter of Democratic principles. His entire life has been passed in Allentown, where he has a wide acquaint- ance and is held in high esteem.

HAON DIEHL, the efficient County Com- missioner of Lehigh County, makes his home in Allentown, where he is proprie- tor of a freight line and sale and exchange stables. He has the honor of being a native of the Key- stone State, his birth having occurred in White- hall Township, Lehigh County, on the 11th of Oe- tober, 1842. He is a son of Solomon Diehl, who was also a native of this county, born in 1808, and a shoemaker by trade. His death occurred in 1880,

at the age of seventy-one. His wife, who was born in 1816, bore the maiden name of Susanna Guth. She was also born in Lehigh County, and her death oeeurred in Allentown in the year 1887.

The subject of this sketeh is the sixth in order of birth in a family of twelve children. His boy- hood days were passed on his father's farm, and he was early inured to the arduous labors of the field. He attended the common schools, and was also a student in a seleet school for a short time. In 1859, at the age of seventeen, Mr. Diehl com- meneed to learn a trade, that of harness-making, under T. A. T. Wartman, of Saegersville. In 1862, at the age of twenty, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteers, under Capt. David Sehadt, and Col. A. A. Lechler, of Philadelphia. He re- mained in the army eleven months, and was then honorably discharged. In 1863 he came to Allen- town, and for six months worked at his trade with C. W. Ran, after which he went to Philadelphia. He worked at his trade in Philadelphia, at No. 5 Callow Hill, for three years, and for the next two years kept a grocery at No. 7 Girard Avenue. In 1869 he came to Allentown, commeneing in the freight-line business. He thoroughly understood his work, and his capable management won him signal success. He has always made the most of his opportunities, improving the advantages which were before him, and thus his efforts have been crowned with prosperity.

Mr. Diehl is doing an extensive and thriving business along this line, it having steadily in- ereased from the beginning. He has in use twenty horses and nine teamsters in the transfer and freight business. He uses large and powerful horses and heavy story-platform spring wagons. He is also engaged in buying and selling horses, and has a large five-story barn, equipped with all modern convenienees, the best of the kind in Allentown, and in which there is an elevator for hoisting his wagons, hay and grain.

On the 20th of October, 1864, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Diehl and Miss Ellen Good, daughter of Elias Good, of North Whitehall Town- ship. They have two sons, Harvey H. and Eddie P. In his political views Mr. Diehl is a Democrat,

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and in 1874 he was elected a member of the Com- mon Council from the Fourth Ward (which was strongly Republiean ), and wasre-elected three times. After that he was elected for three terms to the Select Council. In November, 1893, he was elected County Commissioner, entering upon the duties of his office in January, 1894. In publie office he has ever been faithful and true to the trust re- posed in him, discharging his duties with a prompt- ness and fidelity that have won him high com- mendation. He and his wife are members of Zion's Reformed Church. They have a pleasant home at No. 224 North Eighth Street.

H ENRY W. KLUSMEYER has been for the past seven years engaged in carrying on a coal business in Easton. He is a lead- ing Democratie politieian, and though a resident of a Republican ward was elected by his friends to serve as a member of the City Council, and as such was Chairman of the Committees on Water and Light, doing efficient work in various direc- tions. He is a native of Northampton County, having been born in South Easton, February 28, 1845, and there he grew to manhood and received his educational advantages.

Christian Klusmeyer, the father of our subject, was born in Hanover, Germany, New Year's Day, 1811, and when a young man of about twenty- two years left the Fatherland, coming to the New World to seek his fortune. He had received a meager education in his mother tongue, and on arriving in the United States secured a position as boatman on the Lehigh Canal, which post he held until 1847. During this time he became interested in operating a store and hotel, and various other enterprises. At one time he owned as many as thirty-five boats engaged in transportation, and in addition to other investments made a considerable sum by his dealings in horses and mules. He was actively engaged in business until about a year prior to bis deatlı, which occurred December 14, 1874. He was a Democrat in politics, belonged to

the Odd Fellows' fraternity, and religiously was a member of the Lutheran Church. His home was for a great many years in the vicinity of the town of Easton. By his marriage with Anna K. Herr- mann he was the father of seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Mary, wife of Willibald Kuebler, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Henry W .; Jacob F .; Christian C .; and Emma, Mrs. Abram Hay, of Easton. Those who have passed from this life are William H., and Car- oline C., who was the wife of Bernhard Kurth.

After completing his education Henry W. Klus- ineyer went into his father's employ and worked for him until the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted in Company H. of the Eleventh Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, commanded in turn by Captain Witherell, Captain Seip and Captain Fleming. Being ordered to Washington, he was there in quarters for a short time and then proceeded to Fortress Monroe and Hampton Roads. At those points he was stationed until the Peninsular eam- paign of 1862, wlien five companies of the regi- ment went with General MacClellan, while the re- maining companies took possession of Norfolk, Va., our subjeet going with the latter. He was only sixteen years old when he enlisted in the service, and to the defense of the Old Flag he de- voted the next three years of his life. Among the many important battles in which he took part were those of Deserted House, Ft. Franklin or Black Water River, the three-weeks siege of Suffolk, Va., Garrett's Station, N. C., Ream's Station, near Richmond, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Richmond, Bermuda Hundred and Johnson's Farm. It is quite remarkable that during all this active and arduous performance of duty he received no wounds, though of course he suffered the usual privations and hardships which fell to the common lot of our country's defenders. After his honor- able discharge, October 11, 1864, our subject re- turned home.

Until 1866 Mr. Klusmeyer remained on the canal in the transportation business, and then, go- ing to a place called Hope, he embarked in mer- chandising. From 1867 till 1872 he was employed in a similar line of work in Mauch Chunk, Pa., selling out the same in May of the latter year.

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For the next two years he was once more in his - father's employ, and from 1874 to 1879 operated the store for himself. March 14, 1879, he went into business with his brother-in-law in his bot- ' tling works, and there continued until March, 1887. Since the last-named date he has been oc- cupied in running a coal business and has built up a lucrative trade. Religiously he holds member- ship with the Lutheran Church, belonging to the Council of the congregation. Socially he is iden- tified with Amana Lodge No. 77, K. of P., and with Post No. 217, G. A. R., of Easton.

April 14, 1873, Mr. Klusmeyer married Eliza- beth Carman, of this place, and of their union seven children were born, as follows: Herman T., Henry Chester, William H., Louis Carman (de- ceased), Charles L., Cornelia and Elizabeth.

OHN H. HECKMAN has been connected with the Lehigh Valley Railroad almost un- interruptedly for nearly forty years as one of its most valued and trusted employes. For the past nine years he has been the General Freight Agent of the company. He was born January 18, 1833, in Easton, Pa., where his father, Herman S., was also born. His grandfather, John Heckman, was a native of Dry Lands, Northampton County, this state, and on his settlement in Easton became a Teller in thic Pennsylvania Branch Bank. After- ward for a number of years he filled a similar po- sition in the old Easton Bank.

The genealogy of the Heckman family is as fol- lows: John Adam Heckman was born in Germany, and came to America September 2, 1749. His son, Adam, a native of Moore Township, North- ampton County, Pa., and a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, married Elizabeth Kreider, a daugh- ter of Conrad Kreider, of Kreidersville, Pa. Their son, John, was born in Moore Township, and married Mary Schneider. The following is a brief account of the Schneider family: John Jacob Schneider, the first of the family of whom we have much data, was a resident of Selbach, Ger-

many. His son, Herman Schneider, was born in June, 1722, and emigrated to America from that country, May 27, 1749, arriving at Phila- delphia, Pa., September 30 of the same year. Feb- ruary 27, 1752, he married Ann Elizabeth Diltz, daughter of William Diltz, of Amwell, N. J.

Peter Schneider, son of the above Herman and Ann Elizabeth Schneider, who was born February 5, 1753, at Easton, Pa., married at that place, Au- gust 27, 1780, Susanna Kichline. Concerning the Kichline family we note the following: Col. Peter Kichline, who was born in Heidelberg, Germany, October 8, 1722, emigrated to America with his father, John Peter Kichline, arriving in this coun- try September 21, 1742, and settling at Bedminster, Bucks County, Pa. He was the first chief magistrate of the borough of Easton, Pa. He stepped into line when the first indications of the Revolutionary struggle were seen, and was elected Colonel of a Pennsylvania regiment of riflemen, which did good service at the battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776. He had previously occupied the same rank in 1762, and had proved himself a brave and success- ful leader in the Indian War of 1763. His daugh- ter Susanna, who, as stated above, married Peter Schneider, was born May 7, 1760, in Easton, Pa. August 24, 1786, at Easton, was born to Peter and Susanna Schneider a daughter, Mary, who on reaching maturity married John Heckman, our subject's grandfather. To John and Mary Heck- man was born a son, Herman S., father of Jolin H. Heckman.

The last-named was for several yearsa merchant in Easton, and afterward was a dealer in real es- tate and Secretary of the Warren Foundry at Philipsburg, of which he was one of the promoters. He was extensively concerned in the building up of that place, and was a member of a syndicate which bought the three large Roseberry farms, on which was built the greater part of the city. His death occurred in 1864, at the age of fifty-four years. First a Whig, he later became a Free- Soiler, as early as 1848, and on the organization of the Republican party became identified with it. In religion he was a member of the German Re- formed Church.

The mother of our subject, Mary, was born in

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Easton, and was a daughter of David Butz, a farmer and miller, who opcrated a flour and saw mill on the Bushkill River for a number of years. Her mother's father, John Herster, at the age of seventeen years wished to go as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, but instead his father took his place and died in prison. John Herster became one of the pioneer and leading business men in Easton, where he was prominent both as a mer- chant and a dealer in real estate. Mrs. Mary Heckman is still living in Easton, and is enjoying excellent health, though over eiglity-two years of age

John H. Heckman is the eldest of three chil- dren who grew to maturity and are still living. His brothers, like himself, were patriotic, and served during the late war in the Union army. William, who represented Bradford County in the Pennsylvania Legislature, is now an engineer on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, his home being in Buffalo, N. Y. Edmund is a watchmaker of Easton. Our subject was reared in Easton and attended Vanderveer Academy and Lafayette College. Later he became a clerk in a general mercantile store in Easton, and was also for a time in Bethlehem. After learning telegraphy, in 1854 he became an operator in Mauch Chunk, where he remained for several years. In 1855 he was made operator and agent for the Lehigh Valley Road, and since that time has served in other capacities. In 1864 he was made Superintendent of Telegraphy, with headquarters at Easton, and five years later was made agent and dispatcher at East Penn Junction. In 1875 he entered the general freight office at Mauch Chunk, and remained there until 1881, when he was promoted to the position of Assistant General Freight Agent. Four years later he was made the General Freight Agent, which position he is yet holding. In 1887 he camne to South Bethlehem, at which time the offices were removed here, and this is still his home.

While residing at Easton, in 1862, Mr. Heck- man volunteered on the emergency call in Com- pany F, Fifth Pennsylvania Militia, as a Corporal, and in 1863 was assigned as Sergeant to Company C, Thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Militia, under Col. M. H. Horn, of Catasauqua. Mr. Heckman was

among those greatly interested in securing the charter for the borougli of Fountain Hill, where he resides. Politically he is a Republican, and in the spring of 1894 was made School Director. He is a member of Robert Oldham Post No. 527, G. A. R .; the Royal Arcanam of Mauch Chunk; Easton Masonic lodge and chapter; Packer Com- mandery at Mauch Chunk, of which he is Past Eminent Commander; and Lodge of Perfection at Scranton, Pa.

In Easton, in 1858, Mr. Heckman married Miss Emma O. Tice, who was born in that city, her fa- ther, Alexander Tice, having been a hardware mer- chant there. They have had three children, but lost their daughter Annie, who died at the age of fifteen years. Mary E. is the wife of William L. Yeager, of Mauch Chunk; and Herman S., a resi- dent of Buffalo, N. Y., is a locomotive engineer on the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Heckman are members of the Church of the Nativity, and are highly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.

H ON. HENRY SCHOLL is an ex-Member of the Lower House of the State Legisla- turc, and a general merchant at Batlı, Northampton County, Pa. He is a native of this county, and was born December 27, 1825, be- ing the son of Griffith J. and Catharine Seholl. His father was born in Allentown, Pa., and his mother is a native of Northampton County, Pa. The 'Scholls belong to an old family of the Lehigh Valley. The father, who was a physician and sur- geon, practiced in Fogelsville for a number of years, and afterwards at Hecktown, Pa., where he died.

Hon. Henry Scholl, our subject, was reared in Lehigh County, Pa., having moved there with his father when' a boy, and he lived there until he reached the year of his majority. For two and one- half years he attended school in New York State, and lived with a relative. The remainder of his education was received in Lehigh County.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

When about sixteen years of age he obtained a position as clerk at Fogelsville, Lehigh County, Pa., and subsequently clerked in mercantile busi- ness in various places for a number of years. In 1853 he engaged in the Unicorn Tile business at Bath, in partnership with Daniel Siegfried, the name of the firm being Siegfried & Scholl, contin- uing as such about three years, when the interest of Mr. Siegfried was bought by Reuben Dewalt, and with him Mr. Scholl continued in partnership for a time, when he bought out Mr. Dewalt's interest, and has run the business in his own name ever since. He carries several lines of merchandise, such as are found in a first-class country store.

Mr. Scholl married Lucy A. Anewalt, a native of Northampton County, and daughter of Peter Anewalt, of Lehigh Township, Northampton Coun- ty, who is now deceased. By this union were born three children: Jane, Mary, and Margaret E., wife of Theodore Campman, of Bethlehemn, Pa.

Our subject has served as School Director and Treasurer of the borough of Bath, Pa., and in 1878 was elected on the Democratic ticket as a member of the Lower House of the State Legisla- ture and was re-elected in 1880, serving two terms. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and is a self-made man. He is well known in Bath and vicinity, and takes an active interest in local pol- itics.

APT. HORATIO D. YEAGER, a veteran of the late war, is a native of the Lehigh Valley, and is a resident of Bethlehem, oc- cupying at the present time the responsible posi- tion of Weighmaster with the Bethlehem Iron Company. He is very popular among his fellow- townsmen, and particularly among the Grand Army boys, who have a warm place in his heart. In politics he is a Republican of the truest stamp, and has been active in the ranks of his party.

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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 105

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