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 53
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 53
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 53
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tion in 1861. Next going to French Switzerland, he located at Lausanne, where he taught in the Moravian School of that city for one year. In 1862 he was appointed Professor of Latin, Greck, Hebrew and Modern History in Niesky College, and continued in that capacity until 1869, when he was made Vice-President of the college. Later he was ordained a minister in the Moravian Church, and in 1870 received a call to Bethlehem.
Though his first invitation to come to this city was declined, on receiving the second call, in the fall of 1870, Dr. Schultze concluded to accept it, and on becoming connected with the Bethlehem Moravian College took charge of the chairs of Exegetical and Dogmatic Theology and the higher classes in Greek and Hebrew. In 1884 he was made President of the faculty, and still serves in this most responsible position. In 1881 he was elected a member of the Board of Elders of the Moravian Church, which has charge of the general supervision and direction of the Moravian denomi- nation in this country. He was re-elected in 1884 and in 1888, and was Secretary of the board. In 1893 he declined re-election, as he found his time too fully occupied with his other numerous duties. The Doctor was editor of Der Brueder Botschaf- ter, a weekly German paper, being sole cditor from 1884 until 1893, when he resigned. He has also contributed to the literature of his de- nomination in many ways, having been the author of the "German History of Moravian Missions, with Maps and Illustrations," a book of two hun- dred and sixty pages, and an English grammar and vocabulary of the Eskimo language, a work of seventy pages. He published at his own expense the first Danish-Moravian text-book, the "History of the Bethlehem Widows' Society," and "The Books of the Bible, Analyzed."
Our subject was first married in Bethlehem, in 1871, to Miss Julia Reck, who was born herc, and who died in 1874, leaving one son, William, who is a graduate of the Moravian College, and a Pro- fessor at Nazareth Hall. The Doctor was a second time married, in 1876, at Gnadenhutten, Ohio, Miss Addie Peter then becoming his wife. She was born in Gnadenhutten, and received her educa- tion at Hope, Ind., where she taught for several
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years. Her great-great-grandfather, Rev. John F. Peter, was born in Germany, and was a minister of the Moravian Church in Bethlehem, where he died at the age of eighty-three years. One of his sons, David, and two of his brothers removed to Ohio, taking charge of the store of the denomination at Gnadenhutten. Dr. and Mrs. Schultze have bc- come the parents of four children: Clara, who graduated from the parochial schools with honor, delivering the salutatory address; and Frederick, Emily and Agnes, who complete the number.
In 1879 Dr. Schultze was a delegate to the Gen- eral Synod of the Moravian Church in Germany, and made a trip of three months, visiting his old home and traveling in Austria, Italy, etc. At the Mt. Gretna (Pa.) Chautauqua he was Professor of Hebrew in 1893, and the following year was Pro- fessor of Bible Instruction and Hebrew. In 1893 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the Board of Trustees of Lafayette College. Politically he votes with the Republican party.
A very brief record and description of the Mo- ravian College and Theological Seminary may be interesting to many to whom its name has been familiar since its earliest year. This institution was organized in the early part of the century, and in 1838 was removed to Bethlehem, where it continued until 1851. It was later transferred to Nazareth, where it remained for a period of seven years, and was subsequently removed to Bethlehem a second time, where it has remained ever since, and in 1863 was incorporated under its present title. The primary design of this college is to give young men a thorough classical education, and sec- ondly a complete course in theology. The buildings are beautifully situated on a fine plot of ground at the northern edge of the borough, and comprise Comenius Hall, the main building, which contains four classrooms, fifty study rooms, offices, library, receptions rooms, etc .; "The Helen Stadiger Bor- hek Memorial Chapel;" the refectory and the resi- dent professors' house. The second-named building, the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ashton C. Borhek, has a seat- ing capacity of about two hundred and fifty, and is beautiful in design and architecture. Special attention is given to the importance of a thorough
classical training, as it is believed that thoroughiness in the ancient languages is of the utmost importance to young men desiring to devote their lives to ths ministry and to the interpretation of the sacred writings. The regular course is of four years' duration, while that of the theological department covers two years of study. Students who success- fully complete the first-named required course are entitled to the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and on a similar completion of the theological course the degree of Bachelor of Divinity is conferred upon them.
OSEPH E. JONES, a representative citizen and retired agriculturist of Bethlehem Town- ship, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Northampton County, June 3, 1826. He is a son of Joseph and Mary (Butz) Joncs, also natives of Northampton County. Griffith Jones, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Wales, and was one of the first settlers of Beth- lehem Township. He came to this country in 1750, and settled on the farm where our subject now lives. The residence Mr. Jones occupies at the present time is an old-fashioned stone struc- turc, built by his grandfather, Joseph Jones, in 1809. The farm on which it is situated has been the property of the Jones family for almost one hundred and fifty years, four generations having been born, rcared and called away within the walls of that same old stone house.
The subject of this sketch grew to man's estate in Northampton County, spending his boyhood days in work and play the same as all boys of his day were accustomed to do, and taking part in all the games and sports of that primitive time with keen enjoyment. He attended the public schools of his locality, and also the private schools of Bethlehem, thereby gaining a fair education. Be- ing a diligent student and a constant reader, he has kept pacc with the current topics, and is well posted on the local and national issues of the day.
The marriage of Mr. Jones occurred in 1863, and united him with Miss Anna E. Messinger, a
MITCHELL WALTER, M. D.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Pennsylvanian by birth. Two children blessed this happy union, Isabella C. and Flora A. His beloved wife, who for many years was his devoted helpmate and counselor, departed this life Decem- ber 25, 1891, leaving behind her a loving hus- band, daughter, and many warm friends to mourn her loss.
Our subject owns one hundred and seventy- seven aeres of as valuable farm land as ean be found in Bethlehem Township. It is well culti- vated and improved, being stoeked with all the necessary farming implements, and having on it large and commodious outbuildings. Mr. Jones has been a life-long agriculturist, and has been very successful in his chosen occupation. He is spending his deelining years with his daughter Flora on the old Jones homestead, where he has seen so many of life's joys and sorrows, and after a lifetime spent in usefulness and well-doing he is enjoying the rest whichi he so well deserves.
In politics Mr. Jones is a Republican, tried and true, and since casting his first ballot has always upheld the principles for which the party stands. He is an honored member of Salem Lutheran Church at Bethlehem, giving liberally to the sup- port of the same. He takes an active part in be- nevolent enterprises and in all good works of the community, and commands the esteem and confi- dence of all.
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M ITCHELL WALTER, M. D., who is en- gaged in the practice of medicine in South Bethlehem, is one of the rising young physicians of this section. He is a gentle- man of marked enterprise and much ability, and an lionorable and remunerative career lies before him in the field of medieine. He was born in Farmersville, Northampton County, this state, May 2, 1867, and is the son of Dr. B. C. Walter, also a prominent physician of Northampton County, and of whom further mention is made in the sketeh of his son, William Walter, on another page in this volume.
The subject of this sketeh was the third young- est in the parental family and received his primary
education in the public schools of his native place. Later he attended Easton Academy, from which he was graduated in 1887. He then began teaeli- ing sehool, which occupation he followed for two years. In the mean time he devoted his spare moments to the study of medieine, it being liis ambition to follow in the footsteps of his honored father and become a physician. In 1890 he en- tered Jefferson Medieal College, where he took a course of two years. He then became a student in the Medieo-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated with honors in the Class of '93.
Previous to this, however, Dr. Walter had taken a course in the Pennsylvania Hospital and fol- lowed special studies in the Bloekley Hospital. He also took a course in a hospital devoted to the treatment of contagious diseases. Looking about him for a suitable location, he decided to open an offiee in Farmersville. This he did, engaging in practice there until 1894. On the 20th of Feb- ruary, that year, he came to South Bethlehem, where he has an office at No. 23 East Fourth Street.
Being so well equipped for his profession, the Doetor has built up a luerative practice, and is elassed among the skilled surgeons and successful physicians of this part of the county. Religiously he is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. As one of the representative citizens of South Bethlehem, it gives us pleasure to present to our readers this brief sketeh of his life.
A ARON B. LEVERS, who is the oldest brick manufacturer in Bethlehem, is a public- spirited citizen and a very enterprising business man. A native of this city, he is aetive in promoting her welfare, and is thoroughly identi- fied with her best interests.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Riel- ard Levers, was of English deseent, his father hav- ing removed to this country in a very early day. While a resident of England he held the position of Prothonotary. Richard Levers was a soldier in
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the War of 1812, and died from the effects of dis- ease contracted in the service. He was a resident of Easton, and his son, John J., our subject's fa- ther, was born in Northampton County. He was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, and became a resident of Bethlehem, where he engaged in con- tracting and building, constructing bridges and doing general contract work all over the county. About 1830 he started the brickyard now carried on by his son, and continued in this business for over forty years, or until his death, in 1872, when he had attained the age of seventy-two years. His wife, Sarah, was born in Bethleliem Township, and was a daughter of John Reidnaur, also a native of that place. His brother, who was an Aide under Washington in the Revolutionary War, fought in time battle of Brandywine and while in the service lost a leg. Mrs. Levers' father, who was a farmer and millwright, was of German descent, and was the first settler at Conshohocken, Pa., having lo- cated there as early as 1731. Mrs. Sarah Levers died in 1891, at the age of eighty-nine years.
Of the five children of John J. and Saralı Levers only two are now living. A brother, Henry R., donned the blue at the first call from the Presi- dent for troops, becoming a member of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, re-enlisting in the Forty- sixth Regiment, and being finally discharged on ac- count of physical disability. Owen J. was a mein- ber of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Regiment, in which he enlisted for nine months, and after his term had expired re-enlisted in the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, serving under Sherman until the close of the war, and being wounded several times. Both these brothers are now deceased, having died in Bethlehem.
The boyhood of A. B. Levers was passed in at- tendance at the commou schools of Bethlehem, and with his father he learned the trade of brickmak- ing. Much of his time was also devoted to agri- cultural pursuits, his farm comprising one hundred acres. In 1872 he bought out his father's business, on the death of the latter, and has since continued at that occupation. This business was established over sixty years ago, and during this time there has been consumed in its operation clay which covered about a fourth of a mile in extent. In
the works are two kilns, with a capacity of about one hundred and fifty thousand bricks apiece, which are operated by steam-power. Near the kilns is a well about one hundred and twenty feet deep.
Among the organizers of the Bethlehem Fair and Driving Park Association was Mr. Levers, who sold them the site and remains one of the largest stockholders and a Director. This track is the finest half mile-track in the state, and the farm of our subject, which comprises forty acres, adjoins the corporation. The residence of Mr. Levers is at No. 20 North High Street. He was married in this city, in 1860, to Leanora Stocker, who was born in Nazareth, and they have two children: Harry O., of this city, and C. L., wife of C. L. Shimer, also of Bethlehem. The parents are mem- bers of the Moravian Church, and in politics our subject casts his ballot in favor of the Republican party.
T ILGHMAN R. LAUBACH. A lifetime of earnest endeavor in pursuing his chosen calling, coupled with strict integrity and honesty of purpose, has tended to place Mr. Lau- bach among the highly honored and successful business men of Catasauqua, where he has been en- gaged for the last thirty years as a dealer in roofing slate. He is at present residing at No. 745 North Third Street, North Catasauqua, which is just over the line in Allen Township, Northampton County, but all his interests are centered in this city.
Our subject was born in Lehigh Township, this county, August 10, 1842, and is the son of Reuben Laubach, a native of the same county, while his fa- ther, who bore the name of Conrad, was born in Germany. The latter on coming to America made his home in Northampton County, where he spent the remainder of his life. The father of our sub- ject was iu early life a farmer, but on abandoning that pursuit operated a distillery in Allen Town- ship, which was owned by John Laubach. He was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, in the faith of which he died in 1885.
Mrs. Catherine (Spangler) Laubach, our subject's mother, was born in East Allen Township, North-
.
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ampton County, and was the daughter of Daniel Spangler, a farmer of good standing and a resident of Lehigh Township, that county. He was of Eng- lish birth, and lived to be seventy-six years of age. The mother of Mrs. Laubach is likewise deceased. Of the ten children comprised in the parental fam- ily of our subject three sons and three daughters are now living.
Tilghman Laubach, of this sketch, passed the first sixteen years of his life in Allen Township, when he came to Catasauqua, and for four years worked on a farm near the city. In the fall of 1863 he moved into the city and began work as a slate- roofer, traveling about the country plying his trade for five years. At the end of that time he was made a partner with his former employer, and the firm was known as Harper & Laubach. Six montlis later, however, the partnership was dis- solved and our subject began contracting for him- self, and has since that time been carrying on a lu- crative trade. He is an expert in his line of work, and his services have been in demand in all the surrounding cities as far south as Wilmington and as far north as Honey Lake, whichi cover an area north and south of three hundred and twenty- eight miles. He is the most prominent slate-roofer in this vicinity, and during the busy season gives employment to twenty men.
Mr. Laubach was married in 1868, in this city, to Miss Fiana, daughter of Samuel Missemcr. She was born in Heidelberg, this county, and by her union with our subject became the mother of four children. Isabella is now Mrs. Oscar Kurtz, of this city; and Edwin is a student in Muhlen- berg College. Those deceased arc Edwin and Minnie. As an old settler of this place Mr. Lau- bach las certainly becn prominently identified with its prosperity, on account of his business deal- ings and the active part which he has taken in all that tends to promote the best interests of the community.
For nine years our subject was School Director in Northampton County, during which time he was both President and Treasurer of the board. So- cially he belongs to Porter Lodge, F. & A. M., and in politics is a stanch Republican. He holds mem- bership with the Reformed Church, in which lie is
a Trustee, and his many excellences of character have won for him the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
J OSEPH B. YEAKEL. Beginning in active business life with little to call his own, save habits of industry, energy and perseverance,
Mr. Yeakel has conquered adverse circum- stances and gained a good place among the resi- dents of Whitehall Township, where he has a good farm, which is devoted to dairy purposes. He is a native of Berks County, this state, having been born September 7, 1846, to Benjamin and Elizabeth (Brenner) Yeakel.
The father of our subject was also born in the above county, while the mother was a native of Philadelphia. In 1855 our subject was brought by his parents to this county, and for many years they made their home in the city of Allentown, where the father was engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements, such as reapers, mow- ers, threshing machines, etc. As a business man he was successful, always maintaining the confi- dence of his fellow-citizens. He carried on busi- ness for himself in Allentown for seventeen years, during which time, in addition to the enterprise already spoken of, he was interested in Bar- ber's Foundry, and likewise owned shares in the rolling-mill. He departed this life January 12, 1871, and his good wife followed him to the bet- ter land four years later. They were greatly missed in the community in which they lived, and, being universally loved, were widely mourned.
Of the family of children born to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Yeakel, five survive, namely: Solomon B .; Lydia, now Mrs. Lewis Kuntz; Susan, the wife of Henry Keck; Joseph B .; and Simon. The father was a Republican in politics and was a public- spirited and enterprising citizen. He was a self- made man in every sense of the term, and what he has accumulated was the result of great industry and perseverance on his part. He is said to have manufactured the first reaper which was used to
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cut grain in this section of the country, and as a business man he occupied a prominent position.
Joseph B., of this sketch, was reared to man's es- tate in Lehigh County. Until reaching his twen- ty-fifth year he worked for his father in his shops, and thus became well posted in the manufacture of farm implements. He moved upon his present place in the spring of 1871, and since that time has given his attention to agricultural pursuits, mak- ing a specialty during the last few years of the dairy business. He has upon his place some fine breeds of animals, among which is a herd of eigh- teen head of cattle called the Dutch Belted. He has a milk route in Allentown, and in this branch of business he is meeting with fair success. His farm comprises sixty acres of land, which is im- proved by every convenience that can aid a farmer.
Mr. Yeakel is a Republican in politics, and relig- iously is a member of the Evangelical Church in Allentown. He takes an active interest in all measures calculated to advance the welfare of the people and is numbered among the public-spirited citizens of the community.
D AVID R. MALCOLM. This gentleman, who is Superintendent and Director of the Allentown Spinning Company, has only been a resident of the United States since 1890, but has already taken his place among the enter- prising business men of the city. A native of Scotland, he was born in Dundee in 1851, being the son of George and Helen (Rattray) Malcolm, the former of whom has been a noted manufact- urer of Scotland for many years. He is still liv- ing, and, although he has reached his seventy- fourth year, continues the manufacture of jute yarns and burlaps in Dundee.
David R. Malcolm, of this sketch, was educated in the high school of his native place and in Ger- many, on leaving which latter country he served an apprenticeship as engineer, and afterwards entered his father's factory, his desire being to become thoroughly acquainted with the manufacture of jute goods. With this in view he began in the
first department and worked his way up through all the different stages, until he was acquainted with every branch of the business. He resided in Scotland, aiding his father in the operation of his extensive factory, until August, 1890, when he de- cided to see something more of the world. Com- ing to the United States, he immediately took charge of the spinning-mills largely owned by the estate of the late Robert Barbour, of Paterson, N. J. The firm is engaged in the manufacture of jute yarns and twines, and gives employment to five hundred operators. Their plant occupies a four-story brick building, 55x250 feet in dimen- sions, and is conveniently located near the tracks of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Mr. Malcolm has entire charge of the factory, having from the very first displayed marked ability in this line of work, and conducting its affairs in a most satisfactory manner.
In 1876, while residing in Scotland, our subject was married in Dundee to Miss Henrietta, daugh- ter of Maj. James and Henrietta (Forbes) Falconer, also natives of Scotland. Their union has been blessed by the birth of the following seven chil- dren: Helen R., James F., George H., Henrietta W., David L., Hilda F. and Lessels H. The family occupy a comfortable brick residence, located at No. 305 North Fourth Street, and are looked upon as among the most highly esteemed residents of Allentown.
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A ARON M. GREENAWALD. This gentle- man is the owner and occupant of a pro- ductive tract of land in South Whitehall Township, this county, which consists of forty- eight acres, and is so managed as to bring forth abundant crops of good quality. In addition to cultivating the soil, he is a prominent teacher and well known throughout this section as Esquire Greenawald.
Our subject was born in this county, January 24, 1861, and is the son of Charles and Caroline (Hausman) Greenawald, who were also born in this locality, and are at present residing in Weisenburg
WALTER H. BIERY.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Township. Jacob Greenawald, the grandfather of our subject, spent his entire life in the above town- ship, and his father was the founder of this branch of the family in America. He was a native of Germany, and on making his home in the New World located in Wcisenburg Township, where he was classed among its very earliest residents.
Our subject has three brothers who are living: Edwin, who is a well-to-do agriculturist of Weisen- burg Township; Daniel J., a resident of Falls City, Neb .; and William A., who is engaged in business in Falls City, Neb. Aaron M., of this sketch, who was reared to manhood on his father's estate, received a fair education in his native county, and being the carver of his own destiny has made it an honorable onc. Affable in man- ners, courteous in address, firm in convictions, faithful in attachments and true in principles, he is well liked by all. When sixteen years of age he attended for one term Heidelberg College at Tiffin, Ohio, and immediately thereafter began teaching school, his first engagement being in Linn Township, this county. He has been very successful as an educator, and has taught in the various districts of Lehigh County, following that occupation during the winter season up to the pres- ent time, with the exception of two years, when he was obliged to retire from active work on account of failing health.
December 25, 1880, Aaron M. Greenawald was married to Miss Sarah Werley, who was born in Weisenburg Township. The lady was the daugh- ter of Penrose and Diana Werley, residents of that place. The four children who have come to bless their home, bcar the respective names of Llewellyn, Pirmah, Charles and Jennie.
In 1882 our subject moved upon the farm whichi he is at present occupying in South Whitehall Township, and which, as before stated, comprises forty-eight acres of well tilled land. Mr. Greena- wald has always been in favor of every measure calculated to promote the welfare of his fellow-citi- zens, and has always been a stanchi advocate of public schools. He holds membership with the German Reformed Church at Mickleys, and for many years has taken an active part in Sunday- school work. He is very popular in his commu-
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