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 24

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 24
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 24
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 24

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Erdell was a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Christiana (Stern) Erdell. the mother of our subject. was a native of this county, and the daughter of Martin Stern, who was also born here. She departed this life in 1883, when in her eigh- tieth year. She was the first wife of her husband, and bore him three children, the brothers of our subject being Eugene C. F. and William H.

Francis, of this sketch, was reared to man's es- tate at Fogelsville, and received his education in the public schools of that place. In 1862, during the progress of the Civil War, he enlisted his serv- ices in Battery G, Third Pennsylvania Hcavy Ar- tillery. Later, in 1863, he was transferred to Com- pany E, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Penn- sylvania Infantry, and during his period of service participated in many hard-fought battles, among which were Drury's Bluff, Va., which took place May 16, 1864, and Cold Harbor, June 1 to 6 of that year. In the last conflict he was wounded, being shot through the neck from side to side with a minie ball. He was carried from the field by his comrades unconscious, and sent to White- house, Va., thence to Washington, D. C., where he remained until his wound was healed.

Our subject was mustered out of service at For- tress Monroe, Va., June 20, 1865. His recovery after being wounded was very remarkable, and is the only instance of the kind recorded where a man who was injured in the same manner lived. After being mustered out he came to Catasauqua, and entered the employ of the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad Company, working in the re- pair shops for two months. At the end of that time he was made brakeman, and in 1872 was pro- moted to the position of baggageman on the local passenger train, which he filled until February, 1891. That year he was made conductor on the same train, which position he is now filling with satisfaction to his employers. His run lies be- tween Catasauqua and Alburtis, and he makes two round trips and two branch trips each day.

August 18, 1866, Francis Erdell was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Reinhart, who was born in South Whitehall Township, February 18, 1846. She is the daughter of Ephraim Reinhart, a native of Lower Milford, Pa., where he followed

234

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his trade of a shoemaker. His death, however, occurred in South Whitehall Township, this coun- ty. The mother of Mrs. Erdell, prior to her mar- riage Miss Mary Wetzell, was a native of this county, and the daughter of George Wetzell. Her maternal grandfather served as a soldier during the entire period of the Revolutionary War. She reared a family of three children, and is at present making her home with our subjeet.

Mr. and Mrs. Erdell became the parents of nine children, of whom the six who are living are: Ellen, who resides in Allentown; William E., en- gaged with the American Cement Company at Egypt; Mary C, now Mrs. Milton Sell, of Bethle- hem; Charles W .; Edith V. and Clayton H., at home. In social affairs our subject is a Grand Army man, and belongs to Fuller Post No. 378, of which he was Quartermaster for three years. and is also a charter member. He is also a Knight of Honor, and in politics a true-blue Republiean. He is a member of the Lutheran Church at Miek- leys, and is an exceedingly popular man in his community.

- -

S ILAS G. CROLL. A life-long resident of Pennsylvania, Mr. Croll has since 1873 made his home in the village of Trexler- town, of which he is an honored, popular and pro- gressive citizen. After coming here he was for a time employed in the interests of the Lehigh Grain, Coal & Lumber Company, and gaining an insight into and thorough knowledge of that busi- ness, he commenced for himself. His experienee, integrity and energy have contributed to the sue- cess which he now enjoys, and he is numbered among the efficient business men of the place. In addition to other interests, he is serving as Jus- tiee of the Peaee.

The Croll family was represented among the earliest settlers of Berks County, Pa., with the his- tory of which they were elosely identified for sev- eral generations. There our subject's father, John Croll, was born and reared, and it was also the

birthplace of his wife, who bore the maiden name of Kate DeLong. In early life his occupation was that of a tailor, but later he engaged in farm- ing, in which he continued until his death. About 1854 he removed with his family to Lehigh Coun- ty, and settled in North Whitehall Township, where he purchased property and conducted agri- eultural pursuits until his deatlı, in the fall of 1891. His widow still continues to make her home in that township.

Our subject was born September 12, 1847, dur- ing the residenee of the family in Berks County. He was a lad of seven years when his parents came to Lehigh County, and here his subsequent life has been passed. After completing the studies of the common schools, lie attended Freeland Semi- nary one term, and thus laid the foundation of his present broad education, to which he has since added by self-eulture. It has been his aim to keep intelligently posted upon topies of current inter- est, and in political matters lie is a stanch Democrat.

At the age of nineteen Mr. Croll began to work in a gristmill, and continued to work at the trade for eight years. In 1873 he settled in Trexler- town, and here for eight years he was employed as a clerk with the Lehigh Grain, Coal & Luinber Company. Such was the ability which he dis- played in affairs that he was given the manage- ment of the business, thus gaining a thorough knowledge of the details of this line of work. In 1884 he embarked in business for himself, in which he has since continued. He also buys large tracts of land, and has the timber eut up with a steanı sawmill into ties and car wood of all kinds.

The lady who became the wife of Mr. Croll in 1869 was Josephine, daughter of David Acker, and a native of Lehigh County. Four children were born to the union, of whom three are living, viz .: Alfred D., Mamie I. and John P. The only daughter, an accomplished lady, is the wife of Robert Guth, of Trexlertown. In 1887 Mr. Croll was elected Justice of the Peace, and he has since filled that position. On the 20th of December, 1890, Mr. Croll was elected Mercantile Appraiser for 1891 by the Board of Commissioners of Lehigh County. He has also served as School Director of Upper Maeungie Township. In the various

235

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

public offices he has held his conduct has been such as to win the commendation of all concerned. He is a man of firm religious belief and a con- sistent member of the Lutheran Church, of which he is the present Treasurer. Socially he is con- nccted with Lehigh Lodge No. 326, F. & A. M., of which he is Treasurer. He is also a member of the order of Knights of Malta at Alburtis, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fogels- ville.

ILLIAM T. CLAUSS. Standing in the front ranks of the prominent and en- terprising farmers and stock-raisers of Heidelberg Township, is the subject of this sketch, who was in former years a school teacher, but is now engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a native of this county, and was born July 11, 1849, to Nathan and Polly (Delong) Clauss, the father a native of this township, and the mother born in Lowhill Township. The Clauss family originally came from Germany to America, although the name of the founder in this country is not known.

The father of our subject was a prosperous farmer in this township, and passed from this life in May, 1885. He became the father of the fol- lowing surviving children: Joseph, Frank; Mary, Mrs. Tilghman Peter; Abigail, now Mrs. Wilson Krause; David; William and Jane, the latter, Mrs. Dr. W. P. Kistler. All the children make their home in the city of Allentown, with the exception of our subject and David, who live in Heidelberg Township. The father was a Republican in poli- tics, and belonged to the Lutheran Church.

William T., of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of this vicinity and in the Kingston State Normal. After leaving the latter place he taught school for two terms in this township. Here he now owns one hundred and thirty-four acres of excellent farming land, devoted to diver- sified crops and stock-raising. Hc pursues bis calling with zeal and intelligence, winning from the soil an abundant harvest of the various grains,

and in this way secures for himself and family all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

Our subject married January 29, 1871, Miss Mary A. Peter, a daughter of Levi and Polly Peter, of this county. They have one daughter surviving, Emma P., an accomplished lady and a graduate of the Allentown Young Woman's Col- lege. In politics Mr. Clauss casts his vote with the Republican party, and is a consistent and valued member of the Lutheran Church, in which he has served as Deacon for years. His wife is a member of the Reformed Church. They have many warm friends who appreciate them to the fullest extent. The manly character and useful life of Mr. Clauss will exert an influence over all who know him or learn the record of his life.

The parents of Mrs. Clauss were natives of this county. The Peter family came from Germany, and were among the early settlers of Heidelberg Township. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Levi Peter, Sophia, the wife of Owen D. Snyder, of Saegersville, and Mrs. Clauss. The fa- ther died December 27, 1870, and the good mother resides at the home of our subject, and is in her sixty-ninth year.

HARLES W. CHAPMAN has been pro- moted steadily during the past quarter of a century which he has passed in the em- ploy of the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad, with which he now occupies the place of Super- visor and Trainmaster. Until 1891 he was Super- intendent of the road, but at that time, when the Philadelphia & Reading Company took charge of it, the office of Superintendent was abolished, but his duties are the same, though he has been given another title. Mr. Chapman is President of the School Board of Catasauqua, and has been very active in educational work, and in everything re- lating to the prosperity of the city.

A native of Carbon County, Mr. Chapman was born in Mauch Chunk, June 29, 1836, being a son

236

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

of Joseph H. and Martha (Wooley) Chapman, na- tives of New London, Conn., and Philadelphia, the mother being of English deseent. The father in youth learned the earpenter's trade, and settled in Pennsylvania before his marriage. He was later em- ployed by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Com- pany, and was Superintendent of one department or another during the remainder of his life. He was most of the time Superintendent of the Canal De- partment at Maueh Chunk, which place he held at the time of his death, in 1889, at the age of eighty- two years. Mrs. Chapman died in 1887, at the age of sixty-nine years. Of their five children, the eld- est, Major Lancford, enlisted during the late war as Captain of Company E, Twenty-eighth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, was promoted to be Major of the regiment, and was killed at the battle of Chancel- lorsville. Mary, whose home is in Des Moines, Iowa, is the wife of Butler Worthington. Willard was killed by falling off a train on the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad. Grace, the youngest of the family, is Mrs. John S. Shaffer, of Homestead, Pa.

Charles W., of this sketeh, was reared at Mauch Chunk, and obtained his primary education in the schools of his native city. In 1853-54 the Lehigh Valley Railroad was built, and our subject's eldest brother, Lancford, was in charge of a corps of en- gineers, and Charles W. entered the employ of the same company, learning surveying. In 1856 he eame to Catasauqua, assisting an engineer in the building of the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad, the original line being only nine miles in length, and extending only as far as Chapman, which sta- tion was named for C. W. and his brother. After the road was completed, they opened a lumber and grain business at Chapman, where they eon- tinued for about a year. In the year 1858 our sub- ject went on the survey of the Northern Pennsyl- vania & Delaware line from Freemansburg to Water Gap, by way of Easton, and the following year went with contraetors to superintend the building of the Cabin John Bridge on the Wash- ington Aqueduct. This was an important piece of work, the immense stone areh being the largest erected at that time, and probably still has that distinction. This is a part of the Washington Aqueduet, which conduets the water from the

Potomae River into Washington City. In 1860 Mr. Chapman returned to Mauch Chunk, being in the employ of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company.

In July, 1861, Mr. Chapman enlisted in Com- pany E, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, being mustered in at Philadelphia as Second Lieu- tenant. He was sent to Virginia, doing duty along the Potomac, and was afterward in the Quarter- master's department. Promoted in time to be First Lieutenant and Assistant Quartermaster, he was later made Lieutenant in charge of the ambulance eorps during the last year of his service. He was First Lieutenant of Company G, under Colonel Geary, afterward Governor of Pennsylvania, and with his regiment took part in the Virginia cam- paign, ineluding the battle of Gettysburg, being afterwards transferred to the Army of the Cum- berland, and participating in the battles of Look- out Mountain and Missionary Ridge, after which he went on the Georgia campaign. After having served for over three years he was mustered out at Atlanta, in August, 1864.

In 1865 our subject returned to the employ of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company at Mauch Chunk, and in the fall of that year went with the engineering corps to Broad Top as Super- intendent of the Broad Top Coal & Iron Company, and in the two following years opened up several mines. In July, 1867, coming to Catasauqua, he was made Superintendent and Engineer of the Cat- asauqua & Fogelsville Railroad, holding the same until August, 1893. In November, 1890, the Phil- adelphia & Reading Company purchased the con- trolling interest of the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad, with whom he holds a like position. This road was built by the Crane Iron Company and the Thomas Iron Company, the former disposing of its interests in 1890 to the Philadelphia & Read- ing Company, while the latter still retain their in- terest. The first steel rails, which were placed in 1871, eost $125 per ton, while the last were only $30 per ton. The Catasauqua & Fogelsville road is the main line between Catasauqua and Ritten- house Gap, a distance of about twenty miles, and the branch running from Trexlertown to Liehty is five and a-half miles. The main branch between

237

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Crane and Walner is three miles and a-half in length, the line from Wetezel to Gehman is one and seven-tenths miles, this being built over the Lehigh or South Mountain. Rittenhouse Point is on top of the Lehigh or South Mountain, one thou- sand feet above tide water, and for five miles the grade is one hundred and twenty-five feet to the mile.

November 13, 1860, Mr. Chapman married Miss Anne, daughter of William Philips, both natives of Wales. The father was engaged in the foundry of the Crane Iron Company, and died in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have two children, Lanc- ford F., of this place, a civil engineer, and Edwin, a mechanic in the Ordnance Department of the Bethlehem Iron Company, where he is now em- ployed in working on the large steel guns for the Government. Mr. Chapman has been President of the School Board for a number of years, and has been a member of the same for nearly a quarter of a century. Until he resigned he was for several years borough engineer, and is a stanch Republi- can in politics. Socially he is a member of the Free & Accepted Masons, and when living in Mauch Chunk joined the Royal Arch Masons. Mrs. Chapman is a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.

EORGE J. DESH, one of the substantial business men of Bethlehem, is proprietor of a large retail meat business on Fairview Street, and his patrons affirm that he furnishes the best meats to be found anywhere in the city. For many years he has been an earnest believer in the future of Bethlehem, and has built and improved a number of pieces of property in Bethlehem, South Bethlehem and West Bethlebem, and in every pos- sible manner has assisted in the development and progress of the place. He was born June 16, 1837, at Hellertown, Northampton County, and is the son of Henry Desh, whose birth occurred in Lehigh County.

George Desh, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Germany, who on emigrating to Amer-

ica, settled near Macungie, Lehigh County, where he died when still a young man. His son, Henry Deshi, who was the father of our subject, was in early life a butcher, and later became a hotel man in Hellertown. His death took place in Philadel- phia, when he had attained the age of sixty-three years. The name of the family was originally Desch; but after coming to America, it was found better to shorten the same, and it came to be spelled Desh, as at present. Our subject's mother, Annie M., was the daughter of William Heisler, who came to the United States from Germany in his boyhood, . and was sold at Philadelphia to a Berks County man to pay the expense of his voyage. On the proclamation of George Washington to free emi- grants after enlisting for three years, he entered the service in the War of the Revolution, serving until the closc. Afterward he located in Berks County near Reading, where he engaged in farm- ing until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Desh were born ten children, who lived to maturity, and six are still living. George J., the youngest of his father's family, was reared in Hellertown, where he was a student in the common schools. In 1854 he went to Philadelphia, where he obtained em- ployment in a tobacco store, and a few years later went to Ohio, going over the mountains to Dela- ware and Marion Counties, and remained there a few months. Returning to Hellertown he went again to Philadelphia, where he was located for a ycar and a-half.

While a resident of the Quaker City, Mr. Desh married Miss Catherine Crater, who was born in Chester County. After his marriage he became a resident of Bethlehem, in the fall of 1859, where, in company with his brother Daniel, he started in the butcher business, continuing here until 1861. Next he went to Freemansburg, where for two years he was engaged in the same business for him- self, but in 1863 returned to this city, locating on Fairview Street, where he has since continued the business. His shop is located at a good point for general trade, and is thoroughly equipped, having a fine ice house and four wagons, and a large as- sortment of prime stock is always kept on hand.

Mr. and Mrs. George J. Desh have ten living children: Annie E., the widow of Charles Rush;

238

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Antoinette C., wife of William Sample, of Phila- delphia; Clara E., who is Mrs. William Winch, a resident of Bethlehem; Laura B., who became the wife of Charles Dech; Bertha E., wife of Edward Osborne, residing in Philadelphia; Adelaide C., Warren E., Henry C., Grace G. and Earl G., who are at home.

For several years Mr. Desh was a Councilman, being elected on the Republican ticket, though in a Democratic Ward. For thirteen and a-half years he served as a member of the School Board, when he declined further honor. While he was a mem- ber of the Board, some of the finest school build- ings in the place were erected. Mr. Desh is quite interested in real estate, owning a good farm of one hundred and two acres in East Allen Town- ship, and some thirty pieces of property in Betli- lehem, most of which are improved. He has built twenty-one residences in the place, and has been active in making good improvements. In politics he is a stanchi Republican, doing all in his power to further the welfare of his party. With his wife he holds membership with Grace Lutheran Church.

J OHN BROPHY, Justice of the Peace of Upper Hanover Township, is located in East Cata- sauqua. He is a young man of much charac- ter and influence in the community, and is doing good service as the incumbent of his respon- sible position. He was born in Fogelsville, this county, April 28, 1855, and is the son of Henry Brophy, who was born in Mt. Hope, N. J. He was a molder by trade, and his father, James Brophy, who was born in Ireland, followed the same occu- pation. The latter came to America many years ago, and made his first location in Philadelphia, whence he removed to Mt. Hope, N. J., and later

made his way to this county. He worked in the furnaces for some time, and on returning to the Quaker City followed lis trade there until his de- cease.

The father of our subject learned his trade in that city in a stove foundry, after which he moved to Fogelsville, and after working some time for other parties purchased the foundry from Solomon Fogel and was engaged in manufacturing all kinds of castings. He was a Catholic in religion, and died in 1877, when fifty-four years of age. His wife, the mother of our subject, was prior to her marriage Miss Lucy Haas. She was born in Brein- igsville, this county, and was a daughter of Samuel Haas, a farmer in this locality. The mother is now living in Allentown, and is a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church.

Jolın, of this sketch, was the eldest of six chil- dren born to his parents, of whom only three are living. He was reared in his native place, and when a lad of thirteen years began work as a molder, which occupation he pursued under the instruction of his father. After the latter's death he carried on the business for two years, giving employment to seven or eight men. In 1879, however, he sold the foundry and removed to Pleasant Corners, where in addition to working in a foundry he was engaged in the flour and feed business.

In April, 1880, while living in the above place, Mr. Brophy received an offer from the Davies & Thomas Company, and coming to Catasauqua, he worked for them one year in the capacity of a molder, when he left and went to Walnutport, near the Blue Mountain. There he took charge of the Walter B. Grosh Foundry as foreman, and con- tinued as such for the following three years. At the end of that time he returned to the city and was in the employ of the Davies & Thomas Com- pany until 1885, when we find him in Elizabeth- port, N. J., working as a molder in Moore & Sons' Foundry. Mr. Brophy remained in that state just six months, when he was taken sick, and on his re- covery returned to this city, and has since been in the employ of Davies & Thomas. Twenty-six years have given him wide experience in his oc- cupation and he is well known throughout the

GEORGE H. YOUNG.

241

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

entire state as a man thoroughly qualified to hold any position in a foundry.

The lady to whom our subject was married in 1884 was Miss Augusta, daughter of August Stitz, who was one of the representative citizens of the county, and whose history will be given in full in his biography on another page. Their union has been blessed by the birth of seven children: Will- ianı; George, who was drowned in 1892; John, Ed- die, Annie, Minnie and Mabel.

Our subject is a genial gentleman, and his ability gives him a prominent part in the management of local affairs. He is a leader in politics, and for four years was a member of the Democratic Stand- ing Committec. In the spring of 1893 he was elected Justice of the Peace of Upper Hanover Township, which position he fills with credit to himself and benefit to the community. He occu- pies a comfortable residence on Race Strect. He is agent for the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company at Hartford, and the Inter-state Acci- dent Insurance Company of New York.

EORGE H. YOUNG, ex-Burgess of West Bethlehem, is numbered among the enter- prising, progressive and substantial busi- ness men of the place, where he has a fine store stocked with a full line of hats and furnishing goods. He commands an extensive trade, not only in the city, but among the residents of the outly- ing country. A very prominent citizen, he has occupied with honor various positions of official trust and assisted in securing the incorporation of West Bethlehem as a borough.

The subject of this sketch was born at Hower- town, Northampton County, September 29, 1853, and is a son of Reuben Young, whose birth occurred in Seemsville. His father, Michacl, was born in Moore Township, in the above county, where the great-grandfather of our subject made settlement on emigrating from Germany. Grand-

father Young was a weaver by trade, to which he later added the occupation of a farmer. His son, Reuben, followed the trade of stone mason, first at Howertown, and later in Weaversville, where his decease occurred in the fall of 1888. Like his honored parents, he was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 24

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