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 28

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 28
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 28
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 28

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ville, and is at present serving as Treasurer of Hanover Township. Heis a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, and has been Secretary of the Board in his congregation. He is a stanch Demo- crat in polities. He is Secretary and Treasurer of the Shoenersville Cemetery Association, and the duties thus devolving upon him are executed in a faithful and earnestspirit. Socially he is a Knight of the Golden Eagle at Catasauqua.

H ENRY BITTNER, proprietor of the Bitt- ner House in Slatington, is a native of this county, having been born December 2, 1844. His father, Henry Bittner, Sr., was also born in this section, and until his decease, in 1882, was engaged in farm pursuits.

The paternal grandfather of our subjeet was a native of Germany, and on coming to America in an early day, located in Lehigh County, where he followed the occupation of an agrieulturist. His wife prior to her marriage was Mary Bear, the daughter of Benjamin Bear, also a tiller of the soil. Mrs. Bittner was born in this county, and departed this life in 1876.

Our subjeet passed his boyhood days in attend- anee at the district school, and when old enough worked on his father's farm. This he continued until 1867, when he left home, and coming to Slat- ington, embarked in the hotel business, with which he has been connected very successfully since. In 1887 he erected his present fine building, known as the Bittner House. It is a model of architect- ural beauty, and is patterned after a famous sum- mer resort hotel. It is four stories in height, heated throughout with steam, lighted by eleetrieity, and in faet is a modern hotel in all its appointments. It contains forty-eight sleeping apartments, hand- somely furnished, elegant parlors, cozy reading- room, and the entire building is surrounded by a piazza.

Mr. Bittner takes an active part in all public en- terprises and improvements, and in politics always

casts a vote for Democratie candidates. Socially he is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and a charter member of the Knights of Malta.

In 1867 Henry Bittner and Miss Ellen Benninger were united in marriage. The lady was born in Lehigh Gap, and is the daughter of Philip Ben- ninger, an early settler of the county. To them has been granted a family of two daughters: Lilly Cora, now the wife of Artie Queen, of Slatington, and Anna, Mrs. John W. Balliet, also residing in that place.

Our subjeet is truly a self-made man, and has by careful attention to every detail of business, hon- esty in all his dealings, and by shrewdness and in- tegrity, gained a goodly portion of this world's goods, and what is better than that, the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He is one of the most suceessful hotel men in the eastern por- tion of the state, and is well patronized by the traveling publie. He has a beautiful residence in Slatington, where with his wife he entertains their hosts of warm friends, who are numbered among the best people of the county.

P ATRICK LAWLER is now serving as Com- missioners' Clerk of Carbon County, and now makes his home in Nesquehoning. He is a wide-awake and enterprising eitizen, devoted to the best interests of the community, and with pleasure we present to our readers this record of his life work. He is a native of the Emerald Isle, his birth having occurred in that country in 1851. His parents were Jolin and Mary (Brady) Lawler, and with their family they erossed the Atlantic to America in 1855. They took up their residence in Carbon County, and for many years the father worked in the coal mines, in that way earning a livelihood for his wife and children. His death occurred in 1866, and Mrs. Lawler, who long sur- vived him, was called to her final rest in 1888.

The subject of this sketch is the eldest in the family of five children, three sons and two daugh-

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ters. He was only four years of age when he came to America, and hence his entire life has praeti- cally been spent in Carbon County. He spent liis youth in his parents' home, and acquired his edu- cation in the public schools of Nesquchoning. On leaving the schoolroom lie sought and obtained employment in the coal mines, where he remained for a time, after which he began clerking in a gen- eral store. Later he began business on his own account, opening up a stoek of general merehan- dise in Nesquehoning, where he soon built up a successful trade. He carried a good stock, and by courteous treatment and fair dealing won a liberal patronage, and his commercial career was one of success. In this line he continued until 1890.

In 1880 Mr. Lawler was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Brogan, of South Heber- ton, Luzerne County, Pa. Their union has been blessed with a family of two children, sons, Will- iam P. and Vincent.

In 1890 Mr. Lawler sold his stock of goods in Nesquehoning, but he yet retains possession of his store building and a good residence in that place. He was in that year appointed Commissioners' Clerk of the Courts, and has since filled that office in a creditable and acceptable manner, now scrv- ing his fourth year. He is faithful to every trust reposed in him, whether publie or private, and his life has been an honorable and upright one. All who know him esteem him highly, and in the his- tory of the county he well deserves representation.

OBERT KERN. Lehigh County is justly proud of her native-born citizens, who are honorably bearing their share in sus- taining her interests and extending her wealth. Among these is the subject of this biographical re- view, who is engaged in the coal business in Frank- lin in company with his son, Weston II., under the name of Robert Kern & Son. Ile likewise owns a valuable estate of eighty-four acres in

Washington Township, and is one of its most pro- gressive and enlightened farmers.

Our subject was born in this county December 22, 1833, and is the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Hartman) Kern, likewise natives of the above place, the former of whom departed this life in 1868. The family is an old and representative one, in this section. Our subjeet and his brother Paul are the only surviving members of the pa- rental family. The former was reared in his na- tive county and received such an education as the common schools of the day afforded. To that foundation he has added by reading and observa- tion, his effort being to keep himself well informed regarding current events and topics of general in- terest.

Our subject followed farm pursuits until 1890, when he abandoned that life, and has since given his attention to his various other enterprises. For a short time during the war he carried on the butchering business, and for the past twenty years he has been an auctioneer, filling that position at all kinds of public sales.

In 1871 Mr. Kern established himself in the coal business in Franklin, having for his first partner Tilghman Kuntz, the firm name being Kuntz & Kern. This partnership was dissolved several years later, at which time our subject took his son, Wes- ton H., into partnership. They have a large pat- ronage, and conduct their affairs in such an hon- orable and upright manner as to win the respect and regard of all who know them.

Mr. Kern was united in marriage in the year 1853 to Miss Julia A., daughter of Joseph Peter, now deceased. Mrs. Kern is a native of this coun- ty, and the mother of seven children: Erasmus F., Henrietta, Oliver F .; Ida, the wife of Rev. J. W. Roth; Flora, Mrs. O. S. Peter; Robert A. and Weston H. Our subjeet has been a life-long resi- dent of Washington Township. In politics he casts a Democratie vote, and has been candidate before the county Democratic convention for the office of County Commissioner on three different oceasions, but as many times failed to get the nomination.

Religiously Mr. Kern is a member of the Evan- gelical Association, in which he has held the office

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of Trustee at Slatington for many years. He is serving at present as Treasurer of the Sunday- school. He is very public spirited and enterpris- ing, and is serving his third term as Assistant As- sessor. He has also been Tax Collector of his township, and socially is a prominent Odd Fellow, and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

J OHN A. KRESSLY, M. D., D. D. S., who ranks among the well known and progressive members of the medical profession in Lehigh County, enjoys the confidence and good will of its residents, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present this brief outline of his history to our readers. He is at present residing in New Tripoli, and was born in the above county April 4, 1862. His parents, Israel and Eliza J. (Boone) Kressly, were natives respectively of this and Schuylkill Counties. Mrs. Kressly, now deceased, was a direct descendant of Daniel Boone, of Ken- tucky fame. The father is still living, making his home in Lynn Township well advanced in years.

Our subject was reared to man's estate in this county, and received his primary education in the district schools of Lynn Township. He afterward attended the Millersburg Normal for three summer sessions, and for five years subsequently taught the public school in Lynnville, where he became a teacher of considerable note. In 1885 he entered the Pennsylvania Dental College, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1887. In the fall of that year he entered Hahnemann Medical Col- lege at Philadelphia, where he took the regular course of four terms, and graduated with the de- gree of M. D. In 1889 Dr. Kressly located in New Tripoli, where he soon built up a large and lucra- tive practice, and is now recognized as one of the most prominent physicians of northern Lehigh County.

Dr. Kressly and Miss Laura, daughter of Elias S. Snyder, werc united in marriage in 1890. The lady was born in Lynn Township, and by her

union with our subject has become the mother of a daughter, Roma. Socially the Doctor is identi- fied with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and Grand Council No. 204 at New Tripoli, of which he is now a Past Counselor. In politics he is an ardent worker in the ranks of the Republicans, and is greatly interested in the suc- cess of his party.

The Doctor is a member of the Lehigh Valley Homeopathic Medical Society, and is public spir- ited, liberal and enterprising. He is closely iden- tified with the best interests of the place, and none are more active in promoting its welfare than he is. A devoted member of the Lutheran Church, he enjoys the full confidence of the church with which he is connected.

UTHER CAMPBELL, D. D. S., the popu- lar dentist of Slatington, of which place he is also Burgess, was born in Milton, Northumberland County, August 25, 1848. He is the son of Jacob Campbell, a native of Bucks County, but a resident of Northumberland County at the time of his death, which occurred February 15, 1854, when he was thirty-cight years of age. He conducted a good business as a saddler and harness-maker, having an extensive establishment on Broadway, Milton, Pa. In politics he was a stanch Whig. His wife, the mother of our sub- ject, bore the maiden name of Mary Deeter. She was born in Bucks County, and departed this life while residing in Slatington, June 1, 1892, at the age of seventy-four years. The Campbells origi- nally came from Scotland, and the first of the fam- ily to make their home in America located in this state.

Luther, the subject of this sketch, spent his boy- hood and youth in Milton, where he received a good common-school education, afterward entering the Classical Institute of that place, of which Rev. William T. Wylie was Professor and President. At this institution ex-Govs. James Pollock and

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Andrew G. Curtin received their first instruction, and it was elassed among the best schools of the day. After graduating he entered the mercantile establishment of Isaac Brown, continuing with him for five years. About this time, deciding to make dentistry his profession in life, he began his studies under the instruction of Dr. H. C. Sticker, of Mil- ton, Pa., remaining in his office for a period of two years.

Dr. Campbell located in Slatington in 1870, im- mediately opened an office, and has been engaged in the practice of dentistry ever since. He has a finely equipped office, and is prepared to do all kinds of dental work in a first-class manner. Among his patients are offiecrs and employes of the different railroads communicating with the city, and citizens and residents throughout the Lehigh Valley.

The Doctor served in the Council five years, and as City Treasurer in 1891, in the spring of 1893 was elected Burgess of Slatington on the Republi- ean ticket, and was mainly instrumental in build- ing a new reservoir for the present system of water supply for Slatington, one of the finest in the Le- high Valley, by which the water is conveyed to the city direet from the reservoir on the borough prop- erty. He was also instrumental in securing the arc lights with which the town is lighted, and in the purchasing of a steam fire engine for the Fire De- partment. He has thus made great improvement in both the Water and Fire Departments, and in fact, has taken an active part in all enterprises that would prove of benefit to the community.

In February, 1873, Dr. Campbell was married to Miss Flora, daughter of Lewis C. Smith. Mrs. Campbell departed this life August 15, 1885, leav- ing five children: Carrie, Annie, Frank, Perey and Marion. Annie died in 1876, aged eleven months and eleven days. September 11, 1889, the Doetor was married to his present wife, who prior to that event was known as Ada L. Misson. Her father, David B. Misson, was formerly a resident of Mon- roe County, Pa. To this union two sons have been born, the elder now deccased. The Doetor is a genial, affable gentleman, a wide-awake busi- ness man, and one of the most popular citizens of

the Presbyterian Church, and the family occupy a beautiful residenee in the city.

The following is a statement of Dr. Campbell's lodge record: He was initiated into Slatington Lodge No. 624, I. O. O. F., March 14, 1871, and October 7, 1873, was installed Noble Grand of his lodge. He served as Secretary from April 5, 1881, to April 1, 1890, and was a charter member of the Encampment branch of that order.

The Masonic hfe of Dr. Campbell began July 10, 1873, when he was entered in Slatington Lodge No. 440, F. & A. M. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason September 4 of the same year, and afterward served as Junior and Senior Warden, and Master and Secretary of his lodge. He was marked as a Chapter Mason in Allen Chap- ter No. 203, R. A. M., in Allentown, May 17, 1886; dubbed and created a Sir Knight in Allen Com- mandery, No. 20, November 11 of the same year; became a member of the different bodies of Cald- well Consistory S. P. R. S., Thirty-second Degree, Ancient, Accepted Scottish Rite, at Bloomsburg March 17, 1887; was admitted and constituted a Noble of the Mystic Shrine of Lu Lu Temple of Philadelphia June 6, 1888, and throughout his Masonic career has proved himself a worthy brother of the "Mystic Tie."

OHN W. BALLIET, of Slatington, is one of the wealthy and influential citizens of the county. He was born in the town of Bow- mans, Carbon County, this state, December 16, 1869, and is the son of John Balliet, whose birth occurred at Balliettsville, this county, November 13, 1819.

The father of our subject received a very meager education. When quite young he began working among the charcoal furnaces, in this manner be- coming thoroughly acquainted with the business. Later, in partnership with his brothers, Paul and Aaron, he embarked in the charcoal business, pur- chasing furnaces at Ballicttsville, and held the po- sition of Superintendent of the company. They

. Slatington. With his estimable wife he belongs to

of ti-

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soon afterward removed their plant to East Penn Township, Carbon County, where they became connected with the East Penn Charcoal Furnace, which was subsequently, in 1862, partially de- stroyed by a freshet. John Balliet also owned furnaces in other portions of the state, and at the same time was the possessor of considerable valu- able real estate.

The father of our subject was married to Miss Amanda Rehrig, a native of East Penn Township, Carbon County, and to them was born a family of ten children, five of whom are still living. The elder Mr. Balliet departed this life January 5, 1885, leaving his widow, who now resides in Slat- ington. He was a man widely known throughout the state as one of its most prominent citizens. He was a Director in the Slatington Bank for a number of years, had an interest in the Lehigh Iron Company at Aineyville, the Coplay Iron Company at Coplay, and was a member of the City Council for a number of years. Thus it will be seen that he was very active in the business and political life of Slatington.

John W. Balliet, of this sketch, was quite young when he removed with his parents to this city, and received his primary education in the common schools. When a lad of sixteen years, he became a student in Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pa., where he remained for two and one-half years, and then entered the State Normal at Kutztown. After completing his education, he embarked in busi- ness at Bowmans, and several years later engaged with his father in conducting a planing mill and lumber business.

In April, 1890, our subject became associated with his father-in-law, Henry Bittner, in the hotel business, and during the time in which he was thus employed proved himself to be a wide-awake and enterprising hotel man. In politics he lias always been a Republican, believing in protection to home industries. Socially he is a prominent Mason, holding membership with Slatington Lodge No. 440, and is a charter member of the Knights of Malta and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is connected with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and belongs to the Patriotic Order Sons of America. Mr. Balliet has always

taken an active part in politics, and when a young man of twenty-one years was elected Secretary of the Lehigh County Republican Convention. March 11, 1893, he was elected to the City Council for a term of three years, polling the largest vote ever known in Slatington. He is Secretary of the Poor Fund, and holds the same position in the French Coach Horse Association, of which he was one of the organizers. He is a meniber of the Slatington Gun Club, belongs to Fire Company No. 1 in the city, and also to Vigilant Fire Company No. 2.

July 28, 1888, John W. Balliet was united in marriage with Miss Annie, daughter of Henry Bittner, who is one of the wealthy and prominent citizens of Slatington. To them have been born a son and daughter: Henry John and Irene Ellen. Our subject is a valued member of the Reformed Church, to which he contributes regularly and lib- erally of his means.

ILLOUGHBY B. KERN. The subject of this sketch is a man much respected in business and social circles, and one wlio by liis strict morality and integrity of pur- pose has furnished an excellent example to others. He is at present the proprietor of a fine mercan- tile establishment in Neffsville, which is 19x50 fcet in dimensions. It is stocked with a full line of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, and, in fact, everything needful in the city or country house- hold. In 1885 Mr. Kern formed a partnership with A. P. Andrews, and together they carried on a mercantile business until March, 1893, since which time our subject has been thic sole pro- prietor.

W. B. Kern, of this sketch, was born in Novem- ber, 1843, and is the son of Daniel and Eliza (Best) Kern. He was reared on a farm in Wash- ington Township, and remained there until 1882, when he removed to Neffsville. He later drifted into the mercantile business, which he has followed

C. E. DELCAMP, M. D.

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since that time with more than ordinary success. His father, who belonged to an old and prominent family of this county, died in 1890, and the mother, who is now three-score and ten years of age, is still living, making her home with our subject.

In 1863 W. B. Kern and Miss Eliza Sclineck were united in marriage, and their union has re- sulted in the birth of six children: Alice, who is the wife of O. G. Mosher; Herbert, Annic and J. Byron, and two who are deceased. Religiously our subject is an active member of the Reformcd Church, which he has served as Treasurer. In ad- dition to his mercantile establishment, he owns a farm of one hundred acres located in Washing- ton Township, besides business and residence prop- erty in Neffsville. He has a number of warm friends, who recognize him as a leader among men and one entirely capable of fulfilling any duty imposed upon him in a most satisfactory manner. This confidence he showed was well placed when, June 3, 1889, he was appointed Post- master of Neffsville.

HARLES E. DELCAMP, M. D., who is suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of med- icine in Lehighton, occupies an enviable position among his professional brethren in Car- bon County, his skill and ability winning him a high reputation. A native of Schuylkill County, Pa., he was born February 26, 1844, and is a son of Peter and Sarah ( Willdermonth) Delcamp, who were also natives of Schuylkill County. The Del- camp family is of French origin, and was founded in America by the great-grandfather of our subject, a native of France, who with others emigrated to the American shore, where he and all his comrades were captured by the Indians. The others were all shot, lie alone escaping with his life. For sev-

eral years, however, he was forced to live with the redmen, but after a time succeeded in getting away from them. It is said that he afterward re- turned to the Indians and married one of the In- dian maidens.

The grandfather of the Doctor was Philip Del- camp. His son Peter was a well educated man and a prominent instructor, who for many years was Superintendent of the college at Mt. Carmel. By the marriage of the latter with Miss Willder- month, there were born twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, ten of whom grew to mature years, married and had families of their own.

Dr. Delcamp, who is the fourth in order of birth, passed his youth in his native county, being reared in his parents' home. He began his education in the district schools of the neighborhood and after- ward attended the Schuylkill Seminary. He be- gan fitting himself for his chosen profession in the office of Dr. Benjamin Barker, of Schuylkill County, with whom he read medicine for a time, and then entered the Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College of Philadelphia, from which in- stitution he was graduated in the Class of '75. He at once commenced practice in Lykens, Dauphin County, Pa., and afterward removed to Danville, Montour County, where he was engaged in general practice for several years.

The year 1887 witnessed the arrival of Dr. Del- camp in Carbon County and saw him located in Lehigliton, where he lias since made his home. He now has a good office and general practice, and the liberal patronage which he receives attests his skill and ability and indicates the confidence and trust reposed in him by the public.

In 1882 Dr. Delcamp was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Faust, daughter of Peter Faust, one of the prominent and representative citizens and successful business men of Montour County. The Doctor and his wife now reside on their fine farm, pleasantly located three miles distant from Lehighton. He there has one of the most beauti- ful country homes in the valley, supplied with all the comforts which go to make life worth the liv- ing. Upon the place he has a fine quarry, which turns out slate of a superior quality. He also owns an excellent and valuable farm in Montour

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County. He belongs to the Lchigh Medical So- ciety and to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and is a prominent and highly respected citizen, well deserving of representation in this volume.

J ACOB K. RICKERT. The career of this gentleman, who is Justice of the Peace of Franklin Township, Carbon County, has been crowned with success, which those meet who steadily pursue their way, doing always that which their hand findeth to do. He is one of the prominent residents of the county, and is carrying on an extensive business as a dealer in flour, feed, lumber, railroad ties, coal, etc.

Our subject was born in Bucks County, this state, February 10, 1821, and is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Rickert, also natives of that county. The Rickert family came originally from Germany many generations ago, and made location in this state, with whose interests they have been promi- nently identified for many years.

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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 28

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