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 86
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 86
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 86
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In 1854 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Seiberling, of Schuylkill County, Pa., and a daughter of Peter Seiberling. Five children have been born of their union, one son and four daughters, namely: Alvena, Amanda, Emma, Rosa, and Charles F., who is now associated with his father in business. The parents are both members of the Lutheran Church, contribute lib- erally to its support, and take an active interest in church and benevolent work.
In his political views Mr. Mosser is a stalwart supporter of the principles of the Republican party, but has never sought or desired public office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. In his undertakings he has met with an excellent degree of success, owing to his enterprise, industry and well directed ef- forts. He watches closely all the details of the business, and by careful supervision he has become
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one of the substantial citizens of Allentown. The firm of Mosser & Son is now doing a prosperous business, for the experience and understanding of the senior partner and the activity and enterprise of the junior form a combination which cannot fail to win success.
J OHN WOLF, the efficient Postmaster of Ban- gor, Pa., and a prominent business man of the place, was born in Upper Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County, September 11, 1838, and is the son of William and Anna Maria (Van Horn) Wolf. He is of German de- scent, his ancestors having come from Baden, Ger- many, to the United States, settling in Bath, this county. Grandfather Philip Wolf emigrated to this country in an early day. He was a farmer and lumberman by occupation, and died in Bath in the year 1838. He was the father of six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters, and was a sol- dicr in the War of 1812. The father of our sub- ject, who was born near Bath, was a farmer by oc- cupation. He was the father of fifteen children, fourteen of whom are living: Susan, John, Henri- etta, Cornelia, Josephine, Emeline, Elizabeth, Maria, Franklin G., William J., Theodore, Sabina, Sallie A. and Ella. Onc daughter, Mary, is de- ceased. William Wolf was a Democrat in politics and was stanchi in the support of his party, but never aspired to any office. He was a member of the Evangelical Church, of which he was a faith- ful and consistent member. His remains were in- terred in Bangor Cemetery.
Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in the public schools of his native township. He remained with his parents until he attained the age of twenty, and afterward worked on a farm for two years. In 1860 he went into business for himself, buying out Jacob Eng- lert, an undertaker and cabinet-maker of Bangor. He followed this occupation until a few years ago, when he was appointed Postmaster of Bangor by President Cleveland, and assumed charge of the
postoffice at that place. For about two years, in 1888-89, he carried on a shoe business.
Mr. Wolf was united in marriage, January 5, 1861, with Miss Matilda Bach, a daughter of Jo- seph Bach, of Upper Mt. Bethel Township. They became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living: Lillie, the wife of Jacob F. Speer; Cyrus, who married Ada Jones; Oscar, married to May Flory, a daughter of Solomon Flory; Horace, who married Amanda Weaver, of Pen Argyl, and is assistant in the postoffice; Newton, who married Allie Bruch; and Edward and Hattie. Oscar is engaged in the furniture business, both wholesale and retail; and Newton has the undertaking busi- ness formerly carried on by his father.
In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat, and at one time was a candidate for the Legislature in the county of Northampton. He is familiar with, and takes great interest in, the labor question, and also the national issues in politics. He has served as School Director, and also as a member of the Coun- cil, and for three years has held the office of As- sessor in Bangor. Socially he is a member of Ban- gor Lodge No. 565, F. & A. M. He is ever ready to extend aid in all matters of local enterprise, and is intimately associated with the growth and up- ward progress of his home locality.
EORGE W. GEISER, a prominent and able attorney of Easton, is a man of superior mental endowments, strengthened and en- riched by the highest culture. His mind is clear, concise, analytical and well poised, and he impresses one as a man of great strength, depth and grasp of mind. His professional career has been a success, and he is regarded as one of the leading attorneys of the city. He was born September 21, 1852, in Petersville, Lehigh Township, Northampton Coun- ty, and is the son of Samuel and Catherine (Mack) Geiser. His ancestors were Swiss, and his grand- father, John J. Geiser, was born in Berne, Switzer- land. Hs came to this country about eight years ago, locating in Lehigh Township, Northampton
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County. He was a manufacturer of woolen goods by occupation, and on his decease was buried in Lehigh Township.
Samuel Geiser, father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in 1821. He is engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, owning a woolen mill in Northampton County, and is a very suc- cessful business man. llis family consisted of nine children, eight of whom are living, two sons and six daughters. In politics he is a Democrat, and always gives his support to the candidates of that party. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, an earnest worker in the same, and takes a deep interest in educational and church work. During the Rebellion he was strongly opposed to slavery, and was deeply in sympathy with the success of the North.
George W. Geiser, our subject, prepared for col- lege at Dickens' Seminary, in Williamsport, Pa. In 1871 he entered Franklin and Marshall College, and was graduated from that institution in 1875. After graduating he had charge of a private school at Bath, this county, for a term of years, and at the same time carried on the study of law. In 1875 he received his degree of M. A. from Frank- lin and Marshall College, and the same year he entered the law office of Hon. Henry Green, now a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and was admitted to practice February 22, 1878. Shortly after his admission to the Bar he opened an office and began the practice of his profession in Easton. He soon became interested in politics, and from that time has taken an active part in campaign work. He was elected District Attorney for the county of Northampton November 6, 1883, and remained in office for three years. In 1891 he was elected County Solicitor, and has served in that capacity for three years.
In addition to other interests, Mr. Geiser is President and Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Hard Vein Slate Company, and is Secretary of and So- licitor for the Northampton Hard Vein Slate Com- pany. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order, and is identified with the lodge, chapter, commandery and council at Easton, and the Con- sistory at Philadelphia. In his religious belief he is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Po-
litically he is a Democrat, and ever true to the principles of that party. Mr. Geiser is married and has three children.
HARLES M. W. KECK, Cashier of the Al- lentown National Bank, is a man of good business ability, who has proven an able officer in the position which he now fills. The record of his life is as follows: He was born in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, September 28, 1850, and is a son of Charles and Mary B. (Gangewere) Keck. The father was a native of Lehigh County, and in early life followed farming and milling. In after life he was one of the pro- prietors of the Lehigh Patriot, a German paper, since consolidated with the Register. He and his wife are now deceased, their last days having been spent in Allentown.
Mr. Keck of this sketch was reared in Allen- town, whither his parents removed when he was only two years of age. His education was acquired in the public and high schools, which he attended until fourteen years of age, when he began earn- ing his own livelihood. He was employed in the Allentown Rolling Mills for ten monthis, and on the expiration of that period accepted a clerkship in a general store in Allentown. On leaving that position he took a five-months commercial course in Eastman's Business College of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in order to better fit himself for a practical business life and pave his way to further promo- tion.
On his return to Allentown, Mr. Keck was of- fered the position of bookkeeper by M. J. Kramer, and continued to serve in that capacity for two years. In August, 1868, he entered the Allen- town National Bank, and his efficiency and faith- fulness were acknowledged and rewarded on the 12th of May, 1885, when he was unanimously elected Cashier of the bank, which position he has since filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to liis associates. Of his business industry, ex- haustive knowledge of the requirements of his position, and the ripe experience of the past twenty
WILLIAM H. ECKERT.
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years of his life, the institution reaps the benefits. The capital stock of the bank is a half-million dol- lars, and the deposits average about $1,200,000.
On the 24th of October, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Keck and Miss A. P. Newhard, daughter of E. R. Newhard, of Allentown. Their home is located at No. 427 Walnut Street, and is a handsome residence, in one of the best neighbor- hoods of the city. There hospitality abounds and a warm welcome is ever extended to their many friends.
Mr. Keck was instrumental in the organization of the Mutual Building and Loan Association, and for about five years was Treasurer of the corpora- tion. He is also Treasurer of the Lehigh Valley Car Company. In politics he is a stanch Republi- can. He is a trusted and lionored man, and the confidence reposed in him is never betrayed. True and faithful in all things, he has won the high re- gard of those with whom lie has been brought in contact. His business career is a credit to himn, for he had no special advantages in his youth, and worked liis way upward unaided. He may truly be called a self-made man.
ILLIAM H. ECKERT, a native of Le- high County, is one of the most influ- ential citizens of Allentown, where he is leading a retired life. In the upbuilding of the city he has aided very materially, and now, being tlie possessor of a handsome fortune, he lias de- termined to spend his declining years in peace and rest. He is the son of William Eckert, also a native of this county, who was born in 1800 and died in 1865. He in turn was the son of William, Sr., whose ancestors came from Germany early in the history of this country. The latter departed this life in 1848, when in his seventy-eighth year.
William, of this sketcli, was born December 5, 1826, and has passed almost his entire life in his native county. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabetlı Gudekuntz, was born in this county De- cember 4, 1797. His father for a number of years lived in Allentown, where he owned a mill. He par-
ticipated as a soldier in the War of 1812, and while lie was away from home the mother of our subject operated the mill, grinding the grain for the inhabitants of Allentown. She joined the Lutheran Church when thirteen years of age, and through her entire life lived up to the faith taught by that denomination.
The parental family included seven children, of whom William H. was the fourth in order of birth and is the only survivor. He spent his boyhood days on the home farm, and accompanied his par- ents to this city. When only twelve years of age he learned to manufacture cigars, and January 21, 1856, entered that business and conducted a large and paying trade. In 1875 he manufactured a very superior quality of cigars, which he sold readily in New York City.
Since 1878 our subject has been retired from active business life, giving his attention to look- ing after his private interests. He is a stockliolder in the Allentown Hardware Company, and owns a large amount of land in Nebraska. In local affairs he has always taken an active part, and for several years was a member of the Common Council. He is affable and kind, and nothing gives him greater delight than to make those about liim comfortable and happy. In politics lie votes with tlie Repub- licans, believing that party to be in the right.
In 1846 Mr. Eckert married Miss Lydia L. Eck- ert, a native of this county, and the daughter of John Eckert. Her great-grandfather, Henry Franz, and his entire family, with the exception of the grandfather, were massacred by the Indians in their home in this county. Mrs. Eckert died February 8, 1894, when in the sixty-seventh year of lier age.
Of the twelve children born to our subject and wife, three are deceased. Seven daughters and two sons are living, of whom we make the follow- ing mention: Annie C. is the wife of Jesse Leh- man, and makes her home in Lincoln, Neb .; Sara E. is Mrs. Samuel B. Berger, of Allentown; Maria E. married John F. Fetzler, and is residing near Bcemer, Neb .; Ella S. is the wife of W. Otto Blumer, and also makes lier home in the above place in Nebraska; Walter lives near Beemer; Clarissa L., now Mrs. Llewellyn Woodring, lives in Fremont, Neb .; Elizabeth L. is the wife of Alfred Nagle, and
31
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lives in this city; Alfred W. married Tillie Brong, and also lives here; and Mary A. is the wife of Clinton Beck, of Allentown.
In addition to the above record of the life of Mr. Eckert, we present the following facts from . his autobiography:
"I am aware that in writing this sketch it will be liable to encounter some critics, and that my long-established character for moral integrity and strict adherence to truth is perilously jeopard- ized thereby. Nevertheless, with unflinching zeal do I hereby set forth this narrative, and to any who after its perusal desire either to consult with me or to obtain more exact details, I will gladly give a hearing. My object in penning these lines is not to make some of the regretful periods in my life prominent, but with the hope that some of my fellow-men may read and be benefited thereby.
"I was born in Salisbury Township on the 5th of December, 1826, and the well known Scrip- ture quotation, 'that man is born unto trouble' was fulfilled very early in my life. When but three years old I began to realize that some day I would lose my good mother, and though hardly old enough to begin to think for myself, the thought gave me a great deal of anxiety and I was often forced to weep over the realization that one whom I had already learned to love, and who became so dear to me later in my life, would be taken from me. I never permitted my mother nor any one else, however, to sec my sorrow, for then, as at present, I did not believe in making those about me unhappy. When I was eleven years of age my parents removed to Allentown, where some years later I learned the trade of a cigar-maker.
"At the age of seventeen years, owing to a mis- understanding with my father, I left homc, and took up my residence in Newark, N. J. There I found employment with a man by the name of Printzhoeffer, who treated me very kindly and re- peatedly asked me to take charge of the store dur- ing his absence. I was in Newark one ycar, worked faithfully, but lived high. During my residence there I was taken sick, and although Mrs. Brown and daughter, with whom I boarded, volunteered to take care of me, I returned to Allentown. When I had fully recovered, I left for Connecti-
cut, but that state did not suit me and I returned home. Then I worked in Fogelsville for Nathan. Weiler for one week. Again I came home and my father purchased some tobacco, from which I made cigars until my marriage, in September, 1846. After this I worked four weeks for Jacob Schell, at Griesemer's Hill.
"Then my father and father-in-law started my brother-in-law, Adam H. Eckert, and myself in business. We worked faithfully for a while, but could not stand prosperity, and through gambling and drink we soon had no business, no stock, no shop. Shortly after this failure I started a shop on Hamilton Street, below Seventh, but the same indiscretions that caused the unsuccessful termin- ation of my previous attempt to do business again produced the same results. Then I started a shop on Hamilton Street, near Eighth, in a house owned by Hon. Peter Newhard. This venture also proved a failure.
"I then began to work for John F. Ruhe & Son, and was with them continuously for almost five ycars. After that I continued to work when it suited my fancy, and to waste my substance in riotous living, hoping, however, when I was in my sober thoughts that the day would yet come when I would be saved from the curse. This was my sincere desire, notwithstanding the fact that I did comparatively little to carry it into effect. I did all sorts of foolish things, among them being a visit to all my creditors to ask them for their ac- counts against me, although I had no money to pay them, and very little prospect of getting any if I continued my present mode of living. I often overheard the remark that I must be losing my reason. About that time I called upon Charles L. Martin and begged him to give me some medi- cine to cure my appetite for liquor. He did so, but it failed, and it scemed as if I could not be stopped on my road to destruction. One day, with some of my companions in sin, I started to roam through the country, and a few days later I found myself in bed at a tavern at Mechanicsville, sick from my debauchery and without a penny in my pocket. I started to walk to Catasauqua, with the intention of raising money there to buy more drink. On the way I stopped at a tavern and got a drink,
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741
although I had informed the boy in charge that I had no money to pay for it.
"Then the crisis eame. While the glass was yet pressed to my lips, I besought the good Lord to save me from my enemy, rum, and I went fromn that place with the determination that I would lead a different life. On my way from the tavern I stopped at a erossroad about a quarter of a mile away, and there I stood in the snow fully fifteen minutes, fighting the battle against drink, asking that God would give me strength to enable me to turn homeward and become a better man. The answer to my prayer came in a peculiar manner. While in the midst of a desperate struggle against my great enemy, a horse and sleigh came along in the direction of my home. I asked the man whether I could ride along, and he eheerfully granted my request. On the way, I said to the driver, whose name was Fogelman, 'Now I am saved, for to-day I have taken the last drop of liquor for my lifetime.' He had confidence in what I said, and practically demonstrated it by in- viting me to accompany him to his home for din- ner, which I accepted. My determination to turn over a new leaf made me feel like a new man. From Mr. Fogelman's house I returned home, and my father gave me his usual and much-deserved lecture. I interrupted him and told him of my resolution never to drink again, and from that day to this I have, with the help of God, kept my promise to my father.
"My eleven years' experience with liquor, and my subsequent life, which I have endeavored to live according to the true standard of morality and Christianity, are eonvincing proof to myself that any man who so desires (no matter to what depths he may have fallen) can be saved with the help of God and his own energies.
"During my eleven years spent in drink, and nearly thirty-nine years as a temperate man, I have learned that there is very little difference between the rumseller and a great many ministers and some prominent church people. In the ease of the liquor dealer, the results of his work one sees everywhere, and nine out of every ten en- gaged in the traffie will not deny the evil effects of their business. I have noticed, on the other
hand, that many ministers and ehurch members do not practice what they preaeh, and though fighting with each other, ete., probably do more to keep people away from their Maker than the rum- seller.
"After I had conquered rum I had considerable trouble to establish my good intentions and gain the confidenee of my fellow-men. For three years I struggled to make ends meet, during which time my good wife passed through a severe illness, and oftentimes I did not have ten cents to my name; but I prayed and hoped for the best, and at last everybody seemed to have confidence in me. My father-in-law furnished me money to buy stock, and thus enabled me to begin work at my trade, eigar-making. While in New York to buy tobacco I ealled on my brother-in-law, who was in the em- ploy of Box & Edmunds, tobacco dealers. The day following I was requested to call on the mem- bers of the firm, who made a proposition to me that I should manufacture cigars for them from their tobacco. This I did for three years to the entire satisfaction of the firm and myself.
"I was elected a Deaeon of Zion Reformed Church, and prayed to God frequently for wisdom and strength that I might live a just and true life, and by living thus be a living example to others. Be- lieving that Zion Reformed Church was not con- dueted as it should be, and also that God was leading me, I severed my connection with the con- gregation, and my good wife and I attached our- selves to the United Brethren Church, to which I belonged for a time.
"Believing as I do in the Bible, I cannot consist- ently agree with those who say that women should be permitted to preach. The Bible says, 'Thou shalt not steal,' and I believe it. The same Bible says women shall not preach, and I am bound to believe that as much as the other. But in this, as in many other instanees, the ministers shape matters to suit their convenience, comfort and temporal welfare. In many cases they work to the influential, or rather the rich, for the ac- complishment of their selfish desires in the shape of large salaries.
"I believe in God's laws, and that they cover everthing, and can therefore not agree with those
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who change His laws, either by adding to them or taking from them. To those that do this, I would say, read carefully Revelation xxii: 18-19. I be- lieve in a good and honorable ministry, the church properly conducted, the education of our people, and last, but not least, that all things shall be done according to God's will.
"For what I am to-day I thank God and a good father, a kind and loving mother, who prayed con- tinuously for the welfare of her children, and a good Christian wife, who stood by me through all my trials, all of whom I hope and pray to meet in that beautiful home beyond the skies."
J OHN J. HEINTZELMAN, who has with note- worthy ability occupied various official po- sitions of trust in his locality, and at present is the genial station agent of Nazareth, was born December 31, 1857, at the above-named place, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Rocsch) Heint- zelman. His ancestors came from Kansack, Wurt- emberg, Germany, in a very early day, and settled in Northampton County.
The father of John J. Heintzelman was born in Marbarch, Germany, November 7, 1830, and was a son of Joseph Heintzelman. He was reared on a farm and was educated in Germany, but emigrated to the United States in 1856 and settled in Naz- areth, where he is still living. He became the father of six children, four of whom are living: John J., our subject; Josephine, the wife of Charles Lederman, of Camden, N. J .; and Annie and Al- ice, both at home. Frank and Harry are both de- ceased. Mr. Heintzelman is a member of the Mora- vian Church, and in his political leanings is a sup- porter of the Democratic party.
Our subject was educated up to his twelfth year in the public and Moravian schools of Nazareth, but left school at that age and began clerking in the store of John F. Beitel, with whom he remained three and one-half years. After this he clerked for Mr. Kern from 1875 to 1879, and then engaged with O. H. Knecht for a period of three years. On the expiration of that time he was employed by
the Bangor & Portland Railroad at Pen Argyl as station agent, at which time the Nazareth branch was built. At the end of six or eight months he was transferred to Nazareth and was made station agent at the latter point. In 1886 he was made Sup- erintendent of Transportation for the entire Ban- gor & Portland Railroad, but still acts as station agent at Nazareth. He is President of the Naza- reth Electric Light and Power Company, which plant was started in 1893, and he is also half-owner of the Pen Argyl Index, a flourishing weekly pa- per of the same place. In addition to his many other duties he is general agent for John Blair, of Pen Argyl, looking after his property interests, etc. Politically our subject is a Democrat. He is a member of the Moravian Church, in which he is a Trustce, and also President of the Young Men's Lyceum of Nazareth.
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