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 89

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 89
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 89
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 89

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The subject of this sketch was reared in the county of his birth, and in boyhood attended the publie schools of Columbia. Remaining with his

WILLIAM P. MESSINGER.

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father until he attained his majority, he subse- quently worked on a farm for $10 per month the first season and $12 afterward. In 1866 he be- came interested in the school-slate business with other parties at Warrington, N. J., where he oper- atcd a plant for one year. He then came to North- ampton County and engaged in a similar line near Portland, beginning on a very small scale, but afterward increasing the business to its present proportions. In the manufacture of school slate he has been successful, and his plant is one of the best in the county.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Gardner served as Director of Upper Mt. Bethel Township, and also filled the position of Treasurer of the school fund. He married Lizzie Encke, daughter of Jesse Encke, of Portland, and by their union they have become the parents of three children, Harvey R .. Loring J. and Myrtle. Socially he belongs to the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in the lodge at Mt. Betlicl. As a business man he is well and favorably known, and by the upright- ness of his transactions has won the confidence of his associates.

W ILLIAM P. MESSINGER. As an ex- ample of the usefulness and prominence to which men of character and deter- mination may attain, it is but necessary to chron- icle the life of William P. Messinger, the efficient and capable Principal of the public schools of Pen Argyl, and Postmaster of that place. He is a man of superior niental endowments, strengthened and enriched by the highest culturc. He was born September 21, 1865, and is a son of Peter and Sarah (Germantown) Messinger. His paternal ancestors werc Irish, having originally come from Cork, and his maternal grandparents werc German. John Messinger, his grandfather, was a native of North- ampton County, and is buried in the Forks Town- ship churchyard. In politics he was a staunch Re- publican. He had six children, two sons and four daughters, four of whom are living.

Peter Messinger, father of William P., was born in Forks Township, about six miles from Easton,

Pa., and was a miller and baker by occupation. When the Civil War broke out he was one amnong the first to offer his services in defense of the Union. He enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fif- ty-second Pennsylvania Regiment, and took part in several engagements. He was honorably dis- charged from the service in 1865. In politics he was a Republican for a number of years, but now votes the Democratic ticket. Of his eleven chil- dren, four still survive, viz .: R. Fredrick, William P., David M. B. and John J. F.

The subject of this sketch was reared in Easton and Williams Townships, and in his youth worked in a quarry at Edelmans for about four years. At the expiration of that time he returned to Easton and entercd Trach's Academy of that place, now known as Easton Academy. It was largely through the kindness of Prof. R. H. Trach, then the Prin- cipal, that he was educated. Being without means to pay for his board and tuition, this gentleman secured for him a paper route, and furnished his. board for his work around the school in the way of janitor duties. After graduating he taught school in Washington Township, and later was elected Principal of the West Bangor schools, where he remained for a time. He then went to Northampton and was Principal of the schools there for three years, giving good satisfaction in that responsible position. In 1888 he took charge of the schools of Pen Argyl, and has successfully conducted them ever since, with the exception of one year, which he spent principally in travel, be- ing connected with the Pen Argyi Iron Works as a salesman. He was one of the organizers of the Pen Argyl Electric Light and Power Company, served as its first Secretary, and is still a member of the Board of Directors.

In his political views Mr. Messinger is a Demo- crat, and has been a member of the County Com- mittee for a number of years, also frequently serv- ing as a delegate to the various conventions. He was appointed Postmaster Junc 26, 1893, by Presi- dent Cleveland, and received his commission July 7 of the same year. At that time the office was fourth class, but has since been changed to third class. He was re-appointed October 27, the ap- pointment being confirmed by the Senate Decem-

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ber 11, 1894. His leisure hours arc often devoted to music, of which he is very fond, and he is a fine performer on various instruments, In religious belief he is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Socially Mr. Messinger is connected with Pen Argyl Lodge No. 594, F. & A. M., of which he was the first Master, and was active in its organi- zation. He was one of the charter members of Bangor Chapter No. 274, in which he holds the po- sition of King. He is also identified with Hugh De Payen's Commandery, K. T., of Easton, and Bushkill Creek Lodge No. 878, I. O. O. F.

Our subject is a contributor to scientific jour- nals, on the subjects of entomology and pedagogy. He has a large entomological collection, in which, as well as in mineralogy, he takes a great deal of pleasure. His broad knowledge has been gained through his own efforts, and is the result of pri- vate study and rescarch.

EORGE APPLEGATE, a retired real- estate dealer in West Bethlehem, who is classcd among the city's intelligent, keen and thoroughly wide-awake business men, has con- tributed much to the material prosperity of Lehigh County. He was born in Williams Township, Northampton County, February 20, 1818.

Mr. Applegate's father, Moses Applegate, was born December 7, 1787, in New York State, and on coming to Pennsylvania located on a farm of sixty acres in Northampton County, which he im- proved and resided upon until his decease, which occurred when he was past his sixty-eighth year. He was a Lutheran in religion, and in politics was first a strong Whig, but later a Democrat. The lady to whom he was married was known prior to that event as Miss Christiana Vogel. For a fuller history of her life the reader is referred to the sketch of Jacob Applegate, elsewhere in this book.

Of the eight children comprising the parental family, only three are living. Our subject, who was the second in order of birth, was reared on his father's farm, and only attended school seventy-

two days out of the year. In 1840 he engaged in business for himself, purchasing a general merchan- dise store from his father-in-law, Jacob Deemer. This establishment was located ninc miles from Easton, and after conducting it for three years he removed to a location about a mile southwest. Here he remained until 1855, when he moved to Bucks County, and there he remained one year. After leaving Bucks County, he became the pro- prietor of a gristmill, store and tavern in Saucon. He made his home in that place until 1857, in the mean time selling his tavern, store and mill to a Mr. Moore.

Our subject, besides his other interests, owned three hundred acres of fine farming land, and had been engaged in its cultivation for ten years. In the above year he located with his family in Bethlehem Township, where he became the owner of the Luckenbaugh farm of one hundred acres. The following year he located in Milton, on the Susquehanna River, where he was engaged in mill- ing and the manufacture of lumber. Later he was engaged in manufacturing the circle bit, which was invented by his son-in-law, George J. Shimer, who is now deccased. He was the first to make that article in the United States, and now it is used throughout the entire country.

In the year 1874, Shimer & Co.'s factories were burned, but soon afterward they rebuilt the iron works, which Mr. Applegate managed for a time, and then sold to Samuel J. Shimer. While living in Milton he donated five acres of land in Union County for school purposes, and was instrumcu- tal in the erection thereon of a good school build- ing. In 1873 he moved upon his farm, and in February, 1883, he came to West Bethlehem. Five years later he purchased property and erected a block of buildings. Besides this block he owns fifteen residences on Fourth Avenue in the bor- ough, the same number on Market Street, and three on Third Avenue. „ They are all brick struct- ures, and are built after the most approved archi- tectural plans. Mr. Applegate contemplates erect- ing other buildings soon on his property on Third and Fourth Avenues.

Our subject was married in Easton, this state, in August, 1841, to Miss Esther Deemer. She was

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born in Williams Township, Northampton County, and is the daughter of Jacob Deemer, who was a merchant in Williams Township. Of the three children born to our subject and his wife, Lena A. is now Mrs. G. J. Shimer; William M. is a tobaccon- ist in Bethlehem; and Tillie married Rev. Wilson Moore, of Catasauqua.

Our subject has been very active in political affairs, and has been Assessor of his native town- ship, and Postmaster of Saucon, where he also served for nine years on the School Board. He is a demitted member of the Odd Fellows' order, and in politics votes for the Democratic party. He holds membership with the Lutheran Church, and has been very active in Sunday-school work since 1855. He has served as Deacon and Elder in his church, and aids in every way he can to promote the good work in that vicinity. He is a man of sterling traits of character and liberal in his views, and is justly classed among the foremost citizens of Lehigh County.

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W GILLIAM DECH. Too much credit can- not be given to the pioneers of any section of this country, those who have founded counties and states, have cleared the forests, and redeemed well cultivated farms from the wilderness, thus opening the way for civ- ilization and providing for the future of their de- scendants. Among the vencrable and worthy pio- neers of Hanover Township William Dech is prominent, and from the first part of this century has been identified with the welfare of his imme- diate vicinity. It is therefore truly fitting that we should devote some time to the tracing of his liis- tory. The birth of our subject took place Novem- ber 19, 1817, he being the son of Jacob and Polly A. (Oberly) Dccli, who were both likewise natives of Northampton County. Jacob Dech, the father of the former, was a valiant soldier in the Revolu- tionary War under Washington, and was a native of Bucks County, this state. His father, in turn, it is believed, was a native of Germany, but though

this is not positively known, it is undoubtedly true that the ancestors of the family emigrated to this state from the Fatherland. Our subject's father devoted his entire life to the pursuit of farming, and for many years was a respected and worthy member of East Allen Township, where his demise occurred. Of his family four survive: William; Erin; Mary A., wife of Samuel Keller; and Stephen.

William Dech, whose name heads this record, was reared to man's estate on his father's farm, which was located in this county, and, like him, has devoted his life to agriculture. His education was necessarily limited, as the district schools of the early days of his boyhood were of a very prim- itive description, and an education was obtained under great difficultics. However, he made the most of such as he had, and having been an exten- sive reader during his entire life has managed to become well informed on all practical subjects.

The marriage of Mr. Doch and Eliza M. Heller was celebrated October 22, 1846. Her parents, Jacob and Polly (Hammel) Heller, were natives of Northampton County. By this union five chil- dren were born, four of whom are living: Cliristi- ana, the wife of A. D. Siegfried; Milton A .; S. Minerva, the wife of Henry C. Fulmer; and Flora A., wife of Dr. Joseph Heckenberger, of Catasau- qua. Ida E., the other daughter, died in 1853.

After his marriage, for several ycars Mr. Dech resided in Lower Nazareth Township, from where he removed in 1854 to his present farm, which is located in Hanover Township. This well developed and improved farm has been the home of his fam- ily since that time, or for a period of just forty years. Many fine buildings and substantial im- provements have been placed upon the farm dur- ing this time, and it is therefore one of the best and most desirable rural homes in the county. It comprises one hundred and thirty acres of land, and is unquestionably one of the best in the town- ship. The owner is largely a self-made man, hav- ing acquired his comfortable fortune through his own hard labor and well directed energy.

As School Director of Hanover Township, Mr. Dech served for three years very acceptably, and also proved a capable and trustworthy man in his capacity as Road Supervisor, which position he also

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filled for some time. He has always been confi- dently eounted upon to favor and further all movements looking toward the welfare and up- building of the township and county, and all gen- eral movements for the welfare of the people. Religiously he is a member of the Lutheran Church at Heektown, which he has served both as Deaeon and Trustee. Politically he supports the Demo- cratie party, though he is not an active politieian. The loving and devoted helpmate of Mr. Dech was called from this side by the Angel of Death Au- gust 1, 1893. For nearly half a century she had shared his joys and sorrows, liad counseled and cheered him along life's way, and at her death left behind her innumerable friends who deeply mourn her loss. She was a faithful and consistent mem- ber of the Reformed Churchi, and by her beautiful and sineere Christian life won the love and affee- tion of all with whom she eame in contaet.

EORGE H. YOUNG is one of the honored and highly esteemed citizens of Easton. Few soldiers of the Army of the Potomac were engaged in more important battles and num- erous smaller encounters with the enemy than was this gentleman. He fought valiantly in the defense of the Union as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Regiment, whose record for bravery and hardships endured is, perhaps, un- surpassed. It is estimated that the distance trav- eled by this regiment during the war aggregated ten thousand, four hundred and thirty-nine miles, these figures being very conservative. In 1874 Mr. Young was elected Sheriff of Northampton Coun- ty by a majority of seven hundred votes, but was counted out by tliree votes. He has always been a leader in local polities, and in 1881 was elected Justice of the Peace, which position he holds at present, this being his third term in that capacity.

The birth of George H. Young occurred June 30, 1833, in Moore Township, Northampton Coun- ty. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Young, was born in Allen Township, of this county, and dur-

ing his later years operated a farm in Moore Town- ship. In polities he is a Demoerat, and in relig- ion a Lutheran. By his marriage with a Miss Seam he had eight children, all sons, namely: Ja- cob, Christian, Abram, Peter, Joseph, George, William and Reuben. The father of this family died at the age of seventy-eight years. The par- ents of our subjeet were George and Elizabeth (Stickle) Young. The former was born in Moore Township, within the limits of which nearly his entire lifetime was passed. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that occupation in connection with farming. For many years he owned and culti- vated a large and valuable farm in Moore Township. A Demoerat in politics, he held a number of town- ship offices, and was an influential man in his community. He died while in the prime of life of typhoid fever, being forty-eight years of age. To himself and wife were born the following chil- dren: Gideon; Rebecca, Mrs. Sehall; Caroline, wife of ex-Sheriff George W. Walton; Mary, whose home is at Bath; Elizabeth, Mrs. Samuel George, of Moore Township; and George H. The mother of this family died when in her eighty-seventlı year.

The subject of this narrative attended the coun- try schools of Moore Township until his seven- teenth year. His higher studies he afterwards pursued at the Trappe, Montgomery County, this statc. He was married on reaching his majority, and thereupon engaged in mereantile business un- til his enlistment in the Union service. On his re- turn from the South he elerked in a store for Adam Laubach, and in 1866 was elected Recorder of Deeds of Northampton County. Three years later he was re-elected to the position, and served until 1872. In 1877 he was for a time engaged in mercantile pursuits, after which he bought the Mt. Vernon Hotel, which he afterwards disposed of to good advantage. At present he is acting as Justiee of the Peace and Pension Agent. Socially he is a member of Lafayette Post No. 217, G. A. R., of Easton; is a Knight Templar, leaving passed all the degrees; and is connected with the United Order of American Mechanics. In former years he belonged to several other societies, but is now affiliated only with those named.

In 1854 Mr. Young was united in marriage with

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Miss Christianna Moyer. Seven children eame to bless their union, who in order of birth were as follows: Acquillis, who died at the age of seven years; Einma, Mrs. Deiehman; Johnny, who died in infaney; Mary Alice, who is unmarried; and Christie, George Gettysburg and Harry Ellsworth.

In September, 1862, Mr. Young enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Regi- ment, and was placed in Company H, Eleventh Corps of the Army of the Potomae. His term of enlistment was for nine months. At Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, lie received dangerous wounds, a ball passing through his mouth, destroying his jaw, breaking his eollar-bone and lodging in his shoul- der. He was taken prisoner, and was uneared for during four days, but was recaptured finally. After faithful service, in which he took part in the engagement of Chaneellorsville, May 2, 3 and 4, 1863, he was mustered ont, and received an hon- orable discharge at Gettysburg, July 24, 1863.

ILLIAM B. NACE. Among the well- to-do and prominent citizens of Moore Township, Northampton County, is this gentleman, wlio is well worthy of representation in this work, which records the sturdy lives of her best eitizens. He was born May 21, 1837, in Bucks County, Pa., his parents being Isaae and Annie (Vorger) Nace. The parents were natives of Bucks County, also, the Naee family having been early settlers in that portion of the state. The maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812.

Midst work and play the early years of W. B. Naee passed without ineident worthy of special no- tiee, and when he had reached suitable years lie commeneed attending the schools of the neighbor- hood. A few terms at the district schools of the period were about all the advantages in an edu- eational way that it was his privilege to have; therefore it largely devolved upon himself whether or not he should beeome well informed. Notwitlı- standing the drawbacks mentioned, he has mall- aged to acquire a good general fund of information,

and his praetieal knowledge lias served him in all the vieissitudes of life. In 1857 our subjeet left his native county and came to live in Northamp- ton County, learning the trade of milling in Al- lentown Township. For four years he worked steadily in one mill, one year as an apprentiee, and the sueeeeding three years as a journeyman. Subsequently we find him in Lehigh County, where he pursued his vocation for only a short time. For a period of about eighteen months he resided in Kintnersville, Bucks County, and later for a year and a-half made his home in Allentown, following his trade at that place.

It was in 1864 that Mr. Nace located in Moore Township, since which time he has engaged in op- erating a gristmill. In addition to this he has also for a number of years carried on farming. Mr. Naee in 1886 engaged in distilling, which busi- ness he has sinee continued. The distillery, which he owns, and which is located not far from Peters- ville, is known as the Hokendauqua Creek Distill- ery, and here is manufactured a fine grade of wheat and rye whiskeys. In his various enter- prises Mr. Nace has certainly been successful, and his prosperity is directly traceable to his inherited sturdy characteristics. His farm comprises one hundred and sixty aeres under good improvement.

A marriage ceremony performed December 31, 1861, united the fortunes of Mr. Nace and Lueetta Seem. Mrs. Naee was born in this eounty December 6, 1841, being a daughter of Jaeob and Margaret (Knauss) Seem. Her ancestors on both sides of the family were early settlers of Northampton County, and the Seem family were among the first settlers of Allen Township. Mrs. Naee is one of the fol- lowing surviving children of her parents: Daniel, who is in Kansas; Josiah, a resident of Illinois; Dr. A. K., of this eounty; Benjamin, who engaged in business in Kansas; Dr. Tilghman, whose home is in Iowa; Rebecca, wife of Conrad Laubach, of Iowa; Mrs. Naee, next in order of birth; and Cather- ine, wife of David Solt, of this eounty.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Nace has been blessed with ten children, nine of whom are living: Rosa M. (the wife of John Othinger), Howard W., Ol- iver F., John H., Almeda M., Annie R., Stella M., William I. and Lillie M. Harvey M., now de-

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ceased, was the youngest of the family. Mrs. Nace is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is a cul- tivated lady. The family are much esteemed in the neighborhood where they reside, and the chil- dren possess unusual musical ability.

J OHN H. PASCOE, lately elected from Lehigh County to the Legislature of Pennsylvania, is a well known citizen of Allentown, and in busi- ness circles takes high rank. We feel assured that this record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers, and therefore gladly give it a place in this volume. Mr. Pascoe was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., August 25, 1851, and is a son of Richard W. and Jessie C. Pascoe. His father, a native of Cornwall, England, crossed the Atlantic to America when a young man, and settled in Penn- sylvania. His mother is a native of the Highlands of Scotland.

John H. Pascoe was the third in order of birth in a family of seven children, five of whom are yet living. The days of his childhood were passed at Friedensville Lehigh County, Pa. His educa- tion was acquired in the district schools. He was afterward a student in Freeland Seminary, Mont- gomery County, Pa. When his education was completed he entered the employ of F. Phreaner & Detwiler, druggists of Philadelphia, with which firm he continued his connection for some time. In 1876 he became a contractor, which business lie successfully carried on until 1882. He also sup- plied firms with iron ore. Next he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, being engaged on construction work. For the past five years he has also been connected with the Geis- singer and the Kemmerer Quarry Companies, tak- ing out and preparing for the market building and furnace stones. Their trade in this line has become quite extensive.

In 1891 Mr. Pascoe became interested in the Blue Ridge Powder Company, and was made its Presi- dent, which position he still fills. The works are located in Bowman, and they engage in the manu-

facture of blasting powder, used in mines where high explosions arc required. He is also interested in the manufacture of foundry facings. The mills known as the Mahoning Foundry Facing Mills, of which he is President, are situated at Lehighton, Carbon County, Pa. He is a wide-awake and en- terprising business man, who carries forward to a successful completion whatever he undertakes, un- deterred by any difficulties or obstacles which may arise.

In 1880 Mr. Pascoe was united in marriage with Miss Annie L. Reinsmeth, of Allentown, daughter of William Reinsmeth. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and in 1885 was elected a member of the Common Council, in which he served for three terms, discharging his duties with credit to him- self and satisfaction to his constituents. He is a prominent Mason of the community and has taken the Royal Arch degree. Since becoming a citizen of Allentown, he has been prominently connected with its business interests, and a straightforward, honorable course has won for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

APT. EDWARD W. MENNER, one of the faithful employes of the Bethlehem Iron Company, has been connected with that concern since 1866, and at the present time occu- pies the position of weighmaster. During the civil conflict he was one who wore the blue and fouglit valiantly in the defense of the Union.

The Captain was born in Easton, Pa., August 23, 1845. His grandfather, George, who was a baker by trade, located in Easton on his arrival in this country. The family name in German is spelled Menier, and in remote days they were of the nobil- ity. Lewis Menner, our subject's father, was born in Germany, and was only six years old when he went with his parents to Easton. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and later engaged in brick-lay- ing and plastering. In 1862 he located in Beth- lehem as a bookkeeper for the Eagle Hotel, where he remained for some years, but later returned to his trade. He died in this city December 12,

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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 89

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