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 66
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 66
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 66
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Another industry in which Mr. Fuller is inter- ested is that of stock-raising. He owns opposite his works three farms, containing about two hun- dred aeres, and here may be found seventy-nine head of Guernsey cattle, imported from that is- land. Some time ago he sold a cow for $2,000, and has disposed of other stock at good prices. His private affairs engross his attention so largely that he has little time to devote to politics, but nevertheless is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party.
At the Centennial, in 1876, the Lehigh Car Wheel and Axle Works were awarded a premium, and their exhibit in the Transportation Building at the World's Fair in Chicago was given the
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highest award. During the inaugural years of the enterprise the business amounted to about $8,000 per month, but this increased to $380,000 in 1882, and at the present time (1894) is more than $400,000. Such unusual success as this proves conclusively that the one who has devoted to this business the active years of his life, who has given to it his untiring thought and closest attention, is in- deed a man of unusual business ability, and such the general public concedes Mr. Fuller to be. Through an honorable and useful career he has maintained the principles of integrity and probity implanted in his mind during youth. These qualities, to- gether with force of character and indomitable perseverance, have brought him a fortune.
Occupying an attractive site on the Bridge and Howertown road stands the elegant residence of Mr. Fuller. This structure is built of native gran- ite, in a modern style of architecture, and is fur- nished with an elegance indicating the refined tastes of the family. The lady who here hospi- tably welcomes her hosts of friends, and who be- came the wife of Mr. Fuller in 1867, was formerly Miss Kate Thomas, and was born in Wales. She is the daughter of Hopkin Thomas, a native of Wales and a machinist by trade, to whom belonged the distinction of having burned the first anthra- cite coal used in a locomotive. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are the parents of five children. The eld- est, George Llewellyn, died at the age of twenty- one. Maud is the wife of J. S. Elverson, who is connected with the Catasauqua Manufacturing Company. Blanche married Dr. L. A. Salade, of Catasauqua. Mamie L. and J. W., Jr., reside with their parents. Mrs. Fuller is a member of the Presbyterian Church, which the other members of the family attend.
OSEPH B. MILLER, proprietor of the Rich- mond Mill, at Richmond, Northampton Coun- ty, and also one of the prominent and suc- cessful farmers of Washington Township, is well known throughout this section, having been a life-long resident of the county. He is a native of Lower Mt. Bethel Township, born November
26, 1826, to the union of Barnet and Anna M. (Emery) Miller, also natives of this county. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, followed that calling in Lower Mt. Bethel Township, where he resided until his death, in 1869.
Of the parental family, the following sons and daughters survive: Joseph B., the subject of tlicse paragraphs; Jacob B., who lives in Lower Mt. Bethel Township, as do the other sons, Philip B., Reuben B., and Henry B .; Mrs. Joseph Hess, whose home is in this township; and Mrs. Emma Shook, a resident of Bangor, Pa.
The subject of this sketch was reared to man- hood in Northampton County, and his boyhood years were spent upon the home farm, his educa- tion being gained in the neighboring schools. Ar- riving at man's estate, he did not, however, embark immediately in the agricultural occupation, but instead turned his attention to the lumber busi- ness, in which he was engaged for fifteen successive years, meeting with success in that line of work. After spending a short time in Bucks County, in 1869 he made a settlement in Richmond, and the following year bought the mill property that he still owns. Since that time he has been proprietor of the mill, which through his efforts has gained a high reputation for an excellent grade of products. During the same period he has also engaged in the mercantile business, though at present not thus connected. His farm property includes one hun- dred and sixteen acres of highly improved land, the value of which has been enhanced by the in- troduction of modern improvements.
The success which has rewarded Mr. Miller's ef- forts is all the more remarkable when we consider that he had few opportunities in youth for ob- taining an education. His entire attendance in school, between the ages of six and fourteen, was limited to three months each year, and after the latter age he was obliged to earn his own liveli- hood. Notwithstanding the lack of early advan- tages, he acquired a broad amount of information that has helped him in the accumulation of prop- erty, and is to-day one of the successful men of his township.
After the death of his first wife, whose maiden name was Sallie Yetter, Mr. Miller married Leah
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Hilliard, and they became the parents of one son, B. Franklin. The estimable lady whom he after- ward married was Miss Catherine M. Ettinger, and unto them have been born four children: George W., Mary C., Joseph E. and Herbert W.
In public affairs Mr. Miller is a man of influence. At present he is serving as Auditor of Washing- ton Township, and for several years he has acted in that capacity. On one occasion he was a can- didate on the Independent ticket for the State Legislature, and came within thirty votes of being clected, which in a district usually giving a large Democratic majority was a proof of his popularity as a citizen. A Lutheran in religious belief, he lias filled all the important offices connected with the church at this place.
H ENRY COLT. Among the self-made men of Lehigh County is the gentleman whose life record we will proceed to briefly trace. Formerly one of the prominent business men of Allentown, he is now living retired from labor on his beautiful farm of forty acres of land, located in South Whitehall Township.
Our subject was born in Luzerne County, this state, September 15, 1822, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Sax) Colt, natives respectively of Wilkes Barre and Luzerne Counties. The paternal ances- tors of our subject came from England with a col- ony and located in Connecticut, in Windom Coun- ty. Later, when the Westmoreland Company was formed, the Colt family received several lots ad- joining the present site of the city of Wilkes Barre. The grandfather, Arnold Colt, became a prominent citizen in that placc, and was one of the builders of the Wilkes Barre and Eastern Turnpike over tlie mountains. He held many official positions and was greatly respected and honored in his com- munity. His wife, grandmother of our subject, was Miss Yarrington, the daugliter of Deacon Yar- rington.
Henry Colt, Sr., the father of our subject, dealt quite extensively in real estate in Wilkes Barre,
and at the same time was a prominent surveyor and well known in the city of Philadelphia. He had held. the office of County Surveyor of Luzerne County, and at his death, in 1851, our subject suc- ceeded him in that office, having been appointed to fill his father's unexpired term by Judge John N. Cunningham. So well did he discharge his duties that he was thereafter twice elected by bal- lot, thus serving as Surveyor for about eight years.
Our subject was given a fine education, attend- ing first the select, and later the high schools of Wilkes Barre. He was especially brilliant as a Greek and Latin scholar, and was under the instruction of a graduate of Princeton College. He was far advanced for one of his age in mathematics, and after completing liis studies taught school for some time and also assisted his father in his official duties.
The lady to whom our subject was married, De- cember 8, 1856, was Miss Margaret B. Jackson, also a native of Luzerne County, and the daughter of Silas and Margaret Jackson, natives of that sec- tion. Mrs. Colt came with her husband in 1859 to this county and located in the city of Allentown, where our subject began manufacturing and selling lumber and dealing in coal. In 1862 he returned to Wilkes Barre, in which place he continued to re- side for a short time, assisting in surveying the line of the Lehigli and Susquehanna Railroad from Penobscot to that city.
In 1864 Mr. Colt returned to the Lehigh Valley and renewed his business relations in the manufact- ure of lumber, which had been suspended by the destructive Lehigh flood of 1862. He engaged in the lumber business there for many years. at the same time also did quite an extensive business as a coal merchant in Allentown, to which and to the lumber yard lic afterward gave his exclusive at- tention. He retired, however, from active life in the year 1874, and is now living on a farm of forty acres in South Whitehall Township. He has been very successful from a business point of view, and owns besides thiis tract of land valuable property in Allentown. He is widely and favorably known in this locality and receives and deserves in the fullest measure the respect of all. He takes great interest in the Democratic party, with which he
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votes, and in religious affairs is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mrs. Colt departed this life April 23, 1869, greatly mourned by a host of friends.
A LFRED P. STECKEL, M. D., a native of Lehigh County, is a prominent and influ- ential citizen and enterprising business man of Slatington, being proprietor of the Colum- bia State Company. His birth occurred in this county, November 14, 1836. He is the son of Daniel Steckel, a native of Lehigh County, and a farmer by occupation, whose death occurred Au- gust 18, 1877, at the advanced age of eighty- seven years. The paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, John Steckel, was also a native of Lehigh County, and several generations back the founders of the family in America emigrated from Switzer- land, making their homes in the Keystone State. The mother of our subject, who died in 1879, in her seventy-eighth year, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Frantz.
Dr. Steckel passed his boyhood on his father's farm, in the care and cultivation of which he as- sisted until reaching man's estate. Such educa- tion as he obtained in his youth was that of the common schools at Front Creek, in the Lehigh Valley, though afterward he attended the high school at Siegfried. On leaving school he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for three years, and then engaged in the manufacture of brick, working at this occupation for five or six seasons during the summer. At this time he be- gan teaching school in the winter, and during the six years thus passed he managed to find time to pursue his favorite study of medicine. In 1862 the Doctor entered Jefferson Medical College, from which he graduated two years later, in the spring of 1864, and immediately came to Slatington.
September 14, 1864, Dr. Steckel enlisted as Assistant Surgeon of the Two Hundred and Elev- enth Pennsylvania Infantry, obtaining his com- mission from Gov. Andrew G. Curtin. He was as-
signed to the Third Division, Third Brigade of the Ninth Army Corps, and served his country faith- fully until there was no longer need of his serv- ices, when an honorable discharge was granted him, June 2, 1865, at Alexandria. The most impor- tant battle in which he participated was that of Petersburg, which occurred April 2, 1865.
In July, 1865, the Doctor returned to Slating- ton, where he immediately began a general prac- tice, and for twenty years he practiced his profes- sion, being very successful. At that time, on ac- count of his various business interests, he retired from the practice of medicine to more fully de- vote his attention to other concerns. It was in 1875 that he became interested in the slate business, when he became the projector of the present company for the quarrying and manufac- ture of roofing slate. He is interested in three quarries, which have a yearly output of eighty-four hundred squares of roofing slate, in addition to which the factories make slate blackboards and school slates. During 1893, they put forth sixty- six thousand cight hundred and eighty-nine square feet of slate blackboard, and five hundred and ninety-eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty- one school slates. The Columbia Slate Company operates the Franklin and Big Franklin Quarries, which yield a slate of a very superior quality, and are equipped with the latest improved machinery in use among slate-miners. The products of this concern are shipped to customers in all parts of tlic United States. In 1883, the Doctor, in connec- tion with his other business, established one of the largest general stores in Slatington, and is making money along all these various lines of enterprise.
June 2, 1866, Dr. Steckel was married to Miss Amanda Elizabeth Peters, of Lehigh County, a daughter of Charles Peters, who was a native of Switzerland, and came to America, locating in Le- high County. Her mother, a native of Lehigh County, borc the maiden name of Catherine Ger- man. The Doctor and wife are the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters: Will- iam Lewis, Nevin Daniel, Alfred Peter Charles, Horace Blain, Harvey Harbach, Earl Hastings, Mar- garet Edith, Catherine Elizabeth, Ursula Amanda, Emina Lucretia and Estella May. The two eldest
C
HON. RICHARD CHAPMAN.
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sons are engaged in business, Nevin Daniel being located in Philadelphia. The parents are mem- bers of the German Reformed Church. In politics the Doctor is an active supporter of the Republi- can party, and is a member of Samuel Cress Post No. 731, G. A. R.
H ON. RICHARD CHAPMAN, the well known ex-Member of the House of As- sembly of Pennsylvania, is Superintendent, of the Chapman Slate Quarries of Northampton County, one of the largest enterprises and paying industries of Moore Township. Mr. Chapman is a self-made man, and through his own able qualities has risen to his present condition of wealth and influence in the community. He is active in poli- tics, and has acceptably served his constituents for two terms as their representative in the State Leg- islature.
The birth of our subject occurred in the County of Cornwall, England, April 21, 1840. His parents, William and Jane (Camps) Chapman, were also na- tives of England. The boyhood of our subject was passed in his native country, where he received a fair education in the common schools. He was confirmed in the Church of England, and adhered to that faith for a number of years during his early life. When sixteen years of age he left home and worked in the Harvey Foundry, in Corn- wall, England, for some fifteen months. The suc- ceeding five years of his life were passed on the high seas in the British merchant marine service, and during that time he visited Quebec twice.
It was in 1862 that Richard Chapman left his native land for America, sailing from Liverpool to New York. Hc proceeded direct to Northamp- ton County, and became Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Slate Quarry, located at Wind Gap. In that neighborhood he continued to make his home for about three years, when he resigned that position to become Superintendent of the Chap- man Quarries. Previous to taking this position he went to England, and was the means of securing- about three hundred slate-workers, who on their arrival were assigned to different operators for working various quarries. Thirty years have
elapsed since Mr. Chapman became Superinten- dent of the Chapman Quarries, and he has given the best of satisfaction in this difficult office. On the pay-roll of this concern there are now two hundred and twenty-five employes, and in former years many more were employed. The quarries supply roofing slate; flagging for steps, platforms and sidewalks; hearths, lintels, window-sills, cop- ings, and building stone for general purposes. The slate manufactured by the company is of superior quality, and warranted to keep color.
The marriage of Mr. Chapman was celebrated in 1870, with Jane Edwards, of London, England. In 1881 he spent about four months traveling in Great Britain and other European countries, and visiting many points of interest and the historic cities of Europe. He is a man of general informa- tion and an interesting conversationalist.
For three terms our subject served as Justice of the Peace for the borough of Chapman Quarries, and is now serving as Burgess. Since 1867 he has been identified with the Masonic order and is a charter member of Monocacy Lodge No. 413, F. & A. M., at Bath, Pa., in which he held various official positions, and for twelve years has served as Treas- surer of the lodge. He also belongs to Hugh DePayne Commandery No. 19. K. T., of Easton; the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Chapman Quarries; and Loppawinzoe Tribe No. 154, I. O. of R. M., at Bethlehem. From the year 1869 until the present time he has been the Treas- urer of the Chapman Beneficial Society. Re- ligiously he is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, serving the same for a number of years as Treasurer of the Board of Trustees. In political and public measures he has been much interested, and has done all in his power for the welfare and the advancement of the county. Up- right and honorable in his dealings, kind and courteous to all, he merits and receives in an cmi- nent degree the respect of his fellows.
EVI P. FENSTERMACHER is now retired and makes his home in the city of Allen- town. He is a native of this county, hav- ing been born within its limits March 22, 1833.
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His father, Elias Fenstermacher, was also born here, and departed this life in 1875, at the age of sixty- eight years. The first representative of this fam- ily in the United States came from Germany in 1755 and located in Lehigh County, where the succeeding generations have since made their home. Elias Fenstermacher was married to Miss Esther Kuntz, whose birth also occurred in this section.
Levi, of this sketch, spent his boyhood days in attendance at the common schools of Allentown, and for one winter was a student in the academy at Lexington. When a lad of sixteen years he moved into the city, where his father was engaged as a grain merchant, and aided him in whatever way he could. Soon thereafter they added a stock of general merchandise, of which our subject assumed full control in 1870. He dealt very ex- tensively in produce and fruits, and during the Franco-German War shipped grain in large quan- tities to New York City, from which port it was sent to the Old World.
In 1857 Levi Fenstermacher was married to Miss Fianah Metzger, a native of this county, and the daughter of Jacob Metzger, who was a hotel- keeper in Lehighton. Our subject and his wife have a family of three daughters and two sons, named respectively William Jacob, Edward, Laura, Hattie and Ella. The parents are devoted mnem- bers of St. John's Reformed Church. In poli- tics Mr. Fenstermacher is a Democrat, and, being a law-abiding citizen, possessed of good social qual- ities and excellent character, he is held in good repute by his neighbors and friends.
S IMON MESSINGER, who is a retired farmer of Washington Township, Northampton County, was born in Warren County, N. J., July 21, 1833, being a son of George and Susanna (Simons) Messinger, natives of Northampton Coun- ty. His father was during the most of his life a resident of Lower Mt. Bethel Township, but at the age of sixty years he moved to Stephenson County, Ill., and there remained until his death.
Of his children the following survive: Peter, liv- ing in Illinois; Miles, whose home is in Washing- ton Township; Zachariah, of Warren County, N. J .; Theodore, residing in Iowa; Simon, of this sketch; and Lucinda, Mrs. Adam Young, who lives in Plainfield Township.
At the age of about sixteen our subject began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed for ten years. Subsequently he began farm work in Washington Township, and as the years passed by he met with the reward which his painstaking ef- forts deserved. He remained an agriculturist until 1890, when, having accumulated a competence, lie retired from active cares. In youth his advan- tages were meagre, liis attendance at school being limited to three months each year between the ages of eight and fifteen. The schools were poor in those days, and the quality of instruction af- forded crude and meagre, but lie availed himself to the utmost of every opportunity, and through sclf culture gained a broad knowledge of men and things.
In December, 1856, occurred the marriage of Sinon Messinger and Lovina Wilhelm, wlio was born in Northampton County, April 20, 1833. Her parents, John and Susan (Gumn) Wilhelm, were natives of Northampton Couuty; the former deceased, and the latter, now eighty-four years of age, one of the oldest surviving residents of Wash- ington Township. Grandfather Wilhelm resided for many years in Upper Mt. Bethel Township, whither he had removed from Nazaretlı, Pa. Mrs. Messinger was one of eight children, of whom five are now living, namely: Jacob, who lives in Washington Township; Lovina; Henry, a resident of Upper Mt. Bethel Township; Sabilla, the widow of Charles Rutt; and Theobald, of Upper Mt. Bethel Township.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Messinger has been blessed by the birth of eight children, named as follows: Jolin, Isaiah, George; Flora A., wife of Gilmer Spangenberg; Susan, Mrs. Herbert H. Slamp; William; Lucinda, who married William Spangenberg; and Herbert. In religious connec- tions Mr. and Mrs. Messinger are members of tlic Evangelical Association at Bangor. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics, public spirited and enterprising,
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a man of whosc citizenship any community might well be proud.
The farm property of Mr. Messinger consists of one farm of one hundred acres and another place comprising fifty-six acres, in addition to which he has valuable real-estate interests in Bangor. Suc- cessful in life, he is now enabled to spend his declin- ing years in the enjoyment of a handsome income, sufficient to surround his family with every com- fort. He is liberal in his benefactions, a generous contributor toward all projects calculated to pro- mote the moral and spiritual welfare of the peo- ple. He has served as a member of the building committee of the Emanuel Evangelical Church of Washington Township and has given personally a large amount toward the contruction of the house of worship.
J AMES M. SCHNABEL. Among the wealthy and prominent citizens of Bethlehem may be mentioned the name of James M. Schna- bel. He is the senior partner in the boot and shoe firm of James M. Schnabel & Bro., and was born in Northampton County, Pa., near Betli- lehem, in 1850.
The father of our subject and the grandfather were both born in this country. Samuel, the father, was a veterinary surgeon, and practiced at Han- overville, Pa., with success. He was a zealous member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics was a Democrat. His demise occurred at Bethlc- hem in 1890. The mother of our subject, Diana W. Schnabel, was born in New Jersey, and was of English descent. She was the daughter of a miller, and with the family removed to Pennsylvania, where the father erected a mill on the Bushkill, in Bethlehem Township. She died at quite an ad- vanced agc, a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.
There were eight children born of the union of Samuel and Diana Schnabel, seven of whom at- tained the age of maturity, and six arc yet living.
James M. Schnabel was the fourth youngest, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He be- gan working on the farm at an early age, and con- tinued thus until the year 1866, when he came to Bethlehem and engaged as a clerk in the store of Wolle, Krause & Erwin. He gave entire satisfac- tion to his employers, and remained with them until December, 1872, when he engaged with Rie- gel, Cortright & Solt, and therc remained until 1879, when he and his brother, Edwin H., started in business for themselves, under the firm name of James M. Schnabel & Bro.
The firm opened a store at No. 13 Main Street, where they carried on the boot and shoe business until 1891. They met with success, and finding the facilities for doing their business at that place were entirely too limited they moved into their present quarters. The dimensions of their new building are 24x100 fect, and it consists of a base- ment and storage room, with the retail store on the main floor. The workshop and manufactory arc adjacent. The firm has the finest and largest, stock of boots and shoes in this part of the state, and their stock is estimated at more than $16,000. Their window displays would do credit to any boot and shoe firm in the country. The secret of their success as a firm is their undaunted courage and their perfect reliability.
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