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 85

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 85
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 85
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 85

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N ICHOLAS ARTHUR TOPFER, a clever and enterprising young business man of Bethlehem, has the finest greenhouses in the southern part of this city and makes a spe- cialty of furnishing decorations, floral designs and choice varieties of cut flowers. He is of French descent. His parents, John and Madeline (Bevan) Topfer, were born, reared and married in Alsace, and the latter is still living, making her home in South Bethlehem. In the spring of 1868 the fa- ther emigrated to America with his wife and son and settled in Monroe County, Pa., where he fol- lowed his trade of cabinet-making. Hc afterward became a resident of South Bethlehem, where for many years he continued as a cabinet-maker, but later in life worked at different employments. For a time he was assistant gardener with E. P. Wilbur, after which he was an employe of W. A. Wilbur. His death occurred March 26, 1894, at the age of sixty-six years.

In his father's family, which comprised two daughters and four sons, Nicholas A. Topfer is the third in order of birth. His birth occurred Sep- tember 23, 1869, in Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pa., and he was quite young when his parents re- moved to South Bethlehem, where he was reared to manhood. His education was obtained in the public schools, and in his youth he worked at various employments during the vacations, mainly

F. J. HELFRICH.

DAIRY FARM AND RESIDENCE OF T. J. HELFRICH, SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, LEHIGH CO., PA.

TOPFER'S GREENHOUSES FOR CUT FLOWERS AND FLORAL DESIGNS, 813 SENECA STREET, SOUTH BETHLEH

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for his father. In 1885 he became an assistant gardener for E. P. Wilbur, with whom he was con- nected for over two years. For the succceding year he was employed in the merchant mill of the Bethlehem Iron Company. Afterward returning to the florist's trade, for which he seemed to have a special adaptation, he took charge of Mrs. Em- merich's greenhouses until her death, in March, 1892.

Since that time Mr. Topfer has leased his busi- ness, which is located on Seneca Street, the ground covered being 145x220 fcet in dimensions. Tilere are five greenhouses, which are covered by four thousand square fect of glass. and are the finest of the kind in South Bethlehem. Mr. Topfer has become thoroughly versed in the business, and propagates and raises all varieties of plants and vegetables. He has the reputation of doing the finest decorating in the city, his taste being excel- Jent, and he is often called upon to furnish plants, palms and flowers for weddings and entertain- ments, both public and private. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, as were also his parents, and is a member of the Church of the Holy Infancy.

W GILLIAM HACKETT, the efficient and popular Cashier of the Easton Nation- al Bank, is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Easton June 20, 1845. Hc is a son of William and Harriet (Holland) Hackett. His paternal ancestors were formerly from the Island of St. Domingo, and his mother's family came from England. Grandfather Hackett came to this country in an early day and settled in Philadelphia, but later removed to Northampton County, where he remained until his death. Grand- father Holland was also one of the pioneers of Pennsylvania, and was a coal operator at Wilkes Barre.

The father of our subject was born in Easton in 1812, and was educated in the public schools of that place, but afterward studied law and was ad-

mitted to the Bar. He practiced his profession in Easton for a number of years, and served as Pro- thonotary of the county. He later became identi- fied with the Easton National Bank, first as Cashier and afterward as President. In politics he was a Democrat, and a supporter of the principles of that party. In his religious belief he was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and an earnest worker in the cause of Christianity. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hackett: William, our subject; and S. Holland, of the firm of Hackett & Chidsey, brokers, of Easton.

The subject of this sketch was reared and edu- cated in Easton, and afterward entered Princeton College, where he was graduated in 1864. He then studied law with James M. Porter, of Easton, for some time, after which he entered the Albany Law School, and was graduated from that institution in 1867. He was admitted to the Bar of Northamp- ton County, and practiced his profession in Beth- lehem for several years, after which he came to Easton and was here engaged as Teller of the Easton National Bank, and in 1874 was elected Cashier, which position he is still holding.

Our subject has been, and is still, honored with many offices of trust. He is at present Treasurer and one of the managers of the Easton Delaware Bridge Company, Treasurer and Director of the Poxinosi Improvement Company, Treasurer of the Easton Boot and Shoe Company, President of the Advisory Board of the Easton Hospital, Director in the H. G. Tombler Grocery Company, and was formerly connected with the Easton Trust Com- pany as Vice-President and Director. He has also been connected with various enterprises in Easton, and has been largely identified with the industrial growth of the city.

Mr. Hackett was united in marriage in October, 1880, with Miss Edith, daughter of Frederick W. and Anna M. Noble, of Easton. Our subject and wife are the parents of one child, a son, Waldo Noble, a bright lad of eleven years. Politically Mr. Hackett is a Democrat, but has never taken an active part in politics. He has been repeatedly solicited to become a candidate for office, but has uniformly declined, being closely wedded to his business. He is a man thoroughly informed on all

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subjects of the day, and is deeply interested in the industrial question. He has contributed several able articles on banking to various papers and magazines, and has delivered addresses on several occasions at conventions. He also takes an intelli- gent interest in educational affairs, and is an active worker in the hospital of Easton. Our subject is interested in local advancement, and is numbered among the leading men and substantial citizens of Easton. Mr. Hackett, with his estimable wife, oc- cupies a high social position, and enjoys the esteem and good will of the entire community in which he lives.

M W. WELLER, a resident of Columbia, N. J., is engaged in the manufacture of school slate in Portland, Northampton County, where he is well known as an energetic and capable business man. The family of which he is a member originated, it is supposed, in Holland, but has long been identified with the history of the United States. Grandfather William Weller was successful in his undertakings as an agriculturist, and was a well known resident of Knowlton Town- ship, Warren County, N. J.

The parents of our subject, Lewis C. and Sarah (Hill) Weller, were natives of Warren County, where the father died in July, 1894. As a local politician he was influential and prominent, and held various offices of trust in Knowlton Town- ship. Michael W. was born in that township July 12, 1850, and was educated in the public schools of Columbia. When eleven years of age he began working in a school-slate factory, and, gaining in boyhood a thorough knowledge of the business, has made it his life occupation. He was employed by others until nineteen years of age, when he be- gan for himself the manufacture of school slate near Portland, Pa.

In 1880 Mr. Weller commenced the manufacture of school slate in Portland, which he continued for a time, but afterward operated a quarry near Bangor, this state. In 1888 he returned to Port- - land and began the development of his present plant, which he has since carried on. He does an

extensive business in this linc, and has in his em- ploy about forty hands. In addition to his busi- ness affairs he has kept thoroughly posted upon topics of national and local importance, and is one of the most influential Democrats of his county. In 1890 he was elected upon his party ticket to represent his fellow-citizens in the office of Sheriff of Warren County, in which capacity he served for three years. He was one of the most efficient and popular men that office ever had, and enjoys an extensive acquaintance in both Warren County, N. J., and Northampton County, Pa. Modest and retiring in disposition, he is, withal, progressive in business, upright in character and kind and con- siderate in domestic circles.

Socially Mr. Weller is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge at Portland, and the Knights of Pythias of the same place. His home is presided over by his cultured wife, formerly Miss Agnes Albert, who is a daughter of Robert Albert, a resident of Northampton County. Mr. Weller is entitled to more than passing men- tion in this volume, for while not a resident of Northampton he has contributed largely to the development of its business interests and is re- garded as one of its progressive citizens.

H ENRY H. MANN, who formerly occupied the responsible position of Commissioner of Northampton County, and for many ycars was a leading and successful business man, is now living retired in the village of Richmond, Washington Township. He is a native of New Jersey, born in Warren County February 28, 1831, and is the son of David and Sarah Mann. His father was born in Pennsylvania and was of Ger- man parentage, the paternal grandfather having emigrated to this country from Germany, and set- tled, it is supposed, first in Philadelphia.

In the War of 1812 David Mann was an active participant. He settled in Warren County, N. J., and there married, his wife being a native of that county. Thence in 1843 he removed to Penn-

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sylvania, and settled in Upper Mt. Bethel Town- ship, Northampton County, where his death oc- curred early in the '70s. Of his family three sons survive, namely: John A., Theodore and Henry H. The last-named was a mere lad when he ae- companied the other members to Northampton County, and here, when a youth of probably four- teen years, he was apprentieed to learn the trade of a blacksmith, which oceupation he followed act- ively for many years. He became known as an expert and successful workman, and always had a large trade among the neighboring farmers. Ow- ing to ill-health, however, he has been obliged for the past fifteen years to live somewhat retired from business.

For a quarter of a century, Mr. Mann has been a resident of the village of Richmond, and no one is more devoted to the progress of the town and county than he. In everything tending to their improvement he has been actively interested, and every progressive measure is sure of his hearty sympathy and aetive co-operation. His education was limited to brief attendance in the public schools of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but through experience he gained broad knowledge, and by reading developed his intellectual powers.

Among the men who, during the progress of the Civil War, enlisted under their country's flag was the subject of this sketeh. On the 17th of Oeto- ber, 1862, his name was enrolled as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry, assigned to the depart- ment of the South, operating in the Carolinas. All the horrors and trials of war, the foreed marches, privations and fierce contests, he endured during his service of about ten months. In Au- gust of 1863 he was honorably discharged from the service, and now, in partial compensation for his labors in the army, he is tendered a pension of $8 per month. He holds membership in Albert Jones Post, G. A. R., at Bangor.

While a Democrat on national questions, Mr. Mann has independent proclivities, and in local matters supports the man and measure rather than any political organization. He has served as In- spector of Eleetions of Washington Township, and for one term hield the position of Commissioner of

Northampton County. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Elmira Gruver, are held in the highest esteem by all who know them, and are numbered among the honored residents of Rieh- mond. Socially he belongs to Portland Lodge No. 311, F. & A. M.

EORGE RAESLY, the popular and effi- cient Postmaster of Mt. Bethel, and a prominent business man of that place, is a native of Northampton County, and was born July 3, 1859. His parents, Benjamin F. and Ma- tilda (Loehr) Raesly, were natives of the same place. The Raesly family were early settlers of Mt. Bethel Township, where the father of our sub- jeet occupied the position of County Superintend- ent of Schools for nine years. He is a graduate of the State Normal School, and is an old educator in the county, and well known throughout the state, having been interested in educational work for a number of years.

George Raesly, the subject of this sketch, was reared to man's estate in Mt. Bethel, and was edu- eated in the public schools here. He also attended Lafayette College at Easton, Pa., for a short time. After leaving sehool he taught one term in Will- iams Township, but came to the conelusion that teaching was not to be his avocation, so set about looking for something more congenial. In the spring of 1877 he engaged as clerk in the dry- goods store of R. J. Gruver, and for four years he continued to wait upon the customers that thronged the store, winning the esteem and confi- dence of his employer and making a host of friends by his courteous manner and genial disposition. In 1881 he was admitted as a partner in the busi- ness, and the firm is now known as Gruver & Raesly, and he is considered one of the leading business men of the town.

January 23, 1883, Mr. Raesly was united in mar- riage with Ella, a daughter of Calvin and Sarah E. Heller, of Upper Mt. Bethel Township, Northamp- ton County. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Raesly, Mary and Tillie. Politically our

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subject is a Democrat, and was appointed Postmaster of Mt. Bethel by President Cleveland in 1892. He was elected School Director, and has served as Secre- tary of the board for a number of years. Socially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A wide-awakc, thorough-going business man, he takes an intelligent interest in everything pertaining to the advancement of his community, and is deserving of the high regard in which he is held by all who know him, and is entitled to more than passing notice in an enumeration of the suc- cessful men of Northampton County.

J AMES A. HARPS. The life of this honor- able citizen of Northampton County fur- nishes an example of what may be accom- plished by persistence, sagacity and industry. His career, in its practical results, is an encouragement to every struggling young man who has ambition, resolution and a genius for hard work. In his store at Ackerman ville he handles a general line of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hardware and glassware, drugs, paints and oils. He has been engaged in business at this place since the spring of 1893, prior to which time he was for over three years similarly occupied in Snydersville, Monroe County, Pa. With the assistance of his clerk he takes entire charge of liis establishment, the an- nual sales of which run from $10,000 to $15,000.

A native of Monroe County, Pa., the subject of this notice was born March 31, 1867, and is a son of Alexander and Susan Harps, residents of that county. He was reared to manhood there, receiv- ing such educational advantages as its schools af- forded. Much of his time in boyhood and youth was spent upon a farm, and he gained a thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits. However, he did not care to follow that occupation for his life work, so secured a position as clerk in a store at Snydersville, Monroe County. While thus em- ployed he became familiar with the details of the business, and, saving his money, was enabled after a time to open a store of his own. In the fall of

1889 he became proprietor of a dry-goods and general mercantile establishment at Snydersville, where he remained between three and four years. Owing to the fact that Ackerman ville presented better opportunities for enlarging his store and in- crcasing his facilities for business, he removed hither and has since conducted a lucrative trade among the people of the locality.

Socially Mr. Harps holds membership in Barger Lodge No. 325, F. & A. M., at Stroudsburg, and Neolo Lodge No. 827, I. O. O. F., at Snydersville. In his political belief he is strongly in favor of the Republican party, and never fails to give his vote for its principles and the men who represent them. The postoffice at Ackermanville is located in liis store and he is serving as Deputy Postmaster. His religious connections are with the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In his various enterprises he has been assisted by his industrious wife, Tacy, to whom he owes no small share of his success. She is a daughter of Samuel Bittenbender, of Monroe County, Pa., and by her marriage has become the mother of two daughters, named Ruth and Maud.

OL. SAMUEL D. LEHR, ex-Mayor, and one of the prominent citizens of Allentown, was here born on the 30th of May, 1838, and is a representative of one of the honored early families of the community. His grandfather, Peter Lehr, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was of German descent. He served his country in the War of 1812, together with his four brothers. Joseph Lehr, the father of our subject, was born in Allentown in 1809. By trade he was a lock and gun smith, and followed that business during the greater part of his life. Hc married Miss Louisa Newhard, daughter of Peter Newhard. She was born in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, and died June 12, 1862, in Allentown. Mr. Lehr passed away in this city in 1864.

Under the parental roof Samuel D. Lehr spent the days of his boyhood, and in its public schools acquired his literary education. He then began

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his business career as assistant civil engineer with Dr. Jesse Samuels and G. A. Aschbach, with whom he continued for some time. He was after- ward in partnership with Richard R. Emery, the business being carried on under the firm name of Lelir & Emery. The partnership was continued for four years, when Mr. Emery died, and Mr. Lehr became sole proprietor of the business, which lie conducted alone up to June 16, 1893, at which time he admitted to partnership J. Howard Martz. This partnership continued until April 1, 1894, when A. W. Leh was taken into the firm as archi- tect, the firm then being styled Lehr, Leh & Martz, architects and civil engineers. Besides the office at Allentown they have a branch office at South Bethlehem.

During the late war Mr. Lehr manifested his loyalty to the Government by enlisting in the Union service in 1862. He was made Captain of Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, and at once went to the South, where he saw some hard service. A year later lie was mustered out, and on his return home he was appointed Recruiting Agent, being com- missioned by Governor Curtin. He did faith- ful service in this capacity, in fact he has ever been true to the public and private trusts reposed in him. In 1869 he organized Company B, which is now part of the Fourth Regiment of the Na- tional Guards of Pennsylvania, and was mustered in as its Captain. He commanded the company for a period of sixteen years, and in the mean time was elected Major of the Fourth Regiment. In 1885 he was elected Colonel of the regiment, and served in that position for five years. He has only two superiors in years of continued serv- ice among the Pennsylvania National Guards. In 1890 his term expired and he was placed upon the list of retired officers. His record as a com- mander is one of which lie may be proud, and he has always had the confidence and high regard of his subordinates and the esteem of his equals in the service.

In 1865 Colonel Lehr married Miss Elizabeth S. Engleman, daughter of Louis Engleman, a farmer of this county. They have one daughter, Cora M., now the wife of Arnon P .. Miller, of Allen-

town. In his political views Mr. Lehr is a Demo- crat, and in 1890 was elected on that ticket Mayor of Allentown, which position he filled for three years with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. During the last twenty years he has served as City Engineer, and in this work has given entire satisfaction, a fact which is shown by his long continuance in office. He is one of the best known citizens of this place, and the leading interests of this community, especially those calcu- lated to advance the public welfare, receive his hearty support and co-operation.

AMUEL KLEINHANS, who is proprietor of the garden and truck farm situated in the borough of South Easton, is a native of Williams Township, Northampton County, and was born February 13, 1847. The family of which he is a representative was founded in this town- ship by his paternal grandfather, who was one of its pioneer settlers. Here his father, Jacob Klein- hans, was born and reared to manhood, and here he engaged at the trade of a tailor, meantime also carrying on agricultural pursuits. His death oc- curred some years ago.

Upon the home farm the boyhood and youthful years of the subject of this biography were unevent- fully passed, and under the instruction of his fa- ther he gained a thorough knowledge of every de- partment of agriculture. Meantime, he was dur- ing the winter months a student in the neighboring district schools, where he gained a practical educa- tion. Early in life he became self-supporting, and adopting for his business that of a gardener and truck farmer, he lias been thus engaged for a period of more than twenty-two years, meeting with dis- tinct success in his enterprise. In the fall of 1881 he settled upon the place where he has since re- sided. Previous to this he had resided for some time a short distance from the borough of Easton, upon a farm lying along the river banks. In ad- dition to his property in the borough of South Easton, he is the owner of seventy-six acres of farm

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land in this county, all of which he has accumu- lated through his own prudent and energetic efforts, scconded by the assistance of his capable wife and children. On his farm land he has six good dwelling-houses and two good barns. He also has improved and unimproved property in South Easton.

For a life companion Mr. Kleinhans chosc Miss Emma E., daughter of Samuel Hahn, a resident of Williams Township. Their union has resulted in the birth of nine children, as follows: Edgar H., who is in the Junior class at Lafayette College, at Easton; Hiram P., Dorothy W., Mary M., Forest J., Samuel O., Daisy F., Emma F. and Stanley H.

As a citizen Mr. Kleinhans votes the Democratic ticket, always giving his support to the men and principles for which that party stands. In relig- ious connections he adhercs to the faith of his fore- fathers, being a devoted Lutheran, and holds mem- bership in St. Paul's Church of Easton. For a number of years he has served the congregation as an Elder. He is a man who through hard work has gained a comfortable competence, and at the same time through honorable methods of transact- ing business has gained the confidence of the people of the county.

ILLIAM F. MOSSER, one of the rep- resentative business men and substan- tial citizens of Allentown, is now owner of a large foundry in this city. By his own un- aided efforts he has worked his way upward until he now occupies an enviable position in business circles. He was born in Lehigh County, Pa., on the 26th of December, 1833, and is a son of Joseph Mosser, a farmer and miller of this county, who died in Lynn Township in 1893, in the eighty- third year of his age. The family is of German origin, and was founded in America by ancestors who emigrated from the Fatherland in the seven- tecnth century. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Krause. She was born in this county, and is a daughter of Philip Krause.

She still survives her husband, and has now reached the age of eighty-one years.

William F. Mosser of this sketch is the eldest in a family of three children, two of whom grew to mature years. The days of boyhood and youth were quietly passed in his parents' home, and his education was acquired in the common schools. He aided his father in the mill until seventeen years of age, and then began clerking in the store of Mosser & Gehunan, in Breinigsville, where he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he entered a general store, where he was employed nine years.

In 1863 Mr. Mosser came to Allentown, and began the manufacture of iron carriage and wagon axles, as a member of the firm of Neleigh & Mosser. The partnership between thesc gentlemen con- tinued until 1871, when by mutual consent it was dissolved. Our subject is now at the head of a large foundry and machine shop, where he is en- gaged in the manufacture of stationary pumps, machinery for mills, turbine wheels and other iron implements. He receives orders from all parts of the country, and is doing a large business, employ- ment being furnished to fifty men. In 1892 he admitted to partnership his son, and operations are now carried on under the firm name of William F. Mosser & Son.

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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 85

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