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 71

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 71
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 71
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 71

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In 1872 Mr. Eckert commenced to work in the slate quarries, and after a time took charge of an engine. He then became quarry boss in the Ban- gor Union, where he remained for a period of six- teen years. At the expiration of this time he en- tered the employ of the North Bangor Company as Superintendent, remaining thus engaged for two years. We next find him in Vermont simi- larly occupied, but after a sojourn of a few months in the Green Mountain State, lie returned to Ban- gor and entered the employ of the Bangor Excel- sior Slate Company, of which he is the present Superintendent, having charge of everything out- side of the pit. The quarry is owned by the heirs of the late John Brown, and is one of the best in this part of the state.

In the Republican party Mr. Eckert is an influ- ential worker, and upon its ticket he has been

elected to numerous offices of trust. For a ycar he was Chief Burgess and for three years has served as Councilman. A member of the Lutheran Church, he has served as an Elder of the congrega- tion at Bangor. Socially he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, the Royal Arcanum, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and Senior Order United American Mechanics. His marriage, July 2, 1870, united him with Miss Cecilia, daughter of Michael D. Gruver, of Washington Township. Two chil- dren bless the union, both daughters: Lillie R., wife of John Young, of Bangor; and Laura M., who is with her parents.

P ROF. OWEN R. WILT is one of the most successful educators in the state, and is Superintendent of the South Bethlehem public schools. To his untiring efforts is due the fact that the public schools of this place are equal to any in this region. Professor Wilt was born near Emaus, Lehigh County, July 13, 1840, his father, Reuben Wilt, owning a small farm in that locality. The latter was born in Saucon Town- ship, and was a Supervisor of Upper Milford Town- ship for thirty-two years. He was a successful ag- riculturist during his active life, and is now mak- ing his home with his daughter, being eighty-four years of age. In politics lic is a Democrat, and rc- ligiously a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife, Mary (Romig) Wilt, was born in Upper Sau- con Township. Her father was a farmer, and both he and his father before him were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Wilt departed this life in her eighty-first year, leaving four children to mourn their great loss, two of whom have passed away. Our subject is the third in order of birth. Josiahı R. was a member of a Pennsylvania regi- ment during the Civil War, and, like his brother, Frank R., is engaged in carpentering in this city.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph Wilt, was born in Saucon Township, Lehigh Coun- ty, and followed tlc profession of school teaching. He participated in the War of 1812, receiving threc

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commissions, the last of which made him a Major. His death occurred when over eighty years of age in Emaus. His father, Jaeob Wilt, was born in the Keystone State, took part in the Revolutionary War, and afterward became a resident of Lehigh County, where his death occurred when he had at- tained the ripe old age of ninety-three years.

Professor Wilt was reared on his father's farm, and from the time he was eleven years old became more or less self-supporting. At the age of eigh- tcen lie entered Riegle's Mill, on the Little Lehigh, where he learned the milling business and remained for one year. The suceeeding year he spent on a farm, and during all this time he devoted as much of his attention as possible to his studies while at work on the farm and in the mill. At the age of twenty he received a certificate, and began teach- ing school in 1860 in Salisbury Township, where he remained for five years at one post. Next he taught for one term at South Bethlehem, and then became Principal of the schools of West Bethlehem, serving as such from 1866 until 1884, when he resigned to becoinc Principal of the Cop- lay High School. At the end of two years he ac- cepted the principalship of the schools of South Bethlehem, and Principal of the high school, eon- tinuing at that post until 1888, when he was eleeted first Superintendent of the schools at South Bethlehem. During this time thrce large build- ings of fine architecture, and one of lesser dimen- sions, have been crected, and under his manage- ment the educational interests of the place are constantly improving. The Professor's office is in the Central High School, which is a fine building in every respect, thoroughly equipped to meet the wants of the modern edueator. The Professor at- tends to the course of instruction, gets up the an- nual calendar, and, in short, supervises all of the many details of the work of a corps of forty-three teachers and over two thousand enrolled pupils.

In 1865 our subjeet married Miss Amy Lynn, a native of Dryland, this county, and daughter of Tobias W. Lynn, one of the pioneers of this place. The pleasant home of the family adjoins the Cen- tral High School, and with his wife the Profes- sor holds membership with St. Peter's Lutheran Church, to which he has belonged since 1864, and

in the Sunday-sehool of which he has been Super- intendent for years he now teaches the Bible class. Early in life he took up the study of musie, and for a time was organist at his chureh.

For twelve years Professor Wilt was a member of the South Bethlehem School Board, being Secre- tary of the same for ten years. He is interested in University Extension work, and has been promi- nent in organizing three eourses here, being Seerc- tary of the Bethlehem Center for two years. As a member of the County Institute and the State Teachers' Association, and as an official visitor to the Normal at Strausburg, he keeps thoroughly in touch with the latest and most practical methods of educators. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Malta, being Past Supreme Commander, and is Past Commander of the Knights of Pythias, belonging also to the encampment. He is a mem- ber of Waneka Tribe of Red Men, and of Amethyst Council, R. A. In polities he casts his ballot in favor of the nominees of the Demoeratie party.

R EV. ROBERT DE SCHWEINITZ is an old and prominent minister of the Moravian Church, and is Treasurer of the Northern District of the Moravian denomination in the United States, an incorporated society, and was President of the Executive Board for about twelve years, or until 1886, when he was elected Treasurer, which post he is still acceptably filling.

The birth of our subject occurred in Salem, N. C., September 20, 1819. His father, Louis de Seh- weinitz, was born in Bethlehem, Pa. He had ellarge of the financial affairs of the Moravian Church in the United States, holding the title of their whole church property in trust. A man of great ability and wide information, his serviees were invalu- able to his denomination. His death occurred in the year 1834, while he was still in the last- named position, he being only fifty-four years of age at the time of his demise. He was educated in Europe, and on his return to this country experienced a great deal of difficulty in running

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the blockade in New York harbor, as it was during the War of 1812. His wife was with him on this trip, and at one time they were captured by the British cruisers, but managed to make their escape. His wife, whom he married in Germany, was a native of that land and of French descent, her name being formerly Amelia le Daux. Rev. Louis de Schweinitz was a man of national reputa- tion as a botanist, and was the author of several works on the subject. A great scholar, and ac- knowledged to be a most learned man, he was a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, to which he bequeathed his fine her- barium. Of his children we note the following: Robert is our subject; Emil was a Doctor of Divin- ity and was Bishop in the Southern District, where his death occurred; and Edmund was also a Bishop of the Moravian Church, having the title of Doc- tor of Divinity, and being well known as a man of great ability. His death occurred in this city.

Reared in Bethlehem, the subject of this sketch received a good education at Nazareth Hall, mak- ing a study of the classics. He then entered the Theological Seminary, being ordained about 1848 in Bethlehem. In 1846 he made a journey to Eu- rope and traveled extensively for the two succeed- ing years, his return voyage to the United States consuming some seven weeks. Receiving a call as Professor of the theological seminary of this place, he accepted the same and occupied the chair of Theology for two years, after which, for a period of four years, he was in charge of a congrega- tion at Lancaster. For the next fourteen or fif- teen years he was in charge of the Femaic Board- ing-school in Salem, N. C. The principalship of Nazareth Hall was next offered to him, and he ac- cepted the position, which he occupied for about one year, at the end of which time the synod elected him President of the Executive Board, and as such he remained until 1886, when he became Treasurer.

In Herrnhut, Saxony, the marriage of Rev. Rob- ert de Schweinitz and Miss Mary Tschirschki was celebrated in 1846. The lady was born in Saxony, and by her marriage became the mother of six children, of whom three sons and two daughters are living. Louis is a merchant in Los Angeles, Cal .; Paul was educated at Nazareth Hall, and

graduated from the university; Robert, Jr., is a resi- dent of Bethlehem; and Helen and Clara reside in the pleasant family residence on First Avenue, which the father erected in 1880. The mother of this family was called from this life in 1881, leav- ing many friends who truly and sincerely mourn her loss. In his political affiliations our subject is a stanch advocate of the Republican party.

A LBERT KLECKNER. It is an undeniable truth that the life of any man is a great benefit to the community in which he re- sides when all his efforts are directed toward ad- vancing its interests, and when he lives according to the highest principles of what he conceives to be right. Such a man is Albert Kleckner, who is a self-made, prosperous and leading citizen of White- hall, where he is engaged as contractor of a stone quarry, which is used in connection with the At- las Cement Company.

Our subject, who is a native of this county, was born December 17, 1846, and is the son of Ranadus and Sarah (Ringer) Kleckner, residing at the pres- ent time in this county, of which they are old resi- dents. The first of the family who came to the United States from Germany were two brothers, one of whom located on land which is now occu- pied by the city of Allentown, and the other set- tled in Northampton County, Pa., and founded the village of Klecknersville. Our subject, who is descended from the former, was reared to man's estate in this county, and has spent nearly his en- tire life working in the stone quarry. His father before him had been a contractor in iron-ore min- ing, and with him our subject early learned the business.

Mr. Kleckner received his early education in the schools near his home, and although not having the advantages offered to the youth of the present day, made the best of his opportunities and is to-day an intelligent citizen. The parental family in- cluded ten children. Matilda, Mrs. William Miller, lives at West Catasauqua, this state; Stephen makes

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his home in Carroll County, Ind .; Ellen is the wife of C. B. Putt, and lives in Covington, Ky .; Israel is a resident of Whitehall; Phaon also makes his home in this county; Charles is engaged in busi- ness in Logansport, Ind .; Sarah, Mrs. Jonas Rishel, lives in Montgomery County, this state; James is living in Logansport, Ind .; Nelson is a resident of Catasauqua; and Albert is the subject of this sketch.

In 1864 Mr. Kleckner became a soldier in the Union army, enlisting in Company H, Two Hun- dred and Ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, and with his regiment was sent to join the Army of the Po- tomac. He participated in many of the renowned battles of that period, among which were Bermuda Hundred, Ft. Steadman, siege of Petersburg, and he was under Grant's command at Appomattox, and witnessed the surrender of Lee. Mr. Kleckner received his honorable discharge in May, 1865, after which he returned to his home in this county, where he has since resided. He was wounded while in the service, and now receives from the Govern- ment a pension of $12 a month.

After the close of the war our subject began railroading on the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Road, by whom he was employed for several years, and then finally again drifted into the stonc-quarry and iron-ore work. He spent five years of his life, from 1886 to 1891, as the proprietor of a hotel at Whitchall, but since that time has been engaged in contract work in the stone quarry of the Atlas Cement Company, which position he is still effici- ently holding.

The lady to whom our subject was married Oc- tober 23, 1873, was Miss Mary J. A., daughter of William H. and Maria (Klotz) Romig. Mrs. Kleck- ner was born in this county, which was also the native place of her parents, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of five children, of whom Emma L., Mabel B. and William R. arc living. The two deceased were Mary and Albert.

In the spring of 1881 our subject moved to Whitehall, where he is now living. Socially he is a member of Colonel Fuller Post, G. A. R., at Cata- sauqua, and in religious affairs, with his wife, is connected with the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Kleck- ner is a member of the Ladies' And Society in that

denomination, and is a lady who is active in every kind of benevolent enterprise. Our subject is one of the most intelligent self-made inen of Lehigh County, and in cvery walk in life has conducted himself in an upright and honorable manner.

M ILTON SPEER. The village of Delabole, Northampton County, contains as its most important business establishment the general mercantile store owned and conducted by Mr. Speer. The building is a one and one-half story frame structure, 20x30 feet in dimensions, with an L and bascment. Here may be found everything adapted to the wants of his trade, in- cluding a varied assortment of staple and fancy groceries, dry goods, crockery, flour, glasswarc, boots, shoes, etc.

It was during the year 1889 that our subject embarked in business in Delabole, at which time he purchased the interest of his brother, J. A. Speer, now a resident of Flicksville, this state. Since that time, through perseverance and untiring exertions, he has gained a large and constantly increasing trade. That he has been successful will be shown by the statement that his annual sales average about $10,000. He is still a young man, scarcely yet in the prime of his activity, so it may be safely predicted that additional successes will come to him with the passing years.

In Plainfield Township, Northampton County, the subject of this sketch was born on the 7th of November, 1865, being a son of John and Cather- ine Speer, both natives of this county. His mother is deceased, but the father, who still survives, makes his home in Plainfield Township. Milton was educated in the common schools of the dis- trict, and from early youth has been identified more or less with the mercantile business. For several years he was employed as clerk by his brother, J. A., at Dclabole, after which, as above stated, he purchased the business and has since su- perintended its management.

In 1889 Mr. Speer was united in marriage with Miss Mary C., daughter of the late Joseph Reich-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ard, of Plainfield Township. One child blesses this union, a daughter named May S., who was born July 10, 1890. A Democrat in politics, our sub- ject is always firm in his allegiance to his chosen party. In 1889 he was appointed Postmaster at Delabole, in which capacity he has since served. He is also filling the position of station agent for the Bangor & Portland Railroad at Delabole. With his wife he holds membership in the Lutheran Church, in which faith both were reared.

H ORACE LEHR. Closely identified with the recent commercial history of Easton is the name of Mr. Lehr, the principal events of whose life we record. He was born in this city, May 14, 1868, and is a son of F. H. and Ellen E. (Walter) Lehr. After gaining the rudi- ments of his education in the public schools, he fitted for college at Trach's Academy, Easton graduating therefrom at an early age. In 1883 he entered Lafayette College, and continued a stu- dent in that institution until his graduation with the Class of '87. He was diligent in liis studies, and, though the youngest member of the class, was chosen by his classmates, among a number of other aspirants, to deliver the "Presentation Oration," the most eagerly desired of all the exercises of class-day.

During his attendance at college, and when but eighteen years of age, Mr. Lehr accepted the posi- tion of organist in St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Easton, where he liad charge of a paid choir. Upon leaving college he commenced tlic study of law under the preceptorship of his father, in whose of- fice he continued his legal readings for two years. However, lie had always cherished an inclination for a business life, preferring its activity to the honors of the legal profession. It is hardly to be wondered at, therefore, that when the opportunity presented itself to him to become the financial manager of a newly organized organ manufactur- ing concern, he should have accepted a position so congenial to his tastes, and for whichi he felt lim- self particularly adapted.

During the short time he was engaged in this position, Mr. Lehr gained thorough familiarity

with the business, and felt himself capable of em- barking in the trade for himself. Associating with himself Jacob Diehl, who has no superior as a mechanic, and whose entire life lias been devoted to the organ manufacturing business, the firm of H. Lehr & Co. was organized. The factory, which occupies a splendid location in Easton, is fitted up with all modern improved machinery (including the Sturtevant Blower System, for heating both dry-kiln and factory), and is lighted by electricity.

The organs manufactured here are constructed on an entirely novel and improved design. In ap- pearance they are exactly similar to a handsome up- right piano, with seven octaves of keys, improved pedal arrangement, no stops to get out of order, but a new method of regulating the different sets of reeds by the knee-lovers while playing. These im- provements, together with their marked superiority of tone and touch, enable one to execute even the most difficult piano music upon them. The busi- ness is wholesale, and organs are sold throughout every part of the United States. There are also wholesale agencies in London, England, and Val- paraiso, Chili, which sell to dealers in their re- spective countries. These organs, which have been introduced to the trade by Mr. Lehr, have become very popular. Other manufacturers have followed the style of organ, but Mr. Lehr protects liis own make by patents.

In his political opinions Mr. Lehr is a Democrat, and socially is identified with the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, of which he was organist for five years. February 22, 1892, he married Miss Irene, daughter of Mrs. Sarah Algert, of Easton, and they are the parents of one child, named Horace Algert. The marked success which has attended Mr. Lelir's efforts proves that lie possesses good judgment, energy and business ability, and leads to the belief that coming years will bring to him an ever-increasing prosperity.

EORGE CHARMAN, who is a well in- formed and practical florist, is proprietor of the Nisky greenhouses, and does the largest business both in wholesale and retail trade of anyone in Bethlehem. In business and social

SEHR

SEVEN OCTAVE

O. ORGANS & PIANOS

ORGANS.

H.LEHR

FACTORY OF H. LEHR & CO., EASTON, PA. Manufacturers of Seven Octave Piano Style Organs.

1 1

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RESIDENCE AND GREENHOUSES OF GEORGE CHARMAN. CHURCH STREET, BETHLEHEM, PA.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

eircles he is held in high regard, being a genial companion and an aeeommodating friend.

The birth of our subjeet occurred in Godstone, Surrey, England, July 10, 1861. His father, whose Christian name was also George, was a native of the same place, and there followed farming. His entire life was passed in England, where his death occurred in 1892. He was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and an honest and upright cit- izen, possessing the love and respect of all. His wife, formerly Emina Sitford, is a native of Surrey, and still lives on the old homestead. She is also identified with the Baptist Church. Of her five children only one resides in America. Two of her sons are engaged in the floral business, and the other two are brieklayers.

George Charman was reared in Surrey, there at- tending the common sehools, and was only thirteen years of age when he was apprenticed to a florist at Croydon. With him he remained for three years, aequiring practical knowledge of the busi- ness, and later becoming a journeyman. After- ward he went to the Royal Gardens in Kew, and there took a course in botany and chemistry, which so far advanced him in his knowledge of the work that he received the largest pay of any one there. For two years he studied everything bearing on his future work, ineluding physies and chemistry, economical, systematic and geographie botany, and received a diploma on the completion of his stud- ies. For two years thereafter he was employed at Sion House as foreman of the conservatories of the Duke of Northumberland, who gave him a valua- ble eertifieate when he left his employ.

Coming to Ameriea in 1887, Mr. Charman was for a year and a-half engaged in orange growing and gardening in Orange Lake, Fla., where he planted eleven acres in an orange grove. In 1889 he sold out, and coming to Bethlehem, was fore- man for E. P. Wilbur for one year, after which, in 1890, he rented the place on the south side of Third Street.

In New York City, July 7, 1890, Mr. Charman married Miss Rhoada C. Woolven, who was born in Wivelsfield, Sussex, in 1863. Her father, William Woolven, who was a native of the same loeality, is still engaged in farming there and also carrics

on a hotel. Her mother, whose maiden name was Mary A. Birchfield, was born and reared in Sussex, and religiously is eonneeted with the Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Charman are the parents of two children, Kenneth George and Gladys May.

After running his greenhouses on Third Street for three years, Mr. Charman in 1892 bought his present site at the corner of Chureli and Maple Streets, 120x280 feet in dimensions. He owns three greenhouses side by side, 18x160 feet in di- mensions, being connected by a corridor 10x50, and eovering altogether an area of ten hundred and thirty-two square feet. This property he has built up and improved sinee becoming its owner in Mareh, 1893. Here may be found everything in the line of flowers and plants, and he also makes a specialty of raising early spring vegetables in hot-beds. In designing he takes the lead, and in cut flowers earries a fine assortment. The green- houses are hcated by the hot-water pressure, Mereer system, and are models of their kind. Mr. Char- man is a member of the Moravian Chureh. Polit- ically he votes the Demoeratie ticket. In a social way he is identified with the Royal Arcanum and the Heptasophs.

OHN CALVIN KELLER, M. D., the genial and well known physician and surgeon of Wind Gap, Northampton County, was born in Bellevue, Huron County, Ohio, Deeember 29, 1864. He is the son of Rev. Eli and Emma Keller, the former a minister in the German Re- formed Church, who for eleven years hield a pas- torate at Bellevue, and afterward accepted a call to a church in Zionsville, Lehigh County. J. Cal- vin was reared in the Buekeye State until nine years of age, since which time he has been a resi- dent of Pennsylvania. His education was received in the public schools of both states, though mainly in the Perkiomen Seminary in Montgomery Coun- ty, Pa., which he attended, though not regularly, for four years.

Entering upon the study of medieine, our sub- ject became a student in what was then known as the Columbus Medical College of Columbus, Ohio,

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

but which in 1893 was merged into the Starling Medical College. Pursuing his studies with dili- gence, he was graduated in medicine in 1886, and shortly afterward located in Bangor, Pa., wlicre hc assisted his brother in the practice of his profes- sion. However, he remained in that city but a few months, when, concluding that Wind Gap would be a more favorable location, he came hither, opened an office, and has since carried on a general practice.

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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 71

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