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 60
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 60
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 60
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Jacob Campbell received a common-sehool edu- cation in the neighborhood of his home, and then, in order to further equip himself for life's work, took a course in the Reading Business College. Afterward he secured a position as a elerk and bookkeeper in the store of Ycager & Clauser, at Bingen, Pa. With these gentlemen he remained for three years, and after the dissolution of the firm engaged in the employ of William R. Yeager for a period of seven years. In 1880 he embarked in business for himself, and has made a suecess of his undertakings. He carries a well selected stock of general merchandise, has a large country trade, and merits the patronage he receives. In addition to this business, lie is a dealer in coal, and inter- ested in a creamery, the product of which finds a ready market in Philadelphia and Bethlehem.
In political affairs Mr. Campbell takes an intelli- gent interest, and served efficiently as Postmaster of Bingen from June 28, 1871, to August 31, 1886. In educational matters and everything relating to
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the good of the community in which he dwells he manifests eommendable interest, and is conseien- tious in the diseharge of all duties and trusts re- posed in him. January 4, 1863, he offered his services in the Union cause, and was assigned to Company L, Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artil- lery, Colonel Gibson commanding officer. He was first stationed at Ft. Lincoln, in the District of Co- lumbia, thenee went to Ft. Ethan Allen, in Vir- ginia, and from there was sent to the front. He took part in the engagement at Cold Harbor, and in all those in which the Eighteenth Army Corps, under General Ord, participated. September 29, 1864, he was severely wounded in the battle of Chapin's Farm, Va., with the result that liis leg had to be amputated. For a number of weeks he languished in the hospital at Ft. Monroe, Va., and then was sent on to Philadelphia and Chester, Pa., receiving his final discharge from the service June 11, 1865. He is a member of Robert Oldliam Post No. 527, G. A. R., at South Bethlehem. January 3, 1873, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Amelia C. Weiss, who has been a faithful and de- voted helpmate to her husband. She is a daughter of Peter Weiss, a well known early resident of Lower Saucon Township.
EORGE W. MACK is a very enterprising and sueeessful young business man of Bethlehem, and owner of a tobaceo and confectionery store situated on South Main Street, near the Lehigh River; he also conducts a first- class restaurant on Calypso Island, in company with Mr. Beidelman. The beautiful resort just mentioned is situated in the Lehigh River, and has been continually used from very early days by pleasure-seekers. The area of the island is about thirteen acres, and pleasure boats of every variety ply the waters which surround it. The grounds have been kept as much as possible in a natural state, though many improvements have been made upon it, and everything imaginable provided for the comfort and convenience of visitors. Trans-
portation is mainly by Mack & Beidelman's Calypso Transportation Line, and special arrangements are granted by the neighboring railroads to picnic parties.
George W. Maek was born in Cherryville, North- ampton County, February 25, 1861, his parents being Peter and Catherine (Lerch) Maek. The paternal great-grandfather of our subjeet took part in the War of the Revolution, and the grand- father was a well known farmer of Northampton County. Peter Mack was a carpenter by trade, and worked at that calling in Hokendauqua dur- ing his last years, dying in the fall of 1888, in his sixty-third year. For over four months he served in the Civil War, in the Forty-seventh Pennsyl- vania Infantry, and was a strong and aetive worker in the Democracy. His wife, whose birth oceurred near Pennsville, Northampton County, eame from an old and respected family in that locality, being a daughter of Owen Lereh, a farmer. She is still living, her home being with her daughter on New Street, Bethlehem. She has attained the age of sixty-one years, and is quite an active worker in the Reformed Church. Of her four sons and four daughters all are living-one in Philadelphia, one in Buffalo, another in Pottsville and the rest in Bethlehem.
Until 1864 the years of George W. Mack were passed on a farm, after which he went to Hoken- dauqua, there attending the public schools until 1876. At this time he came to Bethlehem, enter- ing the employ of Mr. Smoykeffer, who erected a building and started a restaurant on South Main Street, the one which is now condueted by our subjeet. At the end of two years Mr. Mack bought out the proprietor, and has run it ever since, mak- ing a specialty of furnishing oysters and iee eream in their respective seasons. In 1890 Mr. Mack purchased the Lehigh Theater, on North Main Street, which he remodeled and opened that fall. After running it successfully for four seasons he sold his interest. This theater is the only one in Bethlehem, and some of the very best companies traveling stop here. In the spring of 1893 Mr. Maek invested in the ferry-boats and restaurant on Calypso Island, the most popular summer re- sort in the valley outside of the Glen on Mauch
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Chunk Creek. The two ferry-boats make trips every ten or fifteen minutes during the summer, and eight men are constantly employed in running them. Over forty-one rowboats are also used on the river, and are kept busy by the fifty or sixty large picnics which resort here each summer.
June 11, 1893, Mr. Mack was married in this city to Miss Lydia Eshinger, a native of this place. Her father, George Eshinger, is connected with the Bethlehem Iron Company. Mr. and Mrs. Mack are members of Christ Reformed Church. The former is a member of the Board of Health of West Bethlehem, and is a prominent Democrat, having served as a member of the County Com- mittee, and having zealously assisted in the meet- ing which nominated Governor Pattison. He has served on petit and grand juries, and is highly es- teemed as a public-spirited man. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Order of Knights of Malta.
S IMON BREINIG. There are few men of the present day more worthy of honorable mention, or whose history affords a better example of what may be accomplished by perse- verance and strict integrity, than the subject of this sketch, who is a retired farmer, making his home in Catasauqua. He was born in Mertztown, Berks County, this state, October 29, 1827, and is the son of George Breinig, whose birth occurred in Breinigsville, Berks County.
The grandfather of our subject, who also borc the name of George, was born in the above place, which was named in honor of his father, George Breinig, Sr., who came from Germany and pur- chased land from William Penn. He was a well- to-do farmer, merchant and proprietor of a hotel, and so prominent was he in public affairs that the town was named in his honor.
The father of our subject was also an agricultur- ist in Berks County, where he lived until 1832, and then, removing to Northampton County, purchased property which he cultivated until his deccase, when eighty-one years of age. He was a good
type of the self-made and self-educated man, and religiously was a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife, prior to her marriage, was Miss Polly Wet- zel; she was born in Berks County and died many years ago. She was the daughter of Jacob Wetzel, now deceased, who was also a farmer of that lo- cality.
Of the twelve children comprised in the paren- tal family all grew to mature; years with one ex- ception, and of the six now living our subject is the third youngest. He was reared on his father's farm in Allen Township and received his educa- tion in the common schools. He remained with his parents, aiding in the support of the family, until reaching his twenty-fourth year, when, in partner- ship with his brother Jeremiah, lic managed the home farm. This connection lasted for eleven years, when our subject purchased the entire estate, com- prising two hundred and sixty-eight acres, which are under the most modern methods of improve- ment. Mr. Breinig has erccted thercon a large barn, 45x101 feet in dimensions, and in 1892 he completed a beautiful residence adjacent to the city of Catasauqua, it being his intention to divide the farm. He later sold eighteen acres laid out in building lots, and then removed with his family to a ten-acre farm in Hanover Township, just a quar- ter of a mile south of Catasauqua.
April 13, 1891, Mr. Breinig purchased his pres- ent fine residence in the city, into which he moved that year. He still owns two hundred and fifty acres of land comprised in the home farm and a ten-acre tract in Hanover Township. In February, 1861, the marriage of our subject occurred in Bethlehem, at which time Miss Eliza C., daughter of Joseph C. Dech, became his wife. The lady was boru in Nazareth, Northampton County, which was also the birthplace of her father. Her grand- father, Jacob Dech, was a farmer by occupation. The parents of Mrs. Breinig lived retired in Beth- lehem several years prior to their decease, the mother dying in 1885, and the father passing away December 18, 1892.
Of the six children included in the parental family those deceased arc William II., Benjamin F. and Joseph D. Anna M. is residing in North- ampton County, and Emanuel HI. makes his home in
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Bethlehem. Simon Breinig was reared to manhood on his father's farm and was the recipient of a common-school education. Following in the foot- steps of his father, he has always devoted his at- tention to farming, with the exception of the last few years, when he retired and is now making his home in Catasauqua. His farm is managed by his only son, Joseph S. G. Breinig, who is married and has two children, Sterling Simon G. and John William.
Mr. and Mrs. Breinig of this sketch are members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in which the former has been Deacon and Trustee. He is a stanch Dem- ocrat in politics, and as a reliable, steady-going citizen he is looked upon with due respect, and his wife also has many friends.
SCAR D. SCHAEFFER, M. D., enjoys a large practice in Freemansburg, North- ampton County, and is a young man who is rapidly pushing his way to the front ranks of his profession. A native of Lehigh County, his birth there occurred March 1, 1860. His parents are Charles and Henrietta (Steckel) Schaeffer, resi- dents of Whitehall, Lchigh County, at the present time. The father is a native of Northampton County, while the mother's birth took place in Lehigh County. The great-grandfather of our subject on the paternal side was a tanner by occu- pation and one of the earliest settlers in the vicinity of Klecknersville, Pa. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Steckel, was one of the pioneers of Lehigh County, his home being near Egypt. Both fami- lies were prominent in the development of this region and were honest, industrious farmers.
Dr. Schaeffer passed his boyhood on his father's farm in Lehigh County and received a liberal edu- cation. He was a student for a time in the White- hall public schools, and later at the Coplay High School and Weaversville Academy. On the com- pletion of his studies he engaged in teaching, and became a successful educator, being in charge for seven successive winter terms of schools in Lehigh
and Northampton Counties. In addition to car- rying on his school he found time to pursue his medical studies, for he had determined to adopt that profession. With Dr. P. E. Stem as a tutor he made good progress, the Doctor being of great assistance to him in many ways. Dr. Stem was formerly a resident of Coplay, but now makes his home in South Bethlehem. . In 1885 the subject of this sketch was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., on the completion of a three-years course at that justly celebrated institution. To himself he owes his education and the property he has acquired, for he has been dependent upon his own resources since a boy and has made the most of his opportunities. He has always been ambitious, and earned the money with which to make his way through col- lege. Success has attended his efforts, for he has built up a large practice, which is constantly in- creasing.
In a social way Dr. Schaeffer is identified with Star Castle No. 108, Knights of the Golden Eagle at Freemansburg. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and is a member and President of the Town Council. Religiously he holds membership with the Reformed Church of this place and takes an active part in all movements having for their object the betterment of his fellow-men.
D ANIEL MILSON is one of the pioneers of Catasauqua and a successful and practical boiler-maker. being proprietor of the Cat- asauqua Boiler Works. Formerly he was engaged in the powder works at Norristown, Pa. A native of South Wales, Mr. Milson was born in Neath, Glamorganshire, February 28, 1830, and in 1890, in company with his late wife, it was his great pleasure to make a trip to his native land and the scenes of his boyhood, where he spent over three months. His grandfather on his father's side was born in Bristol, England, and the family name was formerly spelled Milsom. The father, Charles Mil- son, was also born in Bristol, England, and followed
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A. B. HOWELL.
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the butcher's business until he retired from active life. His wife, Rachel (Thomas) Milson, was born in Bryncoch, Glamorganshire, and both parents, who were members of the Episcopal Church, are now deceased.
In a family of five daughters and three sons, Daniel Milson is the eldest, and now only five sis- ters and one brother arc living. He was reared in Neath, his education comprising that of the com- mon schools, and when only sixteen he was ap- prenticed as a boiler-maker with his uncle, Joseph Thomas, working in the Neath Abbey Shipyards until 1852, when he set sail for America, and after a tedious voyage of three months and three days landed in New York. Going to Philadelphia, he entered the employ of Merricks & Son, and later worked in the ship department of the United States Navy-yard in that city for about two years, making boilers, etc.
About 1854 the subject of this sketch first came to Catasauqua, and for two years worked for the Crane Iron Company, after which he was an en- ploye of the Thomas Iron Company's works, which he helped to build, the furnaces being at Hoken- dauqua. In 1863 he enlisted in response to the emergency call, and was in the service for two months. Returning the same year, he went to Ohio with David Thomas, Jr., helping to build a furnace, and then returned to Catasauqua. In 1865 he started a boiler-shop, taking contracts and building furnaces. He did all the work in his linc in the Crane Iron Company, and took contracts from all parts of the state, having as many as forty men engaged in working for him. He has been in business ever since. His boiler works are situated on Front Street, and his home is at the corner of Second and Chapel Streets.
The marriage of Mr. Milson of this sketch took place in Baltimore, Md., in 1861, to Elizabeth Davis, who was also a native of Wales, and they had eleven children. The oldest, Thomas H., is proprietor of the McKee & Milson Pipe Works, of Paterson, N. J. Charles E. is a practicing physi- cian in Catasauqua, having graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Homeo- pathic College at Philadelphia. The daughters in order of birth are as follows: Annie, Elizabeth,
Minnie, Mabel and Eleanor. Two sons, David and Henry D., have departed this life, as has also the affectionate wife and mother, who died January 1, 1894. Mr. Milson is a member of the First Presby- terian Church of this city, in which he is a Trus- tee. In politics he is a stanch Republican.
A BRAHAM B. HOWELL, whose home is in Easton, is an honored veteran of the late war, in which he served for three ycars, participating in many of the most important bat- tles and engagements. He suffered severe injuries while fighting for the Stars and Stripes, injuries from the effects of which he can never recover, but had there been need he would as freely have offered his life on the altar of liberty. For about a quarter of a century he has been engaged in the practice of law, and has frequently been called to serve in official capacities of responsibility and honor. In 1872 he was elected Chief Burgess of Easton, was re-elected in 1873, and again in 1874. In 1872 he was a nominee on the Republican ticket for Congressman from the Tenth District.
The parents of Mr. Howell were Joseph and Sarah (Wagner) Howell. The former was of Welsh descent, and a son of John Howell, who was born ncar Trenton, N. J., where he passed the early part of his life. Afterward becoming a res- ident of Warren County, N. J., for many years he engaged in farming in Greenwich Township, and during his last years made his abode in Phillips- burg. A large portion of the site of that place was in former years the property of Mr. Howell, he having purchased the land from his father-in- - law, and became one of the founders of the city. He was a Whig in politics, and at one time was Jus- tice of Sessions of Warren County. In religion he was a member of the Presbyterian denomination. His wife, a Miss Goeiscr, bore him five children, John, George, Naomi, Joseph and Asher.
Joseph Howell, the father of our subject, was a farmer and distiller by occupation. For a large share of his life he lived at Seigfried's Mills, sub- sequently Green's Bridge. He owned at times a tannery, flourmill, distillery and about two hun-
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dred acres of land. In politics he was quite inter- ested, being affiliated with the Whig party and afterward with the Republican organization. He was a Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. His death occurred in 1889, at the age of ninety-one years, while his wife, who died in 1876, was then in her seventy-third year. They were the parents of ten children: David, a farmer and tanner at Martin's Creek, or Howell- town; John, a farmer, who was killed while organ- izing'a company for the late war; William, a re- tired farmer, now engaged in the feed business at Pen Argyl; Mary Andrews, who is deceased; Jus- tus, a resident of Lawrence City, Kan., owner of a farm and dealer in hardware; Joseph, formerly a member of the Legislature of Kansas, and whose death occurred at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan .; Rosc, who lives on the old homestead with her next younger sister; Elizabeth, wife of William Draney; Henry B., who was a member of the First New York Lincoln Cavalry, in the Army of the Poto- mac, and died while in the service; and our sub- ject, the youngest in the family.
The birth of A. B. Howell occurred Novem- ber 21, 1842, at Seigfricd's Mills, Northampton County. His education was obtained in the com- mon and select schools of Philipsburg and Easton. At the age of eighteen years, on the 11th of Sep- tember, 1861, he enlisted in the First New York Lincoln Cavalry, being assigned to Company A and placed in the Army of the Potomac. Among the many skirmishes and battles in which he took part are the following: Fair Oaks, Gaines' Mill, Golding's Farm, Cold Harbor, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Antietam, South Mountain, Winchester, Williamsport, Strasburg, Fisher's Hill, Mt. Jackson, Harrisonburg, Millwood and all the minor engagements of his regiment. In the battle of Millwood he was shot in the left leg, and amputation was found necessary. He also received a slight wound at Smithfield, Va., in a hand-to-hand combat with revolvers. Altogether he served nearly three and a-half years, being mustered out at Frederick City, Md., in the fall of 1864.
Returning to resume his education, Mr. Howell pursued his studies in Lafayette College, from
which he was graduated in 1868, as valedictorian of his class. He then began studying law at Eas- ton with M. Hale Jones, and was admitted to the Bar from his office in 1870. The young man im- mediately opened an office of his own at Easton, which he has kept up until the present time. He has for many years enjoyed a lucrative practice, and is well known as one the leading members of the legal profession in this district. Socially he is a member of Lafayette Post No. 217, G. A. R., of Easton, and holds the rank of Commander in the same. He also belongs to the Zeta Psi and Phi Beta Kappa fraternities.
In 1869 Mr. Howell married Miss Mary, daugh- ter of Peter K. Snyder, who is engaged in milling near Easton. Mrs. Howell bore her husband one child, a daughter, May, who is deceased. Feb- ruary 18, 1892, the wife of our subject was called from his side by death, when she was forty-seven years of age. She was a lady of refinement and amiable character, who made friends readily and was held in high esteem by all who had the pleas- ure of her acquaintance.
UGENE H. SHIPMAN, Civil Engineer: This prominent resident of South Bethle- hem is a graduate of Lehigh University, and is at present holding the responsible position of Borough Engineer. He was born in Clinton, Hunterdon County, N. J., March 18, 1863, and is the son of Capt. William M. Shipman, a native of Warren County, that state, who in turn was a son of David Shipman. The latter was also born in Warren County, where he carried on farming and spent his entire life. The Shipman family can trace its ancestry back to the year 1258 in Eng- land, to Sir Abraliam Shipman, who was knighted by Henry IV.
William M. Shipman was a prominent merchant in Clinton, N. J., where he was residing in 1862, when appointed by Governor Olden Captain of volunteers in the United States service. After the close of the war he resumed business in New Jer-
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sey, and lived there until his decease, July 3, 1880, when fifty-two years of age. He was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church and a most honored and honorable gentleman. The lady whom he married was Miss Samantha, daughter of Moore Furman, a native of New Jersey, and who was em- ployed on the Morris Canal many years. Mr. Furman later removed to the city of Scranton, this state, and became one of the founders of that city. He afterward changed his location to Blooms- burg, where he died.
Eugene H. was reared in Clinton, N. J., and when old enough earned his own money by clerk- ing in a store. In 1880 he went with the engineer- ing corps of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad from Binghamton to Buffalo, and four years later entered Lehigh University, taking a special course in civil engineering. In 1888 he graduated, being historian of his class. Coming to South Bethlehem immediately after leaving the University, he opened an office, and the following year was elected Borough Engineer by the Coun- cil. On the expiration of his term he was re- elected, and has continued to hold that important position ever since, giving entire satisfaction to all concerned. In politics he is a Democrat, and is classed among the influential members of that party in his community.
H ORACE F. HEILMAN, formerly one of the enterprising and progressive agricult- urists of Lehigh County, and who has been an important factor in advancing its interests, is now living retired. He is a native of the coun- ty, his birth having occurred February 15, 1847. His parents, John and Maria (Guth) Heilman, were likewise natives of this section, and were born re- spectively in Lowhill and South Whitehall Town- ships. John Heilman, our subject's grandfather, is believed to have come from Germany, and after lo- cating in the Lehigh Valley he became one of the well-to-do citizens of his locality.
John Heilman, Jr., began work when a young man on farms near his home, and was thus occupied
until twenty-six years of age, when he began farm- ing on his own account. This was in 1837, and he continued to be his own "boss" until the date of his decease, December 20, 1889. His good wife, who was born June 15, 1808, is still living; she was the daughter of Peter and Catherine (Sterner) Guth, the former of whom was a native of this state and the son of Peter Guth, Sr., who emigrated from Germany to America during the last century. The grandfather at that time purchased four hundred acres of land in this county, for which he received the deed from William Penn. He died in 1823 and was buried in the cemetery at Jordan.
To Mr. and Mrs. John Heilman there was given a family of ten children, of whom those living are: Catherine, the wife of William Helfrich, who lives in Allentown; Eliza, Mrs. Clinton Troxel, a resident of Clinton County, Ind; Caroline, now Mrs. Levi Wenner, living in Marshall County, Ind; Horace; and Uriah, a minister of the Lutheran Church in Amity Township, Berks County.
Horace Heilman, of this sketch, spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and for many years aided his father in its cultivation. His first education was carried on in the public schools of his native place until reaching his sixteenth year, after which he was a student at the Millersville State Normal. He taught four terms of school after completing his education, and in that line met with more than ordinary success.
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