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 111

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 111
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 111
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 111

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doeks of the town in Ireland in which he lived just as a vessel was about to leave for America. The little follow asked the Captain of the vessel to take him with him, and the latter inquired wliat his parents would say to such a proceeding. "I have no parents, sisters, brothers or friends, and no home," replied the poor urehin, who had re- eently suffered the loss of his whole family from an epidemic. "And what can you do to pay for your passage?" asked the Captain. "I will do any- thing you ask of me-polish your boots or any- thing," was the heroie reply. The Captain granted the request, but on landing at Philadelphia sold him for his passage (a custom of that day), but how much his serviees were to bring is not known. The man to whom he was sold retained him until lie was eighteen years old, when he enlisted for the Revolutionary War, under General Washing- ton, crossing the Delaware in the same boat as the latter. He served until the close of hostilities, and after the war married, his wife being a native of Pennsylvania. The mother of Mrs. Fatzinger departed this life March 12, 1893, and her husband now makes his home with Mrs. Fatzinger. He is in his eightieth year, but is still hale and hearty, taking the entire supervision of the mill property which our subjeet left his widow.

Mr. Fatzinger, in connection with surveying, also operated a gristmill for many years, having a fine plant, fitted with improved machinery. He manufactured a superior grade of flour, which found a ready market in Weaversville and sur- rounding eities. He was also the proprietor of a small farm, which he conducted in an admirable manner, and by this means added to his income. Although frequently solieited by his friends to ac- eept public office, he always refused to do so, pre- ferring to give his entire time and attention to his private affairs. As a side issue, he was correspond- ent for many magazines and newspapers, and was widely known as a talented historical writer. Dur- ing the publication of the history of Northampton County many years ago, he was one of the staff of writers of the history, compiling the biographies of prominent men in a most readable manner. IIe was well posted on all the important ehanges which had taken place in his locality, and this, to-

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gether with an excellent memory, made his work very acceptable.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fatzinger there was born a son, Thomas E., whose birth occurred February 24, 1883. Our subject was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, with which he was connected for many years. He was a stanch Republican in politics, and supported every measure which had" for its object tlie elevation of his community. So- cially he was a Mason of high standing, and took a very active part in that order. In his private life he was a kind father, loving husband and obliging neighbor, and in his death the county lost one of its most valued citizens.

J OHN BIRKENSTOCK, proprietor of the Eagle Brewery in Allentown, was born in Germany in 1841. There he spent the first fourteen years of his life, and then crossed the At- lantic, determined to make a fortune in the New World. Hc landed in New York City, whence he went direct to Philadelphia, Pa., and attended school for a time in that city, thus becoming con- versant with the English language. His next ven- ture was to learn the cooper's trade, and after work- ing as an apprentice three years, he abandoned it for a time in order to enter the ranks of the Union army.

In the fall of 1863 our subject became a mem- ber of the Forty-sixth New York Infantry, com- manded by Colonel Beckern. They were sent to join the Army of the Potomac, and, forming one of Burnside's corps, our subject participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Yellow House. They then made their way by means of the James River to Petersburg, and fought the battle at that placc, after which Mr. Birkenstock was taken sick. Receiving a furlough, he returned. to New York, and for some time was confined in the hospital. In September, 1864, however, he was sufficiently recovered to return to his regiment, and October 12 participated in the bat- tle which occurred near Petersburg. He continued

in the service until the surrender of Lee, when hc was discharged in Washington, D. C., in August, 1865. Young Birkenstock returned to Philadelphia and accepted a position in the brewery of J. G. Ball, where he obtained a thorough knowledge of tlie business.

In 1873 our subject was made assistant manager of Ball's Brewery, which he held until 1888, when he became general manager. That he gave perfect satisfaction is shown by the fact that he remained with Mr. Ball until 1891, when he came to Allen- town and purchased the Lieberman Brewery, and changing its name to the Eagle Brewery, has con- ducted it successfully since. It is a large brick building, located at the corner of Sixth and Union Streets, and is equipped with all the latest appara- tus for the manufacture of beer. The plant has a capacity of eleven thousand gallons per day. Mr. Birkenstock is an expert in his business, being thoroughly acquainted with all the detail work, and when he left the Quaker City there were only two brew-masters in the United States who were older.

The original of this sketch is a Democrat in poli- tics, and socially belongs to Kensington Lodge No. 211, F. & A. M., at Philadelphia. He also belongs to Kensington Chapter No. 233, R. A. M .; Ken- sington Commandery No. 54, K. T .; and Lulu Tem- ple, Mystic Shrine, of Philadelphia.

Mr. Birkenstock was married in 1868 to Miss Elizabeth Scholl, of Philadelphia, and to them have been born three children: Gertrude, Jacob and John F.

ILLIAM J. SCHLEIFFER. For scv- eral years past this worthy citizen has made his home in Lower Saucon Town- ship, Northampton County. He has served capa- bły in the position of Postmaster, and in political. affairs is a straight Republican and an active mem- ber of the Union League.

On the paternal side our subject is of German descent, his ancestors having been residents of the Palatinate. One, Jolin Schleiffer, the founder of the family in America, went to Liverpool, where he took passage in the ship " Lydia," commanded

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by Captain Allen, and after a long voyage across the Atlantic landed in the United States in 1853. He settled in Montgomery County, Pa., near the old Gashenhoppen Church. He reared two sons, one of whom was a prominent resident of Mont- gomery County, and from him descended one branch of the family. The other brother went to Bucks County, locating near Cook's Creek, at a place now known as Schleiffer's Valley, where he purchased about three hundred and sixty acres of land. This property was subsequently divided among his three sons, Abraham, Jacob and Henry, and it has passed from father to son until it is now in the hands of the present generation. The early members of the family were active in the support of the Colonial party during the War of the Rev- olution. Jacob Schleiffer, our subject's grandfa- ther, was born in Bucks County, and was a farmer by occupation. He married a Miss Kauffman, of the same county, and they had two sons and three daughters, namely: Nancy, Eva, Mary, Samuel and John. In politics the grandfather was a Whig, and religiously was affiliated with the Mennonite Church.

John Schleiffer was born in 1815, and on arriv- ing at maturity devoted his energies to farming. For his wife he chose Miss Caroline, daughter of Benjamin Jacoby, of Durham Township, Bucks County. Seven children, three daughters and four sons, were the result of this union, and in order of their birth they are as follows: Catherine, wife of Moses S. Eisenhart, a hotel-keeper of Spring Valley, Lehigh County; Franklin, a farmer, who married Sarah Ann Meyers, of Bucks County; Jacob J., who wedded Elizabeth Geissinger, and is the present owner of the old homestead farm near Springtown, Bucks County; William J., our subject; Mary, who became the wife of Llewellyn Gerhart, of Coopers- burg, Pa .; Emma, the wife of John Y. Young, a grocer of Philadelphia; and John, deceased.

The birth of William J. Schleiffer occurred on the 28th of December, 1846, near Springtown, Bucks County. He made the best of his educational privileges, managing to secure a good education, and for a time pursued his studies in East Spring- town Academy. Then obtaining a certificate, he taught school himself for five terms in Bethle-

hem Township, at what was known as Church Ilill School. Later he embarked in merchandis- ing at White Cabin, Bethlehem Township, where he remained for a ycar. On the expiration of that time he removed to Spring Valley, Lehigh County, where the next eight years of his life were passed in a general store business. In 1878 he be- came a resident of Bingen, where he was engaged in mercantile business successfully for the thirteen years following.

In 1869 Mr. Schleiffer married Miss Mary E. Nicholas, daughter of Jacob F. Nicholas, a citizen of Bethlehem Township. Mr. and Mrs. Schleiffcr have become the parents of four children, who are as follows: Lottie C., J. Ward, Harry F. and Will- iam Penn.

H ENRY J. DETWILLER. It affords us pleasure to place before our readers an outline of the history of this gentleman, who is one of the leading chemists of Allentown. He was born in Hellertown, Northampton County, this state, February 3, 1848, and is a son of Charles N. Detwiller, also a native of the above county. The father, who was a prominent physician, de- parted this life when our subject was a lad of five years.

Henry Detwiller, the grandfather of our subject, who was a native of Switzerland, completed his studies in Paris, France, after which he went on a sailing-vessel as surgeon. Later, concluding to come to America, he, in company with two friends, Messrs. Herring and Wiesselheft, set sail for this country. On arriving in the New World, he es- tablished the first homeopathic college in America, which was located at Allentown, Pa., but which, however, was conducted only a short time. Henry Detwiller is said to have had the distinction of ad- ministering the first homeopathic medicine ever given in America. He was very successful as a physician, and continued to practice until his death, which occurred at the extreme old age of ninety-seven years. The father of our subject was also a practicing physician of the homeopathic

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school, and was widely known throughout the Le- high Valley.

The mother of our subject, who prior to her mar- riage was Miss Sarah Correll, was a native of Le- high County, and the daughter of Jacob Correll, who died when ninety-six years of age. Mrs. Sarah Detwiller passed away in August, 1891, having at- tained her seventy-third year. Henry J. of this sketch spent his boyhood and youth in Friedens- ville, this county, where he prosecuted his early studies in the common school. Later he entered the Bucks County Normal, and afterward became a student in the classical school at Quakertown. Thence he went to Doylestown, where he took pri- vate lessons under the instruction of Rev. Levi C. Sheip, after which he entered the Philadelphia Poly- technic College.

In 1866 our subject entered the employ of John Rickert & Co., of Philadelphia, with whom he re- mained in the capacity of an apprentice for three years. In 1869, in company with Daniel Phreaner, he embarked in the wholesale drug business in Philadelphia, and carried on operations for one ycar. Thence he went to New York City, where he became Superintending Chemist of the Excel- sior Fire Works Company. After remaining in the employ of that company for some time, Mr. Detwiller went to Old Mexico, and thence to San Francisco, Cal. While in the West he engaged in prospecting through Lower California. From the Golden State he made his way northward to British Columbia, at which place he was engaged in min- ing. Later returning to California, he superin- tended the construction of a flume for the Hy- draulic Mining Company, in Chester Valley, after which he made a thorough tour of the West.

In June, 1875, returning to Bethlehem, this state, our subject was petitioned to accept the position of chemist with the Bethlehem Iron Company, with whom he remained for eight years. In No- vember, 1888, he came to Allentown, and a year later opened his present laboratory, which is com- plete in every respect, and there Mr. Detwiller analyses iron and cement, being employed by three iron and cleven cement companies.

In October, 1882, our subject was married to Miss A. Belle Saeger, of Allentown, and a daughter of

Henry J. Saeger. Her father was Cashier of the Allentown Termina! Railroad, and is at present re- siding in the above city. To Mr. and Mrs. Det- willer have been born two daughters, Mary S. and Anna S. Mrs. Detwiller is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, while our subject is con- nected with the German Reformed Church. In politics lie is a Republican.

A DAM D. CHRISTMAN, one of the prom- inent and representative citizens of Penn Forest Township, Carbon County, is a na- tive of this state, having been born in Monroe County, in 1836. His parents, Solomon and Mary M. (Kunkle) Christman, were also born in the above county, where the Christman family were early settlers.

The original of this sketch remained in his na- tive county until a lad of fifteen years, in the mean time carrying on his studies in the district schools. He then came to Carbon County, locating in Penn Forcst Township, where for a number of ycars he was engaged in teaming, hauling goods to the Lehigh River. He owned his wagon and horses, and although quite young when starting in this business, managed his affairs in a profitable man- ner, and when ready to engage in a different line of work had a snug little sum to begin with.

Young Christman, after abandoning teaming, . purchased a sawmill, located on Strong Creek, about two and one-half miles east of the Lehigh River, which he still owns. He has ever since car- ried on an extensive lumber business, and at one time was the owner of three sawmills in this town- ship. He is an enterprising business man, and is held in high favor in commercial circles through- out the county. His career has been marked by justness and fairness, and he has ever been the soul of honor in his dealings.

Adam D. Christman was married to Miss Julia A., daughter of Henry Keiper, of Monroe Coun- ty, and to them has been granted a family of ten children. Barbara, Mrs. Youngkin, the eldest, who. is a widow, resides in Minneapolis, Minn .; Monroe

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is engaged in business in East Mauch Chunk; Jackson W. is living in Williamsport, this state; Sarah is the wife of John Lerose, and makes her home in Scranton; Joseph F. and Robert are resi- dents of Penn Forest Township; and Oliver is liv,- ing in the West. The wife and mother departed this life in 1893, mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

In connection with his occupation as a lumber- man, our subject is the possessor of large tracts of land in Carbon County, which have been accumu- lated through years of industry and hard labor. Mr. Christman's political sympathies extend to the Republican party, and he is a firm believer in the strength . of its principles and the efficacy of its platform. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace since 1860, and endeavors to honorably ful- fill the duties of the position, and in so doing has gained the respect of ali with whom he comes in contact. He is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, and in favor of all measures tending to elevate society and forward the good of the com- munity.

T HEODORE LORENZO SEIP, D. D., Pres i dent of Muhlenberg College of Allentown, was born in Easton, Pa., June 25, 1842, and is a son of Reuben L. and Sarah A. Seip. His ancestors emigrated from Germany to Northamp- ton County, Pa., early in the eighteenth century, and members of the family served in the Revo- lution and the War of 1812. Our subject at- tended the private and public schools of Easton and Bath, Pa., and was carefully reared by his par- ents, especially by his devoted mother. At the age of sixteen, he began preparing for college in Weaversville Academy, and afterward was sent to Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg. In 1863, when General Lee invaded Pennsylvania, he joined the college company, which was mustered into service as Company A, Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry. He was detailed for duty at headquar- ters with the staff of Maj-Gen. D. N. Couch, then

in command of the Department of the Susque- hanna, with whom he served until his company was mustered out. During the spring vacation of 1864 be was a delegate of the United States Christian Commission in Tennessee and Georgia, having charge of the hospitals in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Later he went to Chattanooga, and was sent with General Sherman on his way to Atlanta. When his service with the United States Christian Commission had expired, he returned to college, and was graduated in the Class of '64.

In October following Mr. Seip entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and the following year, as agent of the United States Sanitary Commission, he was sent on an in- spection tour to Grant's army. After his gradua- tion at the semmary, in 1867, he was called to Muhlenberg College, and was elected Principal of the academic department and Adjunct Professor of Greek. He thus served until June, 1872, when he was elected Professor of the Latin and Greek languages and literature, in which office he served until 1876. The financial condition of the school was then pretty bad, and he was made financial agent. His labors soon restored confidence in the college, and the ruin that threatened was pre- vented. In 1885 Dr. Seip was elected President of the college, and entered upon his duties the fol- lowing January. He has been connected with this school from its beginning, and its success is due greatly to his untiring and earnest efforts. He has taught in its various departments, and is acknowl- edged a most able instructor. He wins the confi- dence and respect of his pupils, and leaves upon their lives an influence for good which is never forgotten.

In 1866 Dr. Seip married Miss Emma Elizabeth Shimer, of Bath, Pa., who was confirmed in the same class with her husband. She died in the year 1873, leaving four children: Howard Shimer, A. M., D. D. S., a skilled dentist of Allentown; Rev. Frank Muhlenberg, A. M., pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Lebanon; Annie Elizabeth, a graduate of the Allentown High School and the Lutherville Female Seminary; and Theodore Lo- renzo, who died in early infancy. In 1877 Dr. Seip married Miss Rebecca Keck, of Allentown,

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who is a faithful companion and helpmate. In his family he is a kind and loving husband and father, among his friends is a courteous, genial gentle- man, and is a Christian always. He is untiring in the work of the Lutheran Church, and though he has never been pastor of a congregation, few min- isters have done more toward inducing the young to enter the path of righteousness than Dr. Seip. In politics he is a Republican.

M OSES HOLLENBACH is proprietor of the Hollenbach Mill in Lowhill, Lehigh County, which he has operated for the past thirty years. He is recognized as one of the prominent business men who have contributed largely to the financial prosperity of this part of the county. With true public spirit he has aided every enterprise that would in any way advance the welfare of the community and promote the growth of the town or improve its condition.

The Hollenbach family is one of the oldest and most prominent of Lehigh County. Our subject is the son of John and Maria Hollenbach, and was born in this county July 7, 1830. In boyhood he attended the public seliools, and for a short time was a student in a private school in New Lexing- ton. When quite young he learned the trade of a millwright, which he has made his principal vo- cation in life, although at different times he has engaged in farm pursuits on a small scale. Besides his mill property he is the owner of twenty-five acres of highly improved land in Lowhill Town- ship.

In 1892 a full roller process was introduced in the Hollenbach Mill, and the product is a very su- perior grade of flour. A specialty is made of the manufacture of the "Silver Leaf" flour, which is composed of one-fourth spring wheat and three- fourths winter wheat. After having superintended the mill for a long time, Mr. Hollenbach turned the management of it over to his son, Thomas B., a young man of ability and energy.

By his marriage with Miss Ellen Sheirer, our sub- ject has had nine children, but two are deceased.

Those living are: Melissa, wife of Franklin Zim- merman; Amanda, now Mrs. Peter Hoffman; Frank- lin H .; Catherine, Mrs. J. M. Diehl; Thomas B .; Emma, wife of Dr. James Haas, of Fogelsville; and Sarah. The wife and mother departed this life November 21, 1885, greatly mourned by her fam- ily and friends. In politics Mr. Hollenbach is a Democrat. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and is now serving as Assistant Assessor of Lowhill Township. For many years he has been identified with the Lutheran Church of Unionville.

Thomas B. Hollenbach, the son of our subject, and the present lessee of the inill, was born in Le- high County, November 2, 1865. Early in life lic learned the miller's trade from his father, and he- ing endowed with superior business qualifications, is making a success of that vocation. Like liis fa- ther, he votes the straight Democratic ticket. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Velaralı Houseman, have liad one child, a daughter, Flor- ence M., but she is now deceased.

S AMUEL MILLER, ex-Sheriff of Lehigh County, is widely and favorably known throughout this section. He is at present residing in North Whitehall Township, where he owns and occupies a farm of one hundred acres, upon which he has erected suitable buildings and introduced all the improvements of a model estate. He is a native of this county, and his birth occurred July 30, 1837, to George and Magdalena ( Newhard) Miller, likewise natives of this section.

Grandfather John Miller, who during his life was a well-to-do agriculturist, was in turn the son of Jacob Miller, a native of Germany, who emi- grated to America, and for a short time made his home in Northampton County. Later he removed to this county, and purchased four hundred acres of land in North Whitehall Township from the heirs of William Penn. He fought as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and during that period participated in the battle of Brandywine Creek.

George Miller died May 14, 1861, and of his family who survive we make the following men-

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tion: Catherine is the wife of Daniel Braun, and makes her home in Reading, this state; our sub- ject is the next in order of birth; and Hettie, the younger daughter, is now Mrs. Josephi Har- mon, and is living in Allentown. He of whom we write spent the first seventeen years of his life on his father's farm, during which time he received a limited education, but did not have the advan- tages now offered the young men of the present day. When leaving home he went to Saegersville, and for two years was engaged in learning the trade of a harness-maker. Afterward lie ereeted a shop on the farm which he is at present occupying, and for three years worked at his trade.

Mr. Miller was elected Sheriff of Lehigh County in November, 1889, and entered upon the duties of that responsible position in January of the fol- lowing year. He served his terni of three years, and during that time gave the best of satisfaction to all concerned. He has also been a member of the School Board, and was Tax Collector of his township for some time.

Mr. Miller while residing in Northampton Coun- ty was engaged in the lumber business for two years, which trade he also carried on for a twelve- month in Carbon County, and for several years after coming to this county. His life has been a varied one, and besides the occupations already mentioned he was a butcher for several years, and has often been called upon to auetion off the goods of the people in his vicinity. For twenty-two years he had an extensive dairy on his farm, and shipped milk in large quantities to Maueh Chunk.

In his political relations our subject is a strong Demoerat, and socially is an Odd Fellow in good standing with the lodge at Slatington. He is an active member of St. John's Reformed Church, and has many sineere friends in this neighborhood.

The date of our subjeet's marriage with Miss Sarahı E. Ritter was July 10, 1859. Mrs. Miller was born in this county, May 18, 1841, and was the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Rickert) Ritter, natives also of this eounty. The father died when she was an infant, and her mother later married Tilghman Kern. By her union with our subjeet there have been born three children: David H. G., Victor W. P., and Mary A., now Mrs. Henry D.

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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 111

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