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 47

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 47
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 47
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 47

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After leaving the quarry, Mr. Steitz located on a small tract of land in East Catasauqua, where he engaged in raising garden stuff, which was mar- keted in the city. After being twelve years thus occupied, he spent the following six years as an employe in the foundry of Davies & Thomas. At the expiration of that time he abandoned all other kinds of work, and has since given his entire time to the manufacture of baskets. His residence is located at No. 426 Race Street, and few of the old residents of Fast Catasauqua have been more thoroughly identified with its various interests than he.

To Mr. and Mrs. Steitz were born seven children, namely: Henry G., Christian H., Conrad A., John W .; Augusta D., now Mrs. John Brophy; Franklin I .; and Elizabeth C., the wife of C. J. Deily. In 1872 Mr. Steitz was elected Supervisor of Upper Hanover Township, serving a term of two years. In 1891 he was re-elected to the same position, and lias also held the position of Collector of tliat township. Religiously he is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and is active in all good works in his community. His political adherence is given to the principles of Democracy, and for several

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years he has been a member of the County Com- mittee, and served as delegate to various conven- tions. He is one of those courteous, genial men who have always a high place in the regard of the community in which they reside.

R EV. THOMAS J. HACKER, pastor of the Zion Reformed Church of Allentown, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., September 24, 1854, and is a son of Levi and Harriet ( Ycager) Hacker. He was educated in the public schools of his native country, and in the Franklin and Marshall College, where he pursued his studies for some time. Wishing to take up the work of the minis- try, in 1876 he entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in Lancaster, where he pursued a full course of study, and on the 10th of May, 1879, was graduated from that institution. He had previously engaged in teaching school, in order that he might acquire the necessary means with which to acquire a theological education. When he had completed his collegiate course he was ordained for the ministry of the Reformed Church, on the 17th of July, 1879, and received and ac- cepted a call from St. John's Reformed Church of Shamokin, Pa. He at once entered upon the du- ties of the pastorate, and continued there for eleven years and four months. He won not only the love of his own people, but thic esteem and confidence of those of other denominations, and the church was materially increased and strengthened during his ministry, the membership growing from one hundred and seventy-six to seven hundred and twenty. While there he organized the Northumber- land County Sunday-school Association, and for three years served as its President, doing effective work in that capacity.

On the 28th of October, 1890, Mr. Hacker came to Allentown, as pastor of the Zion Reformed Church of this city, which was organized as early as 1762. The church has a membership of seven hundred and fifty, and under his leadership it is

increasing. It is in good working condition, the services are well attended, and pastor and people are in harmony with one another, so that great good can be accomplished. The present structure is a fine stone edifice, and is neatly and tastefully furnished with all that pertains to such a building.

In the year 1875 Mr. Hacker was united in mar- riage with Miss Susan E. Meckley, daughter of William Meckley, of Lancaster County, Pa. Their union has been blessed with one son, Oswald W., who is still at home with his parents. Mrs. Hacker has proved a faithful companion and helpmate to her husband in various lines of church work, and wherever she goes she wins many warm friends on account of her excellences of character. Mr. Hacker is a good speaker, studies deeply, and the high re- gard in which he is held by the members of his congregation is shown by his long continuance with the different churches with which he has been connected. He has on several occasions repre- sen ted the church on the floor of the General Synod, and is filling his second term as a member of the Board of Home Missions of the Reformed Church.

YRUS KUNTZ, of Allentown, has been for over twenty years a resident of this place, and as a newspaper man has been active and earnest in the development and progress of the city. He was born October 7, 1853, in Slating- ton, Lehigh County, where he was reared to man- hood. After receiving a good general education he commenced his business career by working as a compositor on the News of that town, and subse- quently on the Morning Herald of Allentown. La- ter he was a reporter on the Herald, and became editor of the Allentown Item when it was started, some seventeen years ago in January.

When a few years had passed Mr. Kuntz became a partner in the publication of The Item, and in 1890, his partner having died, he purchased his in- terest and has since that time been sole owner and publisher of the paper, It is the daily Democratic

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journal of the city and county, and has a large circulation in this locality. The paper wields no small influence in molding the opinions of the peo- ple on all subjects, particularly on political ques- tions. Mr. Kuntz learned the rudiments of his trade as a printer in the Slatington News office. The Item is a four-page paper, 273x44 inches, and having nine columns to a page.

The marriage of Mr. Kuntz was celebrated in Allentown in 1880, his wife being Laura M., a daughter of the late Stephen Dornblaser. Hus- band and wife are members of St. Michael's Luth- eran Church. Fraternally Mr. Kuntz is identi- fied with several scoret societies. He is a mem- ber of the Board of Trade, and Treasurer of the Lehigh Valley Editorial Association. He is also a Director of the Mechanical Loan and Building Asso- ciation. The father of our subject was Moses Kuntz, who was born in 1827, and was a well-to-do busi- ness man of Slatington. On arriving at a suitable age he was united in marriage with Miss Leah Wert, whose father, Conrad Wert, was a resident of Lehigh County, and one of the early settlers and farmers in the northern part of the county.

J AMES W. MICKLEY, who is now deceased, came of an old and prominent family in Le- high County, who traced their ancestry back to John Jacob Michielet, a Huguenot, who emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War. During that conflict he conveyed the old Liberty bell in his wagon when it was taken from Philadelphia to Allentown and hidden under the floor of the old Reformed Church in order to se- cure it from the British.

Jacob Mickley, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in Whitehall Township, March 27, 1794. His father, Jacob Mickley, Sr., participated in the Revolutionary War, and was a son of John Jacob Mickley, who was born in Le- high County. His father, who also bore the name

of John Jacob, was born in Alsace, France. The father of our subject in 1826 purchased the home farm, which he operated, and in 1851 he erected thereon a good dwelling, in which he lived until his death, in 1888. His good wife, Mrs. Anna (Kern) Mickley, departed this life in 1880.

James W. Mickley was reared on that farm, and early in life removed to Allentown. While there engaging as a clerk in a store, his leg was very seriously hurt, and he was obliged to go to St. Jo- seph's Catholic Hospital in Philadelphia, where it was amputated. After recovering he came to Cata- sauqua, where he was teller in the National Bank and later worked in the interests of the Thomas Iron Company, being Superintendent of the ore beds located at Hokendauqua. Later he became a stockholder in that company, with which he was connected until his decease.

Mr. Mickley was a public-spirited man, who gave his aid and influence for the promotion of every enterprise which would benefit the community. He was particularly interested in educational work, and together with his brother Edward, secured the introduction of free books into the public schools. He was a Republican in politics, and represented his party at state conventions, and presided over the county conventions. He was very popular in Allentown and this city, and his death, which oc- curred in 1880, was deeply felt by his many friends in this locality. He was very patriotic in senti- ment and action, and during the late war, when Pennsylvania was threatened by the enemy, he cn- tered the service and was given a place in the com- missary department. He lived an honorable and upright life, and was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church in Hokendauqua.

The lady to whom our subject was married, September 30, 1862, was Miss Annie Cooper. She was born in Mauch Chunk, and was the daughter of Andrew Cooper, one of the old settlers of that place, and one of the contractors in the building of the canal. He died when quite young. The mother of Mrs. Mickley was prior to her marriage Miss Eliza Kohler, and her ancestors were also French Huguenots. Mrs. Mickley was the young- est but one in a family of five children, and was reared in her native place, but later came to Cata-

JOSEPH A. RICE.

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sauqua to make her home with her sister, Mrs. Lau- bach. One of her brothers, Charles Cooper, cn- listed in 1862 in the navy under Admiral Farragut. and is now an officer in the United States navy. Sinee the death of her husband Mrs. Miekley has made her home in this city, having a comfortable residence located on the corner of Third and Pine Streets. She has three children, Mabel, Fred and Ralph. Like her husband, she is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

OSEPH ALEXANDER RICE. The Rice fam- ily, native to the British Isles, dates back with certainty over four hundred years. Jus- tin Winsor, Librarian of Harvard College, in his monograph on Columbus, gives the name of one Irishman, William Rice, as a member of his party who discovered America in 1492. Edmund Riee, born in England in 1594, and who settled in Massa- chusetts in 1638, was the progenitor of the New England branch of the family.

The paternal ancestors of the subjcet of our sketeh are first: Rev. Owen Rice, born at Haverford West in Wales, who came to America in 1742; see- ond: Rev. David Heekewelder, born at Zauehten- thal, Moravia, in 1711, who came to America in 1754. On the maternal side are, first: Michael Lei- bert, who emigrated from Germany to America in 1727; and second: Martin Nitchmann, who was born in Zauehtenthal, Moravia, in 1714, and who came to America in 1749. Martin Nitchmann was a relative of Father David Nitchmann, who felled the first tree to build the first house of Bethlehem, Pa., in 1741.

Joseph Rice (born 1785, died 1831), grandson of Rev. Owen Riee, and grandfather of Joseph Al- exander Rice, married Ann Salome Hcekewelder, who was born August 13, 1784, and died January 15, 1857. Her father, Rev. John Heckewelder, was

the distinguished missionary to the Indians, and the friend of the leading statesmen and generals of our country in the years immediately after the Revolutionary War. Aun Salome Heekewelder was the first white child born in what is now the state of Wisconsin. Joseph Riee, with his four brothers, graduated from the store of his father, Owen Rice (second). Besides filling positions of trust in the Moravian Church, he was appointed Postmaster by the Federal Government, and by the Governor of the state to the life-tenure office of Justice of the Peaee.

James Alexander Riee, son of Joseph and father of Joseph Alexander, was born Mareh 8, 1814, and died September 9, 1850. At eleven years of age he entered his unele's store, was later admitted as a partner, and in 1844 set up for himself in a busi- ness which was marked with success from the start. He was one of the most progressive men of his day in church, politics and business. An ar- dent Whig, he was appointed Postmaster by Presi- dent Zachary Taylor in 1848. He was removed from earth by typhoid fever in 1850, when in the prime of life. In 1839 he was united in marriage with Charlotte Josephine Leibert, who was born in 1813 and died in 1884, being a daughter of Joseph and Rebeeea (Nitehmann) Leibert. Her mother was the granddaughter of Rev. Martin Nitehmann, who with his wife, Susannah, lost their lives for the Gospel in the Gnadenhutten massacre by the Indians on the Mahoning, near Lehighton, Carbon County, Pa., in November, 1755. He was thus closely related by birth and by marriage with the Nitchmann and Heckewelder families, names than which none others in the annals of the American . Moravian Church stand higher for self-sacrifieing labors and signal triumphs in the extension of the old cause, for the sake of which the Nitehmanns and the Heckcwelders of the preceding generations forsook their houses and their farms in Moravia, to escape the Austrian tyranny which had crushed out the Protestantism of Huss and Comenius.

At his death James Alexander Rice left a widow and four children. The widow succeeded her hus- band to the Postmastership of Bethlehem, and held it until the expiration of the term. Two sons, William Henry and Joseph Alexander, represent

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the fifth generation in a direct line from the first ancestor of the family in America. William Henry has followed the profession of Owen Rice (first), that of a clergyman, and is now pastor of the New York church ministered to by his ancestor one hun- dred and fifty years ago.

Like his father and great-grandfather, Joseph A. Rice is a merchant. He was born March 28, 1844, and was educated in the parochial school of the Moravian Church in Bethlehem, both in its general and academical departments. As is well known, this church, both in Europe and America, has an enviable reputation for the high standard of its educational establishments. In 1860 he entered the store founded by his ancestor in 1822, and at that time conducted by his father's successor, John Lerch. He was thoroughly trained in business, and was admitted as a partner in 1865, before he was quite of age. In 1871 he built a new store, in accordance with modern ideas, and in 1883 its capacity was greatly enlarged. He remained a partner of John Lerch for twenty-one years, until the latter's death in 1886.

A partnership with Frank J. Lerch was entered upon in 1886, and in 1891 Mr. Rice erected an cn- tirely new store building on the site of the original Bee Hive. This structure is 50x180 feet, with three stories and highi basement, and is recognized as a model of its kind. A corner-stone was laid with interesting ceremonies in the spring of 1891, and in December of the same year the opening of the new building took place in the presence of an immense crowd. The firm is now The Lerch & Rice Company, and is well and favorably known in city and country. A successful and increasing business is conducted on the very spot where the little village store was founded in 1822 by Owen Rice (third).

Joseph A. Rice is a man of intense activity and force of character. When a young man of only fifteen years, he took a decided interest in Sunday- school and Young Men's Christian Association affairs, and for twenty-five years he was a leading spirit in these organizations. He was Superintend- ent of the Sunday-school connected with his church, the largest in the town, and managed it for years with signal success. For seventeen years he was

Secretary of the American Moravian Board of Church Extension, and for five years served as Secretary of the School Board of his church, and was active in raising the standard of this educa- tional institution.

In 1888 the synod of the Moravian Church in America appointed Mr. Rice a member of a special committee to raise funds to erect a new theological seminary. He was elected Secretary of the com- mittee, and it was largely owing to his enthusiastic leadership in this work of his life that the com- mittee was able to present to the synod of 1892 a new theological institution, free from debt, the value of which at its completion was at least $80- 000.

As a citizen, Mr. Rice is intensely patriotic and progressive. An ardent Republican from princi- ple and a thorough protectionist, he is not afraid to assert liis independence of party, if the occasion, in his judgment, demands it. He has never filled any political office nor desired to do so. His war record is limited to an enlistment in the Fifth Penn- sylvania Militia, called into service in 1862 during the invasion of Pennsylvania by the rebels. He was a private in Company D, Capt. Joseph Peters, and enlisted from Bethlehem.

In 1866 Mr. Rice married Miss Mary Christina, daughter of the late Rev. Edward Rondthaler. She was born in 1846 and died in 1885, leaving three children, namely: Robert Huntington, who was born November 4, 1879; Louise Josephine and Isa- belle Christine (twins), born October 5, 1882. In 1887, in Bethlehem, Mr. Rice was united in mar- riage with Miss Emma Julia Rondthaler, who was born October 27, 1855, and is a daughter of the late Rev. Ambrose Rondthaler, a distinguished edu- cator, and the former Principal of the Moravian parochial school. By this marriage Mr. Rice lias had three children, of whom one son, Owen Rond- thaler, born October 10, 1893, is living.

A recent event of great interest was the reunion of the Class of '59, of which Mr. Rice was a mem- ber. Out of nine members, seven are living, five of whom complete their fiftieth year in 1894, and the other two in the year 1895. An interesting item brought out on this occasion was the fact that all are doing well, and that no cloud darkened the

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record of any member of the class, a result largely attributed to the faithful work and happy influence of their preceptor, the late Rev. Ambrose Rond- thaler.

D ANIEL PETERS. All people of true sensi- bility and a just regard for the memory of those who have departed this life cherish the details of the histories of those whose careers have been marked by uprightness and truth, and whose lives have been filled with acts of useful- ness. Such a man was Danicl Peters, formerly a resident of North Whitehall Township, this coun- ty. He was born in Washington Township, De- cember 4, 1833, and was the son of Daniel and Maria (Fenstermacher) Peters. Further mention of the parents will be made in the sketch of Neri Peters, of Egypt, this state, who is a brother of our subject.

The subject of this sketch passed the first six- teen years of his life in Washington Township. During his boyhood days he aided in the im- provement of the farm, and when opportunity al- lowed attended the district schools, where he gained the rudiments of his education. He was deprived of the care of his parents by death when six years of age, and remained in his native place for ten years thereafter; he then came to Whitehall Town- ship and began working at the boot and shoe trade. After thoroughly mastering this industry he owned and conducted a shop of his own in this township, in which he was fairly successful.

When ready to establish a home of his own, Daniel Peters was married, January 17, 1858, to Miss Susannah Bertsch, who was born in this township January 30, 1839. The lady was the daughter of John and Susannah (Guth) Bertsch, the former of whom was born in Northampton County, and the latter was a native of this coun- ty. Mrs. Bertsch died October 19, 1869, and her husband survived her until November 13, 1875, passing away when past eighty years of agc. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Peters who survive are

John, Reuben, Thomas, Daniel, Eli; Elizabeth, the widow of William Saeger; and Sarah, the wife of Samuel Kuntz.

Our subject was a devoted member of the Re- formed Church of Egypt, and during his life held most of the official positions in that body. He was a firm believer in the political doctrines of the Republican party, and therefore cast his vote with that element. He was successful in his occupa- tion as an agriculturist, and left a good estate, upon which his widow still resides. He gave his aid to all public measures having for their object the promotion of the welfare of the people, and when called from time to eternity, May 12, 1890, was mourned by a large circle of friends.

T HOMAS RITTER, deceased. Perhaps there is no name more familiarly or favorably known in Lehigh County than the one above mentioned. This is not alone due to the fact that its owners have been residents of the county for years, but is also true for the reason that the name has been very intimately associated with the moral, social and financial growth of the county.

Thomas Ritter was born in this county May 9, 1808, and was a son of Hon. Michael and Mar- garet (Orner) Ritter, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was the founder of the village of Rittersville, where he was a promi- nent business man and kept a hotel for many years. He led a busy and useful life, and was a self-made man, who through his own efforts achieved success. He died March 17, 1854, greatly mourned by all who knew him.

The subject of this sketch passed his entire life in Rittersville, and for many years was a promi- nent farmer in that locality. In 1881 he aban- doned the life of an agriculturist, and two years later was called hence. He was preceded to the better land by his good wife, who died in 1881. 1

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The latter prior to her marriage was Miss Anna Maria, daughter of Christian Queer. By her union with our subject she became the mother of three children, of whom Sarah M. is the only survivor. Those deceased are Amelia and Asher T. The elder daughter was born November 25, 1833, in this county, and received a good education for that early day.

When the father of our subject first located in the village which afterward bore his name the country round about was thinly settled and In- dians were very numerous in the neighborhood. He bore his share in the upbuilding and develop- ment of the county, and was ever found in the front rank of those enterprises calculated to pro- mote the general welfare. In 1828 he was elected to the Legislature on the Democratic ticket. His many exeellences of character won for him high regard, and his friends throughout the community were very inany.

LMER O. REYER, a prominent young at- torney of Northampton County, has thus far in life made a pronounced success in his profession. It often seems that the younger inen outstrip their elders in the race for profes- sional and political honors, the energy and activ- ity of youth frequently carrying them forward with a bound to the desired goal, which it has taken others years of patient application to reach. In Mr. Reyer's case the energy and activity have been supplemented by decided talent, so that his success has hardly come as a surprise to those ac- quainted with him.

In noting the family history of Mr. Reyer, wc find that he is the son of Aaron and Christiana (Beil) Reyer, both of whom were born in North- ampton County. The father was for some time engaged in the coal, lime and limestone business, and, being a man of foresight and diserimination, was enabled to give his family good advantages,

and accumulated considerable wealth. Now in the sixtieth year of his age (1894), he is liv- ing retired from the active duties of life, and at present resides in Allen Township, near the village of Northampton. In polities he is a loyal Demo- crat, and has been the incumbent of many posi- tions of honor and trust within the gift of his fellow-citizens to bestow. In his religious belief he is a valued member of the Reformed Church.

Conrad Reyer, the father of Aaron Reyer, at the time of his death, and for more than twenty-five years previous, was a Justice of the Peace, and such was his ability as a judicial officer, and so thorough his knowledge of the law and procedure, that his clientage extended to the furthermost ends of Northampton County, and was almost as large as that of the best lawyer. His practice was not limited to cases governed by the laws of Penn- sylvania, but as correspondent of law firms in dif- ferent parts of the German Empire lie acquired an extensive knowledge of law and practice in many of the German states.

The subject of this article was born in North- ampton County, June 14, 1865. His primary studies were carried on in the common schools of the district, and later he became a student in Muli- lenberg College, where he remained for four years. In this way he acquired a thorough and complete literary education. It had from youth been his intention to adopt a professional career, and as soon as his literary studies were finished he en- tered the law office of Judge O. H. Meyers, of Easton, this state, under whose instruction he pur- sued his reading for three years. Then passing the required examination, he was admitted to practice at the Bar of the county. In the fall of 1889 he opened an office in Easton, where he re- mained until 1893, but at that time, deciding that Northampton offered better opportunities for fu- ture success, he removed to this place, where he is now numbered among the leading professional men.

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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 47

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