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 20

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 20
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 20
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 20

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

20, K. T. Asa member of the Order of the Mystic Shrine, he belongs to Lulu Temple of Philadelphia. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being Past Grand of Catasauqua Lodge No. 269, and also a member of the Frater- nity Encampment at this place. A member of the Sons of Veterans, he belonged to Arnold Lewis Camp of this city. For thirteen years he has been interested in the Phoenix Steam Fire Company, hav- ing been Chief of the same for years, and is now President. In politics hie sides with the Democratic party, and in February, 1894, was chosen by his fellow-citizen to serve as Burgess of the city for a term of three years. His family are members of the Lutheran Church, in the faith of which he was reared.

TEWART D. RITTER, a leading business man and prominent citizen of Freemans- burg, is a dealer in coal, wood, etc., and is also serving as Justice of the Peacc, having been elected to that office in 1893, for a term of five years. Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born June 20, 1859, in Northampton County. He is a son of Benjamin F. Ritter and his wife, natives of Bethlehem Township, the latter having been in maidenhood Miss Mary A. Frank- enfield.

Benjamin F. Ritter was a coal and wood dealer in Freemansburg for over forty years. He started in that business on a small scale, when a young man, and by patient perseverance and wise judg- ment his trade increased with the population, and at the time of his death, which occurred December 31, 1887, he was proprietor of the largest coal and wood yard in the town. He also served as Justice of the Peace for ten years. He was a man of good education, a member of the Lutheran Church, and a Democrat in politics. The Ritter family were early settlers of Bethlehem Township. The great- great-grandfather emigrated to America, coming directly to Pennsylvania, and Northampton Coun- ty has been the home of his descendants up to the

present day. Capt. Daniel Ritter, the grandfather of our subject, was an old-time honored resident of Bethlehem Township. He was a brave officer of the War of 1812, and passed peacefully away when eighty years of age.

Stewart D. Ritter, of this sketch, was reared to manhood in Freemansburg, attending the public schools of that place in his youth, and later spend- ing several years at Schwartz's Academy at Betli- lehem, where he received a thorough business edu- cation. After graduating Mr. Ritter taught several terms of school near the home of his childhood, where he was well known and respected. He sub- sequently drifted into the coal and wood business, of which he assumed charge at his father's death, and has been sole proprietor since 1887. Being energetic, ambitious and enterprising, he has made a financial success of the business, and has many warm friends in the community.

Our subject was united in marriage, November 13, 1884, to Miss Alice T. Snyder, daughter of Adam Snyder, of Berlinsville, Pa. As the result of this union Mr. and Mrs. Ritter have become the happy parents of one child, Chauncey S., born Oc- tober 31, 1893. Socially Mr. Ritter is a member of Feedyuscong Tribe No. 117, I. O. R. M., and also of the Golden Eagle, Star Castle No. 108. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, and an ardent supporter of the principles of that party. He, with his highly esteemed wife, is an active member of the Lutheran Church, and gives liberally to the cause of Christianity. Mr. Ritter's maternal grand- mother resides at Elizabeth, N. J., in her ninety- second year, and is hale and hearty.

HARLES A. HILLS. Northampton County is the home of quite a number of men who were thrown upon their own resources at an early age, and whose natural aptness and energy were developed and strengthened by contact with the world, resulting in making their lives more than ordinarily successful in worldly prosperity, and winning respect. Among this number is our

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subject, who occupies the responsible position of agent at Siegfried for the Central Railroad Com- pany of New Jersey, to which he was appointed in July, 1880.

Charles A. Hills was born in this county October 18, 1852, to Martin and Louisa Hills, the former deceased. The mother, who survives, makes her home in Allen Township. Charles A. was educated in the public schools, and when attaining his ma- jority began learning the art of telegraphy. He was afterward appointed operator and agent at Weissport for the Central Railroad Company of New Jersey, where he remained for five years, and was then transferred to this place, and here he has been operator and agent since.

In 1873 Mr. Hills was married to Miss Annie Bollinger, a native of Whitehall, this state. The lady was the daughter of Ulrich and Christena (Meyer) Bollinger, both of whom are now deceased. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children: Gertrude, Arthur, Daisy, Clarence and Harold.

Mr. Hills is a self-made man, and one who by an honorable and upright course in life commands the esteem and confidence of the entire community. In politics he never fails to cast a vote for Repub- lican candidates, and is greatly interested in the success of his party. He is a true Christian, and the Reformed Church finds in him one of its most active workers. He stands high in Masonic circles, holding membership with Porter Lodge No. 284, at Catasauqua, and Council No. 356, R. A., at Bethlehem. As an Odd Fellow he belongs to Siegfried Lodge No. 1026, and is also connected with the United Beneficial Society at Whitehall.

EORGE W. BACHMAN, a representative and well known business man of Freemans- burg, has been in the mercantile trade in this place since 1881. He carries a stock of general merchandise, consisting of dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, crockery and hardware, and by

his upright manner and honest dealing has gained the respect of the community in which he lives. Mr. Bachman is a native of Northampton County, and was born September 24, 1851, being the son of Aaron and Eliza (Laubach) Bachman, natives of Northampton County, but both now deceased. The Bachman family were early settlers in the Lehigh Valley, and well known in the vicinity. Aaron Bachman was for many years a well known canal-boat builder and was a member of the firm of G. & A. Baclıman. At different times lie filled all the local offices of his township, and also served as County Commissioner for years. His birth oc- curred April 14, 1808, and he departed this life June 16, 1886. His wife, the mother of our sub- ject, was born December 9, 1815, and passed to the land beyond January 6, 1880.

Of the children comprising the parental family the following survive: Alfred, a resident of Beth- lehem; Peter S., who is also making his home in that city; Sylvester A., residing in Philadelphia; Allen H., a farmer in this county; Harvey L., living in South Bethlehem; Mary, the wife of M. J. Hess, of this county; Annie, the wife of Hon. R. K. Baclıman, of Bucks County, this state; Aravesta M., now Mrs. Clyde Miller, of Birming- ham, Ala .; and George W., our subject. Peter S. has been a member of the State Assembly of Pennsylvania, and is a popular man of the county.

Our subject was reared in Northampton County, attending the public schools of his native place, and also the private schools of Bethlehem. When sixteen years of age he began learning telegraphy in the Lehigh Valley Depot at Freemansburg, and subsequently became station agent at this place, serving as such for five years. After resigning his position as station agent, he became identified with the mercantile business, forming a partner- ship with R. K. Bachman & Bro. At the expira- tion of a twelvemonth the connection was dis- solved, and our subject became sole proprietor of the store, and in this avocation has become very successful.

October 14, 1874, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bachman to Miss Mary E. Freeman, and of their marriage five children have been born. They are: Estella M., Jennie F., Laura E., Ralph S.

FRANCIS WEISS.

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and Roland A. Mrs. Bachman is a daughter of Dr. G. W. Freeman, a prominent physician of this city. Mr. Bachman is serving as School Director of the borough and is the present School Treasurer of liis district. He is also the Secretary of the South Bethlehem National Bank, and one of the Directors, and ranks among the most promi- nent men of the vicinity on account of his public spirit and enterprise. In politics he is a Demo- crat and an ardent supporter of the principles of that party. He and his estimable wife are active members of the Lutheran Church, of which he is an Elder and the Financial Secretary.

F RANCIS WEISS, deceased, was one of the large coal operators of Pennsylvania and a man of remarkable ability. Born at Weissport, Carbon County, August 17, 1820, lie is the son of Thomas Weiss, who was also born in the same village. His grandfather, Col. Jacob, was a native of Virginia, where he was educated as a sur- veyor. When a young man he came to Pennsylva- nia and settled in Carbon County, upon the pres- ent site of Wcissport, which was named in his honor. At that early period it was a fort. He served in the Revolutionary War and was Quartermaster- General of the army, with the rank of Colonel. For his day he was a very noted man. He was a scien- tist and geologist, and it was really due to him that anthracite coal was introduced. The story related in the early history of the county is something to this effect: Philip Ginter, an old hunter in the mountains, on one of his trips noticed a small black stone dislodged by his feet, and discovering more he concluded it was the stone coal he had heard of. He took a few specimens to Col. Jacob Weiss, who in turn carried them on horseback to Philadelphia, where he had a blacksmith friend; but though they tried to burn it they were not very successful. Not daunted, however, he returned and gathered more of the coal, Mr. Ginter having shown him the place, and in return received a title for a sinall property. Once more he took these specimens to Philadelphia and they placed

them on the coals. They did not succeed in making them burn at first, but left to go to din- ner, and on their return found everything red hot. They soon discovered that, just as they had left, an underdraft had been produced by raising the log that lay in the front, and thus they discovered the principle that all that was necessary in burning this variety of coal is a good underdraft. As he did not have any capital, and there were no means of transportation, for years afterward nothing was done with the industry. The Colonel was a Luth- eran, in which faith he died in 1840. Our subject's father was a farmer and lumberman until. his death, which occurred at Weissport.

Francis Weiss started out in life a poor boy, working on a farm and in a sawmill until eighteen years of age. He educated himself and taught school for a while at Weissport, in the old octagon stone schoolhouse, which is still standing, though not in use. At the age of eightcen he joined the engineers' corps of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, beginning as axeman and working his way up until he had charge of the corps. While with them he assisted in surveying the Lehigh and Morriss Canals laying out some of the locks along the former, and later in life helped to survey the Lehigh Valley Railroad. In partnership with Messrs. Belford, Sharp and John Leisenring, he embarked in business, and as they had no capital, the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company ad- vanced them their mules, with which to start min- ing at Summit Hill. There they mined for four years with success, and during that time planned and built the "Gravity" Railroad from Summit Hill to Mauch Chunk, in order to convey the coal to the latter place. This was one of the most re- inarkable railroads ever constructed, and is now the famous "Switchback." The firm leased a valuable tract of land from the Cox estate at Eckley, and engaged in mining, under the firm name of Sharp, Weiss & Co., the latter being the superintendent of the mines and the former the financier of the con- cern. Shortly before the war Mr. Leisenring re- tired from the firm and became President of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company.

For a few years but little headway was made. It was about 1860 that the coal business commenced

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to be a grand success in this region, and the firm became immensely wealthy. When their twenty years' lease had expired they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Sharp located at Wilkes Barre, our subject becoming a resident of Bethlehem in 1870. In the mean time they had, however, purchased over five hundred acres of coal land in Newport Township, Luzerne County, nine miles south of Wilkes Barre, now operated by the Alton Coal Company. The mines were not opened until 1886, when Mr. Weiss formed and incorporated the company, being made President, which position he held until his death. He and Mr. Sharp owned the land, and the com- pany paid a royalty to them. They were also the largest stockholders in the concern.

Francis Weiss planned the building of the coll- iery and the breakers, which are operated by means of automatic machinery, constructed so as to save a great deal of labor. When a boy our subject traveled on foot all over the mountains, and dur- ing the surveying expeditions made geological discoveries and investigated the science, until he was considered an authority on the subject. He often gave lectures on this, his favorite study. One of the organizers of the Lehigh Valley National Bank, he was President of it until his death. He was also a stockholder in the Lehigh Valley Rail- road, the Bethlehem Iron Company, the old Bangor Slate Company, the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, and held stock in banks in different cities.

Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Weiss, was born in Weiss- port, being a daughter of Jacob Koons, a farmer, of German descent. Ten children were born of this marriage, eight of whom grew to manhood and womanhood: Rebecca, Mrs. Joseph E. Smaltz, of Philadelphia; Thomas, a resident of Bethlehem, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this work, as also those of his brothers, Harry, Francis and William; Caroline, thic wife of George H. Meyers, President of the First National Bank of Bethlehem, whose record appears elsewhere in this volume; Lewis, who died in 1888, aged thirty years; and Kate, Mrs. L. R. Meyers, wife of the well known at- torncy of Bethlehem. The mother of these chil- dren is still living at the old homestead, and is now in her seventy-fifth ycar.

Francis Weiss was called from this life February 14, 1889, when nearly sixty-nine years of age. He was a straight Republican, but not an aspirant for office. Quiet and unassuming in manner, he was well liked by every one and was an interesting con- versationalist. He was prominent and liberal in the work of the Trinity Episcopal Church, of which he was a charter member and in which he officiated as Senior Warden. He it was who gave the lot on which the edifice stands, and he was also onc of the principal contributors toward the erection of the building.

D ANIEL J. LEVAN. The career of this gentleman has been marked with industry, enterprise and well directed efforts that have been rewarded, as he is now the proprietor of a good farm in Allen Township, Northampton County, besides a gristmill, containing the im- proved roller system of machinery. He is at present residing at Seigfried's Bridge, and he is much cstcemed by the residents. He is the son of Daniel and Eliza (Deily) Levan, and was born in this county April 2, 1862. His father was also born in this county, while his mother was a native of Lehigh County. The former has been a lifelong farmer, making his home in Allen Township, where he was the owner of a good estate until his decease, which sad cvent occurred in 1884. His good wife followed him to the better land some years later, dying February 4, 1894. In politics the father of our subject was a Democrat, and took an active interest in local affairs. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and lived a Christian life.

Daniel J. Levan has spent liis entire life thus far in his native county, and obtained liis education in its common schools. In 1881 he was married to Miss Mary Leh, who was born in this county June 30, 1862, and was the daughter of Abram and Sarah (Flick) Leh, the former of whom is deceased, and her mother makes her home with Mr. Levan and his wife.

In his political relations Mr. Levan follows in the footsteps of his honored father, and casts his

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vote in favor of the Democratic candidates. His landed possessions comprise seventy acres, which by industry he has developed into a fertile traet, erecting thereon all the needful farm buildings. His gristmill is located near Siegfried, and in this branch of industry he is meeting with fair success.

OSIAH G. KLINE has for over a quarter of a century made his home in Allen 'Township, Northampton County, his farm being situated in this township. He has been actively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, and was also an extensive buyer and shipper of stock. He is one of the esteemed and leading citizens of the township with which he has been so long identified. His birth occurred April 9, 1837, in this county, his parents being Jesse and Henrietta (Grim) Kline. They had the following-named children: Catherine, wife of John Adams, of this county; Deborah, the wife of Milton Gordan, of Lehigh County; Sarah, Mrs. Franklin Jordon, also of Lehigh County; Josiah G., next in order of birth; and Henrietta, the wife of Dr. William Hass- ler, a practicing physician of Allentown. The father, Jesse Kline, was a native of Berks County, and is a descendant of a sturdy native of Germany, who became one of the early settlers of Berks County. When a boy, Jesse Kline removed with his parents to this county, the family settling on the old homestead, which our subject now occupies. With the exception of perhaps some twenty years spent in Lehigh County, he resided on this farm, where his death occurred in February, 1879. In church affairs he took an active part, being a mem- ber of the Lutheran denomination, and in politics voted for Republican nominees.

When about five years old the subject of this sketch removed with his parents to Lehigh County, where he grew to manhood. His education was obtained in the public schools of Lchigh County, though he is largely self-educated. His father for many years carried on a small farm near the pres-

ent site of Emmons. At this place he also engaged in running a hotel for some years.

December 24, 1864, Josiah G. Kline and Arra- besta Laubach were married. Mrs. Kline was born in Allen Township, January 20, 1844, being a daughter of Peter and Amelia (Becker) Laubach, both of whom were born in Northampton County. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Kline who are yet living are Melissa, wife of George Bear, a resident of this township; Mary, wife of William Landis, of Bath; Amanda, Mrs. Luther Seward, of Delaware; Thomas, a resident of Syracuse, N. Y .; Peter, of Delaware; and Addie, who is the wife of Dr. MeCauley, also of Delaware. The father of this family, if he survives until November, 1894, will be seventy-seven years of age, while his wife is also past seventy.

The children by the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kline were ten in number: Ella, the wife of Harvey Landis; Emma, Edgar, Lizzie, Henry, Hattie, Clar- ence, Flora, Jesse and Annie, of whom eight are now living. Three years after his marriage Mr. Kline brought his family to Northampton County, and has since lived on the farm where he then located, in Ailen Township. He has been sueeess- ful as a business man, and is relied upon in matters pertaining to the public good. With his wife he holds membership with the Lutheran Church at Howertown, in which he has served as Deacon.

F RED H. MILLER, who for many years has taken a prominent part in public affairs in Mauch Chunk, and is serving as Or- derly of the Second Ward Fire Department, claims Germany as his birthplace. His parents, George and Mary (Brantmiller) Miller, were also born in that country, and there resided until 1855, when the father, accompanied by his family, bade adieu to home and friends and sailed for the United States. Ile landed at New York City and eame direet to Maueh Chunk, where he made a permanent loca- tion, his remaining days being here passed. His

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mother, two sisters and a brother died on the voy- age from Germany. The father was a shipbuilder by trade, and followed that occupation during the greater part of his life. He was married again in 1857, his second marriage being with Miss Mary Pahlas, born in Germany, by whom he had no children. She was the daughter of J. Pahlas. Both father and step-mother were killed in the great and ever-memorable freshet of 1862, the house falling in upon them. There were five chil- dren in the family, but only two are now living: F. H., of this sketch, and Henry J., who is also a resident of Maueh Chunk.

It was during Mr. Miller's boyhood that he crossed the briny deep to the New World, and with his father and brother located in this city. Here he was reared and edueated, and in his youth, in 1863, learned the carpenter trade. He worked for Joseph Wilhelm, a contractor, and in the Le- high Valley Railroad and Lehigh Coal and Navi- gation Company's shops up to 1873, after whieb he embarked in the building, furniture and under- taking business, which he successfully followed for many years, or until August, 1891, when he retired from hard work with enough real estate and rail- road stock to see his way clear.

Mr. Miller was born November 30, 1844, being now (1894) fifty years of age. Since 1876 he has been eonneeted with the Fire Department of the city, and has done effective service for Mauch Chunk in that way. He was Assistant in 1875, and Chief Engineer of the Fire Department in 1876, and has ever been one of its prominent members, being foreman at the present writing.

Mr. Miller was married November 15, 1863, the lady of his choice being Miss Louisa Fiseher, daugh- ter of Christian Fiseher, of Mauch Chunk. She died in 1878, leaving one daughter, Dora, now the wife of William Krueger, a member of the Fire Depart- ment of Mauch Chunk. Mr. Miller was again married, his second union being with Miss Dora Fraass, daughter of Joachin Fraass. Her parents died a few years ago, in Germany.

His fellow-townsmen appreciating his worth and ability, Mr. Miller has frequently been ealled upon to serve in positions of public trust. In 1889 he was elected Assessor, and filled that po-

sition for three consecutive years. He had previ- ously filled the position of Registration Assessor, and discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. In religious belief he is a Lutheran, holding membership with St. John's Church, in which he has long held office, having served as Secretary since 1863, and as Treasurer for a good many years, and is now Elder and Trustee.

Since 1872 Mr. Miller has been a member of the Upper Mauch Chunk Water Company, being one of the charter members, and he was its first Su- perintendent and Collector. He is a charter mem- ber of Hospitaller Commandery No. 79, Aneient and Illustrious Order of Knights of Malta, and has been Treasurer up to the present time. He is also Treasurer of the Home Protective Building and Loan Association of Pennsylvania, with its local board at Mauch Chunk, and home office at Pittsburg, Pa., and has held many of the important offices of Mauch Chunk. He is a public-spirited and pro- gressive eitizen, and does all in his power to pro- mote the best interests of the community and ad- vance the general welfare of county and people.

ILLIAM H. GANGAWARE is one of the most intelligent, progressive and enterprising fruit-growers of North- ampton County, in which calling he has been very suceessful, being the proprietor of seventy-four acres of land, on which he makes his home and carries on his business. He devotes his time and attention to raising strawberries, raspberries, blaek- berries, peaches, pears, etc., besides all kinds of truck gardening.

Mr. Gangaware is a native of Lehigh County, and was born August 26, 1834, to Solomon and Betsy Gangaware, also natives of that eounty, in which seetion the family were early settlers. William H. was reared to mature years in the above eounty, and from the age of two years until twenty-one made his home with his uncle, John Holloeher. When old enough he learned the trade of a tin-

COL. T. L. MUMFORD.

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smith under his uncle, which business he followed for about thirty years. After leaving the roof of Mr. Hollocher, our subject came to Cherryville, where he was a tinner for a number of years; he then abandoned that occupation in order to en- gage in his present business, and is now numbered among the largest and most successful fruit-grow- ers and truck gardeners in Northampton County.

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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 20

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