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 61

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 61
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 61
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 61

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September 9, 1871, Horace F. Heilman and Miss Elmina Litzenberger were united in marriage. The lady was born August 5, 1847, in Upper Ma- cungie Township, this county, and was the daugh- ter of Jacob and Catherine (Koch) Litzenberger. The father was likewise a native of this section, and a son of John J. Litzenberger, who on enngrat- ing from his native Germany became one of the substantial residents of Macungie Township. The parents of Mrs. Heilman were blessed with twelve children, of whom Tilghman, William, Uriah, Caro- line and Esther are living.

To our subject and his wife there were born six children, four of whom are deceased. Those who still survive are John J. and Milton H. The Lu- theran Church finds in them active and influential members, and Mr. Heilman has been Trustee and

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Deaeon in the congregation. His estate comprises one hundred and twenty acres, which by patient and unvarying toil he has improved, and now the fertile soil returns an abundant barvest. He is a Republiean in polities, and probably no one in the eounty is more highly respected, and certainly no one is more deserving of representation in this record.

EORGE W. GRUBE, a wealthy and influ- ential citizen of West Bethlehem, Pa., was born in one of the Rhine Provinees of Germany, January 29, 1845. His father, Abraham Grube, was born in the same place, and followed his trade there, which was that of merehant tailor- ing. He emigrated with his family to this eoun- try in 1857 and settled in New York City, where he still pursued his trade. Three years later he located at Newark, N. J., and engaged in garden- ing, remaining there until his demise. He was a zealous member of the Lutheran Church, and be- longed to the Masonic fraternity. The mother of our subjeet was Margareta Schneider, the daugh- ter of a prominent farmer. The grandfather had the honor of being a soldier under the great Na- poleon Bonaparte, serving under him on the marcli to Moscow, Russia, and return.

The subject of this sketch is the eldest of six children, five of whom are still living. He was reared in Germany, and attended the common schools there until 1857, when he sailed for Amer- ica on the ship " Devonshire," and after forty- three days on the sea landed in New York City. Upon his arrival he was compelled to begin work immediately, and engaged with a huckster in New- ark, N. J. While engaged in this way he attended a private evening sehool. In 1859 he went into business with his father at West Newark, as a manufacturer of bonedust for fertilizing purposes. continuing in this occupation until 1867, when a disastrous fire compelled them to eease operations. George W. then came to Bethlehem and here be- gan life anew by gathering old bones, boiling down grease, handling hides, hair, glue, etc. Later he

engaged in the hide, tallow and junk business, dealing also in eement, lime and sand.

Mr. Grube was so successful in all his under- takings that he was enabled to speculate in real estate. He now owns the Monocacy Bloek, con- taining four stores, and also twenty-three resi- dences. These latter are situated in different parts of Bethlehem, West Bethlehem and South Bethle- hem. In 1891 he sold out his junk business, and in 1893 started a silkmill, having at first only two men employed in a small building. At present he has a large manufactory, with a daily capacity of ten thousand yards of silk ribbon.

The marriage of Mr. Grube occurred at Bethle- hem, when he took Miss Emma Brader as his com- panion for life. There were seven children born of this union, as follows: Flora A., Frederick W., Lizzie, Maggie, Charles O., Luey and George W., Jr. Our subjeet was one of the first Couneilmen from the First Ward of West Bethlehem, and has been re-elected every three years on the Demo- cratie ticket. He is the present Chairman of the Finance Committee, and is a stockholder of the Freemansburg Building and Loan Association. Po- litically he is a Democrat, and is aecounted a sub- stantial citizen and man of publie spirit, being in- terested in local and national government, doing his duty at the polls, and assisting in matters of local enterprise.

T ILGHMAN STATLER, manufacturer of ear- riages, buggies and light wagons, and pro- prietor of a general repair shop at Allen- town, elaims Lehigh as the county of his nativity, for he was born within its borders on the 23d of January, 1818. His father, John Statler, was also a native of that county, and was a miller by trade. The grandfather of our subject, Solomon Statler, was numbered among the pioneer settlers of this locality. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Harriet Hartzell, was also born in Lehigh County, and by her marriage became the mother of four children.

Our subject is the only inember of the family now living. He began his education in Weavers-

HENRY COPPÉE, LL. D.

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ville, Northampton County, and afterward at- tended the common schools of Lehigh County. When his education, was completed he began life for himself, and served an apprenticeship to the carriage-maker's trade under Jacob Lukenbach, of Bethlehem. While thus employed he also attended a night school, for he realized the value of an edu- cation, and wished to gain a good knowledge of the common branches and other studies which would be of benefit to him in his life work.

When his term of apprenticeship had expired, Mr. Statler came to Allentown and purchased the little wagon shop then owned by Stephen Barber. There he began the manufacture of carriages, bug- gies and light vehicles of every description, and also did all kinds of repair work along that line. His skill and ability soon won recognition in an increased patronage, and as his trade grew he en- larged his facilities. In 1842 he tore down the old- shop and built a large brick shop, 26x152 feet, and three stories in height, in which he placed all the machinery necessary for the best prosecution of his work. He manufactures carriages, buggies, sleighs and liglit wagons, and receives from the public a liberal patronage. His plant is situated on the corner of Sixth and Linden Streets, and in con- nection with the main building there are ample warehouses, extra sheds and repair houses, and also sheds for storing lumber. Employment is furnished to from ten to twenty men during the busy season, and he has a large and reliable local trade. He looks after the business himself, although he takes no other active part in the work.

In 1839 Mr. Statler was united in marriage with Miss Mary Keiper, of Allentown, daughter of George Keiper. Three children have been born to them: Eugene H., who is now engaged in the gro- cery business; Jane, wife of D. Norris; and Clara, wife of Adam Sand. The parents are both mem- bers of the German Reformed Church and are highly respected citizens, having many warm friends in this community, where they have so long resided.

In his political views Mr. Statler is a Democrat, and for twenty years was an efficient and capable member of the City Council. His long-continued service well indicates his personal popularity and fidelity to duty and the confidence and trust re-

posed in him. In his business he has met with success, and in addition to his factory he owns five dwelling-houses, which he now rents. Al- though well advanced in years he is still well pre- served, and will probably be spared for many years of usefulness.

H ENRY COPPEE, LL. D. Not only as the President of the Lehigh University, a far-famed literary and scientific institu- tion, but also as the author of many well known and widely read volumes, Dr. Coppée has gained distinction as one of the cminent men of Pennsyl- vania. His scientific and literary researches have been of a most important nature, and his superior ability commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact. In 1874 he was honored by the appointment of Regent of the Smithsonian Insti- tute, and since that time he has been reappointed by Congress every six years, being at present an incumbent of that responsible position. He has twice served as a member of the Assay Commission of the United States Mint.

The Lehigh University, of which Dr. Coppée was the first President, and of which since the death of Dr. Lamberton he has been acting President, is one of the most thorough educational institutions in the country. It is situated at South Bethlehem, the park being in the suburbs of the town, as are also the athletic grounds. Packer Hall, the li- brary, chapel, gymnasium, chemical laboratory, school of mines, physical laboratory and numerous other buildings stand in the park, which comprises one hundred and fifty acres. These structures are replete with all needed apparatus, and are admir- ably adapted to their various uses. The chapel cost over $300,000, and it is said that there is no finer college chapel in the world. The new phys- ical laboratory is being supplied with everything that modern science can devise for convenience of experimental iustruction. In civil, mechanical, mining and electrical engineering, applied chemis- try, metallurgy, architecture and collateral studies,

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the instruction has from the first been superior to the majority of our universitics; from the begin- ning, also, prominent attention has been given to the classics.

The name of Dr. Coppee is inseparably associated with the history of the University, and therefore a record of his lineage and life will possess for our readers more than ordinary interest. He was born in Savannah, Ga., October 13, 1821, and is of French ancestry. His great-grandfather, a man of wealth and prominence in France, was obliged to leave that country on account of poor health, and, seek- ing a more congenial clime, he went to San Do- mingo, where he purchased a plantation and spent the remaining years of his life. By profession he was an attorney-at-law, and general counselor.

A son of this gentleman continued to live on the plantation, and there died shortly before the mas- sacre of the whites, one of the most terrible and relentless events known in history. During those dark times his widow fled to the United States with her children and settled in Georgia. Edouard St. Leger Coppée, one of her sons, was born in San Domingo in 1794, and was graduated from the University of South Carolina with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Opening an office in Savannah, he engaged in the practice of his profession for many years, retiring shortly before his death, which occurred in 1851. He was a member of the Epis- copal Church, and socially was connected with the Masonio fraternity. His wife, who was also of French descent, was born in San Domingo and bore the maiden name of Carolina De la Villatte; she died at the age of cighty-seven years. Her father, Edouard De la Villatte, was a planter of San Do- mingo, but at the time of the revolution the fam- ily was taken to New York State and subsequently to Savannah.

Dr. Coppée was in the Class of '39 at Yale, and thereafter studied civil engineering, being con- nected with the construction of the Georgia Cen- tral Railroad from 1837 to 1840. July 1, 1841, he entered West Point Military Academy, from which he was graduated four years later, being promoted to Second Lieutenant of the First United States Artillery, July 1, 1845. The following year, after having served in garrison and Ft. Columbus, N.

Y., he was sent to Mexico, taking part in the bat- tles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Churubusco and Contreras in 1847, being then promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, and breveted Captain for "gallant and meritorious conduct" in those battles. He also took part in the storming of Chapultepec, September 11, and the assault and capture of the city of Mexico, September 13 and 14, 1847.

From August 22, 1848, until June 22, 1849, Dr. Coppée was Assistant Professor of French at the United States Military Academy, and the following year was stationed at Ft. McHenry, Md., whence he returned to West Point as Assistant Professor of English Studies, remaining there for a period of five years. June 30, 1855, he resigned. For the succeeding eleven years he occupied the post of Professor of English Literature at the University of Pennsylvania, and was then elected President of the Lehigh University, which office he accepted, becoming the first President of the institution. In 1875, on account of his exhausting literary labors, he resigned his morc arduous position, though he still remained connected with the University as Professor of Literature, and now holds the chair of English Literature, International and Constitu- tional Law, and the Philosophy of History.

In the literary field Professor Coppee's work has been very extensive. From 1864 to 1866 he con- ducted the "United States Service Magazine," and among the volumes which he has published are the following, the titles of which will show his varied range of subjects : "Elements of Logic," the "Gal- lery of Famous Poets," "Elements of Rhetoric," the "Gallery of Distinguished Poetesses," the "Se- lect Academic Speaker," the "Manual of the Battal- ion Drill," "Evolutions of the Linc," "Manual of Courts Martial," "Songs of Praise in the Chris- tian Centuries," "Life and Service of Gen. U. S. Grant," "A Manual of English Literature," "Lec- tures on English Literature," "The Conquest of Spain by the Arab Moors," "Life of Gen. George H. Thomas," and many translations from the French, among them Marmont's "The Spirit of Military Institutions," and "The Civil War in America," by the Comte de Paris.

The wife of the Doctor was formerly Miss Julia de Witt, who was born in New York, coming from

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the old Knickerbocker stock. Of their family the following are living: Mrs. George Jenkins, of South Bethlehem; Mrs. Murray Duncan, a resident of Michigan; Mrs. E. L. Griffith, of San Francisco; Miss M. P. Coppée; and Henry St. Leger, a graduate of the Lehigh University as a civil engineer, and now in the United States Engineering Service at Vicks- burg, Miss. Dr. Coppée received the degree of Master of Arts from the University of Georgia, and his degree of Doctor of Laws from two sources, one from Union College, of New York, and one from the University of Pennsylvania. During the war he was appointed Colonel on Governor Curtin's staff, and later was transferred to the po- sition of chief of the staff of General Couch, when on his way to Gettysburg. He is one of the Ward- ens in the Church of the Nativity in South Beth- lehem.

A LLEN P. BERLIN is well known in Słat- ington as the President of the Washington Slate Company, which organization owns two large quarries on the Washington vein, and one on the Franklin, and controls the yield of the Blue Diamond Quarry. The slate put forth by this company is known in all parts of the country for its strength, uniformity, unfading color and dura- bility. They have built up a large blackboard business throughout the United States, and take many contracts, especially in the Northwest, for fur- nishing school buildings.

Born in Northampton County, August 21, 1855, Mr. Berlin is the son of Charles Berlin, a farmer by occupation, and also a native of this county, who was called from this life in 1872. He in turn was a son of Abraham Berlin, who came from an old German family, that had settled in this immediate locality at a very early day. The mother of our subject was Mary A., daughter of Peter Brown. She was born in this county, and was called from the shores of time in 1893, when in her seventy- eighth year.

Up to thirteen years of age, A. P. Berlin con-

tinued to live on his father's farm, his time being passed in the usual manner of farmers' boys, in assisting on the farm and attending the district schools. In his fourteenth year he accepted a place with the Lehigh & Susquehanna Railroad Com- pany as telegraph operator, and continued in that position for three years. With the means thus ob- tained he decided that he would sccure a better education, in order to equip him for the duties of life, and accordingly he entered Lafayette College at Easton, Pa. After four years of hard work in this institution he graduated in 1876. He was then just at his majority, having made his way through school largely by his own efforts. Being offered a position with the Second Geological Sur- vey of Pennsylvania, he accepted the same, and during the years of 1877-78-79 Mr. Berlin held the position of Topographical Engineer in mapping out the South Mountain range from Easton to Reading, and during 1881-82 had charge of the work of the Anthracite Survey in the middle coal- fields, with headquarters at Hazelton, Pa. The fol- lowing two years he was employed on private geo- logical work, and held the appointment of Ad- junct Professor of Mining Geology at Lafayette College, and finally, in 1885, came to this town to embark in the slate business. For three years he was in partnership with Joel Neff, under the firm name of the Washington Slate Company, and at the end of that time purchased the entire interest and assumed sole control of the business. Later C. L. Berbemeyer became a partner, and in 1891 Robert H. Dalby was taken into the firm. The pres- ent company was incorporated in 1891, with our subject as President; C. L. Berbemeyer, Vice-Presi- dent of Sales, and manager of the office at Minne- apolis, Minn .; and Robert H. Dalby, Secretary and Treasurer. Being possessed of superior facili- ties in the various branches of their trade, they are enabled to fill large contracts with great dispatch, and to the satisfaction of their customers. The firm employ one hundred men, and in addition to their regular business also carry on a large general merchandise store, where a large stock is kept on hand. Mr. Berlin is a stockholder and Director of the Second National Bank at Allentown, and is one of the organizers of the Lehigh Coal and Hard-

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ware Company, of which he is President, this be- ing located at Lehighton, Pa.

In 1880 our subjeet married Miss Abbie I. Gar- diner, of Philadelphia, who is the daughter of Wal- lace Gardiner, of that eity. Six children, three sons and three daughters, grace this union, in order of birth as follows: Lillian May, Allen D., Frances, Roscoe, Wallace G. and Mamie. The parents are faithful and regular attendants at the services of the Lutheran Church, to which they belong. Mr. Berlin supports the Republican party, and is a member of Dallas Lodge No. 396, F. & A. M.

RANCIS LUDWIG is a practical and sue- cessful farmer, who resides in South White- hall Township, this eounty, of which he is a native. He was born May 16, 1843, to David and Lydia (Fatzinger) Ludwig, also natives of this state. His paternal grandfather, Francis Jos- eph Ludwig, emigrated to this state froin Germany and became one of the early settlers of the Le- high Valley.

The father of our subject was a man of fair edu- cation, and followed farming pursuits during the active years of his life. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, with which he was identified for many years. In politics he always cast a Demo- eratic vote, and as a reliable citizen and intelli- gent man won the respect of those about him. He departed this life September 7, 1886. The mem- bers of the parental family who are now living are: Maria, Matilda, Sarah. Susanna, Emeline, Mary, Franeis and Joseph. The mother of these children survived her husband just one month to a day, her decease oceurring October 7, 1886. They are buried side by side in the Union Cemetery at Al- lentown.

Franeis, of this sketeh, received a fair educa- tion in the subseription schools of South White- hall Township, and although not having the ad- vantages afforded the youth of the present day, made the best of his opportunities, and is a man well posted on eurrent affairs. He was quite

young when his parents removed to South White- hall Township and located on the farm which he now owns and operates.

February 27, 1869, Francis Ludwig and Miss Elmina Robenold were united in marriage. The lady, who was also a native of this county, was born Mareh 25, 1843, and was the daughter of Jonas and Caroline Robenold, the latter of whom is deceased. The father is still living and inakes his home in South Whitehall Township. Her grandfather, Solomon Robenold, is likewise a resi- dent of this county. Mrs. Ludwig's mother, who was a valued member of the Lutheran Church, died on Christmas Day, 1891. The six children born to her were: Elmina, Thomas, Robert, Henry, Tilgh- man and Ida.

Mr. Ludwig is the proprietor of forty-five acres of land, which he cultivates in a profitable manner. With his wife he is a member of the Lutheran Church, and while living in Allentown served as Deacon of that denomination. To himself and wife have been born four children: Caroline, Al- fred, Robert and Annie.

M RS. ANNIE UHL, proprietor of Uhl's Brewery, is a fine business woman, hav- ing earried on the enterprise formerly conducted by her late husband, Mathias Uhl, since his deeease in 1887, assisted by Marcus C. Fetter, the executor of his estate. This establishment was founded in 1866, by John Schilling, who erected the buildings in which was brewed the first beer made in Bethlehem, and since its start upon a modest seale the business has undergone numer- ous enlargements, and the trade has steadily in- creased until it has assumed the proportions of a large and successful industry.

Mathias Uhl was born at Steinach, Baden, Ger- many, where he learned the brewer's trade. Com- ing to America wlien a young man, he settled in Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade, In 1870 he became a resident of Bethlehem, and be- came foreman in the brewery of the late John Schil-

JOSEPH S. OSTERSTOCK.

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ling, remaining in that capacity for six years. He then purchased the business of his late employer, and carried it on successfully until his death, which occurred April 22, 1887.

Mr. Uhl was married in 1866, in Philadelphia, to Miss Annie Geiger, who was born near Buchau, Wurtemberg, Germany. Her father, Francis Jo- seph Geiger, was a hotel and restaurant man in Germany, and his wife bore the maiden name of Anna M. Weiler. Mrs. Uhl eame to America in 1865, by way of Bremen to New York City, and thence to Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Uhl beeame the parents of three children, Bertha, Annie and Pauline, who are all at home. Mr. Uhl was in politics a Democrat, and was a member of the Catholic Church.

Since her husband's death Mrs. Ulil has greatly improved and enlarged the brewery, and the plant now covers over half an acre of ground eonven- iently located. In 1892 the output was twenty thousand barrels per annum, and a specialty is made of the best and elearest grades of beer for bottling, this having acquired an excellent reputation for hotel and family trade. Much of the success of the brewery has been attained through the efficient management and painstaking efforts of Mr. Fetter, who has conceived and executed many improve- ments, and equipped the plant with modern appli- ances, among these being a twenty-ton ice ma- chine.

Mrs. Uhl has shown herself to be a woman of unusual business and executive ability in the man- agement of her husband's large moneyed interests. She is a member of the Catholic Church of the Na- tivity, and is benevolent, having assisted many a poor person in material ways.

OSEPH SWIFT OSTERSTOCK, an influential citizen of Easton, is a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served long and faithfully. For about twenty years he has been engaged in operating a stove and house-furnishing store and tinsmithi shop, his location being one of the oldest business sites in the city, it liaving been occupied for the same business since 1825. He has

built up a large and paying trade, and occupies a four-story brick building, with a frontage of twen- ty-eight feet, and extending back two hundred and twenty feet. Here may be found his general store and shops. He was elected a member of the first City Council, to represent the First Ward, after the organization of the borough as a city, and in 1887 and 1888 was Chairman of the Fire De- partment.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was a deseendant of one of three brothers who settled in very early days in Forks Township, near Easton, and in that locality he operated a farm of his own. He died at an extreme old age, and his wife lived to be ninety years old. Their children were Polly. Sarah, Margaret, Henry, Jacob and Charles. The latter, our subject's father, was born in Forks Township, and followed the trade of making mill- stones. He was an adept at this business, and be- eamc foreman in the establishment of Joseph Dawes, with whom he remained up to the time of his death, in 1851, at the age of forty-five years. He was a member of the Beneficial Society and of the Sons of Temperanee, and was connected with St. John's Lutheran Church. In his early days he was also a member of a military company eom- manded by the late Governor Reeder. His wife was in her maidenhood Elizabeth Focht, and died in 1854, when forty-three years of age. She be- came the mother of five children: Emily, Mrs. Kitelien, and her sister Elizabeth, who are twins; William G., Theodore and Joseph S.

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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 61

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