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 75

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 75
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 75
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 75

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June 22, 1891, the subject of this biography was marricd, in Allentown, to Miss Ella L. Ochs, a na- tive of that place and a daughter of John Ochs, who was engaged in running a book and station- ery store in that city, where his death occurred. Dr. and Mrs. Lambert are the parents of one child, Marie C. Mrs. Lambert is of great assistance in the work of the church and in aiding her hus- band, being identified with the Ladies' Social and Missionary Bands. In his political affiliations Dr. Lambert deposits his ballot in favor of the princi- ples set forth by the Republican party.

F RANCIS J. NEWHARD. One of the finely improved farms of Lehigh County is lo- cated in Whitehall Township, and is the property of Mr. Newhard, who through persever- ance and the exercise of good judgment has gained a prominent place among the agriculturists of the community. He was born upon the farm where he is at present residing, and since it has come into his possession he has placed upon it many valuable improvements, and has the soil under a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Newhard was born March 27, 1843, and is the son of Henry and Sarah (Gobrecht) New-

hard. His maternal grandfather, Rev. John Go- brecht, was a minister of the German Reformed Church, and one of the early preachers in the Le- high Valley. He was very successful in the good work and has been dead more than a half-century.

The great-grandfather of our subject, Frederick Newhard, was a native of Germany, and crossed the Atlantic to the New World prior to the Revo- lutionary War. He made his home in Lehigh County, near the present site of Allentown, and was engaged in farm pursuits on the banks of Jordan Creek until his death. He was one of the first settlers in this part of the county, and in that early day his neighbors were principally redmen. His wife was on very friendly terms with the Indians, often giving them supplies. His son, Daniel Newhard, the grandfather of our subject, also resided in this county until his death.

Henry Newhard spent his entire life on the farm which is now the property of our subject. He had learned the trade of a blacksmith when a young man, which he followed in connection with agri- cultural pursuits until his decease, when eighty- four years of age. His blacksmith shop still stands on the farm. The father was a man possessed of a fair education, and religiously was a member of the German Reformed Church at Allentown, in which he held the office of Elder, and during his younger years was Deacon. His death occurred in 1887, and he was preceded to the better land by his good wife, who passed away in 1881.

Only four members of the parental family sur- vive. Coletta, now Mrs. Edward Reichert, resides in Macungie Township, this county; Adeline, the wife of Jacob Ritter, makes her home in Salisbury Township, this county; Rebecca and Francis J. are twins, and the former is living in Philadelphia. Francis J. was reared on the old homestcad, and after obtaining his education in the schools of Whitehall Township was trained to a thorough knowledge of farm pursuits. Although never having received instruction he was a natural musician, and for a number of winters during his early life he taught singing school in his neighborhood.

September 4, 1869, Miss Alice Mickley, who was born June 13, 1851, in Whitehall Township, became the wife of our subject. She was the daughter of

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Abraham aud Maria (Erdman) Miekley, residents of Whitehall Township, and of whom extended mention will be made in the sketch of Edwin Mickley, found elsewhere in this record. Mr. and Mrs. Newhard have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter and son, Margaret and Charles F.

Besides owning his farm of sixty-seven acres, Mr. Newhard is the possessor of property in Allen- town. With his wife he is a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church, in which he has held the office of Deacon. He has been Assessor of White- hall Township for six years, and served for many terms on the School Board. He is a member of the Lehigh Agricultural Society, and is a man whose character and personal attributes are such as to win the confidence and friendship of the people by whom he is surrounded.

EORGE WALTER. From the successful eareer of this gentleman may be gleaned many lessons worthy of emulation by the young. In boyhood he did not have the educa- tional advantages common in our day, as the schools of those times were inferior in quality of instruction afforded. Early in life he was obliged to earn liis own livelihood, but this very fact, in- stead of being a misfortune, doubtless developed in his chiaraeter the traits of energy, self-reliance and perseverance for which he has always been known. A native of Northampton County, he is . still a resident here, his home being in Williams Township, where he owns a valuable piece of property.

Born October 18, 1818, the subject of this bi- ography is the son of Leonard and Sarah (Lattig) Walter, natives of Northampton County. His pa- ternal grandfather, George Walter, was an early settler of Forks Township, and was residing here at the time of the Revolution. The maternal grandfather, Peter Lattig, was a pioneer of Will-

iams Township, where his latter years were spent. By trade Leonard Walter was a briekmaker, which he followed the greater part of his life, though his latter days were spent in farm work. He was a man held in esteem by his acquaintances, and oe- cupied a number of public offices, in which he served acceptably. He was Overseer of the Poor of Williams Township, and also filled the offices of Sehool Director and Assessor.

Reared to manhood in Northampton County, our subject was for a brief period a student in the early pay sehools, never having the privilege of attending a public school. While his opportuni- ties were limited, he has been a thoughtful reader of eurrent newspapers, and is well informed in both loeal and national matters of importance. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the trade of a carpenter, and this occupation he continued to follow until he was more than forty. As a work- man he was skilled and conseientious, and his services were in demand throughout the county. Since retiring from the trade his attention has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he now owns a well improved farm of thirty-eight aeres in Williams Township. For a number of years he engaged in butchering during the winter season, which work proved remunerative.

The lady who in October, 1840, became the wife of Mr. Walter was known in maidenhood as Eliza- beth Thomas, and was born in New Jersey. Seven children were born unto them, of whom four are . now living, namely: Mary E., wife of Thomas J. Kolb; Saralı A., who married Sylvester Mairworth; Susan, Mrs. Herbert Genther; and Rosa, wife of Charles N. Siegreaves. Mr. and Mrs. Walter are identified with the Lutheran Church of South Easton, and are a worthy couple, esteemed wherever known. Successful in business, he owns, in addi- tion to his farm, some valuable business property in Easton and a residence in South Easton.

In polities Mr. Walter is a Republican. He has always been loyal to the institutions of our Gov- ernment, and during the Civil War responded to the call of Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, for volunteers in the service of the Union. He was in the army for two weeks, mainly engaged in guard duty in Maryland, being detailed to guard rebel

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prisoners at Hagerstown. His son John, who vol- unteered in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, was in the service about two and one-half years, when he came home on a furlough, and soon afterward died from the effect of exposure and hardships in the army.

J AMES E. SOLT is well known and honored by the people of Northampton County as one of its most enterprising citizens. He is at present living in Lehigh Township, where he has a valuable estate, bearing the very best of improvements and stocked with a goodly amount of animals.

Our subject was born in Lehigh County, July 20, 1839, and is the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Huber) Solt, natives of this county. The family is an old and highly respected one in this locality, and the maternal grandfather of Mr. Solt was a soldier in the Markeshook War. Adam Solt was by trade a tailor, which business he followed dur- ing his earlier years, but at the time of his decease was engaged in farm pursuits.

Our subject has five brothers and sisters who survive, namely: Saralı, the wife of George Sny- der; David; Samuel; Mary, now Mrs. Franklin Sowers; and Violetta, the wife of Amandes Cole. James E. remained in his native county until a lad of eleven years, at which time his parents removed to this county, making their home in Lchigh Town- ship. Here he was reared to man's estate on his father's farm, and, like other boys of that period, attended the district schools, where he acquired a fair knowledge of the common branches.

During the late war Mr. Solt enlisted, in 1862, joining Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry. With his regiment he was sent to the front, and for four and one-half months was on duty, mostly in Virginia. At the expira- tion of that time, his health being greatly im- paired, he received his honorable discharge, and, returning home, has resided in this county since. He is the proprietor of one hundred and four acres

of well tilled land, which he cultivates in an ad- mirable manner. Mr. Solt is a fine type of the self-made man, as from comparative poverty he has risen to a position of affluence and prominence in the community.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Elennora Becker took place May 25, 1846, and by their union have been born seven children, only one of whom is deceased. Those living are Elvin, Will- iam, Mary, John, Zenas and Frank. Our subject has always taken great interest in the frec schools, and for three years has rendered valuable service on the board. In religious affairs he belongs to the Lutheran Church, which he is serving as Elder, and has been Trustee and Deacon. He is a pub- lic-spirited and enterprising citizen, in favor of every measure to improve society and elevate the community. In politics Mr. Solt always votes with the Democratic party, and is connected with Fuller Post No. 378, at Catasauqua.

Mrs. Solt is the daughter of William and Mary (Heistand) Becker, natives of Northampton Coun- ty. who reared a large family, of whom the follow- ing survive: Ansonetta, the wife of Thomas Baclı- man; Jacob, who makes his home in Linn County, Ill .; and Thomas, engaged in the lumber business in Ogle County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Becker were members of the Stone Reformed Church, and peo- ple highly respected in their community.

HARLES W. WALTER, owner of a fced mill and a valuable tract of farming land in Palmer Township, Northampton Coun- ty, was born in Warren County, N. J., July 19, 1848, being a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wolver- ton) Walter, natives respectively of Williams Town- ship, Northampton County, Pa., and New Jersey. The family is one of prominence in this locality, and a sketch of our subject's uncle, George Wal- ter, appears upon another page of this volume.

In the fall of 1848, when Charles W. was an in- fant, the family removed from New Jersey to Penn- sylvania, and settled in what is now known as

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Palmner Township. The father, who was a miller by occupation, operated various gristinills along the Bushkill Creek until 1862, and then purchased what is now known as Walter's Upper Mill. This he conducted until his death, in September, 1890. He was one of the most enterprising millers of the county, was a man well and favorably known in his community, and in politics always adhered to the Republican party. For some time he served as School Director of Forks Township. In religious belief he was an adherent of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. At the time of his death he owned and was conducting two flour and grist mills on Bushkill Creek.

Of the children of Jacob and Elizabeth Walter, the following-named survive: Samuel, a resident of Easton; Charles W., the subject of this notice; Ed- win P., who lives in New York City; John T., re- siding in Northampton County; William H., of Easton; Jacob R., who makes his home in North- ampton County; Lizzie, wife of Rev. J. P. Uhler, of St. Peter, Minn .; and Jennie W., who married M. W. Sclineebeli, of Easton. The family is an honorable one, and the sons and daughters are held in high regard in their various localities.

Beginning his studies in the common schools of Palmer Township, our subject was for two years thereafter a student in a private school in Easton. From boyhood he was accustomed to assist his father in the flour and grist mill business, in which way he acquired a thorough knowledge of the oc- cupation and was prepared to enter upon it for himself. In the spring of 1890 he purchased the Walter's Upper Mill, which has since been con- verted into a feedmill and is still run under his able supervision. In addition to the mill, he is the owner of seventy acres of farming land, the culti- vation of which he superintends.

Miss Martha A. Hixon, who in 1869 became the wife of Mr. Walter, is a native of Virginia and a daughter of Noah Hixon, deceased, formerly of Prince William County, Va. They are the parents of three sons, William W., Harry E. and Earl W. It is due to the industrious and persevering man- ner in which Mr. Walter has conducted his business affairs that he has risen to such a prominent posi- tion in Palmer Township. His life, with the ex-

ception of a few months, has been spent within the confines of Northampton County, and as a natural result he is greatly interested in the progress and development of this section. Though not active in public affairs, preferring to devote his attention to personal matters, he is nevertheless a firm cham- pion of the Republican party, and always supports its candidates.

HARLES W. MILLER, contractor in a stone quarry connected with the American Ce- ment Company of Egypt, is a prominent resident of this section, and may be truthfully said to know and be known by almost every individual in the county. He is also the proprietor of a hotel and restaurant in the city, of which he is making a success, and has been a resident of the place since 1866.

Our subject was born in the kingdom of Sax- ony, Germany, October 7, 1838, and is a son of Carl F. W. and Eve R. Miller. He lived in his native country until attaining his majority, in the meantime being given an excellent education. Since coming to America he has gained a good knowledge of the English language, and now ranks among the best citizens of Lehigh County. Prior to coming to the United States he worked in his father's brickyard for a number of years, and for some time thereafter was a clerk in a dry-goods store at Leipsic, Germany.

In 1862 young Miller decided to try his fortune in the New World, and after coming hither made his home in different places until 1866, the date of his advent into Egypt, with whose interests hc has since been connected. For about twelve years after coming here he was occupied as brakeman on the Ironton Railroad. The following three years he was with the Crane Iron Company at Catasau- qua, and for the past ten years has been engaged as contractor in the quarry for the American Ce- ment Works of this place.

The lady to whom Charles W. Miller was mar- ried in 1870 was Miss Mary Shields, a native of

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this county. She is a daughter of Martin and Jo- hanna Shields, born in Ireland. In social affairs our subject is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership at Al- lentown with Lodge No. 83. He is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and a follower of the moral precepts promulgated by that faith. In politics he is an ardent Democrat, and takes an act- ive interest in the success of his party. He is pub- lic spirited and enterprising, and in favor of every- thing pertaining to the public good. He has met with the success attending perseverance and in- dustry, and is now one of the substantial men of the county.

DWARD D. BOYER. One of the most important industries in Pennsylvania is that known as the Hercules Coment Com- pany, of which our subject is Secretary and Super- intendent. The plant, which was established in 1879, is located near Coplay, and the present com- pany was incorporated in 1891, with Col. John Craig, President; John T. Williams, Treasurer; and our subject Secretary and Superintendent. The factory turns out some of the best grades of cement that is placed upon the market, among which is the " Hercules Portland," the "Improved Lehigh " and "Improved Rosendale." The company gives constant employment to about fifty men, and their plant, which is supplied with the latest im- proved methods of machinery, has a capacity of four hundred barrels of hydraulic cement per day. The present building occupied by the company was erected in 1889, as the old factory had been previ- ously burned.

Our subject, Edward D., is a native of Catasau- qua, this state, and was born on the 23d of Septoni- ber, 1857. His parents were Reuben A. and Rebecca Boyer, the former of whom is deceased, and the latter at present residing in the above place. For many years Reuben Boyer was Superintendent of the ore mines for the Crane Iron Company at Catasauqua, and his father, John Boyer, was the second Burgess of that place in 1854.

The father of our subject departed this life in

the spring of 1890. He was a Republican in poli- tics, and was one of the county's prominent and popular residents, who met with substantial results in all his enterprises. Our subject grew to man's estate in his native county, and received a pr .- liminary education in the public school. Later he entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which he graduated in 1877, and for inany years thereafter was engaged in the drug business at Catasauqua.

In 1890 Mr. Boyer was appointed Secretary of the Catasauqua Cement Company, which v. as changed a year later to the Hercules Cement Com- pany, and in the fall of 1891 was appointed Super- intendent of the works. He was married in 1885 to Miss Annie, daughter of John Williams, now deceased, but who was Cashier of the Crane Iron Company. To Mr. and Mrs. Boyer have been born two children, John W. and Marion R.

The original of this sketch is greatly interested in political affairs, and never fails to cast a vote for Republican candidates. For the past twelve years he has served as Secretary of the borough of Catasauqua, and his long continued service indi- cates his great personal popularity. His life has been a busy and useful one, and his honorable, up- right career has won him universal confidence.

D R. EUGENE N. WILHELM, one of Raubs- ville's well known citizens, was born Junc 3, 1854, in the city where he now resides. He is a son of John H. and Susanna (Unangst) Wilhelm, the former a native of Northampton County, and for many years a practitioner of Raubsville, where his death occurred in 1886. The boyhood and youthful years of our subject were somewhat uneventfully passed in the city of his birth, in the common schools of which he was for some time a student, thereby laying the founda- tion for the knowledge he afterward acquired by self-culture.

Beginning in life, our subject was for some years an assistant to his father, but since the death of

PHILIP G. WARNER.

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the latter he has practiced alone. He has made a specialty of the treatment of chronic diseases, for which he has his own special remedies, though often introducing into his practice the magnetic treatment, in which he has inet with suecess. In his diagnosis of eases lie is keen in perception and accurate in analysis, and through energy, perse- veranee and sound judgment has gained success in his practice.

As a lielpmate on life's journey, Dr. Wilhelm selected Miss Regetta Purdy, daughter of John B. Purdy, late of Easton, Pa., but now deceased. There have been born unto this union ten chil- dren, of whom nine are now living. They are Mary R., Arthur F., Jaeob C., Howard, Mabel, Maud, Elizabeth, Agnes and Susanna. Ethel died in childhood.

The politieal belief of Dr. Wilhelm has led liim into affiliation with the Democratie party, the prin- ciples of which receive liis earnest and faithful al- legianee. In religious matters he is a Lutheran, and holds membership with St. Paul's Church of Raubsville, to which his family also belongs. In his social connections he is identified with the Ma- sonic fraternity, belonging to Prosperity Lodge No. 567, F. & A. M., at Riegelsville. He is a char- ter member of Unity Order No. 1, Knights of Hu- manity, at Raubsville, with which organization he has been prominently connected since its estab- lishment. At present he is serving as its Com- mander. He is a man of pleasant, genial disposi- tion, who has the esteem and confidence of the community.

P HILIP G. WARNER, a prominent busi- ness man of Easton, occupies a respon- sible position as Superintendent in the employ of the Prudential Life Insurance Com- pany of Newark, N. J. He is now in charge of tlie Easton distriet, which comprises part of Northampton, Bucks and Monroe Counties, Pa., and Warren and Hunterdon Counties, N. J. He is thoroughly familiar with and competent in the

management of the affairs devolving upon him, for his entire business life has been passed in this field of work.

Our subjeet's paternal grandfather, Philip War- ner, was a native of Germany, born June 15, 1814, and came to the United States in the year 1838. He settled in Baltimore, where he carried on his trade as a confectioner until his death, February 28, 1885, at the age of seventy-one years. He was always much interested in the welfare of the Democratic party. In religion he was a Catholie. To himself and wife, Margaret (Volk) Warner, were born three sons and five daughters: Charles, who served in the late Rebellion; George; John; Theresa; Lizzie; Josephine; Mary, wife of Charles Milske, a contractor and builder in Baltimore; and Minnie, wife of William Halberstadt, a shoe-dealer in Philadelphia.

Charles, the father of our subject, was born in Germany, on the 29th of January, 1836, and learned the baker's and eonfeetioner's trades. His home was principally in Philadelphia, but after the death of his wife, who before her marriage was Eva M. Conrad, he took up his abode in Cin- cinnati. He is a Democrat, and religiously is a Catholic. During the late Civil War he en- listed, on the 22d of August, 1861, in Company D, Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Capt. Henry DeCrauzatt. He participated in the battles of Harper's Ferry, Harrison Landing, Va., and Gettysburg, in the latter engagement reeeiv- ing a gunshot wound in the thigh. October 12, 1863, he took out naturalization papers, and after- wards enlisted in Company G, Twenty-first Regi- ment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Captain Geis and Colonel Bollier. He served faithfully until the close of the war, making a good record for his valiant conduct and faithful- ness to duty. He became the father of three chil- dren: George P., a provision dealer at Jenkin- town, Pa .; Philip G., our subject; and Charles J., who is also a produce dealer in Jenkintown. The mother of these children was born in July, 1837, and died April 25, 1870, aged thirty-three years.

The birth of our subjeet occurred Marelı 17, 1864, in Philadelphia, and in the excellent schools of that city he obtained a good education. His

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further studies were prosccuted in the Sisters' School, from which he graduated in 1876. Soon afterwards he became agent for various fire-insur- ance companies, and was their representative until February 17, 1888, when he entered the service of the Prudential Life Insurance Company, having its office at Seventh and Walnut Streets, Philadel- phia. There he continued to do business until February 28, 1889, when he was promoted to the post of Assistant Superintendent for the company, over the district comprising Delaware and Chester Counties, Pa. Until July 28, 1890, he was sta- tioned at Chester, Pa., but at that time it beeaine necessary for him to remove to York, this state, as he was given the superintendency of the coun- tics of York and Lancaster. In February, 1891, he was transferred to Danville, Pa., assuming charge of Montour, Columbia and parts of North- umberland, Lycoming and Snyder Counties. April 11, 1892, he was placed in charge of the Easton distriet, previously referred to, and is still ably managing the affairs of this offiee.

April 30, 1884, Mr. Warner wedded Alicc Veronica, daughter of John Russel, a boilcr-maker of Philadelphia. Two sons and a daughter have been born to them, their names being Joseph. Philip J. and Gertrude. Though liberal in liis views on suffrage, Mr. Warner inclines toward Democratic principles.

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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 75

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