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 119
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 119
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 119
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In 1883 our subject was Chairman of the Demo- cratic County Convention. In 1884 he was ap- pointed by Governor Pattison to fill an unexpired term as Clerk of the Orphans' Court. The same year he was elected to the full term of three years, and
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during that time was appointed and served about six years as Quartermaster of the Fourth Regi- ment Pennsylvania National Guards.
January 1, 1889, Mr. Klein was elected Note Clerk by the Directors of the Second National Bank, and April 1, 1891, he was elected Cashier to succeed Mr. Stahler, who retired on account of old age.
Our subject was married in November, 1887, to Mrs. Charlotte Ophelia Austin, of Boston, Mass., a widow, with two children.
ILLIAM BRAY, a prominent business man of East Bangor, and Superintend- ent of the East Bangor Consolidated Manufacturing Company, is a native of Pennsyl- vania, and was born in Chapmanville August 1, 1858. His parents, Joseph and Louisa ( Preston) Bray, were natives of England, his father a Corn- ishman, and his mother a native of Devonshire. The grandfather, William Bray, for whom our subject was named, was a farmer by occupation, and died in his native land.
Joseph Bray emigrated with his family to this country in 1855 and located first in Chapmanville, where he engaged in the slate business, in which occupation he continued all his life. He remained in Chapmanville for a short time, and then went to Pen Argyl and found employment in the quar- ries of that place. In 1857 or 1858 he came to East Bangor, engaging in the same business, and in 1864 located here permanently. At this time, in connection with Henry Short, he purchased the old Delp farm and opened up a quarry, which is now known as the East Bangor Consolidated and is owned at present by a stock company, with a paid-up capital of $257,500. The quarry was op- erated by Messrs. Bray and Short until 1882, when the present stock company was formed. Mr. Bray was a stockholder and Director of the Bangor & Portland Railroad, and was influential in getting the right of way and pushing the project to its completion. He was the originator of the slate- mill business, a process for the manufacture of
steps, platforms, billiard beds, hearths, etc. This was a new departure in the slate business, and from this initial movement the great mill slate industry of this section was developed. The largest plant for this kind of work in this country is found in connection with the Consolidated Quarry. In politics Mr. Bray was a Republican, and held many offices of trust, being public spirited and taking a deep interest in all projects for the welfare of his home locality. A member of the Methodist Church, he helped organize the first church of that denom- ination in East Bangor, and was its first Sunday- school Superintendent, remaining in that capacity for over twenty years.
Four children were born to Joseph and Louisa Bray, all living: William, our subject; Hannah M .; Joshua, who married Frances Reichard, and is now living in East Bangor, being a member of the firm of Bray Bros., general merchants; and Milford, who married Mabel Mack. William Bray, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of his vicinity, and early learned the trade of slate-making, going into the quarry and learn- ing all the details, both as to getting out the raw material and also its manufacture. When the company was first organized he was made Assistant Superintendent, but previous to that time had charge of the books of the company. He con- tinued in the capacity of Assistant Superintend- ent for five of six years, and then became General Superintendent, in which office he has continued until the present time. His duties are to look after the interests of the quarry and mills, and also the sale of the manufactured products.
In addition to other interests Mr. Bray is Presi- dent of the Merchants' National Bank at Bangor; is interested in the Slate Belt Electric Railroad Company, of which he is Vice-President; is a member of the East Bangor Land Improvement Company; is Director of the Bangor & Portland Railroad Company, and senior partner in the firm of Bray Bros. He is also Treasurer of the Electric Light Company of Bangor.
July 5, 1879, Mr. Bray was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary E., a daugh- ter of Isaac and Catharine Ackerman, of Bangor. They have three children, William P., Randolph
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Foster and Anna Mary, all bright and interesting children. Mr. and Mrs. Bray are consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Church, and are always found at their post of duty. The former, who is Secretary of the Board of Trustees and also Super- intendent of the Sunday-school, is actively inter- ested in all church and educational work.
In politics our subject is a stanch Republican, and is interested in local and national govern- ment. He is not in any sense of the word a poli- tician, but, doing his duty at the polls and assist- ing in matters of local enterprise, is accounted a substantial citizen and a public-spirited man. He has served as School Director and member of the Council, and takes an active interest in public af- fairs. Socially he is identified with the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is widely known as a business man of ability and sterling integrity, who commands the esteem of his fellow-citizens and wins the confidence of all who know him.
B LUTHER SHIMER, B. S., who is one of the most prominent residents of West Bethlehem, is extensively engaged in deal- ing in real estate, being part owner of Mt. Airy Park Farm, near the city, formerly known as the Gilt Edge Dairy Farm. Here he breeds thor- ough-bred Ayrshire and Guernsey cattle, White Plymouth Rock chickens, New Mammoth White turkeys, White African guineas and Mammoth White Pekin ducks.
Our subject is a native of this state, having becn born in Redington, January 7, 1868. He is the son of Abraham S. Shimer, who was also born in the above place, and the grandson of Augustus B. Shimcr, a native of Shimerville, this state, but who later in life lived in Redington, where he was en- gaged in farm pursuits. The father of our subject, who is also an agriculturist, is the owner of four valuable estates, and is an extensive fruit-grower and breeder of thoroughbred cattle.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Clara Boyer. She was born in Broadway, N. J.,
and became the mother of seven children, of whom B. Luther is the eldest. He spent the first twelve years of his life in Redington, where he attended the common schools, and then, going to Bethlehem, entered the academy at that place. He afterward continued his studies in Wyoming Seminary, and in 1884 entered the agricultural college at Am- herst, where he was conspicuous in athletics, be- ing foot-ball captain, and holding other promi- nent positions. He also won distinction in other ways during his course, being a prize-winner in the Sophomore oratorical contest, and one of the chosen speakers at the commencement exercises when he graduated, receiving the degree of Bach- elor of Science.
October 14, 1891, the subject of this sketch was married in Springfield, Mass., to Miss Lena M. Guertin, who was born and educated in Amherst, that state, first attending the public schools and finishing at Oak Grove Seminary. To them has been granted a daughter, Hazel G.
In politics our subject is a stanch Republican, and his religious views coincide with the doctrine of the Lutheran Church, with which he has been connected for many years. He is a member of the Ayrshire Breeders' Association of America, a mem- ber of the Allentown Pigeon and Pet Stock Asso- ciation, is Secretary of the Bethlehem Township French Coach Horse Association, and is also a mem- ber of Bethlehem Grange No. 504, P. of H.
In 1890 Mr. Shimer became part owner of Mt. Airy Park Farm, bordering West Bethlehem, and there engaged in breeding thoroughbred cattle and poultry. Among his Ayrshire herd are "Lord Ban- gor" (4130); "Favorite of Bethlehem" (11,698); "Queen of Bethlehem" (11,699); "Belle of Bethle- hem" (10,401); and others of the same line of breeding. Among his white poultry are several which took World's Fair prizes at Chicago. Fine exhibits of his stock and poultry have been made at the various county and state fairs throughout the Eastern and Middle States, many winning first prizes.
Mr. Shimer's farm is high and niccly located, with the finest scenery in the Bethlehems and Le- higli Valley, within easy access of the electric cars, and only twelve minutes' walk from Main Street
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and the depots. Witli all these advantages it could not help but make an ideal residence site, so dur- ing the last few years Mr. Shimer has laid it out in large building lots, and has been opening and grading new streets through it. He sells the lots with the understanding that each party must build back twenty-five feet from the building line, thus insuring a front yard and view along the street. Quite a number of lots are sold, and a number of fine residences can be seen in every direction over the farm. He has donated one block to the pub- lic for a park, to be known as Mt. Airy Park, and from this the farm takes its name.
1 OHN G. P. KESSLER, one of the enterpris- ing citizens of Northampton County, and who for many years lias been identified with the interests of Plainfield Township, is a native of the county where he still makes his home. He was born June 18, 1825, to the union of Philip and Catherine (Kindt) Kessler, also na- tives of this county. His great-grandfather, John George Peter Kessler, emigrated from Germany, the land of his birth, and made settlement in Northampton County during the last century, be- coming one of the early residents of Plainfield Township, where he made his home near the post- office of Kessler's. The grandfather of our sub- ject, George Peter Kessler, was a child of three years when he was brought by his father to Amer- ica, and with the family settled in Plainfield Town- ship.
The father of our subject, Philip A. Kessler, spent his entire life in Northampton County, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. Of his family there now survive eight sons and daugh- ters, namely: John G. P .; Andrew; Amandeus; Sidney; Thomas; Richard; Catherine, wife of Thomas Steele; and Julia A., who married Jacob Buss. In politics the father advocated the princi- ples of the Democratic party, and cast his ballot in support of its nominees. His death occurred in 1872.
The subject of this sketcli was reared to manhood in Northampton County, and in youth received a
good education in both English and German. He early became familiar with the work incident to a farmer's life, and on arriving at manhood chose ag- riculture for his vocation. At the present time he is the owner of two hundred and forty-eight acres, upon which good improvements have been placed. By his marriage with Eva Stecker, of Forks Town- ship, four children were born, of whom three are living, namely: Philip A., Theron M. and George L.
In his political belief Mr. Kessler is a Democrat. For three years he served as Commissioner of Northampton County, and his labors in that ca- pacity were most commendable. In religion he is a member of the Lutheran Church in Forks Town- ship, and has officiated as an Elder in the congre- gation for four years. During his residence in this county, covering the period of his entire life, he has witnessed many changes and marvelous im- provements. By his upright conduct he has drawn around him a circle of appreciative and firm friends, by wliom he is held in the highest regard.
OHN H. DAVIS, a prominent real-estate dealer and an efficient Justice of the Peace at Bangor, was born at Chapman Quarries, Northampton County, this state, October 18, 1861, and is a son of Henry and Sarah Ann (Smith) Davis. Mr. Davis is of Welsh ancestry, his father having emigrated from Wales in 1850. The grand- father was a native of North Wales, and during his lifetime followed the occupation of a slater. He was the father of nine children, five of whom still reside in Wales.
The maternal grandparents of our subject, Si- mon and Caroline Smith, were natives of Mercer County, this state, but during the last forty or fifty years of their lives they resided in Northampton County. Simon Smith was a farmer by occupation, and in politics a Democrat. His father was an offi- cer in the War of 1812; his grandfather served in the Revolution, and shared the hardships of winter with General Washington at Valley Forge. The family is of German ancestry, the first of that branch coming to America from Wurtemberg
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early in the sixteenth century. Mrs. Caroline Smith was a member of the Lutheran Church, and on her death was buried in Niskey Hill Ceme- tery at Bethlehem, where also lie the remains of her husband.
Henry Davis, the father of our subject, was born August 20, 1833, in the village of Cwm-y-Glo, Carnarvonshire, North Wales. He had very poor educational advantages and is mainly self-made. A slater by trade, he has followed that occupation all his life, having been one of the pioneers of the slate industry of the country. He is still living and makes his home in Bangor. On coming to this country Mr. Davis located in Philadelphia. He was there on a visit to his uncle, and became so delighted with the country he decided to remain. For a number of years he traveled extensively through the United States, and was engaged in various occupations until the year 1854, when he permanently located at Chapman Quarries, where he remained until 1889. Since then he has been a resident of Bangor. He has always taken a very active part in politics, giving his support to the Republican party. He has been twice married, and became the father of nineteen children, twelve of whom are living, namely: Sarah E., John H., Will- iam R., Caroline, Thomas, Walter D., Selma J., Newton H., James G., Robert L., Nellie C. and Gomer E.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Chapman Quarries, and has sup- plemented his elementary training by a course of varied reading, and by continued study and close research in special subjects. Meanwhile he passed the examination for an engincer, and served in that capacity in Philadelphia for two years. In 1879 he came to Bangor and engaged in the slate business. In 1892 he crossed the Atlantic and traveled in the principal cities of Europe. Always active in public affairs, Mr. Davis, in 1891, was elected Justice of the Peace of Bangor, and has continued in that office to the present time. Hc is extensively engaged in the real-estate business, and also, in connection with Adolphus Smith, deals in monuments, headstones, tablets, etc., and has an excellent trade in that line.
Our subject is a stockholder in the First National
Bank of Bangor; the Delaware Hard Vein Slate Company, of Columbia, N. J .; and likewise in the Great Bangor Slate Company. In politics he is a Republican, and takes an active part in the wel- farc of that party. May 22, 1881, he was married to Miss Sallie R., a daughter of Philip and Caroline Deats. Two bright and interesting children have blessed this union, Lottie and Stanley. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are highly respected in the community.
I J. WEIDA, M. D., a rising young physician and surgeon, was born in Shamrock, Berks County, Pa., October 17, 1866. His father, John, and grandfather, Daniel, were also born in Berks County, and the latter is still living at Sham- rock, being now more than ninety years of age. The former, who is engaged in agricultural pur- suits near that village, was for a time interested in the iron business and in the manufacture of cigars. In religious belief he is identified with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. His wife, Sarah J., was a daughter of Jonathan Butz, a cigar manufacturer, who resided in Berks County until his death.
In the parental family there were three children, of whom two attained years of maturity, I. J. and Jerome, the latter being a graduate of the Burling- ton (Vt.) Medical University, also of the Pennsyl- vania University, and now a practicing physician of Luzerne County. Our subject was reared upon a farm until about twelve years of age. For a time he attended the public schools of Philadel- phia, after which he was a student in Wyoming Seminary. While in the latter institution he be- gan the study of medicine under his brother. In 1887 he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1890 with thic degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Upon beginning the practice of his profession, Dr. Weida opened an office at Peale, Clearfield County, Pa., where he remained until 1893. Re- turning in the fall of that year to Philadelphia, he took a post-graduate course in the Polyclinic, de- voting especial attention to treatment of diseases
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of the eye, ear, nose and throat. In March, 1894, he opened an office at No. 135 Second Avenue West Bethlehem, where he carries on a regular practice, making a specialty of throat, eye, nose and ear diseases.
At Shamrock, Pa., in 1886, the Doctor married Miss Jennie Long, a native of that place, and the daughter of Marcus Long, who engaged in farming in Berks County. One child, Jennie, blesses the union. Socially the Doctor is identified with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is an officer. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is a Mason, being connected with the lodge at Trexlertown, the chapter at Clearfield, and the Knights Templar at Philipsburg. Politically he is a Republican. While he was at Peale he was physic ian to the Clearfield Bituminous Coal Corpora- tion, and to the Beach Creek Railroad Company, and was also consulting physician to the Philips- burgh Cottage Hospital.
M ARTIN J. RIEGEL, one of the enterprising and progressive business men of Easton, occupies spacious quarters at Nos. 17, 19 and 21 South Fourth Street, where he has an exten- sive wareroom for the sale of pianos and organs, of which he carries a large stock of several of the leading standard makes. In addition to this he owns a book and stationery store at No. 421 North- ampton Street, which is now chiefly under the management of his son, Henry M. Riegel.
The Riegel family is one of the oldest in North- ampton County, and our subject's paternal great- grandfather, who bore the Christian name of Benja- min, was a resident of Lower Saucon. He was in the War of 1812, in the Commissary Department, and was killed near Hellertown, on his return home from the war, when only half a mile from his home. The founder of the family in America originally settled in Bucks County. The name has been fa- miliar in and connected with the history of North- ampton County for upwards of one hundred and fifty years.
In tracing the line of descent, we find that the grandfather, Mathias Riegel, was born in Lower
Saucon Township, and passed all his active years on his farm, and in the affairs of his neighborhood he was very active. He was a Whig in politics, and always took a leading part in the management of township affairs. He was a member of the Re- formed Church in the United States, in the faith of which he died, when sixty-nine years of age. His wife's maiden name was Mary Kram, and by her marriage she became the mother of eleven children, namely: John, Benjamin, Jacob, George, Daniel, Joseph, Samuel, Elizabeth (Mrs. Isaac Boyer), Catharine (Mrs. George Weber), Mary, (Mrs. Joseph Roth) and Rebecca (Mrs. Israel Rothrock).
Joseph, the father of M. J. Riegel, was born in Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, where he resided all his life, except for a few years when he lived in Easton, and later for a time in Freemansburg, after which he returned to Heller- town, in Lower Saucon Township, where he passed the remaining days of his life. He was a man of good education, and intelligent, and was for many years a successful teacher. For twenty-five years he held the position of Justice of the Pcace in Lower Saucon Township, and was Postmaster for a like period of time at Hellertown. During this time he was also engaged in the store business. A man who was identified with the best interests of the community, he held various township offices, and was a leader in the Whig, and later in the Republican party. In his earlier years he was a candidate on the Whig ticket for County Sheriff, but, his party being in the minority, he was de- feated. After a long and useful life he was called to his final rest in 1885, when he was in his eight- ietli year. His wife, Mary Newcomer before mar- riage, died in 1878, when in her sixty-eighth year. They were members of the Reformed Church in the United States, and were the parents of five children, namely: Catharine, Mrs. Smith; Henry M., deceased; Martin J., our subject; Samuel P., deceased; and Charles J.
The birth of M. J. Riegel occurred December 11, 1835, at Hellertown, Northampton County. He attended the public schools of Lower Saucon, and completed his education at Bethlehem. He left school when fifteen years old to learn the trade of
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coach-maker at Bethlehem. This not being to his taste, le abandoned the trade and engaged in the mercantile business as a clerk for William Maxwell, in Easton. From 1856 to 1864 he was employed in that gentleman's book store, after which he launched out into business on his own account. He opened a book and stationery store on North- ampton Street, on a small scale, and tliere contin- ued for twelve years. In the winter of 1875 he purchased the property at No. 332 Northampton Strect, enlarged it to a depth of one hundred and fifty feet, and moved his book and stationery store there in the spring of 1876. He continued thus for thirteen years, when he moved to hiis present location. He still owns the property at No. 332 Northampton Street, which is now occupied by Weaver & Solliday as a drug store. In 1884 Mr. Riegel started a new venture, in company with E. H. Luch. This was the manufacture of organs, his partner having been a pioneer in this business. The firm was known as Riegel & Luch, and until 1889 they conducted a rapidly increasing business. Employment was given to twelve men and the fac- tory was situated on Pine Street. In 1889 Mr. Riegel withdrew from the firm, the partnership be- ing dissolved by mutual consent, and since that time he has abandoned manufacturing, giving his principal attention to the sale and handling of well known makes of pianos and organs. He is a Di- rector of the Easton Boot and Shoe Company, and takes an active interest in its welfare. He is Presi- dent of the Easton Heights Cemetery Company, President of the Easton Improvement Association, President of the Northampton Improvement Asso- ciation, and for sixteen years has been President of the Sunday-school Teachers' Association of the Third Street Reformed Church, of which he is an Elder. He has been a valiant and active worker in church affairs. For twenty-three years he was a member of the Consistory, and for a number of years was Secretary of this body. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Theologi- cal Seminary of the Reformed Church, located at Lancaster, Pa.
Mr. Riegel in various ways has been influential in the upbuilding and progress of the city. An active Republican, he formerly served as a mem-
ber of the old Borough Council, and was one of the first City Councilmen, being Chairman of the High- way Department, one of the most important of the committees. In 1862 he volunteered his services to the late Governor Curtin, and was placed in the Fifth Regular Pennsylvania Militia, an emer- gency corps, stationed at Chambersburg. In Ma- sonic affairs he is prominent, having been for twen- ty-one years Treasurer of Dallas Lodge No. 396, and has been re-elected for another year (1895). He is a member of Easton Royal Archi Chapter, No. 173, F. & A. M .; of Hugh de Payen's Com- mandery No. 19, of Easton; a member of Star Council No. 155, R. A .; and a member of Lehigh- ton Lodge No. 244, I. O. O. F.
November 11, 1861, Mr. Riegel married Anna L., daughter of the late Owen W. Hess, of Easton. Their only son, Henry M. Riegel, was educated in Lafayette College, from which he was graduated in 1884. He now has charge of his father's book and stationery business, and has proved himself to be a young man of prominence.
RWIN H. SEMMEL, who is Postmaster at Cementon, is a native of Lehigh County, Pa., and was born on the 19th of June, 1862, being a member of a family that has long been represented in the Keystone State. His par- ents, Owen and Mary ( Deibert) Semmel, were born in this county, and are now residents of North Whitehall Township. He remained at home until thirteen years of age, when he commenced to work as a farm laborer, and continued thus employed for five years. Subsequently lie followed the trades of painter and cooper, and for several years was en- gaged as an employe in a barber shop. In 1889 he embarked for himself as a barber, and has since conducted an extensive business in that line.
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