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 110

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 110
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 110
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 110

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ary War, when, on account of their service in the army, they were excluded from the church, and soon after started the society of Free Quakers, building a church at the corner of Fifth and Arch Streets, Philadelphia. Col. Samuel, the father of our subject, was also born in Philadelphia, and fol- lowed the same calling as his father. Afterward lie took up the manufacture of white zinc at New- ark, N. J., whither he went to introduce the new enterprise. In 1852 he perfected his process, which he patented the following year, and then located in Bethlehem, building the works on the easteru part of the present property of the Lehigh Zinc and Iron Company. He engaged in the manufacture of oxide of zinc, and later erected buildings on the other half of the property, his aim being to produce the pure metallic zinc by a new process of his own invention, which, however, did not prove a thor- ough success. Before this time the Belgium pro- cess for manufacturing metallic zine had been in- troduced, and workmen had been brought over from Belgium. In 1860 the proprietors of these firms consolidated, becoming known as the Lehigh Zinc Company.

About this time the war broke out, and Mr. Wetherill enlisted, raising two companies in Bethle- hem, the first becoming a part of the Eleventh Penn- sylvania, and the other a part of the Sixth Penn- sylvania Cavalry. Mr. Wetherill was commissioned Captain and later promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. He went through the entire war, taking part in all the engagements in which his command partici- pated. During this time the works were carried on under the supervision of B. C. Webster, and when the Colonel returned he retired from the business, having sold out his interest. For a time he resided in Bethlehem, later removing to the eastern shore of Maryland, where his death oc- curred at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, Sarah Chattin, was of Scotch-Quaker parentage, and was born in Tampico, Mexico, her father having been engaged in business in Tampico. After her parents' death Mrs. Wetherill went to Philadelphia, and in that city occurred her death, at the age of fifty years. Her husband was twice married, having four children by his first union, and two children by his second marriage. An own brother of J. Price

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is S. P., who is Vice-President of the Zinc Company of South Bethlehem. Georgiana became the wife of W. E. Cox, of South Bethlehem, whose biograph- ical sketch occurs elsewhere in this work. W. C. is manager of the Empire Iron Company in Jop- lin, Mo.

Born in Montville, N. J., in 1844, J. P. Wetherill, on attaining a suitable age, pursued his studies in Nazareth Hall for three years, thence going to school in the state of New Jersey, and in 1863 en- tering the Polytechnic College of Philadelphia. In that year he enlisted as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Pennsylvania In- fantry, from Bethlehem, and served in Philadel- phia, being mustered out in Reading on the expira- tion of two months. Returning to college, he re- sumed his interrupted studies, devoting his time to mining. engineering and metallurgy, being grad- uated in 1865 with the degree of Mining Engineer. Thence going to Schuylkill County, he was em- ployed with the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, becoming Chief of Mining Engineers in 1877. In 1881 he resigned and pur- chased the plant of the Lehigh Zinc Company, which had been unsuccessful. In this enterprise lie was not alone, as he had associated with him Richard and August Heckscher, of Philadelphia, and Samuel P. Wetherill. In 1881 the company was incorporated as the Lehigh Zinc and Iron Com- pany, Limited, and later was re-incorporated as the Lehigh Zinc and Iron Company, with a capital stock of $600,000, J. P. Wetherill becoming gen- eral manager. The various departments of this ex- tensive plant turn out immense quantities of metals, about five hundred tons of white zinc, four hun- dred and fifty tons of metallic zinc and three hun- dred tons of Spiegeleisen per month. The plant covers eleven acres, and in the works are employed some four hundred men. They also own mines at Franklin, N. J., and there employ three hundred men. In 1887 the Empire Zinc Company at Jop- lin, Mo., was incorporated for mining ore and manufacturing metallic zinc, and of this our sub- ject is President. He was also one of the organi- zers of the Florence Company at Florence, for inan - ufacturing oxide of zinc by the French process, the best in the trade. Branch offices of these companies

are at No. 45 Cedar Street, New York, and No. 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, and they ship to all parts of the United States and Europe. The loca- tion of the work here was made on account of the discovery of zinc deposits of great value in the vi- cinity. The discovery was made by William T. Roepper, Secretary of the Moravian congregation. Those mines were operated by the company until 1881, but the present corporation operate their mines at Franklin, N. J.

In 1869 Mr. Wetherill was married to Miss Alice, daughter of Ira Cortright, and their residence is on Delaware Avenue, Fountain Hill. They have six children, Ira C., being employed at the works at Joplin, and the others are: Anna, Florence, John Price, Jr., William Chattin and August Heckscher. In politics Mr. Wetherill is a strong Protectionist, and, like his father, is greatly interested in the wel- fare of South Bethlehem. The latter laid out seventeen acres in what is now the main part of the city, and both he and his son have been im- portant factors in the upbuilding of the place.

HARLES DETWEILER, who is carrying on a good business as a blacksmith in Allenton, was born in this city, May 5, 1833. He is the son of John Detweiler, a native of Berks County, this state, who later in life lo- cated in this county. His good wife, prior to her marriage Anna Lohman, was also born in this county. Grandfather Detweiler was born in Hol- land, and settled in Berks County, where he spent the latter years of his life.

Charles, of this sketch, attended the common schools of his native city, and on reaching the age of eleven years, was deprived by death of his mother, and four years later suffered the loss of his father. He was the eldest in the parental family of five children, and as his father and mother were people of limited means, he was compelled early . in life to look out for himself. He worked out on farms for a time, and then served a three-years apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade under Peter Heller. After becoming acquainted with the

OWEN F. LEIBERT.

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business, he received as his first year's wages $25 and his board and clothing.

Our subject continued to work for others as a blacksmithı until April 8, 1859, when he erected a shop of his own, and now has the largest estab- lishment in the city, giving employment to eleven men. He is known all over the county as an ex- pert horse-shoer, and never fails to give satisfac- tion in any work done. He is interested as a stock- holder in several enterprises in the city, among them being the Iowa Barb Wire Company and the Allentown Brewing Company. In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat, and socially belongs to Lehigh Lodge No. 83, I. O. O. F.

In March, 1855, Mr. Detweiler was united in marriage with Miss Anna Reinsmith, a native of this city, and the daughter of Peter Reinsmith, who was born in Whitehall Township. Their union has resulted in the birth of the following-named five children: Charles D., George H., Harry L., Robert R. and Flora. All the sons are engaged in business with their father.

In 1890 our subject built his present shop, which is located at Nos. 531 and 533 Walnut Street. It is a brick structure, two stories high, and 40x92 feet in dimensions. Mr. Detweiler is a public- spirited citizen, and in 1884 was elected for a term of three years to represent the Second Ward in the Select Council of Allentown. He took great pride in conscientiously discharging the duties of the office, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

WEN F. LEIBERT was appointed in Jan- uary, 1893, to the position of General Su- perintendent of the Bethlehem Iron Com- pany, and is one of the thorough mechanics and engineers of Bethilchem. He is an able and capa- ble man for the position he holds, being thor- oughly conversant with the details of the work, and having himself served many years in the trade. Personally he is well liked, being affable and courteous in manner, and at the same time business-like and straightforward in his manner of dealing with his fellow-men.

The mechanical genius of Mr. Leibert appears to

be an inheritance, as his ancestors for many gen- erations have been machinists and millwrights. His great-great-grandfather, Michael Leibert, was born at Rheinpfalz, Germany, and when a young man came to America, settling in Germantown, where he ran a hotel. He was a Catholic in relig- ious faith, and his death occurred when he was still young. Later his wife married a Mr. Fenster- macher, a Moravian, and removed to Lititz, where he afterward died. She afterward came to Bethle- hem to make her home, and here her death occurred.

The great-grandfather of our subject, Martin, was born in Germantown, and was a mechanic and manufacturer of spinning-wheels at Emaus. The next in line of descent, Henry, was born in Emaus, and followed the trades of millwright, miller and distiller on Leibert's Creek. His wife, Catherine Knauss, was born near Emaus, and was the daughter of a Moravian farmer. Our subject's father, John, was born at Leibert's Gap, in Milford Township, Lehigh County, and for a time lived in Hanover Township. Later he was employed as a millwright and miller in Craneville (now Catasau- qua), to which place he removed in 1839, and then started in business there with George Frederick. He became Chief of the Water Works and Power Company in that city. His death occurred in 1845, at the age of thirty-seven years and six months. He had married Catherine Owens Tice, a native of New York State, whose father, a sea-faring man, was born in Nova Scotia, and her mother in Lon- don. England. They settled in the Saucon Val- ley, where Mrs. Leibert was reared to womanhood. She was orphaned at the age of ten years, and was reared by Peter Swartz in Upper Milford Town- slip. She is a Lutheran, while her husband was a Moravian. Though now nearly cighty-seven years of age, she is still living and makes her home in Catasauqua.

Owen Leibert, who is the second son in his fa- ther's family, was born in Hanover Township, Le- high County, August 27, 1836. His elder brother, Henry, is in charge of the machine shops of the Bethlehem Iron Company; his sister Jane resides in Catasauqua with her mother; Mary A., Mrs. James Nevins, and Gwenny P., Mrs. Price, both died in Catasauqua. In that city Owen Leibert

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was reared, attending the public schools until he was eleven years of age, when he was obliged to go to work. On the death of his father he was only eight years old, and David Thomas, Super- intendent of the Crane Iron Works, became his legal guardian. He worked under that gentleman and his sons from the age of eleven until twenty- one years old. At the age of thirteen he went into the blacksmith shop to learn the business, and in time became foreman in the shop. Later, in company with Daniel Milson, he went to Nor- ristown, Pa., and there engaged in manufacturing.

January 16, 1863, Mr. Leibert came to this city, working as a blacksmith for the Bethlehem Iron Company, and later with his brother as a machin- ist. Returning to Catasauqua, he was employed in the car shops as foreman for sixteen months, on the expiration of which time he came back to this place and became draftsman for the Bethle- hem Iron Company, and afterward foreman in the steel works, where he was employed for twelve years. Next going to Whecling, W. Va., he was in the Riverside Iron Works for nine months. In 1886 he received the position of assistant engineer to John Fritz, under whom he served from 1863 until 1893, during which time he was General Su- perintendent and Chief Engineer of the Bethlehem Iron Company. After the completion of the ord- nance works of Bethlehem, he continued as As- sistant Superintendent until January, 1893, when he assumed his present responsible position. He owns a fine residence on Market Street and other property, and is interested in the Bethlehem Iron Company, and the First National Bank as a stock- holder. In politics he votes with the Republican party and takes an active interest in its success. In Germantown, Pa., January 28, 1864, he mar- ried Miss Mary M., daughter of Benjamin Warner.

ICHAEL DEGNAN. One of the most prominent citizens of South Bethlehem is introduced at the opening of this sketch. Until a year ago he was prosperously engaged in business in the city, but having accumulated a

handsome fortune, he determined to retire and en- joy the fruits of his early toil, and so disposed of his enterprise to his two sons. James M. has charge of the general merchandise department, whilc Thomas is the manager of the boot and shoe store. They are both wide-awake, enterprising business men, and will no doubt follow in the footsteps of their honored father and become well to do.

The original of this sketch was born in Ireland, in County Longford, in 1837. He is the son of James Degnan, a farmer in his native land, where he lived and dicd. His wife, Mrs. Mary ( Byrne) Degnan, was also a native of the Emerald Isle, and after the decease of her husband married a Mr. Shoudley, whom she accompanied to America in 1842, locating in New Haven, Conn.

Michael, of this sketch, was the youngest of the parental family of five children, and remained in Ireland until 1844, when, a lad of seven years, he came to America with friends, being five weeks in crossing the Atlantic. He, too, located in New Haven, and there attended the common schools until a lad of sixteen years, when he apprenticed himself to learn the trade of a silversmith, at whichi he worked for four years.

Mr. Degnan remained in the Granite State until 1861, the date of his advent into this city, and for four years after coming hither he followed his trade with fair success. Later, going to Easton, he remained there until 1872, being similarly engaged. In 1872 he came to South Bethlehem, where he started in the grocery business on Third Street, and was so successful in this enterprise that he was enabled to add a stock of general merchan- dise. In 1882 he purchased his present property, erected a good building, 40 x 80 feet in dimen- sions, three stories and basement in height, and built up an extensive patronage. He later became the proprietor of the Grand Central Hotel, but, not finding time to manage it himself, rents the prop- erty. In November, 1893, Mr. Degnan sold his establishment to his two sons, and is now living retired in his beautiful residence.

In 1865 the marriage of our subject was cel- ebrated with Miss Julia Kelly, who was also born in Ireland, and by her union with Mr. Degnan has become the mother of eight children: James M.,

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Thomas L., John J., George P., William J., Joseph, Michael, Jr., and Mary. They have all been given excellent educations and are graduates of the high school.

Mr. Degnan has been School Director for three years from the Second Ward. He was among those who were instrumental in the organization of the market house, incorporated as South Bethle- hem Market House, and served for some time as Vice-President of the company. In politics he is a strong Republican, and in religious affairs a member of the Church of the Holy Infancy.

H ENRY C. ROTH, who died March 31, 1894, was at the time of his death the senior member of the firm of Roth & Sour- wine, prominent clothiers and merchant tailors of Allentown, their place of business being located at No. 719 Hamilton Street, and going by the name of "The Anchor Clothing Hall." The city of Allentown is the home of many energetic and prosperous business men, who have won for themselves both fame and fortune, but nonc ever merited more praise or werc more highly esteemed than he whose history claims our attention.

A native of Lehigh County, this state, our sub- ject was the son of Henry and Rebecca (Ebert) Roth, natives of Lehigh County, and representa- tives of old pioneer families in this locality. Hen- ry C. received his educational training only in the common schools, but his natural industry enabled him to acquire an excellent business education. His first employment when starting out in life for himself was as an apprentice in a tailoring estab- lishment, and after spending four years in learn- ing that trade he came to Allentown, where he worked in the shops of other parties until launch- ing out in business for himself. In 1864 he formed a partnership with H. Schnurman and C. L. Now- hard, with whom he continued until the death of the senior member of the firm. They handled ready-made clothing and were wholesale dealers in cloths, cassimeres, satinets, vestings, and all other

goods appertaining to men's wear. Mr. Schnur- man dying in September, 1893, the partnership was dissolved. Our subject, however, immediately associated himself with Lewis Sourwine, and con- tinued to carry on business at the old stand, No. 719 Hamilton Strect, until his death.

Henry C. Roth and Miss Ellen Rice were united in marriage at Allentown, February 8, 1859. Mrs. Roth is the daughter of George and Sally (Berger) Rice, and was born September 8, 1840. By hier union with our subject she became the mother of two children, Ellen, and an infant who died. Mrs. Roth is a devoted member of the English Re- formed Church, as was her husband, who took great interest in church work. As a business man Mr. Roth was highly regarded, being courteous, just and considerate in all his business and social re- lations. As a citizen he was ever ready to do what lay in his power toward the well-being of the com- munity, and as a family man he was over a thought- ful, affectionate husband and father. His death was sincerely mourned by his business friends and personal acquaintances, and his place in commer- cial, church and social circles will be hard to fill.

M ARTIN KEMMERER, who for many years was connected with the agricult- ural interests of Lchigh County, but is now living a retired life in Allentown, was born in Salisbury Township, of the county which is still his home, December 28, 1818. His father, Martin Kemmerer, was a native of the same locality, and the grandfather, Henry Kemmerer, was also born in Pennsylvania. The family is of German de- scent, ancestors having emigrated from Wurtem- berg to America during early Colonial days. Mar- tin Kemmerer, Sr., made farming his life occupa- tion. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Deborah Waters, who was born in Upper Milford Township, then a part of North- ampton County. Her father, Philip Waters, was also a native of the same county. To Mr. and Mrs. Kemmerer were born seven children, six sons

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and a daughter: Maria, wife of Adam Louden- ochater; Philip, Henry, David and Solomon, all deceased; Martin, of this sketch; and Danicl, who has also passed away. The father of this family was called to the home beyond on the 17th of March. 1854, and his wife died in June, 1841.

Our subject is the only surviving member of the family. His early education, acquired in the com- mon schools, was supplemented by study in a select school in Stewartville, N. J., after which he further pursued his studies in Fairfield, Ohio. On begin- ning business for himself, he turned his attention to farming, and secured land in Salisbury Town- ship, Lehigh County, where for twenty-four years he engaged in the raising of grain. His fields were always well tilled, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place was evidence to the pass- er-by of the careful supervision of the owner.

Mr. Kemmerer was married on the 14th of March, 1843, to Miss Sarah Bruner, a daughter of William Bruner, of Lehigh County. By their union were born five children: William, who died at the age of twenty-three years; Mary, wife of Jacob N. Backenstoe, of Lehigh County; Sarah N., wife of Philip Kemmerer, a resident of Illinois; Leah, wife of Dr. Thomas H. Leidy, of Boyertown; and Mar- tin, who is deceased. The mother of this family was called to her final rest August 6, 1884, and on the 9th of December, 1886, Mr. Kemmerer was united in marriage with Agnes Seler, widow of Charles Seler, and a daughter of Ferdinand Doer- ing. They have one child, Martin, Jr.

Having followed farming until 1867, our sub- ject then removed to Allentown, where he is now living a retired life. For eighteen years he has been connected with the Second National Bank of this place. He is the owner of the old homestead in Salisbury Township, which has been in posses- sion of the family for more than one hundred years. It comprises one hundred and thirty acres of rich land, upon which are a good house and barn and other necessary improvements. In politics he is a Republican, having supported that party for a number of years. He served for some time as a member of the Select Council, and while living upon the farm was for twenty years Justice of the Peace. That the duties of the office were promptly

and faithfully performed is indicated by his long continued service. He holds membership with St. Michael's Church, and has filled many of its offices. His public and private life are alike above reproach, and his honorable, upright career has gained for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

A LFRED BARRALL, M. D. This well known and skillful physician and surgeon of Wca- versville is a native of this county, and was born March 22, 1854. His parents were Will- iam and Elizabeth Barrall, also natives of this county, and born in Moore Township. The fam- ily in this country is an old and prominent one, the first representatives being two brothers who came from the eastern part of France during the last century, one settling in Berks County, and the other, from whom our subject is descended, locat- ing in Northampton County.

The original of this sketch carried on his pri- mary studies in the public schools of his native county, after which he attended the normal at Millersville. The two succeeding years he taught school in Moore Township, and then, deciding to follow a professional career, began reading medi- cinc under the instruction of Dr. Cornelius Barthol- omew, of Shoenersville. He remained in his office for four years and thin, in 1879, entered the Jef- ferson Medical College, from which he was gradu- ated with the Class of '82.

The following year Dr. Barrall located in Wea- versville, where he soon built up a lucrative practice and where he has since resided. He is one of the leading physicians in the place and ranks high among his medical bretliren. He was married to Miss Susan, daughter of James Seip, a resident of Moore Township, this county. To them has been granted a daughter, Cora A., a very accomplished young lady and a graduate of the State Normal at Kutztown.

In politics the Doctor is an ardent Democrat. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Malta at

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Bath, and is Past Commander in Commandery No. 60. He is likewise connected with the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Bath, Castle No. 200, and also with the Junior Order of American Mechanics, No. 757, at Seemsville. He belongs to the Lutheran Chureli, in whose prosperity he has been a most important factor. He ranks among the wealthy and influential citizens of the county, and is sur- rounded by all the comforts of life, proving the truth of the old assertion that "industry will win in the raee for fortune and position." The Doctor is also a stoekholder in the National Bank at Cata- sauqua, an old and reliable institution.

J ACOB FATZINGER, JR., a history of whose life is herewith presented to the public, has passed from the seene of earthly joys and sorrows to his final resting-place. He was born in Weaversville, Northampton County, Au- gust 9, 1841, and was the son of Jacob and Drusilla (Weaver) Fatzinger. His maternal grandfather, Michael Weaver, was a very early settler of this county, and the founder of the village of Weavers- ville. The father of our subjeet was a man pos- sessed of a moderate education, but of excellent business qualities. He was a carpenter by trade, following that occupation in Weaversville for many years.

Jacob, of this sketeh, received his education in the academy at Weaversville, making a specialty during his last years in school of the studies of surveying and civil engineering. He was known as an expert in this line, and did much surveying in the northern portion of this county. When ready to establish a home of his own, he was mar- ried, October 24, 1879, to Miss Ellen J. Eekert, a native of Siegfried's, this county. She was born October 24, 1857, and is the daughter of Edward and Diana (Arner) Eekert, who were likewise na- tives of this section. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Fatzinger on the maternal side, whose name was Thomas Gilmore, left Ireland for America prior to the Revolutionary War. One day, when about twelve years old, he was standing on the

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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 110

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