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 25
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 25
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 25
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The maiden name of our subject's mother was Julia Neleigh. Her father, John Neleigh, was born in Northampton County and was a prominent merchant in Seemsville. She departed this life in 1891, after having rcared a family of ten children. Of the seven still living, George H., of this sketch, is the youngest but one. He received a practical education in the public schools of his native place and in the Weaversville Academy. When eighteen years of age he began teaching, being thus engaged first in the Lincoln School in the old Allen District.
In 1874 Mr. Young came to Bethlehem and was engaged as clerk for his brother, Samuel H. He remained in that capacity for four years, when he purchased the entire stock and has since been en- gaged in the hat and furnishing business, having a good establishment located on Main Street. He has led a busy and useful life, and the success that has crowned his efforts is well merited by an hon- orable and straightforward business career.
In 1878 Miss Rebecca T., the daughter of Daniel Berger, became the wife of Mr. Young. Her father, who was born in the same county, was a miller by trade and is now deceased. The five children who have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Young are Ada M., Arthur R., Helen A., Marion R. and Beulah I.
In 1888, on the citizens' ticket, our subject was elected Burgess, to which position he was re-elected in 1889 and again in 1890. During that time he made many improvements in the village, and has the satisfaction of knowing that he performed no unimportant part in the growth and development of West Bethlehem. After its incorporation he did all in his power to have it divided into wards, and was successful in his undertaking. The city is now supplied with gas, electric lights, water power and electric car lines, which make it one of the finest cities in the county.
. All educational, social and moral enterprises
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find in Mr. Young a friend, and whatever tends to benefit the community and promote the general welfare receives his hearty support and co-opera- tion. Socially he is a Mason of high standing and belongs to the Royal Arcanum. He has been very prominent in church work, holding membership with the Lutheran denomination. He was instru- mental in the building of the Holy Trinity Church, which he served as Deacon many years. He has also been Superintendent of the Sunday-school and rendered efficient service in that capacity. In politics he is a strong Republican.
D AVID HUNT, Secretary and Treasurer of the Lehigh Firebrick Company at Cata- sauqua, is a member of one of the oldest and most distinguished families of Pennsylvania. He traces his lineage to Birmingham, England, where the family was one of prominence and wealth, and had as their coat-of-arms a crest with a hound on onc side and a dolphin on the other. About 1680, at a date contemporaneous with the establishment of the Penn Colony, Roger Hunt emigrated from England to America and settled in Chester County, Pa. His wife was Es- thier, daugliter of George and Elizabeth Aston.
Among the children of Roger and Esther Hunt was Samucl, whose birthi occurred November 29, 1745. He married Mary, daughter of William and Mary Beale, and five sons and three daughters blessed their union. Thomas, of this number, whose birth occurred December 19, 1791, married Rachel, daughter of William and Elizabeth Evans, of Lancaster County, Pa. They were the parents of three children: Elizabeth, the wife of Aaron Baker; Mary C., who married Josiah Phillips, and Joshua, our subject's father. Grandfather Hunt was engaged in the iron business, and owned a rolling mill at Harrisburg, and later one in Phil- adelphia, both of which were burned. In ad- dition to these enterprises he was largely inter- ested in lands in Virginia. His death occurred in Delaware. One of his uncles, Roger Hunt, was
a commissioned officer in the service of George III., and later was a Captain in General Washing- ton's Army.
The father of our subject, Joshua Hunt, was born in Chester County, Pa., May 13, 1820, and at the age of ten years accompanied his parents to Philadelphia, where the ensuing six years. were passed. During that period he was a student in the Quaker Boarding School at Westtown, Pa. In his youth he learned the iron business and acquired a thorough knowledge of every department of that industry. In 1836 he began his active busi- ncss career at Harrisburg as Superintendent of a rolling mill erected by his father in that city. His property having been consumed by fire in 1842, he returned to Philadelphia and entered a roll- ing mill operated by his father. One year after- ward lie caine to Catasauqua, and entered the office of the Crane Iron Works, with a view to ac- quiring a knowledge of the operations of an iron furnace. For about one year Mr. Hunt had charge of a blast furnace in Poughkeepsie. In 184] lie accepted the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Crane Iron Works, in which his labors were so satisfactory that in 1867 he was chosen Super- intendent, and remained in that position until the 1st of January, 1882. On severing his connection with the company he was presented with a beauti- ful service of silver as an expression of the value of liis services, accompanied with the assurance that during his connection with the furnace it had attained a high degree of prosperity.
Among the other enterprises with which Joshua Hunt was closely connected was the Lehigh Fire- brick Company, of which he was Chairman. He was also largely interested in the Thomas Iron Com- pany and the Catasauqua Manufacturing Com- pany, was a Director in the Catasauqua National Bank, and was one of the organizers of the rolling mills of this city. He was President of the Cata- sanqua Gas Light Company, which he organized, and acted as President of the Catasauqua & Fogels- ville Railroad. He was Chairman of the Baker Lime Company, Limited, and the Bryden Forged Horse-shoe Company, Limited. In political opin- ions he was first a Whig, and afterward a Repub- lican. For nearly forty years he officiated as an
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Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Cata- sauqua, and was for a long time the Superintend- ent of the Sunday-school. Socially he was iden- tified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. During the late war he was Captain of Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry. Both by precept and practical example he advocated temperance in all things. His death occurred July 18, 1886, when he was sixty-seven years of age. Thus was lost to Catasauqua one of its inost progressive citizens, one who had wit- nessed much of its growth and aided materially in its progress.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Gwenllian Thomas, and was born in Gla- morganshire, Wales, in 1824. In 1838 she came to the United States with her father, David Thomas, and her brothers Samuel, John and David. She died in October, 1878, after having had cleven children. Four of the number are now living, namely: Mrs. Robert H. Hepburn, of Chester County, this state; Mrs. William Vollmer, of Phil- adelphia; Joshua, a resident of Chester County; and David, of this sketch. Roger, a graduate of the medical department of the University of Penn- sylvania, died in Catasauqua at the age of thirty- five years. Thomas, a soldier in the Civil War, and afterward Assistant Superintendent of the Crane Iron Works, was killed in Catasauqua by an explosion.
At his father's home on the corner of Bridge and Second Streets, Catasauqua, the subject of this sketch was born August 26, 1854. The rudiments of his cducation were gained in the schools here, and afterward he spent three years at Swarthmore College and one ycar at Lafayette College. Hav- ing assisted his father considerably and thus gained a practical knowledge of the iron business, he went to Alabama in 1876, and was employed in the blast furnace managed by James Thomas. In 1877 he returned to Catasauqua, where he was engaged as machinist. In 1878 he went to South America in the employ of Mackay, Scott & Co., and was en- gaged as a mechanical engineer on the Madeira River. The object of the Collins expedition, as it was called, was to construct a railroad from the foot of the Falls of San Antonio to the head of
navigation. Six months were spent in South Amer- ica, but the expedition proving a failure, the party returned to the United States.
March 15, 1879, Mr. Hunt entered the employ of the Lehigh Firebrick Company as manager, and has since been connected with the works. The plant was started in 1868 by McHose & Ritter, but the frame building occupied by them was burned to the ground in 1872. It was rebuilt by Joshua Hunt and Samucl and John Thomas. In 1883 the company was incorporated with a capital stock of $120,000, Joshua Hunt being Chairman, and David Hunt Secretary and Treasurer. Since the death of the former gentleman the position of Chairman has been filled by Hope Hepburn. On the 1st of December, 1892, our subject formed a partnership with L. H. McHose, and they now lease and run the concern. The clay used in the manufacture of the firebrick is shipped from New Jersey. The main buildings are two stories in height, and 1412x65 feet in dimensions. Another two-story structure, 65x65, is used, together with the kiln buildings, 72x42}, and the stock house, 80x65. A switch has been built to the Crane Iron Company, and every facility added for the successful man- agement of the business. McHose & Hunt lease ninety acres of clay beds near Amboy, N. J., con prising a valuable property.
Besides the company with which the name of Mr. Hunt is closely associated, he is also interested in other enterprises, is a stockholder in the Cata- sauqua Manufacturing Company, the Thomas Iron Company, the Catasauqua National Bank, the Le- high Valley Railroad, and holds membership in the Firebrick Manufacturers' Association. He owns twenty-seven acres adjoining the city, on the Howertown road. In political views he is a Re- publican, and firm in his allegiance to party prin- ciples.
In Mobile, Ala., April 7, 1880, occurred the marriage of David Hunt and Miss Anna L. Man- ning, who was born in that city. Her father, Hon. Amos R. Manning, was Judge of the Supreme Court of Alabama until his death at the age of seventy. He was a native of Amboy, N. J., where Mrs. Hunt was educated. Seven children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, three of
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whom are deceased. Lewis Manning died Novem- ber 4, 1893, at the age of eleven years; David died when four years old; Stilwell lived but one year. The surviving members of the family are Roger, Gwenllian Thomas, Martha Manning and Grace Manning.
J OHN A. BROBST, M. D. If success in a pro- fession that ealls for aeuteness of perception, knowledge of the needs of the human sys- tem, and skill in applying health-giving remedies, entitles a man to grateful remembrance, then is Dr. Brobst a fit subjeet for representation in this volume. Sinee 1886 he has engaged in practice at Macungie, prior to which he followed his profession at Allentown a few months. He was also for fourteen months assistant physician in the Maryland Woman's Hospital and the Hos- pital of the City of Baltimore.
A record of the life of Dr. Brobst contains much of interest. In the truest sense of the word he is a cosmopolitan, having visited almost every habit- able country in the world, and by contact with people of every raee gained a practical knowledge of the customs and habits of other nations. His cruise of five years proved most instruetive and beneficial, but he returned to the United States at the expiration of the time, firm in the belief that his native land offered inducements and attractions superior to any country of the Old World.
The Doctor is a native of Lehigh County, Pa., and was born August 3, 1852. The Brobst family was identified with the early history of Lynn Township, Lehigh County, where were born his parents, Jonas L. and Didema (Hermany) Brobst. For some years his father was a merchant at Steins- ville, and was also prominent in the politics of Lynn Township. There he continued to make his home until death. Our subject was a pupil in the common sehools of Lynn Township until about sixteen, when he went to Columbus, Ohio, and for three years made his home with friends, meantime attending the high school for two and one-half years.
After leaving school our subject was for eight
months an assistant in a civil engineering eorps on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad in Alabama and on the Mississippi levees in Louisiana. Later he se- eured a position as clerk on a passenger boat run- ning on the Mississippi River, remaining thus em- ployed for one year. Returning to Lehigh County, he sojourned here for a short time. During the Centennial Exposition he was a member of the police force of Philadelphia.
When our subject's sea-faring life began he filled the position of Auditor for Secretary Thomp- son of the United States Navy, on the "Tala- poosc," the mission of which was to settle the disputed fishery elaims in Nova Scotia. Later he went on board the United States steamer "Alli- anee" as a member of a Government marine sur- veying corps. Sailing to South America, they pro- eeeded up the Amazon River, surveying two thousand miles on the steamner, and two hundred and fifty miles on a steam yawl, making in all twenty-two hundred and fifty iniles surveyed.
Upon his return from South America, our sub- ject beeame a marine on the United States steamer "Wyoming," and was appointed Captain's Or- derly. On arriving at Livorna, Italy, lie was transferred to the Government steamer "Gettys- burg," a surveying vessel, on which he served as Orderly for Commander Gorrenger. For about nine months he cruised with this ship, meantime making important surveys and sea soundings around the east, south and west coast of Africa. To this expedition belongs the distinction of hav- ing discovered near the Azores a reef that had been very disastrous to shipping, and the exaet location of which had never before been deter- mined. Commander Gorrenger also transferred Cleopatra's Needle from Egypt to New York.
When the work of this important expedition had been completed, our subjeet was transferred to the United States steamer "Enterprise," on which he held the rank of Orderly-Sergeant. The ship cruised around Scotland, England, Norway and Sweden, along the castern coast of Siberia and in the Mediterranean Sea. Stopping at Naples, Italy, Dr. Brobst visited the ruins of the ancient eity of Pompeii, and sealed the heights of Mt. Vesuvius. He then went with his ship to Athens, Greece,
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where he visited the Acropolis, and the ruins of many old temples of that onee cultured city. There lie was transferred to the "Wyoming," which conveyed the United States Minister to Turkey, through the Strait of Dardanelles to Con- stantinople. While in Athens lic attended a ban- quet given to the royal family of Greece.
Subsequently the "Wyoming" made a tour of the Black Sea, stopping at Trebizona and Sebasto- pol, where Dr. Brobst visited the field of the memorable battle. He also spent a few days in Odessa and Yalta, and in the latter eity saw Nieli- olas, former Czar of Russia, and grandfather of the present Czar. While at Constantinople he saw the Sultan of Turkey. After the cruise of the Black Sea was finished, the United States minister was taken to Joppa, from which point hic went to Jeru- salem in the interests of the United States Govern- ment.
Among the many countries that our subject visited, perhaps in none of them was he so inter- ested, and none did he study with a keener pleas- ure, than that portion of Asia known as the Holy Land. Ile visited Betlilehem, where occurred the birth of the Savior, and Jerusalem, the place of his crucifixion; also the Dead Sea and the River .Jor- dan, Beyrout, Tyre and Damascus. At these vari- ous places he seeured many souvenirs, which he has sinee treasured with eare. Before shipping from Asia he visited the ruins of ancient Troy.
From the Holy Land the "Wyoming" took the United States minister to Alexandria, Egypt, where they were received in state by the Khedive of Egypt. Our subject had the pleasure of seeing that famous emperor, and at Naples, Italy, also saw his exiled father, who still lives there in banishment from his native land. After visiting Cairo, Dr. Brobst journeyed to the pyramids and also saw the Sphinx. Other noted landmarks and ruins of the ancient splendor of Egypt he inspected with equal inter- est, thereby gaining a thorough knowledge of the customs of the people of that land during the early days of its history.
Upon shipping from Alexandria, the steamer went to Port Said, where our subjeet was trans- ferred to another United States vessel, en route to the China station. Touching harbor at Caleutta
and Bombay, India, he availed himself of the op- portunity to visit these eities, as well as other his- toric places of that country. After a short stop at Colombo, on the Island of Ceylon, the voyage eastward was resumed. During his short sojourn in Siam, our subject saw the king of that country. Somewhat later he was transferred to another Government steamer, which he accompanied on a surveying expedition to the Malay Islands, spend- ing some three months in that loeality. He then returned to Colombo, Ceylon, after which he eruised around Siam and China. While in the latter country he saw and stood on the top of the old Chinese wall. He visited Pekin, China, as well as the principal seaports of Japan, and while there experienced all the horrors of the terrible Oriental storms known as monsoons.
Again transferred, Dr. Brobst returned to Alex- andria, Egypt, and witnessed the bombardment of that eity by the British. Not long afterward he returned to the United States. His travels, as may be seen from a perusal of these paragraphs, included almost every portion of the Old World. He saw a number of kings, as well as other digni- taries. Many of the most famous eities of the world he visited, many spots of interest to the student of ancient history, and many places made famous as the seenes of bloody battles. Few spots that he visited proved more interesting to him than the old Catacombs of Rome, where the Chris- tians of early days found a safe refuge from the perseeutions of their enemies. Travel is a liberal education to those whose habits of elose observa- tion and mental culture have fitted them for its benefieial influences, and our subjeet has made the most of his excellent opportunities for gaining a broad knowledge of the peoples of the world.
At the expiration of five years of service, Dr. Brobst returned to this country and settled in Norfolk, Va. During his eruise he read medieal works and became interested in the seience. Re- solving to follow it for his life calling he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Balti- more, from which he was graduated in 1885. For fourteen months thereafter he filled the position of assistant physician in the Maryland Woman's Hospital and the Hospital of the City of Balti-
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more. Since that time, with the exception of a few months in Allentown, he has engaged in the practice of medicine at Macungie.
October 14, 1893, Dr. Brobst was united in mar- riage with Miss Hannah R., daughter of James Schaffer, of Lower Macungie. They have a pleas- ant home in Macungie, and are prominent in the social circles of the village. In religious belief they are Lutherans. Politically tle Doctor advo- cates the policy of the Democratic party. As a physician he is skilful in the diagnosis of diffi- cult cases and successful in their treatment. While his practice is general, he has met with especial success in the treatment of diseases of the eye and ear, and makes a specialty of these lines. His suc- cess is worthy of especial mention because it has been gained solely through his own exertions. The money necessary for his medical education was earned by his own labors, which proves tlie possession on his part of energy, tireless industry and determined perseverance. Genial, companion- able and entertaining, many a pleasant hour may be spent in his society, and Macungie has no citi- zen more popular than he.
HARLES O. SCHEIRER, the well known and popular station agent and telegraph operator for the Central Railroad of New Jersey, is now located at Weissport, Pa., and is also serving as express agent for the United States Company. He is a self-made man, and is largely self educated. Great credit is therefore due him for the success he has achieved in life, which is owing entirely to his determination to succeed and to his well directed energies. He enjoys the esteem and confidence of the entire community in which he dwells, and numbers many warm friends in this place.
The birth of our subject occurred in Lehigh County, Pa., March 16, 1857, his parents being Charles and Catherine (Peters) Scheirer. Botlı parents were also natives of Leliigh County, and
the Scheirer family is one of the very old families of the valley. The father, who is now deceased, was a meclianic by trade, which calling he fol- lowed during his life time. His death occurred at Whitehall Station in June, 1873, but his wife is still living, her home being in the city of Slating- ton, Pa.
Charles O. Scheirer was reared to man's estate in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, and received a fair education in the public schools of his dis- trict. When about nineteen years of age he started out to make his own livelihood as a brakeman on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and served as such for a couple of years. He afterward took up telegraphy, learning the art principally by home study, and completing his knowledge by a month's work at Berwyn Station, where he was a regular student, paying the operator there for the instruc- tion he received.
Mr. Scheirer's first work as a telegraph operator was at Seigfried's Bridge, on the Central Railroad, and also for a time he occupied a like position at Glendon, Pa. Subsequently for a year he was a telegraph operator at Rockport, and for the next six years had his headquarters at Parryville. At this place he was Assistant Station Agent in ad- dition to being operator, and discharged his duties so faithfully that he was recommended for pro- motion. His next position was in the train dis- patcher's office at Mauch Chunk, where he was located for two years. In 1891 he received an appointment to serve as station agent at Weiss- port, and since that time has occupied this posi- tion most acceptably. He is a man who is very faithful in performing his allotted duties, and has thus won the commendation of his superiors.
In his political belief our subject is a Democrat. He is a public-spirited man, and uses his influence for the good of the community in which he dwells. At one time lie served as School Director of Le- highton, and educational matters receive his ear- nest attention. He still holds membership with the Reformed Church at Lehighton, and socially is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge at Mauchi Chunk. He is also identified with the Royal Arcanum.
In the year 1879 our subject was married to
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Miss Mary A. Litzenberger, who was born and reared in Lehigh County, and whose father, T. J. Litzenberger, is a well-to-do resident of that sec- tion. Our subject and his estimable wife have a pleasant and comfortable home, and they take great pleasure in extending its hospitality to their friends.
DWIN J. TITLOW. As the owner and proprietor of a general store situated in Trexlertown, this gentleman is well known both in the village and throughout the surround- ing country. The building in which he conducts business is a commodious two-story brick structure, centrally located and neat in appearance. It con- tains a large and varied assortment of dry goods, groceries, notions, quecnsware, glassware, boots and shoes, hats and caps, which are sold at rea- sonable prices. In the store is also situated the Postoffice, Mr. Titlow having served in the capac- ity of Postmaster since 1893.
Our subject is still on the sunny side of life's prime, having been born April 12, 1864. He is a native of Trexlertown, and a son of Charles and Mary A. (Doney) Titlow, natives of Lehigh Coun- ty, and at present residents of Trexlertown. Ed- win J. was reared to manhood in this village and was the recipient of excellent educational advan- tages, being for a time a student in the schools of Upper Macungie Township, and later attending the State Normal at Kutztown for one term. His education completed, he sccured a position as school teacher and followed that profession for four terms in Upper Macungie Township.
Under the instruction of his father, our subject learned the trade of a painter, which he followed for a short time, meanwhile also following the oc- cupation of a paper-hanger. In this way he earned the money witli which to educate himself. He is a man of broad information upon all topics of in- terest, and by self-culture and systematic reading
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