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 27
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 27
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 27
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S AMUEL H. SCHNECK, dealer in furniture, is one of Slatington's substantial and well known citizens. Pennsylvania claims him as one of her own sons, for he was born in Craw- ford County, August 26, 1842. His father, Jonas Sehneek, was a native of Lehigh Connty, whence he removed to Crawford County, and there his death occurred in 1844. He was a farmer by occupation.
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The paternal grandfather, Henry Schneck, was also a native of Lehigh County.
The progenitors of the Schneck family were originally from Holland, and coming here in an early day, were identified with the pioneer history of this county. All honor is due to the sturdy "sons of toil" who helped to make of Pennsylva- nia a loyal and progressive state. The mother of our subject, Magdelina Fry, was a native of Lehigh County, where her father, Pcter Fry, was an early settler. Her death occurred in 1871, at the age of sixty-two years.
At the age of six years Samuel Schneck removed with his mother to Lehigh County, where he se- cured a common-school education and engaged in work on a farm. In 1857 he went to Allentown, and was apprenticed to Price & Weaver for three years to learn the cabinet-maker's trade. Imme- diately upon completing his apprenticeship, in the spring of 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twen- ty-fifth Regiment (known as the First Defenders), being one of the very first to offer his services in defense of the Flag. He was assigned to the Army of the Potomae, serving for three months, and tlien joined Company A, Ninth Pennsylvania Cav- alry, commanded by Col. E. C. Williams, of Har- risburg.
Mr. Schneck was then assigned to the Western Army, where he rendered valuable service, partic- ipating in about thirty engagements, the first im- portant encounter being the battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8 and 9, 1862. He was with his com- pany in the Carlton raid, through the states of Kentucky and Tennessee and into Virginia, where they cut off the supplies and burned the supply trains in December, 1862. He participated in the battles of Spring Hill (Tenn.), March 10, 1863; Trione (Tenn.), June 11, 1863; Shelbyville (Tenn.), June 28, 1863; Chickamauga (Tenn.), Septem- ber 19-21, 1863; New Market (Ala.), October 6, 1863; Mossy Creck (Tenn.), December 26, 1863, and Dandridge (Tenn.), January 16, 1864. The same month he rc-enlisted for three years. He afterward returned to Macon, Ga., and engaged in the battles of Briar Creek, November 28, 1864, Savannah, December 21, 1864, Johnson Station (S. C.), February 11, 1865, Bentonville (N. C.),
March 19, 1865, and Raleigh (N. C.), April 12, 1865. At the battle of Bentonville he was wounded in the left knee. He was present at the surrender of Johnston, and was mustered out at Lexington, July 18, 1865.
At the close of the war Mr. Schneck returned to Allentown, where he remained for a short time, removing tlience to Slatington in the spring of 1866. Here he embarked in the furniture business in partnership with David Jacobs, under the firm name of Jacobs & Schneck. Later he purchased Mr. Jacobs' interest in the business, since which time he has conducted it successfully on his own account, and has built up an extensive and profit- able trade.
In 1886 Mr. Schineck put up the building which he at present occupies. The main room is 38x74 feet in dimensions, and the store room forty feet square. Mr. Schneck makes a specialty of the com- plete outfitting of homes, and his success in this particular is well known, while his honorable, cour- teous treatment of his customers gives them a con- fidence in him which is never misplaced. He also handles a complete line of carpets in finest Wilton, Brussels, tapestry and ingrains, and carries a com- plete stock of rugs, oil cloths, mats and matting.
In politics our subject is an influential Republi- can, and has filled many offices of public trust. He has served as President of the School Board, and at present is Burgess of the town. Socially he is a member of Slatington Lodge No. 440, F. & A. M .; a charter member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and Past Commander of Samuel Kress Post No. 284, G. A. R. He is always interested in whatever tends to promote the welfare of Slating- ton and its citizens, and is one of its most influen- tial men.
In 1868 occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Maria Crossley, of Lehigh County. She is a daughter of Charles Crossley, of Pleasant Cor- ners, in the county above mentioned. To this un- ion have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters. Ella A. is the wife of Mr. Hal- deman, of the United States Navy. Clinton C. is in business with his father. The others are Fred- erick E., Winnie M., Frank Samuel, Lulu M. and Lawrence J. Mr. and Mrs. Schneck are members
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of the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Schneck has been an officer in the church for a number of years. It is the desire of their friends that they may yet live to spend many useful and happy years in their beloved home.
ENRY D. GROSS, a business man of high standing in Schnecksville, is the proprie- tor of a general merchandise establish- ment, and is also surveyor and Justice of the Peace. He is a native of this county, and was born December 2, 1849. His parents, Joel and Diana (Fetherolf) Gross, were likewise natives of this section, and the former died in 1891, when in his eighty-second year. He passed the greater part of his life in North Whitehall Township, but for several years prior to his decease was living re- tired in Allentown.
The great-grandfather of our subject was the founder of this branch of the family in America. He was a man held in the highest esteem, and made farming his life occupation. Henry, of this sketcli, received his preliminary cducation in the public schools of his native place, after which he attended the Ft. Edward (N. Y.) Institute for cighteen months, and later was a student in the Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, this state. While in New York he took a course in surveying, and after- ward obtained practical experience with his uncle, Peter Gross, who was an expert in that work.
For a number of years our subject clerked in his father's storc, and also filled the same position. for a short time in the cstablishment of Bertolet & Bear. In 1890 he opened a dry-goods house of his own, and carrics a full linc of goods, which he retails at popular prices. He has a large trade throughout the surrounding country, and his an- nual sales amount to $20,000. His stock is valucd at $10,000, and includes carefully chosen goods suited to the growing needs of the people of the scction over which his trade extends. He is very popular, and is one of those men whosc energies and talent will allow of their engaging in various
branches of business with success. Besides the enterpriscs already mentioned he owns a one-third interest in the hardware establishment of Gross, Fritzinger & Co., and is the proprietor of sixty acres of land. In 1890 he was appointed Post- master of Schnecksville, where he also owns Hotel Gross.
Mr. Gross is serving his third term as Justice of the Peace, having first been elected in 1882. Polit- ically he is a stanch believer in the principles of the Republican party, and gives it his hearty sup- port. He is connected with the German Reformed Church, which he is now serving as Trustee, and has been Dcacon. In 1874 Miss Louisa Hunsicker became the wife of our subject, and to them has been born a son, Oliver.
F REDERICK G. IBACH, M. D., who is now engaged in the practice of medicine in Mauch Chunk, has won a high reputation for skill and ability in the line of his profession in Carbon County, and in consequence receives from the public a liberal patronage, which he well de- serves. The Doctor is a native of the Keystone State, his birth having occurred in Newmansto wil, Lebanon County, in 1858. His father, William H. Ibach, was for many years well known and a successful teacher in Lebanon and adjoining coun- ties, but later engaged in merchandising. His death occurred in 1874. His wife borc the maiden name of Rebecca Shultz, and she was a daughter of Fredcrick Shultz.
The subject of this sketch spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his father's home, and in the public schools. Later he attended the Palati- nate College of Myerstown, Pa,, and when his education in that direction was completed he be- gan fitting himself for his life work. He first read medicine with Dr. Dennis of Myerstown, and later entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadel- phia, from which he was graduated in the year 1879. He had been a close student of his profes-
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sion, and all that was now needed to make him a skilled physician was practice. Hc first opened an office in Akron, Lancaster County, Pa., where he remained for four and a-half years, during which time lie did a very good business. On the expira- tion of that period, in 1884, he came to Mauch Chunk. For ten years he has been numbered among its successful and leading physicians, and for the past five years has been devoting his time to treatment of diseases of the eye.
In 1889 the Doctor was married, the lady of lis choice being Miss Caroline B. Leisenring, daughter of Charles Leisenring, of East Mauch Chunk. The Doctor is a Censor of the Medico-Chirurgical So- ciety, and also a member of the Lehigh Valley Medical Society. He takes a prominent part in Masonic circles, has filled all the offices in his lodge, including that of Eminent Commander, and is now High Priest. In manner he is social and pleasant, and his cheery presence in the sick-room, as well as his medicinc, is undoubtedly of great benefit to his patients. All who know him esteem him highly, and among his professional brethren he occupies a foremost rank.
EONARD YAEGER, one of the highly es- teemed citizens of Mauch Chunk, who for many years was prominently connected with the business interests of this place as a manu- facturer of furniture, was born in Baden, Germany, on the 26th of October, 1824, and is a son of Mel- chisedeck and Elizabeth (Fosetel) Yaeger, who were also natives of Germany. The family lived in the Fatherland until 1834, when the parents with their children bade adieu to the old home and crossed the broad Atlantic to America. They landed at New York City, whence they went to Newark, N. J., and then came to Pennsylvania. Here they took up their residence in Bethlehem, and finally settled in Allentown, where the subject of this sketch grew to man hood.
Mr. Yaeger, of this notice, was a child of only
ten summers when the family emigrated to the United States. He attended school until thirteen years of age, and then began life for himself. He was a merc boy, but since that time has been dependent upon his own resources, and the success he has achieved is therefore due to his own efforts. He first began working with George Detrick, a cabinetmaker, with whom he served a three years' apprenticeship. On the expiration of that period he went to Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade for two years. We next find him in New- ark, N. J., where he spent six months, and after- ward in New York City, where he remained for a year and a-half.
Mr. Yaeger then returned to his old home, but af- ter a short time, in 1846, he came to Mauch Chunk. He worked for others for a few months, and then began business on his own account, manufacturing furniture. This he continued for many years, his business constantly increasing until he was at the head of a large factory. He received orders from many places, and his extensive trade yielded him a handsome income which made him one of the sub- stantial citizens of the community. At length he determined to retire from active life, and in 1888 sold out to his two sons, William L. and George .J., who now continue the business under the firm name of Yaeger Bros., and like their father they enjoy a good trade.
In 1847 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Yae- ger and Miss Catherine S. Esser, of Allentown, daughter of John Esscr. They became the parents of seven children, six of whom are yet living: Alice, now the wife of L. F. Geiring, of Bethlehem, Pa .; Hannah, wife of H. Hohl, of Mauch Chunk; Emily, now the wife of W. J. Thompson, of Phila- delphia; Mary, wife of R. G. Ross, of this city; and William F. and George J., who compose the firm of Yaeger Bros., manufacturers of furniture.
Mr. Yaeger has been a Director of the Second National Bank for a number of years, but is now practically living a retired life, spending the most of his time in looking after his interests. 'In poli- tics he is a supporter of the Democratic party, and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Hc has long been a public-spirited and progressive citizen, ever ready to advance the best interests of
JAMES H. WILHELM.
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the community. He always carefully looked after the details of his business, and his sagacity, enter- prise and straightforward dealings were the im- portant factors in his success. He has won the con- fidence and esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and throughout the community he is held in the highest regard.
J AMES H. WILHELM, paymaster of the Le- high Valley Railroad Company, is a native of Northampton County, Pa., the date of his birth being March 10, 1830. His father, Daniel Wilhelm, was also a native of that locality, and engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, following that business for many years. After attaining his majority he was united in mar- riage with Miss Anna M. Beck, of Northampton County. His death occurred in 1861. The Wil- helms are of German lineage.
The gentleman whose name heads this record spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home, and after attending the public schools in the neighborhood for several terms, pursued his studies in Nazareth Hall, a Moravian school. When his education was completed he be- gan clerking, after which he embarked in the cloth- ing business in Nazareth, Northampton County. This proved a profitable investment, and he car- ried it on until 1858, when he sold out and be- came a clerk in the general office of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. After a few years he was promoted to the position of paymaster, which he has now held for twenty-five years. His con- nection with the road covers a period of thirty- four years. He is one of its oldest and most trusted employes, faithful to every task devolving upon him. For the past quarter of a century he has been located at Mauch Chunk, and devotes his en- tire time and attention to his business interests.
In 1856 Mr. Wilhelm was married to Miss Maria Leibfried, of Nazareth, who died in 1858, leaving one daughter, Alice C., now Mrs. Samuel Carpen-
ter, of Mauch Chunk. For his second wife Mr. Wilhelm chose Miss Martha M. Weaver, daughter of Jacob Weaver, and by their union were born three children, namely: Maggic, who died in 1892; Calvin W., who is employed in the paymaster's department by his father, and is a member of the School Board, and W. Herman, who was graduated from West Point in the Class of '88. He is now in the Tenth Infantry in the Regular Army, with headquarters in New Mexico.
In connection with his other interests, our sub- ject is also paymaster of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, and is Treasurer of the Lehigh Valley Relief Company, which position he has filled for sixteen years, or since its organization. He is a Director in the Linderman National Bank of Mauch Chunk, and is President of the J. H. Wilhelm Building & Loan Association of Mauch Chunk. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to a successful completion, and his industry and good management have been of valuable service in pro- moting many enterprises. He has been called to fill public offices, and has served as a member of the City Council, and also of the School Board. Both he and his wife hold membership with the Moravian Church of Nazareth, and are highly re- spected citizens, who have many warm friends in the community. The honorable, upright life of Mr. Wilhelm is onc well worthy of emulation, and with pleasure we present to our readers this record of his life.
H ENRY W. BLOSS is one of the leading business men of Slatedale, and one of the most enterprising. He was formerly Presi- dent of the Lion Slate Company, and manager of their quarry near that place. The company was organized in 1890 with Mr. Bloss as President; David Merkle, of Allentown, Secretary, and A. D. Dresher, also of that city, as Treasurer.
Our subject is a native of this county, and was born June 19, 1857, to Joel and Sarah Bloss, the former of whom was a native of Washington Town-
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ship, where he was a prominent farmer. He is still living, and makes his home on a fine estate near Slatedale. The parental family included besides our subject James F., Benneville J. and Alvin.
Our subject grew to manhood on the homestead, and when of age started out in life for himself. He was engaged in the lumber business for a num- ber of years, supplying the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company witli ties. His next venture was in the slate quarrying and manufacturing business at Slatedale, having associated with him in the enter- prise L. Fink and W. Mersher. This partnership existed for a number of years, and in 1893 Mr. Bloss organized the Lion Slate Company, which manufactures all kinds of roofing slate and black- boards of the very best quality. It gives employ- ment to about thirty-five men, and a traveling salesman is kept on the road, selling the product of the factory throughout the United States. Mr. Bloss has sold his interest in the company, how- ever, and now devotes his entire time to the lumber business.
Henry W. Bloss was married in 1877 to Miss Elvina, daughter of Henry Kern, of Washington Township, this county. Their union has been blessed by the birth of three children: Clinton J., Lillie and Carrie. Our subject is a thoroughly upright, honest man, always dealing fairly and squarely by all, and his estimable character, as well as his capability, has given him an important place among the business men of Slatedale. He is inter- ested in the cause of education, and as School Di- rector has promoted it in every way possible. In politics he is a stanch Republican.
J UDGE ALLEN CRAIG, present Judge of the Forty-third Judicial District of Pennsylva- nia, is one of the most prominent citizens of Mauch Chunk, having more than a state- wide reputation on account of the leading position which he occupies at the Bar and in political cir- cles. He has steadily worked his way upward until he is now in the front rank among his breth-
ren of the legal fraternity, and liis success is the crown of merit and ability.
Judge Craig was born on Christmas Day of 1835, in Lehigh Gap, which was then in Northamp- ton County, but is now in Carbon County, and within the limits of the latter county his entire life has been passed. The Craig family is of Scotch- Irish extraction, and the ancestors emigrated from Ireland and located in Northampton County, Pa., in 1728. The grandfather, Gen. Thomas Craig, served under Arnold in the French and Indian War, and commanded the Third Pennsylvania Regiment during the struggle for independence. Capt. Thomas Craig, the father of Judge Craig, was proprietor of the old Lehigh Gap Inn, at Le- high Gap, and was also engaged in merchandising, lumbering, and ran a stage line between Easton and Mauch Chunk. He became a very prominent citi- zen of Carbon County, and took an active interest in political and public affairs. He married Cather- ine Hagenbuch, daughter of John Hagenbuch.
The subject of this sketch remained in Lehigh Gap until sixteen years of age, during which time he attended the public schools, and in a private school prepared for College under the tutelage of Rev. Jolın Vanderveer. He then entered Lafayette College, in eastern Pennsylvania, in 1851, and on the completion of the classical course was gradu- ated from that institution in 1855. Soon after- ward he took up the study of law with Hon. Milo M. Dimmick, and after a thorough preparation was admitted to the Bar at Mauch Chunk in June, 1858. His abilities, natural and acquired, have well fitted him for his chosen profession. He is a man of deep research, a careful student, and pos- sesses oratorical powers of a high order. His ar- guments are logical and convincing, his speech clear and forcible, and on all the important cascs tried in Carbon County he has been found either as defendant or prosccutor. His ability was soon known, and won recognition in a large and exten- sive practice, which from the beginning has con- stantly increased.
Judge Craig was married, in 1866, to Miss Anna I. Douglas, who is a native of Pennsylvania, but was reared and educated in Connecticut. Four children have been born of their union, two sons
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and two daughters: Douglas, Harry, Hattie and Gay.
The Judge has done much for the upbuilding of the city in whichi lie makes his home, through his connection with many of its leading enterprises. He was for many years a Director of the First Na- tional Bank of Mauch Chunk, and was also with the gas and water companies. His support and hearty co-operation are ever given to those enter- prises which are calculated to promote the general welfare. He has also had an honorable political career. In 1859 he was elected District Attorney of Carbon County for a term of three years on the Democratic ticket, and in 1865 he was elected to represent Carbon and Monroe Counties in the State Legislature. He lield that office for three successive terms of one year each, and in 1878 was elected State Senator for a term of four years, from the districts comprising Carbon, Monroe and Pike Counties. Ably did he perform the duties of the office, proving in both houses a most capa- ble meinber, working earnestly for the best inter- ests of those whom he represented. In 1893 he was elected Judge of the Forty-third Judicial Dis- trict, and is now acceptably filling that office. No more capable man could have been selected for the position, for his thirty-five years of law practice and a keen, cool judgment make him well adapted for the Bench. His decisions are the result of careful and earnest deliberation.
In manner Judge Craig is always courteous and agreeable, possessed of a genial humor and social tendencies which make him a delightful companion. He is one of the best informed men of the state, his school privileges having been sup- plemented by extensive reading and study in later years. He was appointed one of the Trustees and superintended the erection of the Dimmick Memo- rial Library Building, which was provided for by the will of Milton Dimmick. He served for a short time in tlie war, in 1862, as a member of the Nine- teenth Pennsylvania Infantry, and has taken a prominent part in Grand Army affairs. When it was proposed to erect a monument "To all the brave defenders of the Union from the county of Carbon," Mr. Craig was chosen Chairman of the building committee, and labored earnestly until
the completion of the monument and its dedica- tion, September 28, 1886. He is a great favorite with the boys in blue, and few public meetings and camp fires have been held in Mauch Chunk at which he lias not been called upon to address his old army comrades.
LIAS R. BENNER is one of the wide-awake, energetic and successful business men of Shoenersville. He has made his own way in life, and is in the enjoyment of a competency that is the result of his unaided efforts. He is car- rying on a large business as a general merchant, having his establishment stocked witlı a large vari- ety of dry goods, groceries, hardware, hats, caps, boots, shocs, flour, feed, etc. He is also a manu- facturer of and dealer in cigars, and agent for sew- ing machines and the celebrated Estey & Camp organs.
Mr. Benner is a native of Bucks County, and was born June 2, 1841, to William and Nancy (Rotlırock) Benner, who were also natives of that county. Elias R. lived on his father's farm until attaining mature years, in tlic meantime attending the district school. The knowledge gained therein was later supplemented by a course in the Bucks County Normal and Classical School, after which he taught in the public schools of Shoenersville for seven years.
In 1870 our subject established himself in the mercantile business in this place. He has become well known over a large territory, and as a business man has ever occupied a high position in the esti- mation of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Benner was married in 1866 to Miss Belinda Lapp, a native of Northampton County, by whom he has become the father of three children: Harry, Lizzie and Allen.
Mr. Benner lias always been ready for any movement which seemed to promise well for his neighborhood, and has made a favorable impres- sion on all with whom he has come in contact. Since 1870 he has been Postmaster of Shoeners-
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