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 74

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 74
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 74
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 74

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At the age of seventeen Mr. Morris united with the Presbyterian Church, and was a member of that organization until 1861, when, together with various members of other denominations, he united in founding a General Synod Lutheran con- gregation at Martin's Creek. Of this church Rev. J. I. Burrell was the first pastor, and in it for thirty years Mr. Morris served as an Elder. While giv- ing liberally to its support, he was also most gen- erous in his contributions to other enterprises. For many years he and his wife supported two students in India, and just a few days before his death he made a contribution of $100 to this work. In his will he bequeatlied $250 to the Home and $250 to the Foreign Missionary Board of the general synod. For many years he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the theological seminary at Gettys- burg. He frequently represented his congregation in the distriet synod, and was the delegate of the East Pennsylvania Synod at the convention of the general synod held at Altoona.

In early manhood Mr. Morris was stal wart and vigorous, but his later years were full of suffering. An arm and a leg were each broken twice, and both wrists were fractured at the same time. His death, September 15, 1893, was the result of injuries re- ceived by being thrown down by cattle in his yard.

He was seventy-two at the time of his death, liav - ing been born May 12, 1821. His wife soon fol- lowed him to the beyond, passing away July 27, 1894, and was buried by his side in the beautiful cemetery of Lower Mt. Bethel. She had been a consistent Christian for more than fifty-five years, and was a lady universally esteemned for her many virtues and graces of eliaraeter.

The subject of this sketeh was born in Northamp- ton County, September 3, 1855, and was reared to manhood upon the place where he now resides. He married Miss Sarah A., daughter of Joseph Kiefer, of Lower Mt. Bethel Township, and they are the parents of two children, Elizabeth and John I. B. A Republican in politics, lie has served as School Director and has occupied other local offices of trust. In his business transactions he has been straightforward and upright, and during his lifelong residence in this community has built up for himself a reputation as a good citizen, giving cheerfully of his time and means to whatever tends to the general welfare, and by his industry and en- terprise affording a worthy example to others.

J OEL NEFF is Treasurer of the Slatington- Bangor Slate Syndicate of Slatington, who are miners and wholesale dealers in black, green and red roofing slate, blackboards and other slate produets. The goods sold by this firm are shipped to all parts of the United States, and special attention is devoted to the export trade. The volume of business is constantly growing, and the future prospects of the industry are bright in- deed. Mr. Neff, of this sketch, is a thorough bus- iness man, and it is largely through his influence and sagacity that the business of this concern has grown to its present large proportions.

The birth of our subjeet occurred in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County, November 28, 1836. His father, George Neff, also a native of this county, departed this life in March, 1882, at the age of eighty-one years. His father bore the Christian name of Barnhard, and though his birth

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took place in Lehigh County, his father, Ulrich, was a native of Germany. He helped to build the first church in Heidelberg Township, and was one of the prominent early settlers of the county. The mother of our subjeet bore the maiden name of Susan Handwerk.

The boyhood of Joel Neff was passed in the eounty where he was born, and he received a good common-sehool education. While still a youth he beeame employed in the slate quarry, where he thoroughly learned the business. Being ambitious, he then started in on his own account, leasing a quarry, and in time became the owner of a pieee of slate land, where he opened various quarries and has sinee conducted a large and extensive trade. Mr. Neff is the owner of mueh valuable slate prop- erty, and has been identified with the slate inter- ests of Slatington since 1860. He has a thorough knowledge of the business in its various details, and his long experience and executive ability have made him a prominent factor in the development of this most important industry. The Slatington- Bangor Syndicate mines the Blue Valley slate, which is of a very superior quality, and they have now in their employ about fifty men. Mr. Neff for a number of years earried on the business alone, but in 1892 the present organization was effeeted, with our subject as Treasurer and J. L. Foote as Manager. In 1871 a large general merchandise store was established in connection with the busi- ness, and in addition to this Mr. Neff owns much vacant and residence property in Slatington.

A Republican in polities, the subject of this sketeh has always taken an active part in the local and national affairs of his party, and was for two terms Burgess of Slatington, and for a period of four terms was a Councilman. Interested in school matters, he has also done his share in this direction, having been for six years on the School Board. He is a member of the present City Coun- cil and is always to be found on the side of prog- ress. Fraternally he belongs to Slatington Lodge No. 624, I. O. O. F.

In 1859 Mr. Neff and Miss Drueilla Handwerk, of Lehigh County, were united in marriage. The lady is a daughter of Martin Handwerk, a pioneer of this county, and by her marriage has become

the mother of two children, Amandus Peter, and Sarana J., wife of John F. Berkemeyer, of this eity. Mr. Neff is a member of the German Reformed Church, and Mrs. Neff of the Lutheran Evangeli- cal Church, and both are much respected people.

F DWARD C. KRAMLICH. This prominent resident of Allentown, Northampton Coun- ty, is engaged in buying and shipping stock to the markets of the large eities. He is also part owner of the Allen House at Siegfried, his part- ner being a Mr. Feldhoff.

Our subject was born in Lehigh County, Deeem- ber 31, 1848, and is the son of Levi and Annie (Miller) Kramlich, natives of the above county, and now residents of Fogelsville, this state. Of the parental family, which ineluded a large num- ber of children, ten survive, namely: Milton J., a minister of the Lutheran Church in Allentown; Edward C .; Ellen J., the wife of W. J. Feldhoff, of Shamokin, this state; Albert C., living in Allen- town; Frank H., a resident of Milford, Del .; Ida C., Mrs. Calvin Hellfriel, of Fogelsville, this state; Lilly, the wife of James Madtes, living in Cata- sauqua; Richard L., who makes his home in Fogels- ville; Annie, also living in Fogelsville; and Ed- ward C., of this sketch.

The last-named was reared to man's estate in Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County, and passed his early years on the home farm and in at- tendance at the distriet sehool. He later became a student in the Keystone Normal School at Kutz- town, and when eighteen years of age went to War- ren, Ohio, and accepted the position of clerk in a mercantile establishment. He remained there for over three years and then, going to Solon, Iowa, formed a partnership with R. F. Stine in the grain business, the firm name being Stine & Kramlich.

In 1874 our subjeet returned to this state and engaged in farming near Fogelsville, where he lived for a time, and in 1881 removed to Allen Township, locating on the farm where he now lives. He devotes his time and attention principally to

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buying and selling good grades of stock, and being an expert in judging of animals, is making a suc- cess of this enterprise and reaping a good income. The Allen House, in which he is interested, was re- furnished throughout when it came into the pos- session of the present owners, and is now classed among the best hotels in the Lehigh Valley.

The lady to whom our subject was married in 1876 was Miss Savannah, daughter of Thomas F. Butz, of Allentown. Their union has resulted in the birth of the following-named seven children: Jennie D., Franklin L., John B., Howard L., Harry T., Mary A. and Helen M. In religious affairs Mr. Kramlich is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church at Howertown, which he has served in the capacities of Deacon and Trustee. He has also been School Director of his district, and is at the pres- ent time Treasurer of the board. While a resi- dent of Lehigh County our subject was Assessor of Upper Macungie Township for six years, and in various other ways was prominent in local affairs. Mr. Kramlich is reliable in his citizenship, hon- orable in his dealings with his fellow-men, and is therefore regarded with a due measure of esteem by those about him.

A LBERT W. LEH. The gentleman whose honored name appears at the opening of this sketch is a representative of the men of energy and enterprise who have made North- ampton County so prominent in the state. He is one of the oldest and most reliable architects in South Bethlehem, and has been the designer of many of the finest buildings in the Lehigh Valley. He also deserves prominent mention as a soldier during the late war, being at that time one of the youngest to join the service in the country.

Our subject was born in Northampton County, September 17, 1848, and is the son of Daniel Leh, a native of Berks County, his birth occurring near Pottsville. He in turn was descended from Jacob Leh, also a native of the above county, where he was engaged in farm pursuits and was well-to-do.

He was a devoted member of the Reformed Church, and a man greatly respected for his upright and honest life.

Danicl Leh removed to this county when a young man, buying property in Williams Town- ship, and engaged in its cultivation until his de- cease in 1880. He too belonged to the Reformed Church. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Wolfinger. She was a native of Bucks County, and the grand-daughter of John Wolfinger, who cmi- grated from Germany and located in Bucks Coun- ty, where he passed the remainder of his life. The mother of our subject is also deceased, having passed away at the home of her daughter, Malinda Foucht, in Farmersville in 1887.

The parental family included eleven children, six of whom are now living. Albert W. was reared on his father's farm, and, like all the lads of that day, secured his primary education in the dis- trict schools. September 8, 1864, when sixteen years old, he enlisted in the Union army, joining Company C, One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Penn- sylvania Infantry, and was mustered into service at Philadelphia. With his regiment he formed a part of the Fifth Army Corps, and with the Army of the Potomac engaged in the battles of Pegram Farm, South Side, Hatcher's Run and Petersburg. He was wounded at Hatcher's Run in the right in- step, and, although the wound was painful, he re- mained with his company and reported for duty. For valiant service he was promoted to be Cor- poral, and was mustered out of service May 15, 1865, at Arlington Heights, Va.

Returning home at the close of the war, young Leh went to Easton and entered Trach's private school, after which he took a business course. He then began life for himself as a wood-carver at Dur- ham, under the instruction of a Mr. Steckle, with whom he remained for two years. While in his employ he made a study of architecture, which business he has followed ever since. In 1869 Mr. Leh located in South Bethlehem, with whose inter- ests he has been prominently identified, and has erected some of the finest business blocks and resi- dences in this section. After coming here he worked for a time in the planing-mill of Ritter & Beck, but since 1880 have given his entire time

R. H. KRAMM.

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and attention to his present business. His office is located at No. 214 West Second Street. Since 1884 our subject has been associated in business with Col. S. D. Lehr and Howard S. Mertz, archi- tects and engineers, the firm being known as Lehr, Leh & Mertz, with headquarters at No. 720 Hamil- ton Street, Allentown.

The original of this sketch was married, in Phila- delpliia, in 1884 to Miss Alice Ruton. Socially Mr. Leh is a member of J. K. Taylor Post No. 182, G. A. R., and belongs to the Knights of Malta. Al- though voting the Democratic ticket during na- tional elections, he is independent in politics, and reserves the right to cast the ballot for the man who in his judgment will best fill the office.

R EUBEN H. KRAMM, manufacturer of and dealer in marble and granite monuments, etc., in Allentown, has the honor of being a native of the Saucon Valley, Lehigh County. He was born October 24, 1835, and comes of a family of German origin, which in early Colonial days was founded in the United States. His father, David Kramm, was born in Northampton County in 1793, and was a tanner, miller and farmer, follow- ing those various occupations at different periods in his life. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary Brunner, a native of Lehigh County, and for fifty years they traveled life's journey togeth- er, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. When the half-century had passed they celebrated their golden wedding, in 1871. Mrs. Kramm was called to her final rest in 1872, at the age of seventy-two years, and Mr. Kramm, who survived her about eleven years, passed away on the 28th of September, 1883, at the age of nearly ninety years.

In the family of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daugliters, thirteen of whom grew to mature years, Reuben H. Kramm is the ninth in order of birth. When yet an infant his parents moved to Columbia County, Pa. The first four- teen years of his life were spent upon his father's farm, during which time he attended the common

schools of Montour County. The family then removed to Milton, Northumberland County, where he entered a select school, then known as Milton Academy. Later he pursued his studies under the tutelage of Rev. J. H. Derr, and at the age of seventeen became an assistant in the school established by that gentleman. Soon afterward he opened a select school of his own in that place, conducting the same for two terms, when lie went to Lancaster, Pa., to further perfect his studies, spending two years as a student in Franklin and Marshall College. When he entered that institu- tion, he did so with the intention of securing a collegiate education and entering the ministry, but on account of failing health, which was protracted for a number of years, was compelled to abandon the idea.

Hoping to benefit his health by a change of cli- inate, Mr. Kramm went West. In company with his brother Ephraim, be made a trip to Prairie du Chien, Wis., from there to Winona, Minn., and thence to White Bear Lake, where he assisted in the construction of a large hotel. He then went to St. Paul and aided in the building of the residence of United States Senator, John Marshall. Next he went to the vicinity of Clinton. Iowa, where his brother-in-law was living, and there was engaged on the construction of the railroad bridge span- ning the Mississippi River at that place. In the fall he made application for a school at Lyons, Iowa, and taught during the succeeding winter. In the spring he went to Louisville, Ky., where he applied for work, and secured employment in the building of steamboats, his labors being employed in the construction of the cabins. During the succeed- ing autumn we find him in Jeffersonville, Ind., where he engaged in teaching, and from that place he returned to Milton, Pa., in 1861.

Mr. Kramm responded to the country's call for troops in 1862, enlisting in the nine-months volun- teer service as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Infantry, Colonel Allen- bach, of Harrisburg, commanding the regiment. The troops were attached to General Humphrey's Division, and were sent to Arlington Heights, Washington, D. C. Mr. Kramm participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville,

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and when his term of enlistment had expired, was honorably discharged, on the 20th of May, 1863. At the time of his enlistment, his brother, David J., entered the service, and after the battle of Fred- ericksburg was among the missing, and it is pre- sumed that he was killed, as nothing has ever been heard of him since.

After being mustered out of the service, our subject returned to Allentown, and for eighteen months was employed as a teacher in the secondary school, from which he was promoted to the high school to complete a term of two months. He then took charge of the only grammar school in the city at that time, which position lie acceptably filled for twelve years, resigning in 1878. In 1885 not from choice, but as the result of circumstances at the time, he became the sole proprietor of the Granite and Marble Works situated at the corner of Ninth and Linden Streets, and the immediate successor to the firm of .J. M. Romig & Bro., who had conducted that same business on the same site for fifteen or more years. W. F. Romig, of the former firm, has since been employed by him as his foreman in said industry.

In 1866 Mr. Kramm was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. Kemmerer, a daughter of Sam- uel Kemmerer, of Lehigh County. Unto them was born one child, Flora M. They are both members of St. John's English Reformed Church, and our subject has been one of its officers since 1865. He aided in its organization, and, with the exception of three months, has served either as Dcacon or Elder for the past twenty-five years. He takes an active part in church and benevolent work, and contributes freely to the support of worthy enter- prises calculated to prove of public benefit. He has served as Trustee of the Union and West End Cemetery for a number of years, and in poli- tics is a supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party. He was an able instructor, and in his present line of business is meeting with good success.

HARLES A. MEYERS. Northampton County is the home of a large number of inen who were thrown upon their own resources at an early age, and whose natural aptness

and energy were developed and strengthened by contact with the world, resulting in making their lives more than ordinarily successful in worldly prosperity and in winning respect. Among this class of men we mention the name of Mr. Meyers, a prosperous and influential citizen of Wind Gap, where he is engaged as a dealer in coal, flour and lumber.

Mr. Meyers was born in Bath, Pa., June 3, 1859, a son of Aaron and Caroline (Kleppeninger) Mey- ers, natives of Northampton County. Both fami- lies were established here early in the history of the county, and Grandfather Meyers was at one time a member of the Lower House of the State Legislature. The subject of this biography was reared to manhood upon the home farm at Bath, and received his education in the schools of that town. His advantages, however, were limited, and his present knowledge has been mainly self acquired.

When in his twenty-second year Mr. Meyers went to Pen Argyl, Pa., and for three years filled the position of station agent for the Central Rail- road of New Jersey at that place. From there he came to Wind Gap, and held the same office for the company here. He was also employed as telegraph operator, having learned telegraphy at Pen Argyl with the aid of a hand instrument. In that place he also maintained other business interests, buying and selling cross ties, lime, sand, etc., and during his third year there managed the coal business for Meyers & Fish, in connection with his station agency.

On coming to Wind Gap, Mr. Meyers immedi- ately embarked in the flour, feed and coal business, and when he resigned as station agent, he added lumber to his other lines of trade. He usually employs four men, though during busy seasons he has had in his employ as many as twenty men. Besides his other interests, he has a fair trade as contractor and builder. For several years he has devoted especial attention to the purchase of land, from which he clears the lumber, and disposing of it through his yards, has found that line of work profitable.

Establishing domestic ties, Mr. Meyers married Miss May H., daughter of Theodore Saylor, of Saylorsburg, Monroe County, Pa. In politics a

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Republican, Mr. Meyers has been prominent in political affairs, and in 1884 was appointed Post- master at Wind Gap, retaining the position until the second administration of President Cleveland, and continued in office until November 1, 1894. While a resident of Pen Argyl, he was identified with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and at present holds membership with the Patriotic Order Sons of America at Wind Gap. He is a member of the Reformed Church.

R EV. JAMES FRANKLIN LAMBERT, A. M., B. D., is pastor of St. Paul's Lutli- eran Churel, the largest congregation in Catasauqua. He is an able and most intelligent man, who is rapidly increasing the membership by his earnestness, eloquence and genial magnetism. He has only been in charge of this congregation sinee the 2d of July, 1892, but has won a host of friends and is accounted one of the best pastors in his denomination in the country.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Will- iain H. Lambert, was born in Northampton County, and was a son of Leonard Lambert, a farmer by occupation, and also a native of Pennsylvania, who lived to the extreme old age of ninety-two years. The father of the latter eame to this country from Scotland with the English army, but after a time deserted their side, his sympathies being with the oppressed Colonists. The family trace their ancestry back to one John Michael Lambert, of Wurtemberg, Germany, the name being formerly spelled Lamborth. The parents of Rev. Mr. Lambert were Amandus M. and Charlotte A. (Hendricks) Lambert, natives respectively of Lancaster and Lehigh Countics. The former was born May 15, 1837, and in 1850 removed to Northampton Coun- ty, settling near Hellertown, where he became a farmer and butcher. He is still living, now well along in years, on the old homestead. The mother of our subject was the daughter of David Hend- ricks, whose birth occurred in this county, and who followed his trade as a carpenter and builder. His

grandfather came over with the English army during the Revolutionary War and left the serv- iee, afterward removing to Lehigh County. Mr. and Mrs. Amandus Lambert became the parents of five children, only two of whom are living. The younger, Prof. Sylvanus E., is engaged in teaching in Milwaukee, Wis.

The subject of this sketch was born in Friedens- ville, September 15, 1863, and was reared in Hel- lertown, Northampton County, on his father's farm. He made the most of his school advantages, which were not of the best, however, and was only fifteen years of age when he obtained a certificate and began teaching at Lehigh Gap, there remain- ing for six months. "Next he taught in the Beth- lehem High School as an assistant for one term, thence going to Bucks County, where he became a teacher at Trach's Academy, at the same time continuing his studies. The next year he took a school in the home distriet, after which, in 1883, he entered Ulrich's Preparatory School to Lehigh University at Bethlehem for a year's study. In 1884 he became a member of the Fresh- man elass at Muhlenberg College, graduating four years later with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and the third honors of his class. In his Sophomore year, completed in 1886, he received the Eliza Botanical prize for the best illustrated essay on "Reproduction of Plants." He received honorable mention in 1888 in connection with the contest for the Butler Analogy prize, and honorable men- tion for German oration in the Junior oratorical contest in 1887. In 1888 he was editor-in-chief of The Muhlenberg, and in the fall of that year en- tered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. He has also received the degree of Mas- ter of Arts from his Alma Mater, Muhlenberg Col- lege.

On commencing his ministerial work Rev. Mr. Lambert was given charge of the Church of the Inearnation, at Forty-sixth Street and Kingsessing Avenue, Philadelphia, subsequent to his ordina- tion, which took place at Pottstown, Pa., May 26, 1891. During his seminary course in Philadelphia he had been connected (in order to obtain a practi-

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cal experience) with the church just mentioncd, and with them remained for a year after his ordi- nation, during which time a fine church structure was erected. The congregation of St. Paul's Lu- theran Church, with which our subject is now con- nected, was organized in 1852, and occupies a sub- stantial brick building, situated on the Howertown Road, between Church and Bridge Streets. The membership is now about seven hundred, the larg- est congregation in the city, and in addition to the church they have a substantial parsonage and two flourishing mission chapels in East Catasauqua and Fullerton. Rev. Mr. Lambert preaches in both the English and German languages, in each of which he is a finished scholar, and by those best qualified to judge he is considered a man of much more than ordinary ministerial ability.

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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 74

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