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 50

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 50
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 50
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 50

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The subject of this sketch was born June 3, 1846. Growing to manhood upon the farm, his early years were passed quietly. He acquired in youth the habits of industry and perseverance in whatever he undertook, which have been among his most marked characteristics. Naturally studi- ous, he made the best of his educational advan- tages, and is recognized as a man of intelligence and general information. He has always been in favor of giving to children the best possible school privileges, and of elevating the educational sys- tem in this country in every practicable way. On starting out in life for himself he turned his atten- tion to farm work very naturally, as he had served a good apprenticeship in that calling. His farm now comprises one hundred and thirty-seven acres of valuable land, which he has placed under good cultivation.

It was in 1861 that Mr. Steinmetz was joined in marriage with Miss Ellen Beiscl, a well educated and amiable young lady, the daughter of Jonas Beisel, of Nazareth, Pa. One daughter, Jennie S., has come to bless the union of our subject and his

estimable wife. The family are workers in and members of the Lutheran Church. The allegiance of Mr. Steinmetz, in a political sense, is given to the Republican party, and in local politics he takes an active part. In general, he manifests a public spirit and a progressive way of looking at things which is highly commendable, and which makes for the good of the community in which he dwells. As School Director of East Allen Town- ship, he has used his influence in securing good schools and teachers, and in every way does he seek to promote learning, for he believes with many of the wisest men of the age, that in this path, more than any other, lies the solution of the many evils existing. in this country. He is a mem- ber of the Grand Lodge, and among his fellow- townsinen bears an en viable reputation.

OHN G. SCHILLING is one of the represen- tative farmers of Allen Township, North- ampton County, and a man of enterprise and influence. Like many of the best residents of this section, he was born across the water in Wurtemberg, Germany, the date thereof being June 5, 1841. He is the son of Henry and Bar- bara (Knoedler) Schilling, who were also natives of the Fatherland, where the inother passed away when John G. was only four years of age. The father emigrated to the United States about 1850, and lived in the state of New York until 1854, when he came to Pennsylvania, first locating in Bethlehem.

In 1854, when a lad of thirteen years, young Schilling crossed the Atlantic alone. taking passage on a sailing-vessel at Harve, France, and after a voyage of forty-one days, landed in New York, July 21, 1854. Thence he came direct to Bethle- hem, where he joined his father. Since coming to America he has acquired a good English education, and when nineteen years of age learned the trade of a miller, and spent seven years in operating a gristmill. Subsequently he was employed in the

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rolling mills of the Bethlehem Iron Works, where he worked until the spring of 1885, and then set- tled on his present farm in Allen Township. This tract comprises seventy acres under excellent til- lage; he has it stocked with good grades of animals, having a fine herd of Alderney and Guernsey cat- tlc and of Chester-white hogs, and he manages in such a way as to bring him the best results.

Mr. Schilling was united in marriage in 1865, with Miss Catherine Knauss, and by her has be- come the father of four children: George, Charles, John and James, of whom the latter is deceased. The wife and mother passed away June 15, 1873, and Mr. Schilling was married a second time, the lady on this occasion being Miss Anna Maria Dech, daughter of Joseph C. Dech. She was born in Northampton County, April 8, 1843. To them have been born five children: Joseph, Arthur E .; Henry, deceased; Robert and Annie M.

Mr. Schilling is truly a self-made man; in poli- tics is an ardent Democrat, and takes great interest in political matters; and, as one of the enterpris- ing farmers of this section, is highly esteemed by all who know him.

M OSES FLEXER, a retired farmer of Allen- town, Pa., was born in South Whitehall, Lehigh County, May 18, 1826, and is a son of John Flexer. The grandfather also bore the naine of John Flexer, and was of German de- scent. The father was born in South Whitehall in 1795, and made farming his life work. Having at- tained to mature years, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Reinhart, a native of Berks County, Pa., and a daughter of John Reinhart. Mr. Flexer followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1868, at quite an advanced age. His wife survived him some time and passed away in 1880. This worthy couple were the parents of three children: Moses, whose name heads this sketch; and David W. and James R., who are well known farmers of Lehigh County.

Moses Flexer acquired his education in the com- mon schools, which he attended through the win-

ter season, while in the summer months he aided his father in the labors of the farm. He thus be- came familiar with farm work in all its details, and under the parental roof he remained until he had attained his majority, when he left home and began agricultural pursuits in his own interest. He rented land in Salisbury Township, and there engaged in the raising of grain for some time, but subsequently purchased the old Flexer homestead, comprising eighty-nine acres of valuable land. This be placed under a high state of cultivation, and the well tilled fields yielded a golden tribute for the care and cultivation of the owner.

In 1854 Mr. Flexer was joined in wedlock with Miss Matilda Held, of Whitehall, daughter of John Held, and by their union were born four children. E. Amanda, who was the wife of Tilghman Kem- merer, died in 1878, leaving one daughter, Annie. Sarah is the wife of Oliver Henninger, by whom she has one child, Edna. Amelia C. is at home; and Edwin J. F. is deceased. The family reside at No. 920 West Walnut Street, where they have a pleas- ant and comfortable residence. The parents are both members of St. Michael's Lutheran Church.

Mr. Flexer continued upon his farm until 1873, when he came to Allentown and began business as a dealer in agricultural implements, forming a part- nership with F. W. Henninger, under the firm name of Henninger & Flexer. They carried all kinds of farm machinery, having a well stocked establishment, and enjoyed a good trade, but at length Mr. Flexer disposed of his interest in the business to T. H. Biery, since which time he has lived a retired life, enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves. He has some good property, including his home, a store which he rents, and a valuable farm of ninety-three acres in Upper Macungie Township, well improved. This yields to himn a good income, and he is recog- nized as one of the substantial citizens of the com- munity. He began life without capital, but has steadily worked his way upward, overcoming the obstacles and difficulties in his path by persistent effort and unflagging energy. In politics he is a Republican, but has never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business inter-

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ests, in which he has met with signal success. All who know him esteem him highly, and with pleas- ure we present this record of his life to our read- crs.

HARLES C. WEAVER, a representative citizen and the popular ex-Supervisor of Allentown City, is recognized as a man of executive ability and clear judgment, and as an official has rendered valuable service to the gen- eral public, and efficiently conducted the duties entrusted to his care, thus commanding the respect and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. He was born near Easton, Northampton County, thisstate, April 12, 1830, and is the son of Charles and Catherine (Hummel) Weaver, who were both natives of the above county. The father, a tanner and finisher by trade, was a man prominent in the affairs of his section, and departed this life in 1881. His father was Valentine Weaver, a native of Ger- many, who emigrated to America and died in Northampton County.

Charles C. Weaver, of this sketch, was the third child in order of birth in his parents' family of nine children, eight of whom lived to attain ma- ture years. Valentine, the eldest of the family, is now deceased, his deatlı occurring suddenly while residing in Catasauqua, in November, 1893; and Anna is also deceased. Those besides our subject are Malinda, Frances, Emma, Benjamin and Hil- Liard.

The subject of this sketch received his first school- ing at Mellor, where his parents were residing, and after prosecuting his studies for a number of years left the schoolroom and began to work out on neighboring farms, which occupation he continued until reaching his twentieth year. He then moved to Plymouth, and from there to Wilkes Barre, this state, where he was engaged until 1865, the date of his removal to Allentown.

Deeply interested in all matters pertaining to local and national interests, Mr. Weaver is a man

of the people, ever ready to lend a helping hand in the promotion of material advancement and public enterprises. In 1890 he was elected Super- visor of Allentown under Mayor Lehr, and was the incumbent of the position for two years.

September 27, 1857, Mr. Weaver and Miss Mar- tha Prengle were united in marriage. The lady was born in Plymouth, this state, and was the daughter of John and Phoebe Prengle. By her union with our subject she became the mother of nine children, of whom those living are William C., John B., Franklin D., Lizzie May, Gertrude B., Valentine W. and Ruth C. Alfred and Burton are deceased.

In his political relations, Mr. Weaver is a stanch adherent of Democratic principles, and is a leader of his party in this section. He is a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of the most highly esteemed residents of Allentown, where he has resided for so many years.

R OBERT YOTTER, a prominent business man and leading merchant of Freemans- burg, Northampton County, Pa., is one of America's own sons, having been born and reared in the state of Pennsylvania. His birth occurred October 20, 1859. in the home of his parents, at Freemansburg. The latter, Irvin and Caroline (Kromar) Yotter, were also natives of Northamp- ton County. Irvin Yotter was a son of Jolin and Sarah Yotter, pioneers of the Lehigh Valley. They came to this county in an early day, when there were very few inhabitants in the section where the town of Frecmansburg now stands. The beauti- ful little village had no existence, its site being a wild uncultivated territory. In his youth and early manhood, Irvin Yotter was a boatman on the Lehigh Canal, owning and running a boat for many years. He afterward became engaged in mercantile pursuits, and for over twenty years was one of the leading business men of Freemansburg. He held several offices of trust at different times, having served as Councilman, Assessor and Tax

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Collector. He was a Republican in politics, and was well known and highly respected in his locality. He departed this life April 1, 1892. Of his children, the subject of this sketch alone survives.

Robert Yotter received a common-school educa- tion in the public schools of his childhood's home, and when quite young spent several years on the canal with his father, assisting him in the arduous duties of the life of a boatman. When Mr. Yotter gave up that occupation and embarked in his mercantile career, Robert became head clerk and his father's right hand man. Always courteous and attentive, he gained the respect and confidence of their many customers, and held a high position in social circles. At the death of his father, our subject became sole proprietor of the store, and at the present time is doing a profitable and success- ful business. He carries a line of general merchan- dise, consisting of groceries, all kinds of feed, and a complete stock of canal supplies, such as are used by boatmen in their occupation. He has served as Auditor and Tax Collector of the borough of Freemansburg, and at present is a member of the Board of Hcaltlı.

Fraternally our subject is associated with the Masonic order at Bethlehem. A stanchi Republi- can in politics, he is well posted on the issues of the day, and is deeply interested in local and nat- ional affairs. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and is actively engaged in all good work and benevolent enterprises of the community. He is widely known as a business man of ability and sterling integrity, and commands the estcem of his fellow-citizens, with whom he is identified in every public enterprise of importance.

DGAR J. LUMLEY, senior member of the firm of Lumley & Schuon, dealers in ice, coal and wood, has his office at the corner of Third and Linden Streets in Allentown. He was born in this city, September 12, 1858, and is the son of Howard Lumley, a native of Otsego County, N. Y., where he was engaged in agricult-

ural pursuits. The latter is now living in this city, where he holds the position of Commissioner of Highways, and is engaged in paving the various streets. He is the son of John Lumley, a native of England, who came to the United States and located in Cherry Valley, in the above county in New York, where he carried on farm pursuits.

The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary M. Albright. She was born in this county, and was the daughter of Jacob Albright, one of the largest contractors and builders in this county. The Albright family is of German ancestry. When only three years of age, our subject was taken by his parents to Otsego County, N. Y., where he at- tended the common schools, and remained until the age of eleven, when the family returned to Allentown. He completed his education in the public schools in this city, after which he took a course in the Allentown Business College.

Our subject began his business career by embark- ing in the manufacture of soap and candles, which he carried on in partnership with his father, under the name of Lumley & Son. This connection lasted until 1887, when Edgar J. disposed of his interest, and in May of that year accepted the position of shipping clerk in the freight depart- ment of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, which he held until September, 1889. On the 16th of that month he became manager of Charles II. Schimpf's ice business, and in March, 1890, formed a partnership with Messrs. Schimpf and Schuon, in the business of handling ice, coal and wood. Mr. Schimpf's interest being withdrawn, the firm is now known by its present title. The firm have a large ice-house, stored with natural icc, and in con- nection with retailing ice they handle quantities of coal and wood, selling about thirty thousand tons of coal per year.

In politics Mr. Lumley is a strong Republican, and in 1881 he was elected on that ticket to the Common Council, representing the First Ward. He has been elected three times successively, and has thus served the public in that capacity for five years. In 1886 he was elected to the Select Coun- cil, of which position he is still the incumbent. Although he has been in the Council for a period of thirteen years, he can truthfully say that he has

PHILIP STORM.

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never missed a meeting, and has at all times given his support to measures calculated for the public good. Socially our subject belongs to Lodge No. 383, I. O. O. F .; Lochawonk Tribe No. 201, Red Men of America; Washington Chamber No. 18, O. K. of F .; and the Local Haymakers' Association. He is an active member of the Allentown Fire Com- pany, of which he has been Treasurer for the past four years.

In September, 1881, Mr. Lumley was married to Miss Emma, daughter of ex-Mayor Herman Schuon. The latter was born in Germany, and on emigrating to America in 1846 located in Allentown, where he is still residing, together with his good wife, who prior to her marriage was Matilda Schimpf. Our subject and his wife have an adopted daugh- ter, Florence Henrietta Deck, who is attending school.

HILIP STORM, one of the early settlers of Catasauqua, is now retired from active business, having amassed a comfortable for- tune as the result of his successful investments and management of his former business interests. He is highly respected by all, and is known as a loyal citizen and a liberal, open-hearted man, who is in touch with all movements having for their object the benefit of his countrymen. A valiant soldier of the late war, he has ever been loyal to the Union. In politics he is a Republican, and for four years served as Burgess.

John Storm, the father of our subject, was born in Bavaria, where he followed agricultural pur- suits, and was also interested in wine, wheat, to- bacco and hops. His death occurred in 1832. His wife, Elizabeth (Shaffer) Storm, a native of the same locality, also died in Bavaria. They were the parents of eight children, of whom our subject is the youngest and only one now living. He was born on the Rhine, in Bavaria, September 12, 1829, and received a good education in his mother tongue. At the age of fourteen he was appren- ticed to learn the tailor's trade, at which he worked

until eighteen years of age. In 1848 he left Ant- werp in a sailing-vessel, and at the end of fifty days landed in New York City. He proceeded to Elizabethtown, and from there came to Catasauqua, being obliged to walk the entire distance, as he was without means. Obtaining work on the canal, he was under the supervision of Nathan Van Horn for a time. The same year he went to Mauch Chunk, where for nine years he loaded coal on the boats along the wharf. In 1858 he returned to Catasauqua, and was employed in the limestone quarries until the war.

In October, 1862, Mr. Storm enlisted in Com- pany D, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, being mustered in for nine months' service. He was sent to Virginia, where he did provost duty at Suffolk and Norfolk, continuing in the service until Angust 18, 1863, when he was mustered out at Philadelphia. Returning home, he obtained a position with the Catasauqua Manu- facturing Company as foreman outside the store- house, the scales being in his charge. He helped to build the mill which was completed in Decem- ber, 1863, and remained foreman until 1889, when he started out on the road as the representative of the company, buying and selling scrap iron. He traveled through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Dela- ware and New York, shipping iron from all points. This department of the trade he carried on for himself, buying and shipping iron, and then sell- ing it to the firm on contract. He made a fine success of this enterprise, the business running up to about $85,000 a year. Since 1889 he has been retired from business, and in 1892 built his bean- tiful residence at the corner of Lehigh and Bridge Streets. He has also erected five other residences in this place, the finest in the western part of the city, and also owns two nice homes in the main part of Catasauqua.

In 1851 Mr. Storm married Gertrude Koch, who was born in Germany, and died in 1883. They were the parents of five children: John, whose death occurred in Catasauqua; William, who is in the iron business in Pottsville; Sarah, Mrs. A. Sei- fricd, of this city; Mary, the wife of P. Grishert, a telegraph operator; and Lavina, Mrs. Heckman, of Catasauqua. The second marriage of Mr. Storm

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occurred in this city October 9, 1883, Sarah A. (Trollinger) Miller, a native of Allentown, becom- ing his wife. Her father, the late Samuel Troll- inger, was born in Doylestown, Pa., and was a mason and contractor. His wife was in her girl- hood Mary Hoffert, and her birth occurred in Beth- leliem. Mrs. Storm was first married to John P. Miller, who at one time served as Sheriff, and also conducted a lumber business in Allentown. They had one child, Emma, Mrs. Cooper, of Pottsville.

For three years Philip Storm was a member of the Council, was elected Burgess in 1881, and re- elected the three successive years. A Republican of the truest stripe, Mr. Storm has been active in the workings of the party. At the county con- vention of 1875, he was honored by being nomi- nated for Sheriff, but the party was in the minority, thoughi he ran four hundred votes ahead of his ticket on election. Fraternally lie belongs to the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch Masons, and Allen Commandery No. 20, K. T. He is also connected with Fuller Post No. 378, G. A. R. Active in the work of the Lutheran Church, he has served the congregation to which he belongs as Elder. In 1874 he made a journey to his native land, traveling extensively and re- newing his acquaintance with his boyhood's home, being gone about three months on the trip.

H ARRY O. DUERR, who is General Mana- ger of the Lehigh Valley Construction Company, is a successful contractor and las excellent business ability. He has contracted for and built many of the important enterprises in the Lehigh Valley, and in 1893 organized the Lehiglı Valley Construction Company, of which he is man- ager. The place of our subject's nativity was Cleveland, Ohio, and the date of his birth May 11, 1866.

J. W. C. Duerr, our subject's father, was born in Baden Baden, Germany, and came to America at the age of twenty-two years. He was educated in Berne, Switzerland, and after his arrival in the

United States attended the Episcopal Seminary at Gambier, Ohio, under Bishop Chase. On his grad- uation he was ordained a minister in the Episcopal Church, and after graduating located in Cleveland, where for twenty-one years he was pastor of Christ's Episcopal Church. At the end of that time, on account of poor health, he was obliged to retire from the ministry. His home is now near Mansfield, Ohio, where he occasionally preaches. In his early manhood lie was for a year and a-half a missionary to Cape Palmas, Africa, and has trav- eled extensively, having made several trips to Europe. He has known many notable persons, and was a personal friend of Senator Jolin Sherman. His wife, Emily, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., and is a daughter of Henry Princehorn, who was born in the Fatherland, and became one of the early manufacturers of carriages and coffins in Ohio. His death occurred in 1874, at Massillon. Mr. and Mrs. Duerr became the parents of five chil- dren, of whom Harry is the eldest.

The boyhood of our subject was passed in the Forest City, where he gained a superior education, afterward becoming enrolled as a student in Har- court Place Academy, and Kenyon Military Acad- emy in Gambier, Ohio. He was graduated from that institution in 1886, and then entered Lehigh University, where he took a special course in chem- istry for one year. He afterward entered the em- ploy of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, in the topo- graphical department, laying out the line near Wilkes Barre and the new road to Buffalo, and was thus occupied for nearly a year. Later he was em- ployed by the King Bridge Company, of Cleveland, as draftsman in the shops. He was then in the estimating and designing department of the Edge- moor Bridge Works, of Edgemoor, Del., as drafts- inan and engineer for a period of two years. His next position was with the firm of Cofrode & Sailor at Pottstown, where he was engineer in charge of the designing, and after leaving theni he went to Toledo. In Toledo he helped to organize the To- ledo Bridge Company, incorporated, which bought out the old Smith Bridge Company. The company continued the business, enlarging it extensively, until it had a capital stock of $100,000. Of this large concern Mr. Duerr was the engineer for about

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one year. In July, 1892, he went to Philadelphia, where lie engaged in contracting until the spring of the following year, when he located in Bethle- hen, and has since been engaged in general con- tracting and building in the Lehigh Valley, his work being mainly for the Lehigh Valley and the New Jersey Central Railroads.

Among other contracts that Mr. Duerr has taken and executed is the Hokendauqua Bridge, built in 1893 over the Lehigh River, and which is nine hundred feet long and thirty feet wide. He also took the contract for the Gettysburg Electric Rail- road at Gettysburg, Pa., the chain dam, and other lines of the Easton Transit Company; the bridge over the Central Railroad tracks, Main Street, Phil- lipsburg; the boiler house for the Thomas Iron Company, and a large iron building for the zinc works, as well as a large amount of miscellaneous work.

In 1889 Mr. Duerr was married in Bethlehem to Miss Stella Merit Abbott, who was born in Sum- mit Hill and is a lady of fine intellectual attain- ments. She is a daughter of Merit Erskine and Marion (Bartlett) Abbott, the former one of the leading business men of South Bethlehem, and widely and extensively known throughout the state. Mr. and Mrs. Duerr are the parents of a lit- tle daughter, Helen Merit, who is the light of their home. The parents are members of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity and number many warm friends in this city, where they are most favorably known. Politically Mr. Duerr deposits his ballot in favor of the nominees of the Republican party, and ever has the public good deeply at heart. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity, and in the line of his business was formerly a member of the Philadelphia Engineers' Club, to which lie still nominally belongs.

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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 50

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