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 78
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 78
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 78
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Our subject is also interested in other business concerns, including the Lehigh Valley Cornice Works of Bethlehem, Pa. He is a Director in the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Company,
and also a stockholder and Director in the West End Improvement Company, and in the Mechanics' Building Association.
In 1876 Mr. Hersh was united in marriage witlı Miss Jennie E. Glick, of Tiffin, Ohio, daughter of Jolin Glick. They have one daughter, Ruth A. Their home is located at No. 126 North Ninth Street, and is a pleasant residence.
In politics Mr. Hersh is a supporter of the Re- publican party, and has been a member of the City, County and State Executive Committees. He has served as a member of the City Council for the past ciglit years, representing the Seventh Ward. He has faithfully discharged his duties as Coun- cilman, and has labored for the best interests of the community and the promotion of all those enterprises which are calculated to prove of public benefit. He is a member of the First Reformed Church, and is a charitable and benevolent man. Those who know him esteem him highly for his sterling worth and integrity, and his acquaintance is a wide one.
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EDWARD STOUT, M. D., one of the well known residents of Allentown, was born in Bethlehem, Pa., on the 2d of Jannary, 1865. The record of the family, as well as some reference to the genealogy, may be found in the biograph- ical sketch of Dr. Abram Stout, a successful phy- sician and influential citizen, which is presented in another part of this volume. Our subject received an excellent education, being the recipient of the best advantages the state afforded. The rudiments of his education were gained in the schools of Beth- leliemn, after which he entered the Ulrich Prepara- atory School, and fitted for Lehigh University. Afterward he was a student in that institution, which he attended until ready to enter the Junior class.
From boyhood it was the determination of our subject to adopt for his profession that in which luis father was engaged, and, carrying out this res- olution, he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was
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graduated in 1887 with the degree of M. D. Be- fore commencing active practice he took a tour of the South, also visited the West Indies, broadening the education hitherto acquired by observation of the customs of the people of those lands. Shortly after his return home lic was united in marriage with Miss Nellie K. Storm, their wedding being solemnized at Stroudsburg, January 18, 1888. Mrs. Stout is an accomplished lady, and a daughter of Judge J. B. Storm, at one time Member of Con- gress from Stroudsburg. One child has blessed their union, a daughter named Margaret C.
After his marriage Dr. Stout opened an office at Morea, Pa., where he remained for two years, mcan- time filling the position of colliery surgeon of the coal company. Removing from that place to South Bethlehem, he opened an office at No. 427 West Fourth Street, where he conducted a general practice until he moved to Allentown, when he opened an institute for the cure of drunkenness. He uses Dr. E. L. Johnson's chloride of gold for- mula, and in the treatment of the disease is meet- ing with phenomenal success. In politics Dr. Stout is a stanch advocate of Democratic principles, and never fails to cast his ballot for the candidates of that party. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian.
D AVID R. KLINE. This gentleman, to a perusal of whose history we invite the at- tention of the reader, is proprietor of the Novelty Iron Works, which were established in Al- lentown in 1889. The building which they occupy Is 60x218 feet in dimensions, and is located in South Allentown, ncar the tracks of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Mr. Kline is engaged in the manufacture of art metals of a very fine quality, from which are made lamps, ornaments, etc., and which find a ready market in New York and New Jersey. The plant is equipped with the best and most approved machinery, and Mr. Kline cm- ploys in his shops over forty men.
The subject of this sketch was born near Read- ing, Berks County, this state, March 9, 1841. He
is the son of John Kline, also a native of the above county, to whom the honor of establishing the free-school system in the district in which lie lived in Berks County is due. He had to fight very hard to gain his point, as the more ignorant people were most bitterly opposed to any such measure being adopted. The father of our subject was a very intelligent and broad-minded gentleman, and, having been deprived of the advantages offered by the free schools himself, saw the importance of introducing the system in his native county; and many of those who opposed him lived to thank him many times for the kindness of heart which prompted him to labor so hard and untiringly in order that their children might receive a good edu- cation.
The Kline family originally came from Ger- many, and George Kline, the great-grandfather of our subject, on coming to the New World located in Berks County, this state, where he organized a Baptist Church, in which denomination he was a prominent minister. The mother of our subject, who prior to her marriage was Miss Hannah Rein- smith, was born in Lehigh County, and was the daughter of Henry Reinsmith.
David R. Kline, of this sketch, was given little opportunity for obtaining an education, and when leaving home, and while employed in learning the trade of a machinist, purchased books and carried on his studies at night, thus educating himself. On attaining his eighteenth year, he began work- ing at his trade.
In 1862 our subject joined the volunteers from his state, and enlisted his services in the Union army, becoming a member of Company B, Fifty- third Pennsylvania Infantry, under the command of Colonel Rogers. He was assigned to guard duty, and, although not being engaged in act- ual service, suffered all the hardships which the soldiers were called upon to endure.
On the close of the war Mr. Kline returned to Reading, which place was his home until 1868, the date of his coming to Allentown. For the first five years succeeding that time he worked for H. H. Fisher in his foundry, after which he was em- ployed for two years for the Lchigh Furnace Com- pany. In 1875 our subject went to Ridgeway,
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this state, and, forming a partnership with J. S. Hyde & Son, established a factory at a cost of $10,000. The firm carried on business under the style of Hyde, Klinc & Co., and made a specialty of manufacturing sawmill and tannery machinery. The connection lasted for fourteen years, or until 1889, when Mr. Kline returned to Allentown, where he immediately opened up in the same branch of business, operating alone until January 1, 1893, when he admitted to partnership his brother-in-law, M. H. Knauss. Mr. Kline is a nat- ural mechanic and manufactures his tools for pat- tern-making, in which latter branch he is an expert.
April 10, 1888, David R. Kline was united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Knauss, of Allentown. She is the daughter of Ephraim and Mary Knauss. Our subject and his wife are members in good standing of Zion's Reformed Church. Mr. Kline joined during the '60s, while residing in Reading. Socially he is a Mason, belonging to Barger Lodge No. 333, of which he is Chaplain; Allentown Chap- ter No. 203, Allentown Council No. 23, and Allen Commandery No. 20, K. T. He is a great reader. and has in his home, pleasantly located at No. 727 Walnut Street, a large and well selected library.
H ON. RICHARD N. MERRILL. Within the limits of Northampton County, or in- deed of the entire state, no better repre- sentative of honest and industrious manhood can be found than the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch, and whose history has for many years been intimately associated with that of Mt. Pleasant. Beginning in life without means or influential friends, beset on every side by obstacles, hampered by poverty, hie nevertheless worked his way to the front, and has long occupied a position among the foremost mnen of the county.
On his father's side our subject is of French descent, and his maternal ancestors were of Ger- man origin. The Merrills were early settlers of New Jersey, where our subject's father, Richard. was born. The latter came in an early day to Northampton County, and settled in Lower Mt. Bethel Township, where he died in 1850, at the
age of eighty-three. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Nye, and who was a native of North- ampton County, bore him several children, but our subject is the only survivor. He was born in Northampton County, August 15, 1817, and at the age of three years settled with his parents in Mt. Pleasant, where he has resided the most of the time since. The years of boyhood he passed upon a farm, and in attendance at the public and pay schools of the neighborhood.
When eighteen years of age our subject began to learn the trade of a shoemaker, which he fol- lowed continuously for twelve years. He then for five years engaged in the mercantile business at Mt. Pleasant. In 1855, upon the Democratic ticket, he was elected Treasurer of Northampton County, and served for a term of two years. Previous to this, in 1853, he liad been elected Jus- tice of the Peace of Lower Mt. Bethel Township, and was re-elected to this office in 1858. In 1861 he was chosen Associate Judge of Northampton County for a term of five years, at the expiration of which he was re-elected, serving in that capac- ity for ten years. In 1872 he was again chosen Justice of the Peace, but through a clerical error was not commissioned. The following year he was once more chosen for that office, to which he was re-elected in 1878, 1883, 1888 and 1893. He has held this position for more than forty years, a longer period than any Justice of the Peace in the county.
In 1838 Judge Merrill marricd Miss Jane, daugh- ter of Philip and Margaret Shull, of Lower Mt. Bethel Township. Unto them eleven children were born, as follows: Margaret, deceased; Mary; John C., an attorney of Easton, Pa .; Hon. Irvin Merrill, a prominent resident of Bangor, Pa .; Rev. Philip S. Merrill, D.D., pastor of the 'Methodist Episcopal Church of Rochester, N. Y .; Oscar; Eliza- beth, wife of Stephen Brittain, of Lower Mt. Bethel Township; Laura, who married Daniel Jac- oby, of Upper Mt. Bethel Township; Jane, Mrs. Howard A. Eilenberg, of Easton, Pa .; Sarah, wife of Dr. William McIlhaney, of South Easton; and Richard C., of Philadelphia.
For forty-six years Judge Merrill followed the business of auctioneering all kinds of sales, and
H. G. TOMBLER.
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was one of the most successful men in that line throughout the county. He is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Richmond, and has served for years as District Church Steward. His first wife died in 1882, and the following year he married Mrs. Sabina Sandt, widow of Theodore Sandt, of this county. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Mt. Bethel. He is also connected with the Senior Order of American Mechanics at Centreville, Pa. In politics lie is recognized as one of the leading Democrats of Lower Mt. Bethel Township. For five years, from 1847 until 1852, he served in an infantry company, belonging to the Independent Battalion of Northampton Coun- ty, and was duly commissioned Captain by the Governor. For a quarter of a century he served as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Churchill Cemetery in Lower Mt. Bethel Town- ship. He enjoys an extended acquaintance through- out this section, and his popularity among all classes is unquestioned.
H ENRY G. TOMBLER, President of the H. G. Tombler Grocery Company, of Easton, was born in Bethlehem, Pa., November 2, 1830, being a son of Charles C. and Cecelia C. (Freytag) Tombler. The founder of the family in America came to this country from England about 1770, first locating in Hope, N. J. Grandfather David Tombler, a native of England, engaged in farming pursuits after coming to New Jersey. During the War of the Revolution he aided the Colonies in the defense of their rights. His wife's father took charge of the first gristmill erected by the Moravians at Hope, N. J.
In the last-named village Charles C. Tombler was born, June 22, 1800. In youth lie was em- ployed as clerk in a store. In 1819 he removed to Bethlehem, Pa., and there, June 22, 1822, he was united in marriage with a daughter of Dr. Eber- hard Freytag, who was the first homeopathic phy- sician in Northampton County, Pa. In early life
he learned the trade of a shoemaker, but afterward embarked in the shoe business and became the owner of one of the largest stores in that part of the county. Selling out, he bought the property upon which is now located that part of Bethlehem known as Fountain Hill. For some time he con- ducted gencral agricultural pursuits there, after which he sold the land to Tinsley, Jeter & Afiot. The old Tombler homestead is now occupied by the Bishop Thorpe Seminary.
For a time Mr. Tombler carried on a general mercantile establishment in Monroe County, asso- ciated with P. Daly. In 1845 he accepted the po- sition of station agent for the Lehigh Valley Rail- road at Bethlehem, and remained with that com- pany for a period of twenty-five years, or until the death of his wife, in 1880. He then went with his eldest son, Oliver, to Minnesota, where he died in November, 1894. In early life he was active in the Democratic party, which he frequently repre- sented in conventions. For a time he held the office of Postmaster at Bethlehem. He was a mem- ber of the Moravian Church, and socially was con- nected with the Masonic fraternity and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. The fact that he attaincd an age so advanced was largely due to his abstemious habits. In his prime he was an act- ive business man, energetic and persevering, and is still remembered in railroad and mercantile cir- cles throughout this county. His only surviving sons are Oliver and Henry G., the former being an extensive farmer of Minnesota. Edward, deceased, served through the entire period of the Civil War, and was discharged as Captain. William, also de- ceased, was a resident of Mauchi Chunk, and was largely interested in the coal business.
In the Moravian and the private schools of Bethlehem, our subject received a practical educa- tion, after which he was an employe in the store of Jacob Rice. At the age of twenty-one he went to New York and was in the wholesale dry-goods bus- iness there about one year. In 1852 he came to Easton as a clerk for William H. Lawall, and five years later embarked in business for himself as a retail grocer at No. 187 Northampton Street. In 1861 he bought out Isbon Benedict and removed to the site of his present establishment, forming a
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
partnership with P. Daly, his father's former part- ner, which connection continued under the name of Daly Tombler until the death of the senior partner, in 1877. The business was then conducted alone by Mr. Tombler until 1891. At that time the H. G. Tombler Grocery Company was organized, and our subject became its President, which position he has since filled. 'This is one of the largest houses in the state outside of Philadelphia, and such is the integrity of its officials and the ability of its rep- resentatives, that it enjoys the confidence of the trade. In conncetion with the company, the Key- stone Spiee and Fruit Cleaning Mills are carried on.
Mr. Tombler was President of the first Board of Trade in Easton, and was instrumental in establish- lishing the R. & H. Simon Silk Mill. He was active in the organization of the Edison Electric Light Company, and served as its first President. In the Mattawan Felting Company, he was the first Pres- ident. He was also one of the organizers of the Easton Boot and Shoe Company, and Viec-Presi- dent of the enterprise. At the time of the re-or- ganization of the H. G. Tombler Company, he re- signed his other positions in order to accept its presideney and devote his entire attention to its management.
While mainly sueeessful in his undertakings, Mr. Tombler has also met with his share of reverses. The heaviest of these was the loss of $150,000 in the Bullion King Mining Company of Colorado, of which he was President. He was one of the orig- inal promoters of the Paxmosa Inn Company in Easton. He is still Vice-President of the Board of Trade, and is one of its most active members. Po- litically he is a Demoerat, but his attention has been so engrossed by his business interests that he has had no time for political affairs. In the build- ing of the Moravian Church of Easton he took an active part, and is a prominent member of that de- nomination, and President of the Board of Trus- tees. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity.
November 8, 1853, Mr. Tombler and Miss Mary E. Shouse were united in marriage. The lady is a daugliter of Samuel and Mary (Opp) Shouse, resi- dents of Easton, Pa. The family consists of two sons and two daughters, namely: Fannie, wife of
C. W. Bixler, of Easton; Clara, who married Sid- ney S. Underwood, of Kentucky; Henry G., Jr., Secretary and Treasurer of the H. G. Tom bler Com- pany; and Fred S., who is also connected with the business.
C
M ANAVER C. MOSER. Doubtless every resident of Palmer Township, North- ampton County, is familiar with the name of this sueccssful business man, wlio, em- barking in the mercantile trade in 1886, has sinee conducted a large and profitable business among the people of his locality, proving by his execllent management of affairs the possession of more than ordinary commercial insight and ability. The store which he now superintends, and of which he is the owner, is situated on the corner of of Six- teenthi and Washington Streets, and is stocked with a full and modern assortment of goods suited to the needs of his eustomers. He keeps a full line of dry goods, groceries, hardware, vegetables, no tions, flour and feed, etc., whichi he retails at rea- sonable prices.
In Northampton County, December 23, 1851, our subject was born to the union of William and Catherine Moser, also natives of this county, and residents of Palmer Township. While in youth he enjoyed sueh advantages as the neighboring schools afforded, yet his present varied informa- tion and business knowledge have been aequircd mainly by persevering effort on his part. Reared upon a farm, hc aided in the tilling of the soil, and also in early manhood learned the trade of a shoemaker, though this he has never followed to any great extent.
Associated with his brother Alfred, our subject in 1874 opened a general merchandise store, and the two continued in partnership until the death of the former, in 1886, since which time the latter has had entire charge of the store, being sole pro- prietor. The original site of his store was at the corner of Fifteenth and Washington Streets, but in 1890 he removed his establishment to his pres-
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ent stand at the corner of Sixteenth and Washing- ton Streets.
The marriage of Mr. Moser united him withi Miss Sarah, daughter of Joseph Miller, of Moore Township, this county, and one child has blessed their union, a daughter, Annie. Socially our sub- ject is prominently identified with Lehicton Lodge No. 244, I. O. O. F., at Easton. In religious belief he is connected with the Lutheran Church, the services of which he attends regularly. In na- tional issues, as well as in local matters, he is in- clined to be independent, giving his ballot and in- fluence to the men and measures that in his judg- ment will best promote the welfare of the people.
HARLES KICHLINE is one of the well- to-do farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County. At various times he has been honorcd with positions of trust and responsibility, and is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. For six years, while a resident of Lehigh Township, he served as School Director, and was also Supervisor for two years. Since casting in his lot with the residents of this township he has acted as School Director, Assistant Assessor and Supervisor. In the fall of 1893 he was elected Commissioner of Northampton County, and is still serving in that capacity.
The family of which our subject is a worthy rep- resentative were originally residents of Germany, and were numbered among the early settlers of Bucks County, Pa. In that region occurred the birth of the grandfather, John Kichline, who fol- lowed the blacksmith's trade, and his entire life was spent in the county of his nativity. He was a Democrat, and religiously a member of the Reformed Church. By his marriage with a Miss Hinckel he had two sons, John and Jacob, both of whom are now deceased. The latter, our subject's father, was also born in Bucks County, and in his early life operated a farm, in connection with which he conducted a distillery. After coming to this
county he engaged in the mercantile business in Lower Saucon, and also owned and operated a flouring-mill. He became quite well-to-do, and was a leading Democrat of this locality. His death resulted from an apoplectic stroke in September, 1852, and he was placed to rest in the cemetery of Williams Township. To himself and wife, formerly Christiana Schliefer, were born eleven children, only four of whom survive.
Charles Kichline was born June 30, 1837, in Bucks County, and pursued his elemetary studies in the public schools of Lower Saucon Township. His boyhood was passed on his father's, farm, and with the latter he learned the milling business. In his early manhood he devoted about thirteen years to that calling, after which he returned to agricult- ure, and has since devoted his energies to carrying on his farm. For some years he engaged in rais- ing cattle, and for a time was employed in the butchering business.
In 1854 Mr. Kichline was married to Lucy Ann, daughter of James M. Behm, of this township. They have had a family of fourteen children, three of wliom, Emma R., Peter Calvin and Christiana, arc deceased. Of the others all arc married with the exception of four. They are named as follows: William, Ida M., James J., George H., Charles W., Jolın, Annie C., Rosa A., Thomas T., Alfred J. and Harry B. Mr. and Mrs. Kichline have eleven grandchildren. The former is a member of the Reformed Church, and holds the position of Trustee in the same at the present time.
AMUEL E. LEITH. Our subject isone of the venerable men of Lehigh County, for over seventy years have left their record upon his head in whitened hair. His honorable position in the community has been gained by virtue of his keen ability and well preserved phiy- sical attributes. He is a prominent citizen of the county, and is residing at the present time in Whitehall Township.
Our subject was born in Northampton County, this state, September 6, 1822, and is the son of Peter and Catherine (Ehrhard) Leith, the former
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of whom was born in the above county, and the latter in Bucks County, this state. John Peter Leith, the grandfather of our subjeet, was a native of Scotland, and eame to America when quite young, loeating in Northampton County, where he resided until his deeease. He was very promi- nent in agricultural eireles, and at his death had accumulated an estate of six hundred aeres. The ancestors of our subject on his mother's side were natives of Germany.
Samuel E. Leith has spent almost his entire life in his native county, and like all farmer lads re- ceived his primary education in the distriet school. Later he prepared himself in a private school for entering college, and for some time was a stu- dent of Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg. Af- ter leaving that institution he received private instruetion in theology and the languages under the tutelage of Rev. Benjamin German, the latter a well known minister of the Lutheran Church in Allentown. Although not aeeepting any perma- nent charge, our subjeet oeeasionally filled pulpits for other pastors for many years, and after com- pleting his education he was engaged in teaching school for sixteen terms in Bueks and Lehigh Counties.
In 1864 Mr. Leith located on his present farm, in the eultivation of which he has been very sue- cessful. He has persevered through many trials and hardships, and has at last reached the point where he can enjoy the wealth and prosperity which rightly belong to him. Mr. Leith was mar- ried, December 21, 1848, to Miss Sarah Gross, a na- tive of South Whitehall Township, her birth oe- eurring January 20, 1824. She is the daughter of Solomon and Hannah (Guth) Gross, also natives of this eounty. Great-grandfather Peter Gross was born in Germany, and on coming to America located in North Whitehall Township. Mrs. Leith removed to Allentown with her parents when eleven years of age, and there received a fine edu- cation in the eity sehools. By her union with our subject she has become the mother of one daugh- ter, Jane.
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