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 121

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 121
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 121
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 121

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JAMES SMITH.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. .

munity. He is conservative, in that he is never hasty, though he has a progressive spirit, tempered, however, by good judgment and careful consider- ation.

In March, 1894, Mr. Roth introduced electricity to operate his farm machinery on his stock farm. The power uscd on the place is taken from the cir- cuit of the Allentown & Lehigh Traction Company. He has erected poles and wires for a distance of thirty-three hundred feet, installed a fifteen-horse- power motor, and is running all his farm machin- ery around the barn by electricity. The motor is placed in a building back of the barn, and is belted to a shaft, which is supplied with pulleys for trans- mitting the power to various kinds of machinery. Threshing, cutting feed, grinding grain, shelling corn, pumping water and sawing wood are all done in this way. He also has electric lights in his large barn, which is 50x208 feet in dimensions. The current is sold by meter, at eight cents per one thousand, Watt hours. After having tried electric power, Mr. Roth would by no means go back to steam or horse power. He says that it is cheaper than either, and has the advantage over steam in that there is less danger from fire. He recommends it to other farmers as being the best system in ex- istence.

J AMES SMITH, of Easton, is one of the pro- gressive and capable citizens whom Ireland has contributed to the United States, and who, through energy and persevering effort, have materially aided in the upbuilding of this country and the development of its material re- sources. Since 1850 lie has made his home in Easton, and during the period of almost a half- century that has since clapsed, he has gained finan- cial prosperity, and at the same time has become known as one of the honorable, genial and public- spirited men of the city.

Born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1829, the subject of this notice is the son of Patrick and Ann (Carpenter) Smith, the former of whom was a farmer by occupation. He received in his native land such educational advantages as the common

schools afforded, but the wide range of informa- tion he has acquired is the result mainly of his un- aided exertions and self-culturc. He was a young man of about twenty years when, in company with his mother, he took passage on a ship for America, and landing in New York soon came to Easton. In boyhood he had learned the trade of a stone- mason, which he has made his life work. For a number of years he has devoted especial attention to contract work, which he has carried on very ex- tensively, both in this and other states. Hc built bridges over the Susquehanna, Delaware, Raritan, Connecticut and other rivers, and constructed a variety of important works in stone at different localities in the Eastern and Middle States.

As a citizen, Mr. Smith is interested in all meas- ures pertaining to the welfare of Easton. He is a Democrat and is active in public affairs. He has been a member of the South Easton Town Coun- cil, a delegate to numerous conventions, was a Presidential Elector in 1888, and a member of the State Legislature in 1890. In religion lic is a Catholic, and holds membership in the church at Easton. He is a Director in the Northampton National Bank, and Manager of the Northampton Fire Insurance Company. In the autumn of 1858 Mr. Smith married Miss Mary Sheeran, and they have had a family of seven children.

D AVID MOLL. Probably the most exten- sive and successful gardener of Northamp- ton County is the subject of this sketch, who has made a special feature of this department of agriculture. Coming to South Bethlehem in the spring of 1893, he settled upon his present property and established a truck farm. The pass- ing stranger invariably pauses to notice and ad- mire the place, and a single glance convinces him that the proprietor is a man of thrift and energy. The gardens are without doubt the finest in the vicinity, and Mr. Moll takes great pride in keeping them in fine condition.

A native of Pennsylvania, our subject was born in Rittersville, Lehigh County, in 1842. The fam-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ily has long been connected with the history of that county, and there was born Grandfather John Moll, a soldier in the War of 1812. William, fa- ther of our subject, was born in Macungie, the same county, in 1819, and from there he went to Nazar- eth, Northampton County, where he learned the trade of a cigar manufacturer. In that business he continued with success until his deatlı, Decem- ber 9, 1893, at the advanced age of eighty-four ycars. His widow, Mary, is still living, and makes her home in Betlilehem.

In the parental family there were eleven chil- dren, of whom six still survive. David, the eldest of the number, received a common-school educa- tion, and during the intervals of attendance at school worked at the cigar trade. When four- teen years old he commenced to work for a farmer, with whom he remained until the opening of the Civil War. When the call was made by President Lincoln for men to defend the Old Flag, he was one of those who responded. He enlisted at Harris- burg, Pa., as a member of the One Hundred and Fif- ty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, Company B, in 1862. With his regiment he did active service in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. After the last-named engagement he was made Sergeant, and was serving in that capacity at the time of the expiration of his period of service. Belonging to the same company and regiment was his brother Thomas, now engaged in raising horses in Iowa. -

The war closed, our subject came to Bethlehem, and became a coachman for E. P. Wilbur. After nine years in that capacity he was given charge of a truck farm belonging to the same gentleman, and nine years were spent in the management of this place. As above stated, he located in South Beth- lehem in the spring of 1893, and herc he has since resided. The farm which he formerly operated was one of the finest in the valley at that time, and upon it were raised thoroughbred Norman draft horses, the finest grades of sheep and hogs, and fine blooded Jerscy cattle, some of which were sold for $200 each.

In 1876 Mr. Moll married Miss Delliah E. Dune- ham, an estimable lady and an active member of the Lutheran Church. In political opinions he is

firm in his allegiance to Democratic principles. At . the present time he is serving as Supervisor of Fountain Hill, and as he is the first incumbent of that office he finds the position one of great respon- sibility. In former years he was a mechanic, and for some time was identified with the Ancient Or- der United American Mechanics.

S TEPHEN NEWHARD, a manufacturer of wagons and carriages in Cherryville, is generally conceded to be a first-class bus- iness man, and is held in the highest regard, both in his immediate circle of friends, and by all with whom he is associated in business. He man- ufactures all kinds of wagons, carriages, sleighs, cutters, etc., gives employment to three workmen in the different departments of his factory, and devotes liis time to looking after his business in general. To his manufacturing interests lie adds a well equipped undertaking establishment, which he lias carried on since 1874.

Mr. Newhard was born in Northampton County, December 10, 1838, and is the son of Jonas and Lydia (Leibenguth) Newhard, also natives of that county, where the father followed the occupation of a farmer. Stephen attended the common school of Lehigh Township, and on attaining liis nine- teenth year apprenticed himself to learn the cab- inet-maker's trade in Cherryville. Subsequently, however, he began the manufacture of carriages, and has one of the largest establishments in this section. He worked as a journeyman wood-carver prior to branching out in this business, and in 1874, on the death of Daniel Berlin, his former employer, he purchased his undertaking stock, and has since carried on that enterprise in connection with his factory.

. In 1880 Mr. Newhard was elected Census Enu- merator of his township, and for three years was Assessor. He is a Democrat in politics, and ready to support his party by voice and vote at all elec- tions. The lady to whom he was married in 1860 was Miss Sarah E., daughter of Joseph Kuntz, now deceased, but formerly a prominent resident of

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Lehigh Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Ncwhard there have been born four children, of whom An- nie L., who is married to Harley Hone, and Hettie J., the wife of Tilghman Hower, are living. The others are deceased.

In religious affairs Mr. Newhard is a devoted member of the Reformed Church, which he has served in the capacity of Deacon and Elder. It is scarcely necessary to add that he is held in high repute by the citizens of Cherryville and the adja- cent country on account of his excellent character, business ability and pleasing qualitics.

ILLIAM R. YEAGER, a popular citizen of Lower Saucon Township, North- ampton County, was Postmaster of Bingen during President Harrison's administra- tion, and was the first Republican Commissioner of this county, to which office he was elected in 1875, and after serving for one term refused the renomination. During this period the county debts were paid, and the manner in which the af- fairs and duties pertaining to the position were ful- filled reflects great credit upon Mr. Yeager. After a long and varied political and financial carecr he is now living practically retired from busmess, in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former in- dustry.

The Yeager family's ancestors came from Rhein- pfalz, Germany, and settled in York County, Pa. Our subject's grandfather, Conrad Yeager, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he passed the greater part of his life, being a well-to-do tobacco mannfacturer. At one time he pursucd theological studies under the instruction of the Lutheran min- ister of his native placc, and afterward was sta- tioned at the Straw Church, N. J., then in Will- iams Township and Hecktown. For a short time after his marriage he taught school, and his last years were passed at Shannonville. His pastorate of Shannon Church, near Hanover, was particularly successful, and he was considered one of the best preachers of his time. He was in politics a Fed- eralist, and in his last years was a Whig. He mar-

ried Barbara Smith, by whom he had nine sons and two daughters.

George Yeager, our subject's father, was born in Warren County, N. J., February 3, 1793, and from boyhood devoted himself to agricultural du- ties. He became a resident of Williams Township, Northampton County. He took an active interest in the political affairs of the Whig party, was an officer in the Lutheran denomination, and was one of the first advocates of the free-school system, and by his unselfish, upright and honorable career won the friendship of all who knew him. He died March 3, 1877, in Catasauqua and lies buried in Shoenersville. His wife bore the maiden name of Susan Rhone, her father being Daniel Rhone, who lived near Catasauqua. Mr. and Mrs. Yeager became the parents of seven children: Mary A., William R., Catherine, Caroline, Eliza, Susannah and Horatio Daniel. With the exception of Cather- ine, who died at the age of twenty-eight years, they are all yet living.

The birth of our subject occurred in Hanover, Lehigh County, this state, April 6, 1822. He was reared on his father's farm, of which he became the owner by purchase in 1858. His education was such as was afforded by the public schools in the vicinity of the homestead, to which was added a course of six months' instruction in the Philadel- phia schools. In 1860 he embarked in the milling business, and two years later engaged in the lime trade. At the same time he conducted a store, carrying a full line of general merchandise. In 1869 he became a member of the North Pennsyl- vania Iron Company, and was elected Vice-Presi- dent of the concern. The company was largely engaged in the manufacture of pig iron, most of which was shipped to Philadelphia. In the finan- cial panic of 1872-73 Mr. Yeager suffered greatly, and the furnace was finally sold to the Bethlehem Iron Company. Since that time he has given liis . attention to carrying on his lime business and has succeeded very well in this enterprise.

In December, 1878, our subject married Hen- rietta Yeager, daughter of Joseph Yeager, of Bin- gen. A daughter, Jennie, was born to them, and soon after this event the mother was called to her final rest, her remains being buried in the ceme-

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tery at Friedensville, Pa. In 1881 Mr. Yeager married Martha Weaver, nee Bachenstoe. She died March 23, 1893, and was buried in Friedensville.

During the war Mr. Yeager was a strong Union man and assisted in the mobilization of troops for the service. He is a member of the Lutheran Church at Friedensville, in which he has served as Elder. Fraternally he is a member of Coopers- burg Lodge No. 369, F. & A. M.

F REDERICK HORLACHER is a wealthy citizen and capitalist of Slatington, being prominent in many of the enterprises and industries of the Lehigh Valley. A native of Ger- many, he was born in Wurtemberg, December 3, 1840, being a son of Michael and Catherine (Non- enmacher) Horlacher, the former also a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, where his death occurred.

At the age of seventeen years Frederick Hor- lacher left his native land, thence proceeding to France and England. He had received a good high- school education in his native land, and further extended his knowledge by traveling in England, France and Russia. In November, 1865, he set sail for America, and on arriving in the New World located in Philadelphia, where he attended the Pierce Pioneer College for six months, thus becom- ing well versed in the English language. His next move was to learn the jewelry business, and after- ward he embarked in that line of trade on his own account in Philadelphia, where he continued to reside until 1874. Next we find him in Parryville, Carbon County, where he was engaged in business at his trade, and subsequently became the owner of a hotel. While in that city he started in the bot- tling business, conducting a factory for three years. For four years thereafter he was located in Bow- man, Carbon County, and in the spring of 1882 he came to Slatington, where lie established his pres- ent bottling works. He later established a bot- tling concern in Allentown, and in the year 1887 established another at Lehighton, Carbon Coun- ty, and a year later located still another one at Bangor, this county, and now runs all four of the

works with good financial success. In these works are manufactured soft drinks of various kinds, which find a ready market in the Lehigh Valley, Baltimore, Washington, and other large cities. Forty-eight men are given steady employment, and the business of these concerns is growing at a surprising rate year by year. In addition to his other works Mr. Horlacher located and now owns the Slatington Ice Plant for the manufacture of artificial ice, and is a stockholder and Director of the Allentown Ice Company, also being a half-owner in the Lehighton and Weissport Ice Plants. He has money invested in the Water Power and Plan- ing Mill of Lehighton, being President and manager of the same, and is a stockholder in the Slatington Rolling Mills and the Blue Valley Slate Company, and in 1888 organized the electric light plant of this city.

In politics Mr. Horlacher supports the Democ- racy, and fraternally belongs to Carbon Lodge No. 242, F. & A. M .; Lilly Chapter No. 181, R. A. M .; and Packer Commandery No. 23, K. T., at Mauch Chunk. He is justly esteemed one of the leading business men and citizens of Slatington, for he is foremost in all things relating to the good of tlie city.

January 30, 1868, Mr. Horlacher married Miss Carolina Schwartz, of Wurtemberg, Germany, and to this worthy couple five sons and two daughters have been born, their names in order of birth be- ing as follows: Frederick, George, William, Charles, Annie, Lillie and John. The parents are devoted members of the Lutheran Church, in the faith of which their children are being reared.

LARENCE A. WOLLE is a member of the real-estate and insurance firm of Wolle & Kemerer, who do the largest business in their line in Bethlehem. Mr. Wolle is a very enterprising and able man, taking an active interest in, and contributing to, every public movement calculated to benefit the community. He is the son of Augustus Wolle, whose biography is printed in this volume, and whose name is so well known in

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

this locality as to need no further comment. Clar- ence A. Wolle was born in Bethlehem in 1849, and received a good education in the parochial schools. He later pursued his studies at Nazareth Hall, in the Moravian College, and in 1865 entered Lehigh University, where he pursued a special scientific course for four years. His intention was to go to Europe to further follow chemical and scientific studies, but instead he remained at home to assist his father in his business, becoming his private clerk. For years he had kept books at various times, and he remained with his father until the latter's death.

In 1876 Mr. Wolle became engaged in the real- estate and insurance business with his uncle, Felix Leinbach, and has continued in this occupation ever since. In 1885 bis uncle retired from the business, since which time our subject has been at the liead of the concern. They have bought ex- tensively in West Bethlehem, where they are hand- ling a beautiful tract of fifty acres of land, and probably do the largest business of any real-estate firm in the city. Among the additions to the city which they have laid out is the old Fetter Farm, and part of the Breinig Farm, extending from Sixth to Tenth Avenues and from Broad to Spring Streets. In 1883, in company with Mr. Leinbach, Mr. Wolle was instrumental in starting the Beth- leliem Electric Light Company. They met with much opposition in promoting this enterprise, but it was incorporated September 17, 1883, with a capital stock of $20,000, which lias since been in- creased to $100,000. The company have a fine location, and the President is James Thomas, of Catasauqua, Mr. Wolle being General Manager, Secretary and Treasurer. The street railway which had been proposed was given up on account of the immense outlay necessary, but Mr. Wolle took an option on the charter of the Bethlehem & Allen- town and the Bethlehem & Soutlı Bethlehem Strect Railways, and at New York he secured an option on the Allentown horse-car railway. After ten months of un wearied effort he finally induced the Industrial Improvement Company of Boston to take up the work (though he was first ridiculed for the stand he took), as he believed it to be a good investment. The result of this was the or-

ganization of the Allentown & Bethlehem Rapid Transit Company. In the successful building of this electric railway the good accomplished has been incalculable.

In 1876 Mr. Wolle became interested with F. W. Leinbach in the invention of machinery for the making of satchel bottom and the now famous self-opening square paper bags. Their enterprise in this direction is very successful and for some years past has been operated by the Consolidated Self-opening Square Bag Company of New York, with factories at Williamsburg, N. Y., and Plants- ville, Conn. When the telephone was put up in Bethlehem he was one of those most active in the enterprise, and was the first to urge and solicit sub- scribers.

December 18, 1890, Mr. Wolle was married, in Lancaster, to Mrs. Clara M. Evans, of Logan, Iowa, daughter of Judge Stephen King. Her son, Roy L. Evans, is now attending Lehigh University. Mr. Wolle has served as Councilman in Bethlehem, and politically is a Democrat. With his wife he holds membership with the Moravian Church.

P B. BREINIG, M. D. To the record of this physician, who is widely known as the founder of the Lehigh Valley Medical Association, the biographer with pleasure invites the reader's attention. He has won a high place among the fraternity in this section, and is now living retired in West Bethlehem.

Our subject was born in Upper Macungie Town- slip, this county, March 29, 1829, and is the son of Peter Breinig, who was also born in that town- ship, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, Peter, Sr. The great-grandfather of our subject was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and on emigrating to America settled in Upper Macungie Township, as early as 1749. There he purchased a large tract of land, which was named in his honor, and spent his entire life in agricult- ural pursuits.

Peter Breinig, Sr., upon locating in Breinigs- ville, engaged in several enterprises, being at one

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time a blacksmith, farmer and proprietor of a hotel. His son, the father of our subject, on attaining mature years was appointed Postmaster of the place, which position he held for forty years. He died in 1886, when in his eightieth year, strong in the faith of the Lutheran Church. His wife, Mrs. Mary A. (Cope) Breinig, was born in Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of Hon. Michael Cope, who was also a native of this state, and who was a hotel-keeper. He was a prominent man in his lo- cality, and served as a member of the Legislature for one term. Mrs. Mary A. Breinig died in 1872, after having become the mother of three sons and two daughters.

P. B. was the third eldest of the parents' family. His brother Tliomas C. is at present residing on the old homestead; Henry A. is a resident of Chicago; Anna M. married Dr. Kern, and is living at Bath; and Amelia makes her home with our subject. He of whom we write spent his boy- hood days on his father's farm, and in 1849 went to New York City and for two years apprenticed himself to learn the drug business. During that time he read medicine under Dr. G. B. Kern, and when ready to further prosecute his studies enter- ed the medical department of the University of New York, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1856. When looking about for a suitable location he establish- ed for practice at Hellertown, Northampton Coun- ty, where he resided until 1873, the year of his ad- vent into this city. Two years prior to coming here he crossed the Atlantic, in company with his wife, and spent a year in Indiana, where he took a course in gynecology and at the same time made a specialty of the study of the eye.

Dr. Breinig was engaged in practice in this city until the year 1891, when, on account of ill health, he was obliged to abandon his professional duties. He was married in Saucon, in the year 1860, to Miss Isabella Apple, who was born in Lower Saucon, and is the daughter of Jacob Ap- ple, a farmer by occupation. Their union was blessed by the birth of a daughter, who died when sixteen months old.

Socially our subject belongs to the Masonic order, and holds membership with the Royal Arch

Masons and Knights Templar. He occupies a high position in that fraternity, and was one of the com- mittee on arrangements during the convention held at Philadelphia. In religious affairs he is a valued member of Grace Lutheran Church, in which he served as Elder for many years. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. Asstated above, he is the found- er of the Lehigh Valley Medical Association, and it was during a convention held in 1880, in North- ampton County, that he offered a resolution plac- ing before that body the advisability of organ- izing the Lehigh Valley Medical Association, which takes in eleven counties. Dr. Breinig is also a member of the National Medical Society, of which he was at one time Vice-President, and held the same position in the State Medical Society. He is also ex-President of the Northampton Medi- cal Society. He is the owner of good residence property in the city, and from the first has been closely identified with every important movement for the development of the city, with which his name is indissolubly connected.

ENRY A. SAGE is one of the prosperous manufacturers of Easton, having been for about eighteen years in the harness and saddlery business. He is a member of the City Board of Trade, and interested in the Easton Boot and Shoe Company, and other local enter- prises. One of the founders of the Easton & South Easton Passenger Railroad, comprising three miles of road, he was at one time sole owner of the same, and operated it for twenty years. In the year 1893 he sold out to the Traction Com- pany. In politics he is a Republican and a leader in his party. For six years he was a member of the council, and for fifteen years served with credit to himself on the Board of Control.

The parents of our subject were Peter Augus- . tus and Matilda (Lehn) Sage, and were of German and Swiss descent respectively. His grandfather, Henry B. Sage, whose birth occurred in Lower Germany, came to the United States with his three children and located in Philadelphia at

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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 121

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