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 106

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 106
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 106
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 106

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The paternal grandfather of our subject, Rev. Jolin Conrad Yeager, was educated in Phila- delphia for the ministry of the Lutheran Church, and after his ordination was the pastor of St. James Church, in Warren County, N. J., and also

held pastorates in Hecktown, Shoenersville, Allen- town and Friedensville. Later he returned to Han- over township, where he owned a home, having been in active pastoral work for thirty years. His death occurred at the age of sixty-four years. His father, who was a tobacco spinner by trade, had settled near York, coming from Switzerland. His only brother, who was in the Revolutionary War, died while a prisoner in the hands of the English.

The father of our subject, George Yeager, was born in Warren County, N. J., and became a fariner in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, where lie owned a piece of improved land of one hundred and thirty acres. In 1858 he retired, living in Catasauqua until his death, in 1877, when he was nearly eighty-five years of age. He was a Whig, and later a Republican, and religiously was identi- fied with the Lutheran Church. His wife, formerly Susanna Rohn, was a native of Hanover Town- ship and a daughter of Daniel Rohn, who owned and operated a farm of three hundred acres on the Lehigh, below Catasauqua, which had formerly been owned by his father. He divided his land into two farms, one of which is now in the possession of his grandson, Asa Rohn. Mrs. George Ycager died in 1876, at the age of seventy-eight years, leaving to mnourn hier loss six of her seven chil- dren. Two sisters, Mrs. Eliza Fenstermacher and Mrs. Susan Nagle, reside in Catasauqua, and two sisters in Philadelphia, Mrs. Mary Loder, and Caro- line, the wife of Rev. C. Becker. William R., a brother, is engaged in the lime business in Bingen.

The Captain, who is the youngest of his father's family, was reared on the farm until his eighteenth year. He received a good common-school educa- tion, and later entered VanKirk's Academy, on Main Street, Bethlehem, where he completed a course in 1851. Two years later he went to Cata- sauqua, clerking for different men until 1858, when he started in business for himself as a mnem- ber of the firm of Loder & Yeager, doing a gen- eral mercantile business on Front Street. At the end of two years he went to Philadelphia, being with a wholesale firm for about a year.

At the first tap of the drum in 1861 Mr. Yeager, entered the First Pennsylvania Artillery Regiment,

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but as they could obtain no guns, they entered the infantry, being assigned to Company F, Seven- teenth Pennsylvania Volunteers. They were mus- tered in at Philadelphia, and were stationed in Virginia until the time of their service closed, when they were mustered out. Captain Yeager returned to Bingen, where he engaged in merchan- dising until September, 1863, when he joined Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third Penn- sylvania Infantry, being made First Lieutenant. This regiment took part in the battles of Freder- icksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and during the first days of the last-named engage- ment he was wounded by a minie-ball in the left hip, the thigh bone being broken. He stuck to his post, nevertheless, but was captured by rebels in a farm house. It was three days before his wound received attention, and then his sister, Mrs. Fen- stermacher, nursed him tenderly for six weeks.

On his return home, Captain Yeager engaged in running a lumber-yard with Mr. Swartz, and in 1864 erected a sawmill, engaging in the lumber and coal business for several years, during which time he was a member of the firms of Yeager & Wint, in 1871, then Yeager, Wint & Cyphers, and on the death of the latter partner a year later the firm be- came H. D. Yeager. Assuch he did business until 1874, when he sold out to F. W. Wint & Co., and built a saw and planing mill in Catasauqua, the only one there to-day. In 1875 he came to Betli- lehem, buying a sawmill on Sand Island, which he operated until 1878, when he sold the same. At that time he went to Kansas, engaging in the liv- ery business for two years in Osborne.

In 1881 the Captain, returning to Bethlehem, entered the employ of the Bethlehem Iron Com- pany as Weighmaster, in which capacity he has since served, steady and faithful at his post. Dur- ing cach month he weighs over a million tons of material, both raw and manufactured, and is con- sidered one of the most reliable employes of the company.

In Hunterdon County, N. J., the Captain was married, November 1, 1864, to Mary C., daugh- ter of Isaac T. Riegel, a native of Riegelsville, N. J., of which place her father was also a native. Her grandfather, Hon. Benjamin Riegel, was

engaged in the lumber business and in farming in Riegelsville, Bucks County, Pa., of which he was the founder, and served in the Legislature. His father was killed in the War of the Revolution, while acting as a teamster. Isaac T. Riegel, like his father, engaged in agricultural pursuits and in the lumber business, and retiring during his last years died at the age of seventy-four, in 1892. His wife, Sarah M., was the daughter of Isaac N. Carpenter, and was born in Warren County, N. J. Her grandfather was the founder of Carpenter- ville, and was a farmer and miller. Going to East- on, he engaged in milling on Bushkill Creek, at the foot of College Hill. He died at the age of seventy-seven years, having been for many years an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Yeager's mother died in her sixty-second year. One of her four children, Benjamin C., is an engi- neer at Lchigh University, and a daughter, Mrs. Carpenter, resides in Carpenterville, N. J .; another daughter, Mrs. Dr. Hulshizer, being a resident of Philadelphia. Mrs. Yeager was reared and edu- cated in New Jersey, and has become the mother of three children: Annie, George C. and Joshua R.

While living in Catasauqua the Captain served as School Director for eight years, and was Presi- dent of the board. He helped to organize Ful- ler Post of that place, of which he was com- mander for three terms, and now belongs to J. K. Taylor Post No. 182, G. A. R. One of the organ- izers of the First Presbyterian Church, he served as Chairman of the Building Committee, and has been an official member. In local politics he has been active, being a member of the County Repub- lican Committee, and in 1876 was nominated by the Republican party for State Senator. He ran ahead of the ticket by six hundred, but the county having a Democratic majority of thirty-five hun- dred, his election was impossible.

T HOMAS RINEK, a successful business man and enterprising citizen of Easton, was born December 5, 1840, and is of German descent. His parents, Jacob and Maria (Bunstein) Rinck, were natives of Pennsylvania, and shortly

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after locating in Easton the fatlier began the man- ufacture of rope. He was energetic and indus- trious, and the business became very successful, the large and prosperous Easton Cordage Works hav- ing grown from this small beginning. Beside this business he was instrumental in building the old forge on Bushkill Creek, and the planing-mill in Easton, situated on the Lehigh River. He was also a member of the firm of Rinek, Semple & Co., dealers in iron, and was identified with the old Dime Saving Institution as one of its Directors. Dealing largely in real estate, he was instrumental in building up the west side of Easton. He was likewise connected with the Olive Park Association, an improvement company, and was also interested in various companies for municipal improvement. A stanch Republican, lie took a deep interest in public affairs, but was in no sense of the word a pol- itician. He was a man of even temperament, well liked, and fond of fun, frequently playing prac- tical jokes on his numerous friends. A member of the Third Street Reformed Church, he was a liberal giver to church work and always ready to lend a helping hand to the needy. He was associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he was a charter member. The children that gath- ered around his family fireside were ninc in num- ber, seven of whom survive, namely: Jolin, Henry,. Thomas, Howard, Mary, Sue and Annie.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his native place, and from early life was identified with his father's business. In 1863 he became a partner of the firm, and had charge of the business and finances of the com- pany from thic first. Hc is also a member of the firm of J. Rinck's Sons, and is President of the Northampton County National Bank. For three years he was a member of the Council of the Bur- ough of Easton and Prison Inspector for five years. He is a man of good judgment and business abil- ity, faithfully attending to his numerous duties with promptness. He is recognized as a substan- tial citizen, worthy of the respect and esteem in which he is held.

Mr. Rinek was united in marriage, November 10, 1863, with Miss Mary J. Zulich. Her parents, now deccascd, were Anthony and Jane M. Zulich,

of Easton, both of whom were highly respected. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rinek, Thomas and Edward, both being deceased. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and supports the principles of that party with his influence and ballot. He is a consistent member of the Third Street Reformed Church and an active worker in the same.

Three years ago the business plant of the Cord- age Company was sold to the National Cordage Company, and was then leased by the present firm for ninety-nine years. The past year, the National Cordage Company having gone out of business, a new corporation, the United States Cordage Com- pany, purchased all the plants and franchises, and for this company the firm of J. Rinek's Sons are now conducting the business.

P HILIP WEBER, a leading citizen of Easton, served for four years as a member of the Common Council, representing the Seventh Ward. In 1882 he embarked in the mar- ket business on Northampton Street, in company with his son-in-law, William Patier, the firm name being Weber & Patier. He erccted the building that lie occupies as a market, and in addition to this owns two residences in Easton.

The birth of Philip Weber took place Septem- ber 18, 1832, at Baden, Germany. His father, also Philip Weber, died when the son was a lad of ten years, and the mother, whose maiden name was Regina Miller, died some four years later. The orphan, being thus left alone in the world, soon concluded that he would seek liis fortune in the New World. When sixteen years old he took pas- sage on a sailing-vessel bound for New York City. He remained in the metropolis for three and one- half years, and then returned on a visit to England and France.

On coming back to the United States Mr. Weber proceeded direct to Easton, where he has lived ever since. For a short time he was engaged in cabinet-making, and afterward worked in a piano

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factory. When he had learned the trade of a ma- chinist he decided to follow that calling for his life work. During the next twenty-eight years lie was engaged in the construction of locomotives and steamboats, being acknowledged a practical and thorough workman. He has been somewhat of a traveler, as he has crossed the Atlantic three times, and was formerly steward on the "St. Nicholas" and "Amelia" steamships. For a time he was in the life-insurance business, representing the Ger- mania Company of New York City, and was very successful, taking more policies than all the other companies put together.

October 1, 1857, Mr. Weber married Catherine Bealer. They became the parents of the follow- ing children: Saralı E., Emma L., Isadora S., Patier; Irene, who died in infancy; Lillie Agnes, wife of William Keiper; Morris H., who is a tele- graph operator in Chicago; and Mary, wife of Samuel Herener, an expressman of Easton. The family are members of the Lutheran Church and identified with its various departments of work and usefulness. Though liberal in his views on the question of suffrage, he is usually to be found on the side of the Democratic party.

EV. WILLIAM D. C. KEITER, a very suc- cessful young minister, is a man of supe- rior education and good ability, who has devoted his life and talents to the service of the Master. At the present time he is serving most acceptably as pastor of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of West Bethlehem, and also has charge of St. Thomas Lutheran Church at Al- toona. Rev. Mr. Keiter graduated with high hon- ors from Muhlenberg College, Allentown, and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadel- phia. He was thus equipped by severe training and years of study for the successful career which has since been his, though wider fields and greater honors are doubtless in store for hini, as he is still young both in years and in service.

The birth of our subject occurred January 30, 1863, in Allentown. His paternal grandfather,

whose Christian name was Casper, was of German descent, and his birth and death occurred in Allen- town, where he was engaged in farming for many years. His son, Aaron, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead, and became an en- terprising agriculturist. He was a public official in the city for a number of years. Later in life he retired on account of failing health, and was called from the scene of his labor in 1887. He was the owner of what is now a large part of the city, lying within the Eighth Ward, which has since been laid out and sold for building lots. A Re- publican in politics, he was a true patriot, and in religion was a member of the Lutheran Church, in which denomination he had been reared. His wife, who was formerly Susan Mohr, was born in Ma- cungie Township, and her father, Daniel, was also a native of that locality, being of German de- scent. For a livelihood he engaged in agricult- ural pursuits, and his death occurred in Allentown, . where his daughter, Mrs. Susan Keiter, is still rc- siding with her son, Frank, an attorney-at-law.

Rev. Mr. Keiter was rcared in the city of his na- tivity, where he attended the excellent schools, and in 1880 graduated from the high school. He was next enrolled as a student at Muhlenberg College, from which, in 1884, he graduated with the degrec of Bachelor of Arts, and later received that of Master of Arts. Three years subsequently, in 1887, he was graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, in which city his ordina- tion took place in June of the same year. At once coming to West Bethlehem, he endeavored to or- ganize a congregation, and succeeded beyond his expectations. It was largely owing to his untiring zeal and business-like supervision that the church was completed in the spring of 1888, this being the first church edifice on that side of the city. Although the congregation numbered then but some thirty-two members, a handsome chapel was nevertheless planned and built. The church is in the Gothic style, being made of brick and built at the rear of the lot, in order that in time a modern and commodious auditorium may be erected in front. The church property is valued now at $10,000, and from the start the churchi has been independent, receiving no outside aid. It now

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numbers about three hundred members. Some time ago Rev. Mr. Keiter became pastor of the Union Church at Altoona, which was organized in 1848, and sinee he took charge of the same a handsome new building has been put up at a cost of $10,000. It has no equal in the vicinity among country churelies, and the congregation has in- ereased to two hundred and twenty-five members.

Our subjeet built for himself a residenee in West Bethlehem, which he now occupies with his fam- ily. He was married in November, 1887, to Miss Millie S., daughter of Charles Ruhe, a wholesale eigar manufacturer of Allentown, Pa. Mrs. Keiter is a native of Allentown, and received the advan- tages of a superior education, being a graduate of the Allentown High School, Class of '80. Later she attended the New England Conservatory of Musie at Boston, being of decided talent in a musical di- reetion. Mrs. Keiter is also quite hterary, and is fully equipped for the many arduous duties de- volving upon the wife of a minister. They have one child, a son, Charles R. In polities Mr. Keiter votes with the Republican party, and is active in works of improvement and for the relief of the poor and needy. The best commentary on his ability and zeal is the uniform success which has attended his labors and the high regard in which his congregation holds him.

J ACOB F. RAFFERTY is one of the leading contractors for stone-masonry, exeavations and similar work in Easton. Under his direc- tion a number of the handsomest residenees in this eity and adjoining towns have been ereeted. He built the foundations for the high school, put up a church in Bethlehem, and is at present en- gaged in fulfilling a contract on the Easton Hos- pital.

The parents of our subjeet were Michael and Margaret (Clemens) Rafferty. The father came from Ireland when a boy, in the early part of this

century. For a short time he lived in New York City, and then traveled over a large share of the country. He was a man of good business eduea- tion, and à praetieal stonemason by trade. For some twenty years prior to his death he made his home in Ohio, where he operated a farm, of which he was the owner. His death occurred in Febru- ary, 1877, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife died in the preceding May, in her sixty-ninth year. They were the parents of twelve children, namely: John; Mary Ann and Sallie, who died in infaney; Hannah, Felix, Jacob F., Margaret M., Ellen, Michael, Peter, James A., and Mary, the second of the name. The father was a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics was a Demo- erat. The birth of Mr. Rafferty occurred in Will- iams Township, Northampton County, on the 15th of May, 1837. His education was confined to the distriet schools of his native township, which he at- tended more or less until he was fifteen years old. He then went to the western part of the state, and for a number of years was engaged in the lumber business in Elk County. In 1878 he re- turned to Easton and learned the mason's trade, whiel he has followed ever sinee. He soon be- eame a contractor, and has met with good suecess in his ehosen voeation. From time to time he has had awarded him extensive and responsible eon- tracts on large publie and private buildings, and has shown himself worthy of the confidenee which has been bestowed upon him, for in the ex- eeution of his work he is thorough and painstak- ing. In 1894 he took into partnership with him his son, Charles, and the firm name beeame J. F. Rafferty & Son. Our subjeet is interested in va- rious local industries, which he has helped to pro- mote to the best of his ability.

On political questions Mr. Rafferty sides with the Democratie party. He has upon several oeea- sions been ealled upon to serve in an official capa- city, and for three years was a member of the City Couneil, and for two terins was City Assessor. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, and in his social relations is identified with Lehighton Lodge No. 244, I. O. O. F., and Easton Lodge No. 52, F. & A. M.

November 13, 1862, Mr. Rafferty married Miss

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Anna Louise, daughter of Michael Fraunfelter, of Easton. Their two children are: Alice, who is at home, and Charles, who is engaged in business with his father. The latter married Emma Ziegen- horn, and is a resident of this eity.

ERNER K. RUHE, the subject of this sketeh, is a son of Augustus Lehman and Adeline Lovina Ruhe. He was born in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pa., in the year 1843, and acquired the advantages of a sound education in the high school, which was then first established under the superintendency of Prof. Robert McAipin, notable as a public educator, and at one time a member of the editorial staff of the New York Tribune, under Horace Greeley. The advantages of studying under such a teacher were supplemented by further studies under Rev. J. S. Kessler at the Allentown Seminary, which has sinee been merged into the well known Muhlenberg College, and also under Prof. I. N. Gregory at the " Academy," an institution which has ceased to exist. Thus thoroughly equipped with an academie education, he nevertheless determined to acquire the practical trade of a printer, and served his full apprenticeship in the office of the Allentown Dem- ocrat, which he entered in July, 1859, and which was owned and published by his father and C. Frank Haines. In July, 1865, he purchased a half-inter- est in the Democrat office from his father, and, asso- ciated with C. Frank Haines as editor, has eon- tinuously published it sinee tliat date.

Mr. Ruhe has always been a true and consistent Democrat, working faithfully in and out of season in its party interests, and in turn he has been hon- ored by the people by election to public offiees of trust and responsibility. He early manifested an intense interest in the Fire Department of Allen- town, and at an early age joined the old Colum- bia Fire Company, and was a member and Presi- dent of the Steamer Building Committee, which led to the present engine of the company being added to the department. At the breaking out of the war the Columbia Company beeame greatly

disintegrated, so many of its members rapidly an- swering the National ery for soldiers to defend the Union. But directly peace was restored the "Co- lumbias" once more became a strong and influen- tial fire organization, and no one took a more act- ive interest in its rehabilitation than Werner K. Ruhe. In 1872 he was made Chief Engineer of the Allentown Fire Department, serving for two years, and signalizing his holding of that position by a thorough re-organization of the department. He recommended the introduction of a hook and lad- der company, and was the first engineer to make a full and complete annual report of the depart- ment, a eustom which has since been steadily ad- hered to.

In 1886 Mr. Ruhe was elected and served as Mayor of Allentown for a term of two years. His incumbency of this onerous office was eminently satisfactory to his fellow-eitizens, whose- interests he zealously guarded, and he introduced many im- proved methods of dealing with the financial affairs of the city, which redounded to its welfare and his credit. To improve the city water supply, he recommended in an important message the purchase of the Fountain House property, on which are val- uable springs, and suggested for this purpose the raising of a loan of $50,000, secured by Allentown four per cent. city bonds. The idea was carried out by public vote, and to-day no city in the state en- joys a purer water supply than Allentown. In other walks of life the trust and confidence reposed in Mr. Ruhe have been manifested by his eleetion as a Director of the Allentown National Bank from 1884 to 1888, and from 1891 to 1893 Director of tlie Allen Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Direc- tor of the Hope and of the Mutual Building and Loan Association, Director and President of the Allentown Hardware Works, and Treasurer of the Columbia Fire Company.

Mr. and Mrs. Ruhe are consistent members of the English-Lutheran Church, and among seeret societies he is well known as a member of the Odd Fellows and Heptasophs. During the War of the Rebellion Mr. Ruhe enlisted twiee in the defense of his native state, in response to the proclamation of Governor Curtin, the first time as a private in Company E, Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Mil-

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itia, which was organized September 13, 1862, and commanded by Col. H. C. Longnecker; and again he went out in 1863 in the Forty-first Regiment (three-months emergency militia), under the com- mand of Maj. John H. Oliver.

Mr. Ruhe was married June 2, 1870, in Allentown, to Mary Jane Frederick, of this city, a member of a well known family, who formerly resided in Cata- sauqua and Whitehall Township, Lehigh County. Their union has been blessed with two children, Adeline Lovina and Mark Frederick Ruhe. The former was cducated in and is a graduate of the Allentown High School; the latter attended Mulil- enberg College. Miss Ruhe was married in 1893 to Alfred J. Yost, M. D., who is also Coroner of Lehigh County.

With the exception of a five-months trip in 1864 to Illinois, where he was employed on news- papers in Chicago, Princeton, Mendota, Springfield, Decatur and Bloomington, all of Mr. Rulle's life has been passed in Allentown, where he is thor- oughly identified with the public and business interests and future prosperity of the city.

Werner K. Ruhe is descended from an ancestry which was always noted for its solid, substantial prosperity, and a splendid indication of the con- scrvatism of the family is shown in the careful records of its past history which he preserves. From these inay be learned that this representa- tive family of Lehigh County sprung from John F. Ruhe, his great-grandfather, who was born in Nordheim, in the Electorate of Hanover, on the 25th of November, 1745, and emigrated to Amer- ica in 1790. He was married in St. George's Church, London, on the 14th of August, 1776, to Catherine Maria Henrietta Mackenrode. His chil- dren were seven in number, of whom John F. was born in London, and emigrated with his parents to this country. He was married in Allentown to Catherine Keiper, by whom he had twelve children. His second wife, formerly Elizabeth Kramer, bore him eleven children. One of his large family was Augustus L. Ruhe, born in Allentown, of the first wife, on the 23d of September, 1809. He was the father of Werner K. Ruhe, by his marriage, contracted on the 25th of September, 1836, to Adeline, daughter of Jonathan Knauss, of North

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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 106

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