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 55
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 55
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 55
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gree of Doctor of Divinity was received from his Alma Mater. His wife, formerly Eliza J. Wattles, was born in Gettysburg, and is the daughter of Horace D. Wattles, who kept a large hotel at that place, where he died at a good old age. It is a curious fact, worthy of passing notice, that of the five daughters and three sons of the family to which she belonged, all of the daughters married Lutheran clergymen, and all the sons are jewelers in Pittsburg.
Until he was fifteen years of age Mr. Fry at- tended the public and high schools of Reading, standing regularly at the head of his class. The next year he spent in a private course of study in the classics under Rev. Dr. T. C. Billheimer, of Gettysburg, and in preparation for college. Sep- tember 1, 1881, he entered Muhlenberg College, from which he graduated in 1885. Here again for four years he enjoyed the honorable distinction of attaining the highest grade in the elass. He car- ried off the prize in the Junior Oratorical Contest, and graduated with first honors as Valedictorian, his rank being the highest ever reached by any student in the history of the college. Out of a possible one hundred his average percentage was ninety-eight and one-half. He was President of the Sophronian Literary Society during his Fresh- man year, was one of the editors of The Muhlenberg from its inception, being Editor-in-Chief in 1885. He also organized the College Missionary Society, which is still a flourishing organization. In the fall of 1885 he entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He was ordained to the office of the ministry by the Mother Synod of Pennsylvania in May, 1888, in Trinity Lutheran Church of Lancaster, where he preached his first sermon. At once he became the assistant of Rev. Joseph A. Sciss, D. D., LL. D., L. H. D., the most scholarly and distinguished Lutheran preacher in America. For some years he was associated with him in the Church of the Holy Communion, Broad and Areh Streets, Philadelphia, one of the fore- most churches of the Lutheran denomination in this country. During his father's absence in Egypt and Palestine for six months in 1890, Mr. Fry be- came aeting pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church at Reading. He also served St. John's Lutheran
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Church of Easton for three months, during the absence of its pastor, Rev. D. H. Geissinger, in Europe. In December. 1890, he was unanimously called as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church of Bethlehem, which he accepted, and he entered upon its duties January 1, 1891.
During the summer of 1892 the church was con- siderably enlarged and completely renovated and beautified, the improvements costing $8,100. It is now regarded as the most chaste and beautiful sanctuary in Bethlehem. All its services are very largely attended, the Wednesday evening lectures being especially so. Mr. Fry is a fluent speaker, a careful thinker, and an edifying preacher, and is deservedly held in the highest esteem both by his congregation and the entire community. The membership of the church has shown a rapid rate of increase, numbering at present more than four hundred and fifty communicants. The Sunday- school is also in a very flourishing condition and has won an enviable reputation for its splendid singing. In arranging and rendering grand fes- tival services, it has no superior in the town.
During the present pastorate the young people have become a prominent factor in the congrega- tion. A regular series of societies has been organ- ized, with churchly methods and a churchly spirit, with most gratifying results. These societies ag- gregate a membership of more than two hundred and twenty-five. They have aided very inateri- ally the attendance at church services, have pro- moted sociability among the members, have raised a large amount of revenue in a legitimate way, and have stimulated much zeal and activity in the congregation. Mr. Fry is connected either di- rectly or indirectly with every organization, so that all work together in perfect harmony.
Though still young in years, Mr. Fry holds many important positions of responsibility and trust. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Muh- lenberg College, at Allentown, his Alma Mater, a member of its executive committee, and one of its examining board. He is also a member of the Church Book Committee of the General Council of the Lutheran Church in America, and serves on the Committee on Model Constitution for the Luth- eran League of the state of Pennsylvania. He
is also prominently connected with many move- ments of local interest. That he is actuated by the highest mnotives, without the least trace of material gain, is shown by the fact that when his present congregation offered him a salary of $1,500, he accepted only $1,200. Since serving in Grace Church he has received an urgent call from each of his former charges, an honor rarely paid to any clergyman. His only brother, Rev. Charles L. Fry, is a prominent minister at Lancaster, Pa.
AMES P. WINT, a respected and active busi- ness man of Catasauqua, is a member of the firm of F. W. Wint & Co., who are manufacturers and retail lumber merchants. The birth of this gentleman occurred April 19, 1843, in Hanover, Lehigh County, his parents be- ing William and Saloma (Heperhieg) Wint. The father was born near Bath, Northampton County, and his father in turn was a native of the same lo- cality, where he engaged in farming until his death. The Wint family is of German descent, and has been active in the development and progress of this county. William Wint on attaining man's estate engaged in farming in Hanover Township, where he improved a good place and spent his life, his death occurring in March, 1892, at the age of eighty-two years. Religiously he was a Lutheran, and in politics was first a Whig and later a Repub- lican. His wife, who was also born in this county, died in Hanover Township, in her eighty-third year, November 18, 1892. Of their twelve children only four grew to maturity. F. W. was formerly in the lumber business with his brother, our sub- ject, being senior member of the firm until his death, which took place May 10, 1882. The sis- ters are, Savilla, Mrs. Fatzinger, of this city; and Amanda, the wife of Henry Knoll, who operates the old homestead.
The boyhood of James P. Wint was passed on his father's farm, where he obtained a practical knowledge of its management by actual experience and attended the public schools of the district.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
During the war he was a member of the Fourth Regiment State Militia, but was only called into service once. Remaining under the parental roof until 1874, Mr. Wint then embarked in business in Catasauqua in partnership with his brother, who had previously started in the trade, and in that year O. F. Fatzinger became a member of the firm also. Previous to this time the firm had been known as Yeager, Wint & Co., but Mr. Yeager's interest was purchased and the present company was formed. The saw and planing mills are run by stcam, the engines being sixty-horse power. A more extended mention of the business may be found in the sketch of the other partner, O. F. Fatzinger, which is elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Wint is a member of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons and is a stanch Republican. Religiouly he is identitied with the Lutheran Church, and ranks high in the cstcem of those who know him best. He is a man of good business ability, and his meth- ods are always upright and honorable, being above question.
F RANK A. GARIS, M. D., is a very success- ful young physician of West Bethlehem, being a practitioner of the homeopathic school, and very popular in all circles. He comes of an old and respected family, his ancestors for several generations having been merchants and manufacturers. His father, Samuel Garis, was a cabinet-maker, and for some time had a factory in Easton, but later engaged in farming in Talbot County, Md., and is now a resident of Philadel- phiia. The family in former years werc members of the Lutheran Church, but the father now at- tends the Cookman Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, of which he is a member. His wife, formerly Susan Eichman, was born in Easton, and was of German descent. In their family of
eleven children, ten grew to maturity, and all of these are still living.
Dr. Garis was born in Easton, February 11, 1867, being next to the youngest of the family. He was rcared in his birthplacc, and attended the common schools until twelve years of age, when, with the family, he went to Maryland, and for three years lived upon a farm. His education was obtained principally in Philadelphia, in the excellent public schools of that city. Having a decided taste for medical studies, he concluded to adopt this field of work as his own, and commenced reading with Dr. B. W. James, who is Professor of Physiology in the New York Women's College.
In 1886 the Doctor entered Hahnemann Medi- cal College of Philadelphia, and for three years faithfully pursued the required course, graduating in April, 1889, with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. He made a fine record in the college, gradu- ating with the highest honors of his class, which comprised sixty-nine students. This was the more remarkable, as there was but one younger than he in the class, and probably one reason for his high standing was owing to the fact that he had an ex- cellent preceptor. With him he" continued in practice until January, 1890. At that time, hav- ing acquired a good practical experience, he came to West Bethlehem, being the first homcopathic physician to locate here, and has since been success- fully engaged in general practice, having his office at No. 220 Broad Street.
One of the charter members of the West Bethlc- hem Building and Loan Association, Dr. Garis shows his interest in the upbuilding of the place in this, as he lias also done in other ways. He is physician for the county poor of this district of Lehigh County. At present he is a member of the Board of Health, to which he was elected for a term of five years, and is the only physician connected with the same. He belongs to the Order of Sparta, of which he is Medical Examiner, and also to the Lehigh Valley Homeopathic Medical Society, of which he was Vice-President for one year. Politi- cally he deposits his ballot and uses his influence in favor of Democratic nominecs and principles.
April 12, 1894, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Garis and Miss Esther, daughter of George Shimer,
2
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of West Bethlehem. Mrs. Garis is a native of Mil- ton, Pa., and is a lady of good education and cul- ture. The Doctor is an active member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and at the present time is serving as Secretary of the Sunday-school.
H ENRY H. DASH, one of the successful and enterprising business men of Bethle- hem, carries on a retail cigar business at the corner of Broad and Main Streets. For many years he has taken a leading part in public move- ments, and was a prime mover in starting the Bethlehem Fair and Driving Park Association. A Republican of the trucst stamp. he is greatly in- terested in the success of the party, though he lias never accepted public office.
Born in Hellertown, this county, December 30, 1834, our subject is a son of Henry Desh, a native of Lehigh County. A brother of our subject, George J., a resident of Bethlehem, spells his name Desh, and his sketch may be found elsewhere in this work. H. H., our subject, while living in Philadelphia, found it convenient to spell his name as seen at the head of this biography in or- der to avoid mistakes, as every one called him Mr. Dash. Among his brothers and sisters now living are Daniel and George J., residents of Bethlehem; Owen H., who is engaged in the hotel business in Philadelphia; Caleb H., who is at the South well Mincs; and Susan, the wife of Joseph Landers, of this city.
Our subject passed his boyhood in Hellertown, there attending the public schools and later learn- ing the trade of tanning. When nincteen years old, he went to Philadelphia and engaged in the hotel and restaurant business on Second Street, also run- ning the Bath Hotel on Ninth Street. In 1862 he be- came a member of the Blue Reserves of the Pennsyl- vania Militia, under Colonel Day, and was present at the defense of Antietam, where lie was stationed for seven wecks. In 1866 Mr. Dash returned to Philadelphia, and the following year became a
resident of Bethlehem. In 1872 he bought and started a coach line, running from the depots to the principal hotels, and had charge of this busi- ness until 1884, when he sold out. Soon after he engaged in the cigar business, in which he is at the present time. The previous year his son had been engaged in this business, our subject having given him a start in this line, and on his death, in 1884, H. H. Dash took charge of the business, which is situated on the corner of Main and Broad Streets. Here may be found the best tobacco and cigars in the trade and general smokers' supplies, and in connection with the store is a billiard-room, well cquipped.
Mr. Dash built this corner, consisting of three stores, 40x99 feet in dimensions. He is also inter- ested in real estate, owning property at Bethlehem Heights, and in company with his brother, George J., laid out an addition there of over ten acres, and now owns over thirty lots. Our subject, as stated above. is one of the organizers of the Bethlehem Fair and Driving Park Association, and is now the Treasurer of the same, which position he has held from its second year. This driving park possesses the best half-mile track in the state, and the grounds cover some thirty acres within the city limits, on which are good buildings.
The marriage of our subject was celebrated in Philadelphia in 1863, his wife being in her girl- hood Miss Annie E. James, and a native of Phil- adelphia. To them were born two children, the elder of whom, William M. S., died in 1884, when only twenty years of age. Laura V. is the wife of F. J. Klincker, of this city. The parents are members of the Moravian Church. Mr. Dash be- longs to the Frce and Accepted Masons, and casts his ballot in support of the Republican party.
DWIN G. STEMMETZ, M. D., who has en- gaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Hokendauqua since the spring of 1873, was born in Bethlehem, Pa., February 15, 1846, being a son of Joseph and Sarah A. Stem-
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metz. On his father's side he is of German de- scent, his paternal grandfather having been born in Germany; and through his mother he traces his lineage to Scotland. His great-grandfather Stem- metz was an early settler of Northampton County, Pa., and both the father and mother were born in the Keystone State.
Upon a farm in Northampton County the sub- ject of this notice was reared to manhood. He was the recipient of excellent educational advantages, and after completing the studies of the district schools entered Weaversville Academy, where he took an academic course. After having taught school for a short time, he commenced in the fall of 1865 to read medicine with Dr. Joseph P. Engel- man, of Cherryville, Pa., continuing under his preceptorship for a time. In 1866 he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York, where he took two courses of lectures. Later he took a final course at Long Island College Hospi- tal, which at that time was connected with the other institution.
Graduating in 1867, Dr. Stemmetz entered upon the practice of his profession at Weaversville, Pa., where he remained until the fall of 1872. During the winter of 1872-73 he took a special course in operative surgery in the Jefferson Medical Col- lege, and in the spring of 1873 opened an office at Hokendauqua, where he has since conducted an ex- tensive and profitable practice. In the winter of 1883-84 he took a six-months course in treatment of diseases of the eye under the famous oculist, George Strowbridge, who was connected with the medical department of the University of Pennsyl- vania at Philadelphia. As a physician he is skill- ful in the treatment of difficult cases, as well as in the diagnosis of diseases, while as a surgeon he has an enviable reputation.
Socially Dr. Stemmetz is identified with the Northampton County Medical Society, which he has served as Vice-President. He is connected with the Lehigh Valley Medical Association, and is a permanent member of the American Medical Association, also of the State Mcdical Society. In Masonic circles he is prominent in Porter Lodge No. 284, at Catasauqua. His political views bring him into connection with the Republican party,
the principles of which he loyally supports. A man of generous and benevolent disposition, he is ever ready to contribute to philanthropic measures, and is an active member of the Presbyterian Church.
Upon the last day of the year 1867, Dr. Stem- inetz and Miss Harriet M. Kuntz were united in marriage. Mr. Stemmetz was born in Northamp- ton County, Pa., and died in Hokendauqua Jan- uary 6, 1884, mourned by all who knew her. She had for years been a faithful member of the Pres- byterian Church, and was a lady of amiable dispo- sition, kind heart and noble character, who was to her neighbors a truc friend and to her husband a devoted helpmate.
41
I OSEPH A. WEAVER, Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager of the Times Publish- ing Company, and widely known as one of the influential citizens of Bethlehem, was born in Weaversville, Northampton County, Pa., August 14, 1843.
The family is of German descent, and has long been established in Northampton County. Our subject's grandfather, Michacl Weaver, was an ex- tensive merchant and farmer, and upon his land built a tanncry, which he operated. He succeeded in getting a postoffice at Weaversville, which was named in honor of him, and of which he was the first Postmaster, having been appointed about the close of the last century. Hc was an old-line Whig, a man of considerable prominence, and Cap- tain of a company in the War of 1812. His wife, who was a Miss Dreisbach, died in 1860, at the age of about eighty-eight years. He died of apo- plexy in 1834, when in his sixty-fourth year.
Our subject's father, Samuel Weaver, was born in Weaversville, and with his two brothers, David and Thomas, became a partner in the mercantile establishment founded by his father. They also conducted the farm and tannery, but after a time he bought out the interests of his brothers and be- came the owner of the homestead of one hundred acres, with the tannery, located on Catasauqua
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Creek. In 1835 he was appointed Postmaster, and held that position until his death. He was very active in educational work, and did his utmost to increase the educational facilities of the commu- nity. He was one of the prime movers in establish- ing the Weaversville Academy, which was opened in 1856. The ground for the site was donated by him, and he was Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the academy until his death.
In early days, while engaged in the mercantile business, Samuel Weaver bought his goods in Phil- adelphia and New York, and at first they were hauled by tcams the entire distance, later werc conveyed by canal, and finally by railroad. His establishment was the largest in the vicinity. For many years he was Treasurer of the Lutheran Church at Weaversville, and also served as Sun- day-school Superintendent. Politically he was an ardent Republican. The disease which ended his career was angina pectoris, he dying in 1863, at the age of fifty-four years.
The mother of our subject, Sarah, was a daugh- ter of Jacob Boyer, a substantial farmer of Allen Township. She was born in Howertown, and in 1870 located in Betlilehem, where she resided until her deatlı, December 24, 1893, in her seventy- fourth year. She was the mother of twelve chil- dren, of whom eleven attained years of maturity. William T. is a traveling salesman, and during the Civil War was Sergeant of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry; Amelia M. lives in Bethlehem; Jane S. is the wife of Dr. J. F. Raub, and lives in Washington, D. C .; Joseph A. is the subject of this sketch; Amanda E. is the wife of Rev. E. Martinis, of Hillsboro, Ill .; Clinton T. is a bookkeeper; Dr. S. J. lives in Bethlehem; David M. is a clerk in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company in Bethlehem; C. Annie, the wife of George Green, lives in Brooklyn, N. Y .; and Fran- ces C. is married and lives in Boston, Mass.
In the public schools of the township our sub- ject laid the foundation of his education, prepar- ing for college at Weaversville Academy. It had been his ambition to obtain a collegiate education, but his father's death changed his plans and obliged him to remain at home. During the Civil War he was a Union man, and for one year served as a
member of Company I, Two Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Infantry, being honorably discharged at the expiration of his period of service. After his return home he took a course at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and in 1867 came to Bethlehem, with the interests of which he has since been identified. Opening a book and stationcry store at this place, he conducted the business successfully until 1873. Meantime he es- tablished domestic ties, being married in 1871 to Miss Mary M. Hemphill, of Weaversville.
The connection of Mr. Weaver with the Bethle- hem Times began in 1874, when he purchased a half-interest in the paper. At his direction the Times strongly advocated the improvement of the streets of the borough; the purchase of a steam road roller, which has since been of great benefit to the place; fostercd the Bethleliem Fair scheme until it became a success; urged the building of an elec- tric street railway ; and advocated thie consolidation of all the Bethlehems, and the changing of county lines so as to give West Bethlehem to Northamp- ton County. He was an ardent supporter of the project to extend Main Street to the river, and unite South Bethlehem with Bethlehemn by means of a bridge, which was to span the river, canal and two railroads.
In 1887 Mr. Weaver organized the Times Pub- lishing Company, of which he is a member of the Board of Directors, as well as Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager. For years he was a mem- ber of the Bethlehem School Board, and for one year was President of the board. For ten years he filled the position of Secretary and Treasurer of the Masonie Mutual Life Insurance of the Le- high Valley, but resigned in 1890 because of mul- tiplicity of duties. However, he still retains his Directorship in the company. He was the first Secretary of the Bethlehem Board of Trade, serv- ing in that capacity in the days when the silkmills were built. At present he is one of the Directors of the National Butter Company of New York, and of the Bell Punch and Printing Company.
Socially Mr. Weaver is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, and has held official positions in the lodge, chapter and commandery, being Past Master of Bethlehem Lodge No. 283, F. & A. M .; Past
OLIVER H. JACOBY.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
High Priest of Zinzendorf Chapter, R. A. M .; and Past Commander of Allen Commandery No. 20, K. T. For many years he has been Trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, and is generous in his contribution to the support of the Gospel, as well as to all benevolent and charitable projects.
LIVER H. JACOBY, a highly respected cit- izen of South Bethlehem, has the honor of being the first Burgess elected in the bor- ough of Fountain Hill, which position he at pres- ent holds. Since 1886 he has been engaged in bus- iness as a contractor in the construction of houses, bricklaying and plastering. He was born here in 1854, and is the son of Levi and Elizabeth (Frey) Jacoby. His paternal grandfather, Jacob, was for- merly engaged in farming on the present site of South Bethlehem, and also had a boatyard in the western part of the city. He was one of the found- ers of the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, and also of the Union Church.
The Jacoby family is of German descent, their ancestors having settled at a very early day in the Keystone State. Levi Jacoby was born on Brodhead Avenuc, in South Bethlehem, and, like his father, followed agricultural pursuits, but later worked at boat-building and also ran a distillery. His death occurred at the old homestead at Lechau- wicker Springs, at the age of fifty years. His wife, who was born at Lower Saucon, was a daughter of Abram Frey, of Salisbury Township. Mrs. Jacoby died in 1889, at the age of seventy years.
In his father's family of six children our sub- ject is next to the oldest. He was rearcd and ed- ucated in this city, where he attended the public schools. At the age of seventeen he was appren- ticed as a bricklayer to Reuben Broman, in which business he continued for about six years with his old employer. In 1886 he engaged in contract work for himself, and has made a success of the en- terprise. He owns some property in the city and
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