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 70

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 70
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 70
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 70

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May 13, 1856, Mr. Wonderly of this sketch and Miss Caroline Seigfried were united in marriage. The lady was born in Batlı, this state, and is the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Bartholomew) Seigfried, natives of Berks and Northampton Coun- tics, respectively. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children: Victor F., who is engaged in the sale of undertaking goods at Allentown; and Alfred, who died in infancy.

Socially our subject is a Knight Templar, and takes great interest in the workings of the Masonic order. Politically he is a true-blue Republican, and has served efficiently as a member of the School Board. He owns a good residence, pleasantly lo- cated at No. 517 Linden Street, where he and his good wife are enjoying the consciousness of years well and profitahly spent.

AMUEL S. MESSINGER, who is numbered among the most influential and prosper- ous business men of Northampton County, is proprietor of the Empire Agricultural Works of Tatamy, and senior member of the firm of S. S. Messinger & Son, iron founders and manufacturers of agricultural implements and steam engines. Such is the magnitude of the business, and his prominence as a citizen, that a volume of this char- acter would be incomplete were no mention made of his life and work.

Born in Northampton County, June 28, 1823, the subject of this biography is a descendant of

Swiss ancestors. His great-grandfather, Michael Messinger, emigrated from Europe to America dur- ing the eighteenth century, and in 1743 settled in Northampton County, Pa. From the Penn heirs he purchased a tract of land in Palmer Township, upon which he located, becoming the founder of the family in this country. Our subject, the son of George M. Messinger, was reared to maturity upon a farm, which he aided in tilling during the summer, while in the winter seasons he was a pupil in the early subscription schools between the ages of ten and sixteen.

In 1857 Mr. Messinger began the manufacture of plows and plowshares, at the solicitation of David Witner, a molder by trade. The enter- prise was conducted under the name of S. S. Mes- singer until 1861, at which time he took in several gentlemen as partners, the title being then changed to Messinger, Shimer, Werkheiscr & Allsfeld. After a short time the works were leased by Henry Bruner, who conducted the enterprise about one and a-half years. In 1864 Mr. Messinger took in as partner Reuben L. Shimer, under the title of Messinger & Shimer, which continued until 1868, their princi- pal manufacture being the Excelsior Mower and Reaper. Employment was given to ahout thirty or thirty-five hands.

From 1868 to 1873 Mr. Messinger conducted the business alone, but during the latter year ad- mitted his son, G. Frank, as partner, under the firm style of S. S. Messinger & Son. The senior mem- ber in 1876 sold out his interest to his son Charles S., and the name of the concern was S. S. Mes- singer's Sons until 1883. Our subject then re-pur- chased his original interest from his son Charles S., and has since been at the head of the firm of S. S. Messinger & Son.

From a small beginning the concern has in- creased in magnitude until it is now one of the most important in the county. At the present time there are one hundred and nine persons em- ployed in the seven departments, viz .: the foun- dry, finishing shop, wood-working machinery de- partment, carpenter and setting-up department, painting shop, blacksmith shop and the plow de- partment. Each department has its foreman, and in the office there are two clerks who attend to the

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correspondenee. In the plow department are inan- ufactured from ten to fifteen thousand plows an- nually. All the goods manufactured in the plant are of superior finish and quality and find a ready sale. Among the specialties are grain threshers, separators and cleaners, and the modern improved agricultural implements are also manufactured.

Mr. Messinger married Miss Sabina, daughter of Edward B. Shimer, of Forks Township, North- ampton County, and four children have been born unto them, namely: James E., G. Frank, Charles S., and Hannah C., wife of William Stauffer. Po- litieally our subject is a Republican, and, while not partisan in his opinions, is one of the most prominent men of his party in his locality. He has served as Burgess of Tatamy since it was made a borough, in 1893. At present he is a Director and Treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company of Pennsylvania, and has held the former position since the organization of the com- pany, in 1865, in which he was a prominent factor. Socially lie is a member of the Masonic order, be- longing to the lodge at Easton, and is also identi- fied with the Knights of Malta at Tatamy.

G. Frank Messinger, General Superintendent of the plant, was born in Northampton County, Pa., November 28, 1848, and received a common-school education in Palmer Township. He learned the trade of a molder, though he has never followed it. When only nine years old he began working in the plant, and since then has gained a thorough knowledge of every branch of the work. The splendid improvements now visible in the plant have been largely planned and executed through his energy and inventive skill. In addition to this enterprisc, he is also proprietor of the Bel- fast Hard-Vein Slate Quarry, at Belfast, Pa., one of the oldest quarries in the slate region of North- ampton County. The slate manufactured is per- haps the best produced in the hard-vein region, and is used for roofing slate, flagging, posts, steps and grave covers. Among its good qualities are the facts that it does not change in color, absorb moisture, fade, rust, or decompose in any manner.

The marriage of G. Frank Messinger united him with Miss Clara, daughter of William Reinlicimer, of Palmer Township, Northampton County. They

are the parents of four living children: George, Lizzie, Carrie and Rosa. In polities a Republican, he is now President of the Borough Council at Tatamy, and is prominent in eivic affairs. So- eially he belongs to the Masonie lodge at Easton, the Knights of Malta at Tatamy, and the Senior Order United American Mechanics of this place.

ERNHARD KEISER. Thoughtful readers are always interested in an account of a man who, poor in youth, has sueeessfully overcome obstaeles, and on reaching old age is en- abled to surround his family with all the comforts of life. Sueh in brief is the record of Mr. Keiser, now living retired in Fullerton. He is a native of Germany, and was born in Wurtemberg, July 3, 1828. In his native land he learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, which he followed in connection with the occupation of a house carpenter for many years, and he was also an expert pattern-inaker.

Emigrating to Ameriea in 1854, Mr. Keiser took passage on a sailing-vessel at Havre, and after forty days landed in New York, whence he proceeded direct to Philadelphia. In that city he followed his trade for a short time, removing from there to Allentown, where he was also occupied at liis trade. For some time he was pattern-maker in a foundry. In the carly '60s he moved to Hokendauqua, where he was first engaged as a pattern-maker, and later made drawings for the Thomas Iron Company. After two years spent in that place, he went to Al- lentown, and became a member of the firm of Bar- bour & Co., carrying on a foundry for some two years. He then returned to Hokendauqua and aeeepted the position of Master Mechanic with the Thomas Iron Company. While filling that place he planned a portion of the buildings now oeeupied by the plant. After twelve years in the employ of the company, he came to Fullerton, where he has since lived somewhat in retirement. For two years, however, beginning in 1880, he was in partnership with Harry Barbour in the Allen- town foundry, under the firm title of Barbour,

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Keiser & Co., and although not at present actively engaged in business, he still maintains an interest in the affairs of trade, and finds sufficient to em- ploy his time.

Mrs. Keiser, who was formerly Miss Caroline Pfeiffer, was born in Germany, and has become the mother of three children: Henry B., an engineer and draftsman in the Carnegie Steel Works at Braddock, Pa .; Frank B., Superintendent of the Pioneer Mining and Manufacturing Company, near Birmingham, Ala .; and Edward H., who is Profes- sor of Chemistry at Bryn Mawr College, and has received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Po- litically Mr. Keiser is a Republican, but in local matters votes for the man best qualified for office, irrespective of political ties.

D R. CHARLES G. HIRNER, proprietor of the C. G. Hirner Cattle Powder Works in Allentown, is known in every portion of the civilized globe as a great chemist. In the "Past, Present and Future of the City of Allen- town," published under the auspices of the Board of Trade, is found mentioned among the remarka- ble industries of the city the horse and cattle powder works of Dr. Hirner.

It is now nearly forty years since this friend of the farmer and poultryman introduced his now famous Lehigh Cattle Powder, the greatest blood- purifier yet discovered. The powder at once leaped into general favor in the locality of his home, and has since spread wherever its results have been known. In 1857 he purchased the right to manu- facture Duvoy's Horse and Mule Powder, which he changed to accommodate the climate of this country. The Farmers' Union Cattle Powder, a compound unequaled for dairy use, in increasing the quality and quantity of milk, butter, flesh and eggs, was a discovery of Dr. Hirner that followed later on. The Dairyman's Cattle Powder, for gen- eral use, and the Union Roach, Rat and Mice Ex- terminator came next, the latter of which lias proved a terror to all such pests; while his Japan-

ese Corn Cure is death to that annoying affliction of the feet.

Dr. Hirner was born at Boeblingen, Wurtem- berg, Germany, March 25, 1835, and is the son of M. F. Hirner, also a native of the above place, where he lived, and died in 1877, at the age of seventy-eight years. He came of a very influential family, and during the greater part of his life was a Councilman, and took great interest in the mun- icipal affairs of Boeblingen. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rosina Walters, was also a native of Germany, where she departed this life some time in the '60s, when in the sixty-seventh year of her age.

Charles G., of this sketch, was given a fine edu- cation in German, Latin, French and the classics and after graduation took a course. in chemistry, in the laboratory of Bonj & Son, in his native city, studying both practical and theoretical chemistry. Our subject, when only six years of age, entered the gymnasium of Boeblingen, and five years later was elected teacher of athletics for a large class, and continued thus to act until attaining his eigh- teenth year.

After completing his course of study with Bonj & Son, Mr. Hirner entered the University of Tue- bingen, making a specialty of materia medica and chemistry, under the instruction of the late Profes- sors Gmelin and Reuchiin. Our subject possessed great natural ability, and while in school was awarded many prizes for his excellence in scholar- ship. He completed his course in the University in 1853, and that same year received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, besides passing a splendid ex- amination in chemistry. In the spring of the fol -. lowing year he emigrated to America, landing in Philadelphia, whence he came directly to this city, and connected himself with the establishment of the late Dr. Danousky, with whom he practiced for a short time. After this he practiced medi- cine for a short time at La Fayette, Ind., but on account of failing health went west to Leaven- worth, Kan., and also traveled through other west- ern states, remaining away until January 1, 1856, when he returned to Allentown and began the manufacture of the Lehigh Cattle Powders, in which business he has attained such a wide reputa-

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tion. He has a large and extensive business, sell- ing the product of his factory throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Tokio (Japan), and various other countries.

The Doctor is President of the Tidoute Head- light Oil Company, located in Warren County, this state. Money-making but not money-loving, Dr. Hirner is a perfeet type of those who treat eir- cumstanees as a slave, instead of allowing them- selves to become enslaved by eireumstances.

The marriage of our subject occurred in 1858, when he took to wife Miss Carrie, daughter of the late Joseph Wannamaker, a miller by trade. To them have been born a daughter and son. Nannie married Elmer K. Schultz, of this eity; and George B. assists his father in his business. The Doctor has always lead a very active life, and is in the en- joyment of good health. With his estimable wife, he belongs to St. John's Lutheran Church, and oe- cupies a comfortable residence at No. 725 Linden Street.

EORGE V. SNYDER is the efficient mana- ( ger of the store of the Chapman Supply Company at Chapman Quarries, North- ampton County, and is Postmaster at that point. He is a native of this county, where his life has been passed, and with its welfare he is thoroughly iden- tified. His birth occurred December 12, 1839, his parents being Peter and Susan Snyder, natives of Lehigh County. Our subject's paternal ancestors were among the early settlers of the Lehigh Valley, and some of the pioneers of his name were killed in one of the early Indian massaeres.

The years of Mr. Snyder's boyhood passed unev- entfully in the acquirement of an education while living under the parental roof. In 1853 he en- tered the mercantile business as a clerk in Kreiders- ville, this county, with Samuel Seem, by whom he was employed for a short time. For eight years succeeding this he was in the employ of D. O. Say- lor at Shoenersville, as clerk, after which he went to Bethlehem. At that point he spent twenty- nine years as a clerk in the general mercantile busi-

ness, working for various firms. His many years of experience in this line of business, and his faith- fulness to the interests of his employers, made him a very fitting person to take charge of a similar business, and April 1, 1893, he was made manager of the Chapman Supply Company Store, which po- sition he continues to fill.

In June, 1893, Mr. Snyder was appointed Post- master at Chapman Quarries, and is discharging the duties pertaining to that office with fidelity and zeal. He is interested in secret societies, being iden- tified with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, of Packer Castle No. 116 at South Bethlehem; also with Cyprus Commandery No. 54, K. of M., at Bethlehem; and Lehigh Couneil No. 356, R. A., of Bethlehem. He is a member of the Reformed Church and has been Superintendent of the Sun- day-school for a number of years. Of a genial disposition, he wins many friends and commands the confidenee of the community. In business he makes use of correct and honorable methods, and is winning success in his enterprises.

The marriage of Mr. Snyder was celebrated in 1860 to Miss Sarahı, daughter of the late Adam Solt, of Northampton County. Nine children have been born to them, as follows: Titus H., who is in Dover, N. J .; George F., a resident of Philadelphia; Mary M., wife of M. J. Snyder, of Nazareth; Lizzie M., Mrs. W. H. Mitman, of South Bethlehem; Cora S., wife of Daniel Nelis, also living in South Bethle- hem; Nevin H., whose home is in Philadelphia; Frank P., of Bethlehem; and Clara and Elsie, who are at home. The children have been given good school privileges, and are esteemed citizens of the various communities in which they dwell.

HARLES J. WALTERS, known throughout Northampton County as a prosperous and representative eitizen of Raubsville, has spent his entire life in the county where he now resides. Here his birth occurred on the 21st of July, 1850, his parents being Jacob and Sophia (Shively) Walters, the former a native of New

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Jersey, and the latter born in Northampton County, Pa. Tradition says that his paternal ancestors were originally residents of Germany, but the fan- ily has been represented in America for several generations. The Shively family was also early established in this county.

About 1844 the father of our subject moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, and, settling in Williams Township, Northampton County, began the life of an agriculturist. There he continued to reside, occupied in tilling the soil, until his death, which occurred at the old homestead July 20, 1872. Throughout his community he was well and favor- ably known, and in political matters was a stanch advocate of Democratic principles. A Lutheran in religious belief, he held membership in the church of that denomination in Riegelsville.

The subject of this sketch was in youth the re- cipient of such educational advantages as the com- mon schools of Williams Township afforded. These he attended during the winter seasons, while the summer months were devoted to farm work. At the age of fourteen his school days ended, and he was thereafter exclusively occupied in agricultural pursuits. His marriage, October 24, 1876, united him with Miss Annie, the daughter of Samuel and Mary A. (Dimmick) Raub, of Raubsville, the mother being now deceased. This family has been very prominent in Northampton County, and the village of Raubsville was named in their honor. Mr. and Mrs. Walters are the parents of one child, a son named Jacob D.

At the time of his father's death our subject was twenty-two years of age, and he then began in business for himself on the old homestead in Will- iams Township. He continued to live there for many years, and through his energy and industry effected many improvements in the place, brought the soil to a high state of cultivation, kept the various buildings in good repair, and maintained the farm at a high standard of improvement. In 1894 he retired from the old homestead, and, mov- ing to Raubsville, has since made his residence in this village.

In politics a Democrat, Mr. Walters has served as School Director of Williams Township, and also frequently represented that township as delegate

to county conventions. At one time he was a inember of the Northampton County Committee from the eastern part of Williams Township. In religious belief he is identified with the Lutheran Church of Raubsville, in which he is officiating as a Deacon. Socially he belongs to Prosperity Lodge No. 567, F. & A. M., at Riegelsville, and is also a member of Fairview Grange No. 696, Williams Township. A close observer and reader, he is in- telligently posted on the current affairs of the day, and takes an active interest in both local and na- tional issues.

HARLES ADAM DORNEY, President of the C. A. Dorney Furniture Company, is one of the most prominent business men in Allentown. He was born in this county, just three miles from the city, March 20, 1844, and is the son of Solomon Dorney, a native of Whitehall Town- ship, where his decease occurred in 1856. He in turn was the son of Adam Dorney, a well-to-do resident of the county. The mother of our sub- ject was Mrs. Susan (Scholl) Dorney, born in Le- high County, and the daughter of David Scholl.

Charles A. of this sketch spent his boyhood days in working on his father's farm, and up to his fif- teenth year attended the district school. In 1862 he came to Allentown, and for three years clerked in the dry-goods store of M. J. Kramer. In March, 1866, he opened up an establishment of his own, having a large stock of fine millinery and fancy goods, and was successfully engaged in that busi- ness for a period of nine years.

In 1869, while still conducting his millinery in- terests, Mr. Dorney, in partnership with Henry Berkemeyer, embarked in the furniture trade, un- der the firm name of Berkemeyer & Dorney. This connection existed until 1873, when our subject sold his interest in the enterprise to T. B. Fouth & Co. Five years later he again became a stockholder in the company, and is to-day the President. They manufacture all kinds of handsome furniture in their plant, which is located near the tracks of the

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Lehigh Valley Railroad, and is equipped with the latest approved machinery for the manufacture of chamber suits and sideboards. The company was incorporated recently under the name of the C. A. Dorney Furniture Company, with Charles Siegen- fuss Treasurer, and B. M. Krause Secretary. They give employment to two hundred men and do a large and extensive business, having a paid-up capital of $200,000.

December 10, 1865, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Mertz, a native of this county, and the daughter of Charles Mertz. They have a beautiful residence located at No. 920 Hamilton Street, and number their friends among the best people in the county. Politically he is a Republican.

P AUL C. BROADBECK is numbered among the enterprising, progressive and substan- tial business men of Catasauqua, and is no unimportant factor in advancing its material inter- ests. He is a very successful insurance man, and at present is Assistant Superintendent of the Pruden- tial Life Insurance Company of Newark, N. J., for the Allentown District. He is a native of this city, his birth occurring June 22, 1855.

John C. Broadbeck, the father, is of German birth, and followed the trade of a carpenter in Stuttgart. He crossed the Atlantic prior to his marriage, and his first employment was as rigger in charge of the ore beds of the Crane Iron Com- pany. He was born in 1827, and died in this city in 1881. He was married in the New World to Miss Paulina Frederick, who was born in Wurtein- berg, Germany, and is still living, at the age of sixty-eight years, making her home in East Cata- sauqua.

Of the two sons and one daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. John C. Broadbeck, Paul of this sketch was the eldest but one. He was only given limited advantages for securing an education, and at the early age of fourteen years was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade in the shops of the Crane

Iron Company. He remained in their employ for five years thereafter, but was finally obliged to quit on account of failing health caused by breathing sulphurous gas. A year later he retired from work for a year, and then, going to Packerton, there car- ried on his trade, and afterward, on locating in Pittsburg, learned the trade of a cigar manufact- urer. From that place he went to Meadville, where he was employed as a cigar merchant for three months, when he returned to Catasauqua and be- gan work in the blacksmith department of the Dav- ies & Thomas Iron Company.

In 1885 Mr. Broadbeck accepted the agency for the Prudential Life Insurance Company, which he now represents as Assistant Superintendent in this district. He is successful in business and enjoys the confidence and sincere esteem of a host of long time friends. Mr. Broadbeck was married in this city, April 22, 1880, to Miss Sarah C., daughter of James Dilcher, a retired baker of Catasauqua. Their home was brightened by the birth of three children, Esther A., Minnie L. and Ralph C., but all are deceased.

The original of this sketch owns six residences in different parts of the city and also deals quite extensively in real estate, which business he has carried on in connection with his insurance agency for the last twelve years. Socially he belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle. The Lutheran Church, which he has represented as Trustee, finds in him a valued member. He is active in Sun- day-school work, and has been Treasurer and Assist- ant Superintendent for the past fifteen years.

A BRAM ECKERT, Superintendent of the Bangor Excelsior Slate Company, is a na- tive of Northampton County, born in Upper Mt. Bethel Township, August 8, 1845. The family of which he is a member has resided in Northampton County-principally in the upper part-for several generations. His grandfather, Abram Eckert, followed the occupation of an agri- culturist until his death; his body lies buried in

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the Centreville Cemetery. George Eckert, our subject's father, was born on the old homestead, where he grew to manhood and began his chosen occupation, that of agriculture. He was a man of upright character, unflinching integrity and great perseverance, and at his death, left not only a comfortable property to his heirs, but also the heritage of an honored and honorable life. With others of the family who have passed away, his remains repose in the Centreville Cemetery. In politics he adhered to the principles that have guided the Republican party in all its movements. His membership religiously was in the Lutheran Church.

Unto George and Saralı (Muffley) Eckert were born eight children, namely: Katharine A., widow of John Slack; Abram, the subject of this article; Belinda, who married Obadiah Oyer; Emma, wife of Thomas E. Lockard; John M .; Hiram, wlio en- listed in the army during the late war, took part in the Seven Days' battle, and afterward died of typhoid fever; Isaac Franklin and Josiah, deceas- ed. Abram was reared upon the old homestead and passed his youthful years in a manner similar to other farmer lads, attending school during the winter seasons when work on the farm was im- possible. Occupied in farm work until he was twenty-three, he then began to learn the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed about five years.

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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 70

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