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 108

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 108
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 108
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 108

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At Bethlehem occurred the marriage of Edward Murphy and Miss Mary Connal, a native of Ireland, who died in Bethlehem. Three children were born to this union, Mary, Bridget and Nora. The sec- ond marriage of Mr. Murphy united him withi Miss Agnes Shechen, who was also born in Ireland. Politieally our subject has been a loyal Republican

ever since coming to the United States, and by that party he has been honored with various offiees. For six years he has been a member of the Sehool Board. In 1882 he was elected to the Boroughi Couneil from the old Third (now the Fifth) Ward, and since that time has been chosen for the same position at each successive election. As this is a Demoeratie ward, where at first there were but three Republicans, his eleetion on the Republican ticket proves lis popularity with the people irre- spective of political affiliations. As Alderman he has served on many of the committees and is at the present time Chairman of the Finanee Commit- tee. He is a member of the Industrial Building and Loan Association. In religious connections he is identified with the Church of the Holy Infancy, as is also his wife.

W ALTER P. HUBER, who is engaged in the manufacture of building brick in Allentown, as a member of the firm of W. J. Egge & Co., was born at Worman's Spring, now included in the city of Allentown, Lehigh County, August 22, 1825, and is a son of Peter Huber, who was born in what was then the village of Allentown. By trade he was a saddler, and later engaged in the mereantile business, which he ear- ried on during the greater part of his active life. Conrad Huber, the grandfather of our subjeet, was also born in what is now Lehigh County, but at that time was a part of Northampton County. He was of German deseent, and the family of which he was a representative was early founded in the United States. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Abraham Wormnan. His daughter, Anna, became the wife of Peter Huber, and to them were born three children, of whom Walter P. was second in order of birth. When he was only two years old his mother died, after whieli the father married Mary Worman, a sister of his first wife. His death occurred in Allentown in 1884.

No event of special importanee occurred during the early boyhood of our subject. He attended sehool at the Allentown Academy, and at an early age began working in his father's store. He later

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clerked in a grain and feed store, thus becoming familiar with business methods. He remained in his father's employ until twenty-three years of age, and in 1848 he started in business for himself as a dealer in dry goods and groceries. That year the great fire consumed the principal part of the city and our subject sustained a heavy loss, being en-' tirely burnt out. Consequently, in the year 1850' he removed to Wescosville, where he embarked in general merchandising, and for many years was a prominent business man of that place. He had a good store and enjoyed an extensive trade until 1870, when he sold out and returned to Allen- town.

Mr. Huber has been twice married. In 1848 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary A. Ritter, who was born and reared in Rittersville, and was a daughter of Charles Ritter. Her death occurred in 1868, and their only child, a daughter of sixteen years, passed away in 1865. In 1869 Mr. Huber was again married, his second union being with Miss Anna R. Egge, a daughter of W. J. Egge. Their home is located at No. 217 North Ninth Street, and is a fine three-story brick residence, richly and tastefully furnished. They are both prominent people of this community, and hold a high position in social circles.

On his return to Allentown in 1870, Mr. Huber was superintendent of a plant engaged in the manufacture of fire-brick. That connection was continued for eleven years, on the expiration of which period he withdrew from that firm and joined W. J. Egge in the manufacture of building brick. Business is now carried on under the firm name of W. J. Egge & Co., and their yards are lo- cated at the corner of Tenth and Allen Streets. They have a fine plant, equipped with all the latest improved machinery for doing first-class work, and their annual output is three million brick. They have a large home trade, and also ship quite ex- tensively through the adjoining towns and coun- ties. As the building material which they turn out is of an excellent quality they find a ready sale for the same, and are now enjoying an exten- sive business.

Mr. Huber exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party and is a stanch

advocate of its principles, yet has never sought or desired official preferment, his time and atten- tion being occupied by his business dealings. He has, however, served as a member of the School Board of Allentown for twenty-one years, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend, ever ready to advance its interests. He and his wife are both members of the United Evangelical Church, and he is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of his native county.

H ENRY D. LEH, M. D., located at Egypt, has a patronage that is large and con- stantly on the increase, which desirable state of affairs has been brought about by a tlior- ough knowledge of his profession, promptness in filling his engagements, and the painstaking and careful manner in which he performs all his work. He is a native of Lehigh County, and was born December 8, 1861, to Daniel and Susan (Frantz) Leh, at present residing in the above-named coun- ty, of which they are also natives.

Our subject is one of the fourth generation of the Leh family in America, and was the only son born to his parents. His sisters are, Maggie, now Mrs. Jeremiah D. Schneck, of Lehigh County, and Ellen, the wife of Richard A. Krauss, residing in Slatington, this state. His parents are members of the Reformed Church, and old settlers of North Whitehall Township, this county.

Henry D. Leh, of this sketch, received his educa- tion in the public schools of Lehigh County, after which he attended a select school taught by Prof. John H. Behringer. He subsequently taught two terms of school in Lehigh and Northampton Coun- ties, and when ready to begin his medical studies entered the office of Dr. J. A. Kock, of Egypt. After reading under his guidance for two years, Mr. Leh entered the medical department of the university of Maryland, at Baltimore, where he attended the winter courses of 1881-82-83 and 84, and received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine Marclı 14 of the latter year.

The lady to whom Dr. Leh was married in 1884 was Miss Ellen C., daughter of Joshua Laury, now

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deceased. Their union has resulted in the birth of three children: Homer D., Virginia M. and Russell Weir. Soon after his marriage our subject located in New Tripoli, this state, where lie was engaged in practice for about tlirce years, and at the expiration of that time came to Egypt, where he has since made his home. He is a well edu- cated and polished gentleman, has been successful in his practice, and is a general favorite in social and professional circles. He is at present serving as School Director, and is an enterprising citizen, of whom the people of Egypt may well feel proud. He is identified with the German Reformed Church, and aids greatly in the furtherance of the good work in his locality. In politics he is a strong supporter of Republican principles, and his vote has ever been cast with that party.

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RANK E. SHENTON. Slatedale, Lehigh County, is the home of many energetic and prosperous business men, but none merit more praise than the gentleman with whose name this sketch is introduced. He succeeded his fatlier, Francis Shenton, in the slate-roofing busi- ness, and has been carrying on a prosperous trade in that line since 1888. He also carries a stock of general merchandise, and his sales each year amount to $25,000. His store is fitted out with dry goods of every description, as well as a full line of staple groceries and agricultural implements.

The subject of this sketch was born in Philadel- phiia in November, 1859. His father, Francis Shenton, was born and rcared in England, where he gained a thorough knowledge of the mercantile business in every detail. On coming to the United States le embarked in business and soon became one of the prominent merchants of Lehighi County, being the proprietor of a fine and well equipped establishment in Slatedale. In this he continued until 1888, when he was succeeded by his son. In addition to his mercantile interests he was also the pioneer slate dealer of Slatedale, in which enter- prise lie met with flattering success.

Francis Shenton was twice married. By his first

union there were born seven children, six now liv- ing, namely: George; Elizabeth, wife of L. J. Fick; Annie E., Robert M., Frank E., William S. and Thomas H. His second marriage resulted in the birth of two children, Dora and Howard. For many years he served as Postmaster at Slatedale, where he is now living in retirement from busi- ness cares. For many years he was one of the most enterprising and substantial business men of the place, and it is to suchi men as he that the town is indebted for its material prosperity.

Frank E. was given a good education in the public schools of Slatedale, and as soon as old enough began clerking in his father's store, where he learned every detail of the business, so that when the latter retired from active work he was thoroughly competent to succeed him. He pos- sesses superior ability, and the success which has already rewarded his exertions is but an indica- tion of what the future will undoubtedly bring.

In his political affiliations Mr. Shenton is a Re- publican and lends ready aid to his party. So- cially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in Lodge No. 624 at Slatington. The Methodist Episcopal Church tinds in him one of its most active and liberal members. Hc and his wife, whose maiden name was Annie Hughes, are the parents of five children, named as follows; Norman, Ralph, Emma, Carrie and Frank E., Jr. Mr. Shenton has before him the prospects of a very successful future and is popular as a citizen and business man.

OWARD A. HARTZELL has been for al- most a quarter of a century connected with the well known firm of M. E. Abel & Co., and now occupies the responsible position of foreman and manager of the manufacturing de- partment. This firm does the largest business in Easton in the confectionery line, and their out- side sales have increased surprisingly of late years. Mr. Hartzell is an active Republican, and has been nuch interested in municipal affairs. At present he is serving his second term in thic Select Coun-

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eil, and previously he was for two terms a member of the Common Couneil. His popularity as a cit- izen, and his high sense of trust and honor as a representative of the public, are abundantly shown by the fact that though his residenee is in a very strong Democratie ward, he has, nevertheless, se- cured a majority of votes on numerous occasions.

The Hartzell name frequently appears in the annals of Easton and vicinity, where members of the family have resided for several generations. They are of German descent, and the first one of whom anything is definitely known was Christo- pher Hartzell, tlie great-grandfather of our subject. In the early part of his life he ran a hotel at East- on. The parents of our subjeet were Jolin and Ann (Gould) Hartzell.

The birth of H. A. Hartzell oceurred February 19, 1853, at Easton. In his boyhood lie attended the public schools of this city until he was four- teen years of age, when it became neeessary for him to earn his own livelihood. For a year and a-half he worked in the capacity of elerk in a car- pet house, and subsequently was employed by N. W. Clark, a grocer, for two years. The boy wise- ly coneluded that it would be best for him to learn a regular trade, and began serving an apprentice- ship for Mr. Abel, a wholesale and retail dealer in and manufacturer of confectionery. Twenty-four years have elapsed since the youth entered that gentleman's employ, and he may be still found, as he has ever been, at his post of duty, faithfully maintaining his superiors' best interests. He has risen from an ordinary workman to be foreman and general. manager in the manufacturing de- partment, and brings to bear upon his work a thor- oughi knowledge of the business, and long-eulti- vated habits of industry and perseverance in what- ever he undertakes.

In social and benevolent organizations Mr. Hartzell has always taken a great interest. He is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and council. He is Past Master of the blue lodge and its present representative to the grand lodge. In Easton Chapter he is Past High Priest, and is a member of Hugh De Payen's Commandery. In Lehighton Lodge No. 244, I. O. O. F., he is Past Noble Grand and Trustee, and is

Past Chief Patriarch of the Odd Fellows Valley Union Encampment. In Easton Council No. 984, Jr. O. U. A. M., he holds the office of Treasurer, and is one of its charter members. Among the other orders to which he belongs are the Kniglits of Malta and the Heptasophs, he being a charter member of the latter.

Mr. Hartzell was united in marriage with Miss Isabel, daughter of John Abel, of this city. Our worthy subjeet and wife have a very pleasant home, whose hospitable doors swing freely open for the reception and entertainment of their many friends and aequaintanees, who hold them in high esteem. Mr. Hartzell, who has long been identified with all movements having for their object the welfare of his fellow-eitizens and the prosperity of the community at large, is a Director in the West Ward Building and Loan Association.

D AVID J. GODSHALK, editor of the South Bethlehem Star, was born in Williams Township. Northampton County, Pa., De- cember 23, 1836, within a hundred yards of the house in which his mother, Anna Rosina (Unangst) Godshalk, was born in 1809. His father, Benjamin Godshalk, was a native of Bueks County, Pa., and a son of Samuel and Sidney (Kelley) Godshalk, of New Britain, in that county. When the subject of this sketeh was an infant, his parents moved to Easton, the shire town of Northampton County, where they lived many years, the father dying in that eity in 1873. The mother died in Bethlehem in 1891.

In early boyhood David J. was a pupil in thie publie sehools of Easton, but in 1849 he was sent by his father to Doylestown to learn the printer's trade with his unele, Frank P. Sellers, who there published a temperance paper called the Olive Branch. During the daytime he was employed at his trade, while the mornings and evenings were spent in running errands and in omnivorous read- ing. After a short time the Olive Branch plant was taken to Norristown, where it was changed to an Abolition journal and sold to Mr. Moyer. At

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Norristown the young printer made excellent prog- ress at his trade, and also made numerous essays into the field of reportorial and story writing, with an occasional dash into the realms of rhyme. In 1851 he relinquished his employment with his un- cle and returned to Easton, where he remained with his parents for a time. In looking for an opening in the great eity of New York, he eame aeross an advertisement for a young fellow about his age to set type, ete., at the printing-house of Jolin A. Gray in that city. His father took him to the metropolis, where he commenced work for Mr. Gray. Afterward he was employed in various of- fices, filling different positions, including those of compositor, proof-reader and occasional correspond- ent of the New York Times. Oeeasionally he be- came interested in journalistic ventures in the country. At one time he went to Kennett Square and aided B. F. Coles in the reportorial, editorial and general business management of the Kennett Square Free Press, a newspaper owned by the late Dr. Frank Taylor, and to which Barcley Pennock (a companion of Bayard Taylor in some of bis travels), Dr. Stebbins and others were contributors.

Returning to Norristown about 1860, Mr. God- shalk took charge of the National Defender, owned by an intimate friend of his boyhood, Edwin Seliall, who afterwards became Colonel of the Fif- ty-first Pennsylvania Infantry, and was killed at the head of that regiment in the Battle of the Wilderness. He took with him to Norristown his young wife and infant daughter, he having been married in 1858, in New York City, to Susan A. Seely, a native of Orange County, N. Y. Return- ing to New York, he was employed as compositor and proof-reader on the New York Times, and in otlier offices during the exciting politieal pericd which preceded the election of Mr. Lincoln to the presideney. His wife died in 1861, leaving an only daughter, who is now her father's right hand in the literary work of the South Bethlehem Star.

In 1863 Mr. Godshalk enlisted in Company I, Twenty-second Regiment New York National Guards, and was assigned to the United States serv- ice, where he remained three monthis, being with his regiment in frontof the enemy at various points in Maryland, and at Harper's Ferry and Winches-

ter, Va. At the expiration of three months the Twenty-second was sent home to assist in quelling the draft riots in New York, under General Canby. In 1863 thie regiment formed a part of the provis- ional corps of Gen. "Baldy" Smith at Gettysburg, but was not actively engaged.

Returning to New York, Mr. Godshalk engaged in newspaper work again, but some time afterward, on aceount of poor health, he retired temporarily and visited his parents in Easton. Shortly after- ward, in association with William Eichman, one of the founders of the Easton Daily Express, he started a job-printing office in that city. In the same year, at the suggestion of Gen. W. E. Doster, God- shalk and Eichman moved the office to Bethlehem, and commeneed the publication of a weekly paper called the Chronicle. On Mr. Eiehman's with- drawal from the firm, General Doster took his in- terest, which our subject later purchased. Febru- ary 4, 1865, he issued the first number of the first daily newspaper in Bethlehem. He remained at the head of the Times, as the paper was called, until 1887, when it became the property of the Times Publishing Company.

From Bethlehem Mr. Godshalk went to Trenton, N. J., where for less than a year he was joint pro- prietor with Edward Fitz George, of the Trenton Times. Selling his interest in that publieation, lie beeame half-owner, with Hon. Howard Mutchler, of the Easton Daily Express, but his health parti- ally failing, he withdrew from his connection therewith, intending to relinquish newspaper work. This he did, but only for a time, as in 1889 he pur- ehased the South Bethlehem Star of M. S. Grim and J. B. Harlacher, and lias since been its editor and proprietor. He is fitly called the Nestor of journalism in the Lehigh Valley, owing to his long years in harness.

Though always taking an active part in politics, Mr. Godshalk has never held any office exeept that of Councilman in Bethlehem. Prior to Greeley's campaign for the presideney, he had been an inde- pendent Republican, but sinee that time he has acted with the Democrats. At this time, 1894, lie is actively engaged in his newspaper work, and under his control his paper has taken front rank among the newspapers of the Lehigh Valley.

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Mr. Godshalk became a Mason in his early manhood, and is a Past Master of Bethlehem Lodge, F. & A. M .; Past High Priest of Zinzendorf Chap- ter, R. A. M .; Past Thrice Illustrious of Bethlehem Council, R. & S. M., and a member of Huglı de Payen's Commandery, of Easton. He is also a member of J. K. Taylor Post, G. A. R., in which he is a Past Commander, and belongs to various beneficial and charitable organizations, in which he takes an active part. In all public matters he takes a lively interest, and never loses an oppor- tunity to commend the good and condemn the evil, both with tongue and pen.

Editor Godshalk has made his home in Betlile- hem since 1865, and for seventeen years has re- sided on the corner of High and Wall Streets, a pleasant location in the residence part of the town

A RCHIBALD JOHNSTON, a mechanical en - gineer of Bethlehem, occupies a responsible position as Superintendent of the plate de- partment of the Bethlehem Iron Company. He is very enterprising and public-spirited, and thor- oughly conversant with the details of his business, being a graduate of Lehigh University, where he received his degree as a mechanical engineer.

The birth of Mr. Johnston took place in Pho- nixville, Chester County, Pa., he being the son of Joseph Johnston, and the fourth in his family of ten children. The boyhood of our subject was passed in Bethlehem, to which place his father re- moved when he was a child of only four years, and here he entered the city schools, graduating from the high school at the age of fifteen years. After- ward he served an apprenticeship as a machinist in the Bethlehem Iron Company works, where he re- mained for four and a-half years, the year and a- half following being spent in the finishing depart- ment of the steel-rail mill. In 1885 it was his priv- ilege to enter Lehigh University, where he pursued a course of study in mechanical engincering under Professor Klein, graduating from the institution in 1889. For four months afterward lic was in the physical laboratory of the Bethlehem Iron Com-

pany, and later entered the forging department, where he took up the forging of guns, shafts, etc. At the end of a year, or in 1890, he was placed in charge of the ercction of the one hundred and twenty-five ton hammer which was built in these works, and which took about eight inonthis to erect and place in running order. It was completed by October, 1891. Since that time Mr. Johnston has had charge of the hammer, which is used in the manufacture of armor plates. A press of seven thousand tons for binding armor was also erected by Mr. Johnston, who has charge of it, as well as of another forging press of fourteen thousand tons. The engine for running this press is of fifteen thou- sand horse-power. The armor-plate machine-shop is also under his supervision.

In 1891 occurred the marriage of our subject to Miss Estelle Borhck, a native of Bethlehem. Her father, A. C. Borhek, is a member of the firm of Borhek & Micksh, dealers in lumber and coal. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are members of the Moravian Church. While in college the former was Presi- dent of his class in the Sophomore year, and served for one year as Treasurer. Fraternally our subject belonged to the Greek letter society of Theta Delta Chi.

ILLIAM BOYER, a venerable represent- ative citizen, and retired agriculturist of Centreville, is a native of Northamp- ton County, and was born February 10, 1826. His parents, Jacob and Anna (Miller) Boyer, were na- tives of the same county, their ancestors having settled in Upper Mt. Bethel Township, ncar the Delaware River, in a very early day. They were brave and noble men and women, who left their native place and came to what was then called the "far West," making their homes in the forests and on the wide prairies, where danger beset them on every hand. The Indians were a constant source of terror to the few settlers scattered over the country, and they knew not what day or hour they might have to give up their homes, and perhaps their lives, in defending their loved ones. Wild beasts were also to be found in great numbers, and

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it was unsafe to venture even a few rods from their dwellings without the trusty shotgun in their hands. Many were the perils and hardships they had to undergo, and their children and grand- children may well look baek with pride to the ancestors who so bravely endured the trials and dangers of a pioneer life.

Jolin Boyer, the grandfather of our subject, came to Northampton County and settled in Up- per Mt. Bethel Township, on the Delaware River, and the Boyers have been a prominent family in that region ever since. Jacob, the father of Will- iam, resided in Centreville for a number of years, but later purchased a farm and became a tiller and cultivator of the soil. He engaged in this oeeu- pation for a time, but when he became advanced in years he removed to Portland, Pa., and in a few years passed peacefully away. Of his children four survive: William, our subject; Samuel, who makes his home in Newark, N. J .; Mrs. Peter Fry, of Portland, Pa .; and Courtlin, now living in Washington, D. C.

The subject of this sketch was reared to man's estate in Northampton County, and has passed most of his life in agricultural pursuits, although he followed the trade of a earpenter for a short time. He attended the publie schools of his native home in his early boyhood, but is mainly self-edu- cated. In 1853 he purchased ninety acres of beau- tiful farm land in this township, and for thirty-five years was one of the leading agriculturists of Northampton County. In 1893 he gave up the arduous duties of farm life and removed to Cen- treville, where he now resides, living retired and enjoying the wealth which, by his own honest efforts and good management, he accumulated in his younger days.

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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 108

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