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 79
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 79
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 79
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Mr. Leith of this sketch is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, while his wife and daughter worship in the Reformed Church, He has always
been a strong advocate of the free-school system and in politics votes the Democratic tieket. He is one of the oldest residents of the county and is well known throughout its length and breadth, He has a host of warm friends, is very popular with all, and we take great pleasure in presenting his sketeh in these pages.
LIAS SIEGER. From the successful ca- reer of this gentleman may be gleaned many lessons interesting to the old and profitable to the young. Without the aid of for- tune or the prestige of family, he has gained a high degree of suecess, and justly ranks among the enterprising business men of Lehigh County. His store in Coplay contains a complete assort- ment of stoves and steam heaters, tin ware, paints, etc., and through the reliability of his dealings with all he has gained the confidence of the people.
In Siegersville, Pa., the subject of this notice was born February 23, 1849, being a son of Joseph and Amy (Kern) Sieger, also natives of the Key- stone State. In the village of Siegersville, which was named in honor of the family, he spent the days of his boyhood. When nineteen he went to Ohio, and in Cireleville found employment at the trade of a tinsmith, which he had learned under the instruction of his father, a sueeessful meehan- ic. In 1871 he embarked in the business which he has sinee continued. While not receiving many educational advantages in youth, he was a student of human nature, and through experience and self-culture has become well informed. As a business man he is energetic, industrious and effi- cient, displaying in his transactions a high degree of taet, shrewdness and honor.
In politics Mr. Sieger is a supporter of the Dem- ocratic party, and is ever interested in the mate- rial progress of the community and the develop- ment of the county's resources. While his time and attention have been largely taken up with his business interests, he has also been chosen for pub-
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lic positions, and has served with credit to himself in every office. For seven years he has served as Burgess of Coplay, and his plans have secured the material advancement of the municipality. For four years he was a member of the Borough Coun- cil, and for ten years filled the position of School Director. In religious belief he is a Lutheran.
In October, 1873, Mr. Sieger and Miss Louisa Peters were united in marriage. The lady was born in Lehigli County to Joel and Mary A. Peters, both deceased. Ten children resulted from this union, of whom all but one are now living, as fol- lows: Annie, Joseph, Harry, Clara, Mark, Amy, Jeremiah, Effie and Charles. Reuben is deceased. The family is highly regarded in social circles. No man has done more for the upbuilding of Cop- lay and its general improvement than Mr. Sieger, who has proved a valuable acquisition to the citi- zenship of this locality.
YRUS E. BREDER, Cashier of the First National Bank in Bethlehem, a prominent financial institution with a splendid record of thirty years, has filled that responsible position for many years. He is a native of this county, hav- ing been born in Hanover Township in 1842, and is the son of George Breder, also a native of the above township, where his father, who likewise bore the name of George, was born and followed farm pursuits his entire life.
George Breder, Sr., is an agriculturist of promi- nence in his neighborhood, and although now eighty-two years of age is hale and hearty. He has been the recipient of many official positions of honor and trust, and in the discharge of his re- spective duties gave entire satisfaction to all con- cerned. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and in politics never fails to cast a vote for Dem- ocratic candidates.
Mrs. Susan (Schall) Breder, the mother of our subject, was born in Moore Township, this county, and is also in the eighty-second year of her age. She rcared a family of two children, the sister of
our subject being Lavinia, now the wife of Alfred Yoder, of Fullerton. The subject of this sketch received his primary education in the public schools of his native township, and afterward attended what is now Central Pennsylvania College at New Berlin, Pa. When attaining his seventeenth ycar he taught one term of school in Moore Township, and then, abandoning that occupation, began clerk- ing in a general store, following that occupation until 1863, when he was elected Teller of the bank.
In December of the above year, when the First National Bank was opened for business, our sub- ject assumed the duties of Teller, and cont nued to fill the office until April 1, 1871, when he was ap- pointed to his present position, that of Cashier. The first President of the institution was C. A. Luckenbach, who was succeeded by George H. Myers. The bank was organized with a capital stock of $72,000, which was soon increased to $200,000, and in 1871 to $500,000. It was reduced, however, to $300,000 in 1876, there not being sufficient de- mand for such a heavy capital in the volume of business transacted. When the reduction was made the stockholders were paid back in full.
In 1866 the officers of the bank, finding their building inadequate to the demands of a largely in- creasing business, moved to their present site, which, however, has undergone many material changes since then. At first it only consisted of an office and the residence where our subject resided. The first alteration was begun in 1886, by making a large addition to the rear of the building and other slight changes in the property. Again, in 1891, it was further altered and improved by the addition of another story, and the putting in of an entirely new and imposing stone front, making it as it stands to-day, one of the finest business buildings in the Lehigh Valley. The present officers of the insti- tution are: President, George H. Myers; Vice-Presi- dent, Joseph M. Leibert; Cashier, C. E. Breder; Teller, W. B. Myers; note clerk, F. J. Klinker; bookkeepers, L. J. Heller and T. F. Keim.
Our subject was married in this city, in 1863, to Miss Augusta, daughter of John C. Malthaner, a prominent manufacturer of this section. To Mr. and Mrs. Breder there have been born four children: Kate; Charles, a civil engineer in New Jersey; Cor-
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nelia and Claire. The family occupy a pleasant home at No. 332 Market Street, in this city. So- cially Mr. Breder is a member of the Royal Arca- num, and belongs to the order of the Golden Chain. He is a true-blue Republican in politics, and in re- ligious affairs is prominently identified with the Moravian Church.
ROF. WILLIAM F. HOCH, who bears an enviable reputation among the educators of the Lehigh Valley, is the efficient Coun- ty Superintendent of Public Instruction of North- ampton County, having been elected to that re- sponsible position in May, 1891, and re-elected in May, 1894. He has shown himself to be thor- oughly capable, and faithful to the trust thus be- stowed upon him. A native of this county, Mr. Hoch was born in September, 1853, and has passed his entire life within its limits.
The parents of Professor Hoch, Joseph and Lou- isa M. (Roth) Hoch, were also born in Northamp- ton County, and the grandfather of the former, whose Christian name was Jacob, was one of the early settlers of Bushkill Township. Until eleven years of age our subject resided in Bushkill Town- ship, when his parents removed to Bethlehem Town- ship, and there he was reared to man's estate, re- ceiving his education in the public schools. His early education was supplemented by a course of study in the Keystone Normal School of Kutztown, where he especially prepared himself for educa- tional work, and was graduated from that well known institution.
When only seventeen years of age, our subject began teaching school in Palmer Township, where he was located for one year. Subsequently he taught for fifteen successive years in Bethlehem Township, having charge during this long period of one school. His merits having become well known, and his influence as an educator being felt to be of the best, he was taken from the school- room to serve as Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion of the county, a position for which he has
shown special adaptation. Under his supervision the schools are rapidly acquiring a better tone and influence in the community. His methods are thoroughly in accord with the spirit of the times, and he endeavors to inculcate the latest and most practical systems.
Professor Hoch married, in 1877, Miss Mary A., a daughter of Thomas Richards, of Palmer Town- ship, and by this union have been born two chil- dren, Lizzie M. and Bertha V. Socially the Pro- fessor is identified with Teedyuscong Tribe No. 117, I. O. R. M., and also with the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Freemansburg, Pa. He is public- spirited and enterprising, and politically gives his vote to the support of Democratic candidates. For a number of years he has officiated as organist of St. John's Church of Farmersville, and is a member of the Lutheran Church.
S AMUEL HUTCHISON, formerly Treasurer of Northampton County, and now resid- ing at Martin's Creek, is well known and popular throughout this section of the state, where his entire life has been passed. In the county of which he is now a resident he was born March 25, 1844, being a son of Elias and Catherine (Dech) Hutchison, both deceased. The family was one of the first represented in the state, and for several generations has been identified with the history of this county, the first one to settle here being our subject's great-great-grandfather, James Hutchi- son, who was born in Ireland, of Scotch descent, and emigrated to America during the seventeenth century, becoming a pioneer settler of Lower Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County. He at- tained a great age, and at the time of his death was one hundred and four years of age. His body was interred in the Presbyterian Cemetery of Lower Mt. Bethel Township.
The father of our subject died in 1891, when in his eighty-fourth year. The mother died the same year, and at the same age. Of their children, three survive, namely: Mary, wife of Solomon Spangler;
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Charles, whose home is near Bath, Pa .; and Sam- uel. The last-named was rearcd to manhood in the locality of his birth, and in boyhood was a student in the schools of Lower Mt. Bethel Town- ship, and also for a time attended a private school in Phillipsburg, N. J. His studies completed, he taught school some eight winter scasons, mainly in Lower Mt. Bethel Township. For three years he was traveling salesman for R. I. Schlabach, a manufacturer of agricultural implements at Naz- areth.
With the public affairs of the county Mr. Hutch- ison for some years has been intimately associated, and is regarded as one of the local leaders of the Democratic party in this section. In 1887 he was elected Treasurer of Northampton County, taking possession of the office January 1, 1888, and serv- ing for three years to the satisfaction of the people and with credit to himself. Subsequently for three ycars he served as Deputy County Treasurer for William H. Rice, his successor in office. In 1889 he removed to his present farm, where he owns sixty acres of finely improved land, accumulated through his own exertions. For a number of years he has served as School Director and Auditor of Lower Mt. Bethel Township, and is one of the pub- lic-spirited citizens of the community. Socially he holds membership with Easton Lodge No. 152, F. & A. M., and Martin's Creek Lodge No. 745, I. O. O. F. He is identificd with the Reformed Church, and is a man of sincere religious convic- tions, the uprightness of his life proving the depth of his belief.
H ENRY B. YINGLING is a leading repre- sentative of the business interests of Al- lentown. He is now at the head of the firm of H. B. Yingling & Son, contractors and builders, and does a large amount of work in his line. His entire life has been passed in Allentown, which is his native city. He was born on the 9th of May, 1846, and comes of a family of German origin. His great-grandfather, Andrew Yingling, was a native of Germany, and on emigrating to
America became onc of the pioneer settlers of what is now Lehigh County, but was then a part of Bucks County, Pa. Here was born his son, Abraham Yingling. The father of our subject, John O. Yingling, is also a native of Lehigh County, born in 1818, and is now a hale and hearty gentleman of seventy-six. He was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary S. Beitel, who was born in 1816, and is a daughter of Christian F. Beitel. She still trav- els life's journey as the companion and helpmate of her husband, and the worthy couple, now well advanced in years, have the high regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.
Henry B. Yingling is the only child of the fam- ily. He had a sister, Catherine, but her death oc- curred in her fifteenth year. His education was acquired in the public schools of Allentown, in the Allentown Academy, and in the high school, and the knowledge there gained well fitted him for his life work. At the age of eighteen he began learn- ing the shoemaker's trade, serving a four-years apprenticeship, during which time he completely mastered the business. In 1868 he began shoe- making on his own account, built up an extensive trade, and continued operations along that line un- til 1873, when he began contracting and building. He has erected three hundred and twenty-two houses, and has therefore aided materially in the progress and advancement of this place. Hc has just completed a finc stoncfront flat building, con- taining eighteen flats, built in a modern style of architecture and supplied with all conveniences.
Mr. Yingling was united in marriage, in 1867, with Miss Eliza J. Kleckner, daughter of James and Mary Kleckner. By their union has been born a son, John J., who is now associated with his father in business.
In connection with his other interests our sub- ject is now engaged in the manufacture of brick, as President of the H. B. Yingling Brick Company, of which his son is Secretary and Treasurer. He has also been Secretary of the West End Improve- ment Company since its organization in 1888, and the various enterprises with which he is connected owe much of their prosperity and development to his untiring efforts in their behalf. He is one of the live and wide-awake business men of Lehigh
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County, possessed of the enterprising spirit of the times, and though he has met with some obstacles and difficulties, he works but the harder on account of these, and always carries forward to a successful completion whatever he undertakes. He had no capital with which to begin life, but from an hum- ble position he has steadily worked his way up- ward, and has furnished to the community an cx- ample which might be profitably followed by many.
H ON. HARRY G. STILES, a well known member of the legal profession in Allen- town, Pa., is a native of this city, his birth having occurred here on the 16th of December, 1856. He is a representative of one of the most prominent families of the community. His father, Hon. John D. Stiles, was born in Luzerne County, Pa., January 15, 1821, received an academic edu- cation, studied law, and in 1844 was admitted to the Bar. He became a leading practitioner, and in 1853 was elected District Attorney for Lehigh County, which office he held for three years. In 1856 he was a delegate to the National Convention which nominated James Buchanan for the presi- dency. The same year he was elected to the Thir- ty-seventh Congress, to fill the unexpired term of his deceased friend, T. B. Cooper, and served on the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. In 1862 he was re-clected to Congress, and served on the Committees on Expenditures in the State Depart- ment and Revolutionary Claims. He was also a delegate to the Chicago Convention of 1864, and to the Philadelphia National Union Convention of 1866. In 1844 he came to Allentown, where he has since resided, one of its most prominent and highly respected citizens.
We now take up the personal history of Harry G. Stiles, who in his youth attended the public and high schools of his native town, being graduated from the latter on the 30th of July, 1874. He afterwards took a two-years special course in Muh-
lenberg College, and then entered the Harvard Law School, from which he was graduated in 1878. In Allentown, on the 14th of April, 1879, he was admitted to practice at the Bar of Lehiglı County, and at once formed a partnership, with his father, under the firm name of John D. Stiles & Son. In 1889 he was elected District Attorney for a term of three years, and proved a capable and efficient officer. On his retirement from office, he at once resumed the practice of law, and in 1894 he was elected State Senator on the Democratic ticket.
On the 27th of September, 1889, Mr. Stiles mar- ried Miss Anna Yheulon, of Allentown, daughter of Joseph Yheulon. They are well known people of this city, where they have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. In his political views Mr. Stiles is a Democrat, and has frequently served as a delegate to the county and state conventions of his party. The greater part of his time and at- tention, however, is devoted to legal practice, and in the prosecution of his chosen profession he has met with most excellent success. He is an able. logical and fluent speaker, and his abilities, botlı natural and acquired, are rapidly winning him a foremost place in the ranks of his professional brethren. He is regarded as one of the best and representative citizens of the community, and is prominent in professional, political and social circles.
T HOMAS J. FRETZ, whose sketch we here- with present, is one of those genial and agreeable men whom it is a pleasure to know, and who in all instances rank high in the estimation of the community in which they reside At the present time he occupies the position of as- sistant agent of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and is stationed at Allentown.
David Fretz, the father of our subject, was born in Northampton County, this state, and departed this life in 1883. The lady who became the mother
REV. JOHN A. SEIMETZ.
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of our subjeet was prior to her marriage known as Miss Susan Beil, and, like her husband, was born and reared in Northampton County. Thomas, of this sketch, is a native of Lehigh County, his birth oc- curring August 5, 1865. He received a good edu- cation in the public schools, and began life on his own account in 1882, when he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company as telegraph operator, taking charge of the station at Fullerton.
Our subject continued to act as operator for the above company until 1887, when he was promoted to the position of way-bill elerk, with headquar- ters at Allentown. His effieieney in that depart- ment was recognized, and in 1890 he was appoint- ed chief elerk of the freight department. Mr. Fretz was the ineumbent of the last-named position until September 1, 1893, when he was promoted to his present position of assistant agent. His main du- ties, however, are in the freight branch, where he has charge of seventy-eight men, thus making the responsibilities of the office quite weighty.
The lady to whom our subject was wedded Oc- tober 29, 1887, was Miss Mary J. Rueter, of Allen- town, and the daughter of Henry and Catherine Rueter. Mr. and Mrs. Fretz are the parents of one ehild, a daughter, Bessie. They are members in good standing of St. John's Lutheran Church, and are regarded as among the substantial citizens of the community.
Politically Mr. Fretz is a staneh Democrat, and in social affairs is a prominent member of Porter Lodge No. 284, F. & A. M., at Catasauqua. Our subjeet is popular wherever known, and through- out his entire career of busy usefulness is ever faithful to each duty of life.
R EV. JOHN A. SEIMETZ. The Church of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, situ- ated in Catasauqua, was fortunate in se- euring as its pastor Father Seimetz, for through his devoted and efficient supervision every depart- ment of its work has been greatly promoted in extent and usefulness. He accepted the pastorate
in 1889, two years after his ordination to the holy priesthood, and during the years that have sinee elapsed he has gained the esteem and confidenee of his parishioners and the respect of the general publie.
Father Seimetz was born in Reading, Pa., No- vember 13, 1862, and is a son of Mathias and Mary (Ludwig) Seimetz, natives of the eity of Treves, Germany. The former, who was born in 1813, emigrated to Ameriea after his marriage and set- tled in Reading. He is now living in that eity and has attained the age of eighty-one years (1894). His wife, who is also living, is seventy- eight years old. Their only son and youngest child is the subject of this sketeh, who was reared to manhood in his native place and received a good education in St. Paul's parochial school. In 1875 he went to the Benedictine College at La- trobe, Westmoreland County. Later he completed the classical course of St. Vincent College, and in 1881 became a student in St. Charles Seminary at Overbrook, near Philadelphia.
In May, 1887, Father Seimetz was ordained by Archbishop Ryan and became assistant priest in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Sixth and Spruee Streets, Philadelphia. After spending four- teen months in that position he was transferred to the church of St. Alphonsus, in the same eity, where he was engaged for the eight ensuing months. He was then sent to Pottsville, where he was assistant in St. John's Church for a short time. April 29, 1889, he was put in charge of the congregation at Catasauqua.
This parish was organized in 1847, and in 1878 the present large brick edifice was ereeted. In 1890 the parsonage adjoining the church was com- pleted. On the opposite side of the street stand the sehoolhouses and the dwelling of the sisters. The congregation ineludes one hundred and fif- teen families and i's in a most flourishing condi- tion. The many expensive improvements which have been placed upon the property indicate the praiseworthy spirit among the people, and earnest and persistent efforts on the part of the pastor. There are one hundred and fifteen pupils in the sehool, which is in charge of three sisters of the Order of St. Francis. Connected with the parish
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are the Beneficial Society of St. Nicholas, Atlar Society, Rosary Society, Sodality of the Blessed Virgin and St. John's Society for young men. Politically Father Seimetz is a Democrat.
P ETER H. SEIP, for many years proprietor of the Seip Hotel at Seipsville, and now a resident of Northampton Street, Palmer Township, Northampton County, was born in this county, December 22, 1849. The founders of the family in America came hither from Germany and settled in Palmer Township, upon the site of the present town of Seip's. The exact date of their settlement is not known definitely, but it was dur- ing the Indian wars of the eighteenth century.
The parents of our subject, Jacob and Anna M. (Edelman) Seip, were natives of Northampton County, where the mother died. The father, who lives retired in Seipsville, Palmer Township, en- gaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, and also kept the well known Seip's Hotel at Seips- ville for a number of years. This hotel was built by the founder of the family in Northampton County, and is a historic structure, one of the old landmarks of the county. From the time of its erection to the present it has never been out of the hands of the descendants of the original owner.
Twice married, Jacob Seip is the father of six children, namely: Peter H., of this sketch; Emma E., wife of Peter Hess; John J .; Sarah M., who married Oscar Bower; Carrie and Lulu. In poli- tics the father is a Democrat, and has held a num- ber of local offices, to which he has been elected upon the party ticket. His has been a successful life, and he is numbered among the representative citizens of Palmer Township. His membership, religiously, is with the Lutheran Church of East- on.
In the schools of Palmer Township our subject was educated, in addition to which he also atten- ded a private school in Easton. He remained in his father's employ until he was twenty-six years of age, when he became proprietor of Seip's Hotel.
He acted as "mine host" of that popular inn for eighteen years, or until the spring of 1893, when he settled in his present place of residence. Through his efforts the postoffice at Seip's was established, and he was appointed the first Postmaster, serving in tliat capacity until his removal to Northampton Street, when he resigned.
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