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 38

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 38
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 38
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 38

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salesman on the road for a wholesale house of Philadelphia, traveling in Pennsylvania and Ohio for a period of thirteen years.

The winter of 1878 witnessed the arrival of our subject in Lehighton, and here he established him- self in the hardware business in partnership with Frank Semmel, but after nine months he became sole proprietor. He occupies his own store build- ing, a brick structure 62x80 feet in size and three stories in height. It is centrally located, and is equipped with a complete stock of everything found in his line. He now has a good trade and is enjoying a constantly increasing business.

Mrs. Gabel was in her maidenhood Amanda He- berling, a daughter of the late Judge Heberling, of Weissport, Pa. To lier union with our sub- ject were born cight children, four of whom are now deceased. Mr. Gabel is now serving as the efficient President of the City Council. He made the race for Prothonotary on the Republican ticket, and greatly reduced the large Democratic major- ity of the county. He is one of the Directors of the Lehigh Water Company, and is a member of Carbon Lodge No. 242, F. & A. M. He started out in life for himself in the humble position of a clerk, but is now at the head of a large and flour- ishing business which yields to him a good income and makes him one of the substantial citizens of the community.

D ANIEL OLEWINE, a retired leather man- ufacturer of Lehighton, was born on the 13th of April, 1815, in Carbon County, Pa., and comes of a family of German origin. His grandfather, Andrew Olewine, was a native of Germany, and emigrating to America, took up his residence in Northampton County, Pa., where was born George Olewine, the father of our subject. The latter was a farmer by occupation, and fol- lowed that pursuit throughout his entire lifc. Having arrived at years of maturity, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Erdman, daughter of Henry Erdman. Their union was blessed with a

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family of eight children, four sons and four daugliters, but only two are now living.

The member of the family in whom our readers are most interested is Daniel Olewine, one of the leading and influential citizens of his native coun- ty. In the usual manner of farmer lads, the days of his boyhood and youth were passed, but not wishing to follow agricultural pursuits as a life work, he learned the trade of a tanner and currier under the direction of Thomas Snyder. On com- pleting his apprenticeship, he traveled through New York and New Jersey for several years as a journeyman, after which he located in Mauch Chunk and entered the employ of the firm of Packer & Ripple, tanners and manufacturers of shoes, with whom he continued his connection for ten years. In 1856 he came to Lehighton and en- gaged in the manufacture of leather, doing a good business. His trade constantly increased from the beginning until it had assumed extensive propor- tions. He employed twelve men, and sent his goods to various states throughout the Union. He built up a large and lucrative business, which he continued until 1873, when his tannery was de- stroyed by fire. He then sold his plant to B. J. Kuntz, who is now operating the same.

Mr. Olewine has been engaged in other business enterprises. He was for some ycars interested in the foundry business in Wcissport, being associ- ated with Miner Bros., under the firm name of Olewine & Miners. They were largely engaged in making castings for the Domestic Sewing Ma- chine Company of Newark, N. J., the daily output being more than one hundred. He was for sev- eral years a Director of the Second National Bank of Mauch Chunk, aided in organizing the First National Bank of Lehighton, was its first Presi- dent, and is still one of its stockholders.

In 1850 Mr. Olewine was united in marriage with Miss Esther Coll, a daughter of Joseph Coll, of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, and to them were born three children: Susan, now the wife of W. H. Koch, of Lehighton; Clara, wife of F. Pierce Lentz, of Lehighton; and Daniel I., who is engaged in clerking. The parents are both mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, take an active part in church work, and for some years

Mr. Olewine has served as one of the officers. Their home is a pleasant brick residence, richly and tastefully furnished, adorned with works of art, and supplied with a fine library which indi- cates the cultured and refined tastes of the inmates of the household. Mr. Olewine has met with most excellent success, but it is not phenomenal, being the result of close attention to the details of his business, earnest application and well directed efforts.

EORGE V. DANNER occupies the impor- tant position of Justice of the Peace of Seigfried's Bridge, to which office he was elected in February, 1893, for a term of five years. Mr. Danner is also a practical paper-hanger and painter, carrying on business in the above place. He was born in Northampton County, September 26, 1848, and is the son of John A. and Mary (Graver) Danner, who still survive, though ad- vanced in years. They make their home in Moore Township, this county, where they have a good farm property.

George V. received his preliminary education in the public schools of his native place, after which he attended for a short time the Freeland Scmi- nary, near Philadelphia. The course of study car- ried on in that institution was supplemented by attendance at the Kutztown State Normal and the Weaversville Academy. His father being in lim- ited circumstances, young Danner was obliged to work his own way through school, and in the in- tervals of study taught school, teaching in all twenty-six years. After completing his education he was given a position as teacher in Lehigh County, which occupation he followed for many years, and was considered an educator of more than local note. Later he became a painter and paper-hanger, doing contract work, and still makes this business his principal vocation.

Mr. Danner was elected Justice of the Peace on the Democratic ticket in 1893. He ever takes a warm interest in the development and welfare of

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the community, and as an intelligent and well in- formed man, possesses foresight and sagacity in business matters. He is a member of the Reformed Church, of which he has been Deacon, and is classed among its most prominent members. So- cially he is connected with the Order United Amer- ican Mechanics at Seigfried's Bridge, and also holds membership with the Odd Fellows' society and the United Beneficial Society of Whitehall, and with the Grange.

In December, 1872, George V. Danner and Miss Mary, daughter of Edward and Caroline Bachman, were united in marriage. The father of Mrs. Dan- ner is a resident of Lehigh Township, this county, where he is residing on a good estate. To Mr. Danner and his wife were born four children, two of whom, Ella J. and Elmer T., are living.

A SA P. BLAKSLEE, general freight agent of the Montrose Railroad Company, with headquarters at Mauch Chunk, was born in the year 1854, in Carbon County, and is a son of James I. and Caroline Blakslee. His father is one of the oldest citizens of Mauch Chunk, is a leader in business circles, and for many years has been a Director in the Lehigh Valley Railroad Con- pany. He is also President of the Linderman Na- tional Bank, one of the solid financial institu- tions of Mauch Chunk. He is connected with a number of other important business enterprises which have added materially to the growth and prosperity of the city. He is straightforward and honorable in all his dealings, and his careful atten- tion to details, his well directed efforts, and his systematic methods have brought him a success of which he is well deserving.

Mr. Blakslee, whose name heads this record, was reared in the county of his nativity, and during his youth attended its public schools. His educa- tion was completed in the schools of Philadelphia, after which he returned to his home in Mauch Chunk, and in order to make his own way in the

world, entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Rail- road Company, serving in the capacity of clerk in the office of the passenger department. He was af- terward in the freight department, and in 1873 was made general agent of the freight and passenger departments of the Montrose Railway, with head- quarters in this city. In that position he has proven a most trusted and efficient officer, his long contin- ued service well indicating his fidelity to duty.

In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Blakslee and Miss Louisa F. Sayre, a daughter of Francis R. Sayre, of Mauch Chunk. Their union has been blessed with two children: Louisa F., who is still with her parents, and Harriet, who is de- ceased. They are well known people of this com- inunity, and their friends in Mauch Chunk are many.

Mr. Blakslee takes considerable interest in civic societies. Socially he belongs to Carbon Lodge No. 242, F. & A. M., to Lilly Chapter No. 181, R. A. M., and to Packer Commandery No. 23. He also holds membership with the Knights of Pythias Lodge and the Royal Arcanum. Since 1879 he has been a member of the Marion Hose Company No. 1, and at this writing, in the summer of 1894, is Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, and President of the organization. In religious belief he is an Episcopalian, and is a communicant of St. Mark's Church, in which he is now serving as Treasurer; he has been Vestryman for several years, and is one of the active workers in the interests of the society.

OHN H. KLEPPINGER, one of the well known agriculturists of Allen Township, is engaged in operating his well cultivated farm in Allen Township. His life has been passed in Northampton County, his birth having here occurred March 9, 1842. His parents, John and Annie Kleppinger, were born in Northampton County and Philadelphia, respectively. George Kleppinger, the father of the former, many years ago resided on and operated the farm on which his

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grandson, our subject, now makes his home, and was one of the early settlers of the township.

John Kleppinger, Sr., whose life was mainly spent in this township, was, like his forefathers, a farmer, and he, in turn, succeeded to the farm set- tled upon by his father, which is still in the pos- session of the family. He was called from the shores of time in January, 1872. His wife, after surviving him for many years, departed this life, April 22, 1893. Of their children the following survive: Maria, the wife of Hiram Hower, of Kan- sas; Hannah, who becaine the wife of William Law- fer, of Allentown; Sarah, the wife of John H. Mil- ler, of this township; John, and Belinda, the wife of Francis O. Fenicle, of this township. The fa- ther, who was a Republican in politics, belonged to the Lutheran Church, and served the same in the offices of Elder and Deacon. Ile was at one time Road Supervisor of Allen Township, and was a successful and much respected man.

From his earliest years Mr. Kleppinger has re- sided on a farm, and was carly inducted into the proper methods of carrying on agriculture. His education in early life was limited, being confined to that of the district schools of the period. On reaching manhood he was united in wedlock, in 1866, with Sarah Lichtenwalner. Her father, Jonas Lichten walner, was a prominent man and well-to- do farmer. Of their children the following are yet living: Sylvanus; Aquilla, wife of Jacob Levan; Myranda, Sarah and John J. Mr. Kleppinger and his present wife, formerly Mrs. Catherine, widow of Isaac Odenwelder, were united in marriage in June, 1883. Her birth occurred near Catasauqua, this county, January 23, 1850. Her parents are Benjamin and Belinda Schaden, of Allen Town- ship. The former is now over seventy years of age, and his wife is past sixty-five years. Mrs. Kleppinger's daughter by her former marriage, Laura B., is at home with her mother.

Mr. Kleppinger owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which is under good improve- ments. He is a thorough business man, and has made a success of those enterprises to which he has devoted his time and attention. He is a self- made man, and much credit is due for the manner in which he has discharged the dutics devolving

upon him. For some time he served as one of the School Directors, and under his influence good schools have been maintained in the district. While he holds membership with the Lutheran Church, Mrs. Kleppinger is identified with the Union Stone Church of the Reformed Association.

F RANCIS H. ERWIN, M. D. Prominent among the successful physicians and sur- geons of South Bethlehem is our subject, who was born here in 1859. He is the son of A. J. Erwin, also a native of this city, who in turn was the son of J. F. Erwin, a native of Erwinna, Bucks County. The last-named gentleman was reared to manhood in Easton, where he followed the tanner's trade, and later in life came to this city. His next removal was to Monroe County, where he opencd up a tannery and was engaged is its operation un- til his decease, at the age of cighty-three years.

The grandmother of our subject, Mrs. Louisa (Schneider) Erwin, was the daughter of John Schneider, a Moravian, and a miller by occupation. Great-grandfather Erwin came from Ireland prior to the Revolutionary War, in which conflict he served as Colonel. He obtained a grant of land in New York for his services during that period, which was named Erwin Centre.

The father of our subject was engaged in the mercantile business in Bethlehem until retiring from active life in 1871. He is now deceased, hav- ing passed away at Staten Island in 1885, at the age of fifty-five years. His wife prior to her mar- riage was Mary Clauder; she was a native of Ohio, and the daughter of H. G. Clauder, a Moravian missionary to the Cherokee Indians. He later lo- cated in this city, where his deccase occurred when in his seventy-eighth year.

The parental family included six children, of whom Francis H. was the eldest. He was first sent to the Moravian parochial school, after which he took a course in Nazareth Hall, at Nazareth. Young Erwin upon completing his education began clerk-

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ing in the store of J. H. Traeger in this city, after which he became bookkeeper in the Lehigh Valley National Bank.

In 1886 Mr. Erwin had an opportunity to carry out his long cherished desire of studying medicine, and entering the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Baltimore, was graduated therefrom in 1889 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For the year following he was physician at St. Luke's Hos- pital, South Bethlehem, located on Cherokee Street. He was appointed Health Officer for Fountain Hill in 1893. Dr. Erwin is agreeable in manner, which makes him a favorite among all classes, and this pleasant quality, coupled with his skill and knowledge of his profession, renders him one of the most popular and successful physicians in the county.

Dr. Erwin was married in York, this state, in 1892, to Miss Mary E. Spahr. He is a Democrat in politics, and a devoted member of the Moravian Church. Socially he belongs to the Northampton County Medical Association, of which he is the present Vice-President, and is also connected with the Lehigh Valley Medical Association. He has been surgeon for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Com- pany, and belongs to the National Association of Railroad Surgeons and the State Medical Asso- ciation.

DWIN G. ZERN, a worthy representative of the mercantile interests of Lehighton, now deals in boots and shoes, hats, caps and clothing. He has a good business, which has been secured through straightforward and honorable dealing and courteous treatment of his patrons. He carries a well selected stock, and his trade is con- stantly increasing.

Mr. Zern was born in Montgomery County, Pa., on the 10th of March, 1853, and is the fifth in order of birth in a family of cight children, three

sons and five daughters, of whom seven are living at this writing, in the summer of 1894. The parents of this family were Rev. Jacob and Sophia (Gilbert) Zern. The father is a minister of the Evangelical Association, and is now living in Terre Hill, Lan- caster County. His wife was called to her final rest in 1878, while living in Berks County, Pa.

No event of special importance occurred during the childhood and youth of our subject, who was reared in his parents' home. He began his educa- tion in the district schools, but his early privileges were afterward supplemented by study in the State Normal School of Kutztown and in the Normal of Millersville, Pa. On leaving the schoolroom he began clerking in a store, later he commenced to learn the trade of cigar-maker, following that business for a period of seven years, after which he accepted a clerkship in the dry-goods establish- ment owned by Nathan Snyder, of Weissport. There he remained for several years. He labored earnestly in the interest of the store, and was a popular salesman and a faithful and trusted em- ploye. His next place of residence was in Coal- dale, Schuylkill County, where he embarked in business for himself as proprietor of a general mer- cantile store, which he carried on for ten years.

In 1874 Mr. Zern was united in marriage with Miss Etta M. Snyder, a daughter of Nathan Sny- der, his former employer, a leading merchant of Wcissport and one of the oldest. Their union has been blessed with a family of three children, viz .: Florence M., Edward N. and Arlinc.

Mr. Zern dates his residence in Lehighton from 1878, at which time he removed to this city and established his present business. The store which he occupies is 20x75 feet in dimensions, and is a well equipped establishment, supplied with every- thing found in his line. Socially Mr. Zern is con- nected with the Odd Fellows' society of Lehighton, and Knights of Malta, and in politics is a Repub- lican. He is the owner of a fine residence in Lehigh- ton, built in modern architectural design and sup- plied throughout with all of the new improvements. It is also richly and tastefully furnished, and there the comforts which go to make life worth liv- ing may be found. Mr. Zern may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out empty handed,

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with no capital save a young man's bright hope of the future. Steadily he has worked his way up- ward from a humble clerkship until he is now at the head of a good business. Ilis example is one well worthy of emulation, and should encourage others to press forward in the duties of life.

RANT M. KISTLER, M. D., is success- fully engaged in the prosecution of the medieal profession in Lansford, and al- though yet a young man he has gained a reputa- tion which might well be envied by many an older practitioner. He is favorably known in this community, and we feel assured that his many friends will receive with interest this record of his life. The Doctor claims Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, for his birth occurred in Schuyl- kill County in the year 1865. His father, John M. Kistler, was born in the same locality as our subject, and having attained to mature years, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Moser, daughter of Jacob Moser. The Doctor's father died in 1891, but his mother is still living. They were the parents of a family of ten children, six of whom yet abide at the time of this writing, in the summer of 1894.

We now take up the personal history of Dr. Kistler, who in the public sehools of his native county acquired his early education. His early privileges were afterward supplemented by a course of study in the Kutztown Normal Sehool, and later he engaged in teaching three terms. The days of his boyhood and youth were quietly passed, no event of special importance occurring during that period. While engaged in teaching, he formed the determination to enter the medieal profession and make it his life work. To this end he en- tered the office of Dr. C. B. Dreher, of Tamaqua, Pa., under whose direction he pursued a course of reading.

Subsequently Dr. Kistler entered the Hahne- mann Medical College, of Philadelphia, Pa., where

he took a course of lectures, and in the spring of 1889 he was graduated from that institution. He was a thorough student, and his earnest prepara- tion well fitted him for his life work. He keeps abreast with everything connected with the seienee of medicine, the latest theories and discoveries, and has met with good suecess in his labors. Im- mediately after his graduation he eame to Lans- ford, opened an office and has since been engaged in general practice.

In October of the same year the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Rosa V. Heintzel- man, a native of Schuylkill County and a daugh- ter of Reuben Heintzelman. Cultured and refined, she is a most estimable lady, and with her husband shares in the high regard of all who know them. The Doctor is a member of the Schuylkill Homeo- pathic Medical Society. In manner he is pleasant and affable, and his courteous and gentlemanly deportment and the many exeellenees of his char- acter have gained him the confidenee and best wishes of all with whom business or social rela- tions have brought him in contact.

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D R. G. STEWART KIRBY spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home in the eity of Philadelphia, and was educated in its publie schools and in the high school of that place. Wishing to follow the med- ieal profession, he began studying under the di- rection of his father, and when he had completed a course of reading he entered the Hahnemann Homeopathie College of Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated in 1882.

Having now been granted the degree of M. D., Dr. Kirby went to Pleasantville, N. J., where he opened an office and began practice. He there re- mained seven years, doing a good business and obtaining the practical experience which is neces- sary to sueeess in any line. The year 1889 wit- nessed his removal to Mauch Chunk, where he has since conducted a general practice. He is now

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well established in his profession, and the public attests its confidence in his skill and ability by giving him a liberal patronage. He is now serv- ing as surgcon of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, a position which he has held for the past four years.

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Kirby was in her maidenhood Emma D. Kuhn, daughter of Isaac S. Kuhn, a resident of Bloomsburg, Pa. The marriage of the Doctor and his wife was cele- brated in 1890, and the young couple are now prominent and well known people of this commu- nity, having many friends and holding a high po- sition in social circles. The Doctor is a member of the Lehigh Valley Homeopathic Medical So- ciety, is a close student, a man of decp research, and is rapidly making his way to the front ranks of the medical profession.

J OHN K. HENRY, M. D., is engaged in the practice of medicine in Mauch Chunk, and is a well known and skilled physician of that place. He is still living in his native county, for his birth occurred in Weissport, on the 29th of January, 1862. His parents were Charles and Rosetta (Klingerman) Henry. The father was a native of Germany, and in that country ac- quired a most excellent education, being gradu- ated from the University of Berlin. At length he determined to seek a home beyond the Atlantic, and crossed the wide ocean to the New World. He landed at New York City, whence he made his way to Weissport, Carbon County. When the late war broke out, he entered the Union service, and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg in 1864. His widow still survives him, and is now living with her sister, Mrs. B. Nuss, a resident of Read- ing, Pa.

The Doctor is the fourth in order of birth in the family of five children. In his parents' home the days of his boyhood and youth were passed, and in the public schools of Barnesville, Schuyl- kill County, Pa., the greater part of his education

was acquired. Afterward, however, he spent sev- eral terms in the Normal School of Kutztown, Pa. Subsequently he engaged in teaching for onc term in Schuylkill County, but abandoned that profes- sion for other pursuits. He was made Assistant Postmaster of Barnesville, which position he filled for several years. Attracted by the science of medicine and wishing to make its practice his life work, he next turned his attention to study in that direction.

Dr. Henry became a medical student in the office of Dr. L. W. Moyer, of Barnesville, under whose direction he continued his reading for two years. When that period was ended he entered the Medico- Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated in May, 1890. Im- mediately afterward he came to Mauch Chunk, opened an office, and has been engaged in general practice up to the present time.

The Doctor is a member of the Carbon County Medical Society, and is serving as a member of the Board of Health from the Second Ward. He keeps abreast with the times, reads and studies exten- sively in the line of his profession, and possesses a reputation for skill and ability which might well be envied by many an older practitioner. Hc now has a good business, which from the beginning has constantly increased, and which yields to him a good income. Socially he belongs to Mauch Chunk Lodge No. 76, I. O. O. F.

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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 38

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