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 93
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 93
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 93
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ical journals, and is one of the Publication Com- mittee of the Lehigh Valley Medical Magazine published in Easton, an organ for the Lehigh Val- ley Medical Association.
Dr. Estes was married in New York City, in 1881, to Miss Jeanne W. Wynne, who was born in Cin- cinnati, being a daughter of John Wynne, a whole- sale merchant of Cincinnati. Four children have been born to the Doctor and Mrs. Estes: Jeanne, William, Marcia and Anna.
ILLIAM LAZARUS. Agriculture and stock raising have formed the princi- pal occupations of this gentleman, and the wide-awake manner in which he has taken ad- vantage of all methods and ideas tending to ad- vance the value of his property has had a great deal to do with his obtaining the confidence which he now enjoys. He is a native of this state, having been born in Northampton County, October 23, 1841.
George and Elizabeth (Miller) Lazarus, the par- ents of our subject, were also natives of the above county, and it is believed that the great-grandfa- ther of our subject on the paternal side bought land in Northampton County from William Penn. Mr. and Mrs. George Lazarus were the parents of five children, those beside our subject being Henry, residing in Catasauqua; Reuben, who makes his home in Northampton County; Elizabeth, Mrs. R. H. Lerch, a resident of Whitehall Township; and George M., who died in 1874. The latter was a Lutheran minister of Quakertown, Bucks Coun- ty. The father of these children was a very prom- inent man in local affairs, and served as Supervisor and Assessor of Hanover Township, where he also was a prominent agriculturist. He departed this life in 1882, and the mother of our subject died when he was a lad of three years.
William, of this sketch, pursued his studies in the district school of his native county, and has followed farm pursuits during the greater part of his life. Hc now owns one hundred and cighty- two acres of land, on which he has made improve-
ments, making of it one of the most productive farms in Whitehall Township. Beginning life with but little capital, he has been very successful, and he is now counted one of the substantial men of his locality.
Mr. Lazarus was married, October 8, 1864, to Miss Amanda Schuyler, born in Northampton County, March 4, 1847. She is the daughter of George and Susannah (Herman) Schuyler, natives respectively of Millerstown and Shoenersville, this state. Mrs. Lazarus has one surviving sister, Maria, now the wife of Ephraim Huber. Her fa- ther died in 1876, and her mother departed this life in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler were old resi- dents of Northampton County, and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Soon after his marriage, Mr. Lazarus came to Whitehall Township, where, as before stated, he is the possessor of a valuable estate. Since coming here he has served as its Collector, and in many other ways has been interested in public affairs. He is a Republican in politics, and as a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive, and has done much toward the upbuilding and development of the agricultural community. With his wife he is a member of the Lutheran Church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lazarus have been born nine children, of whom five are living, namely: Harri- son G., Calvin H., Howard H., Morris J. and Elmer E. Those deceased are Amanda C., William D., Ella G. and Emma J.
AMES L. SCHAADT is the present Prosecut- ing Attorney and one of the leading lawyers of Allentown, Pa., who, in his profession, has won an enviable reputation and secured a liberal patronage. He was born in North White- hall Township, Lehigh County, Pa., December 21, 1856, and comes of an old family of German ori- gin, which was established in this country in 1756. His parents, David and Caroline (Sherer) Schaadt, were also natives of Lehigh County, and are still living in Allentown. In their family were only two children. The younger, J. Allen, is now en-
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gaged as an artist on the Times in Philadelphia, the World in New York, Texas Siftings, etc.
Mr. Schaadt whose name heads this record was educated in the public and German schools, where he prepared himself to enter Muhlenberg College, from which he was graduated in 1874, at the age of seventeen years, carrying off the honors of the class. He then began teaching school, and was Principal of the schools at East Allentown and Rittersville. He was a successful instructor, but he did not wish to make teaching his life work, for he had already taken up the study of law with the in- tention of entering the legal profession. His fa- ther having been made Warden of the Lchigh County Prison, Mr. Schaadt was made Deputy War- den. On reaching his twenty-first year he was ad- mitted to the Bar, this event taking place April 10, 1878. He at once commenced practice, and it was not long before he had secured a fair business, which has steadily increased from the beginning until it has now assumed extensive proportions. He was appointed County Solicitor in 1888, and filled the office for three years. In 1892 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for a term of three years, which position he is now ably and accept- ably filling.
In 1878 Mr. Schaadt became a member of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, and for two years served as a non-commissioned officer in Company D, Fourth Regiment Infantry. In 1884 he became a member of Company B, Fourth Infantry, and was made Corporal of his company. On the 17th of June, 1889, he was appointed First Lieutenant and Quartermaster of the regiment, and filled that position until December, 1890, when, by a unani- mous vote, he was promoted to the rank of Captain of Company B, which position he still holds. The company belongs to Col. D. B. Case's regiment. He is one of the most popular members of the reg- iment, for his pleasant and genial manner has made him well liked by all.
In political affairs he takes a warm interest, and is an ardent supporter of the principles of Democ- racy. He has frequently served as delegate to the county, congressional and state conventions, and has been Chairman of the County Democratic Con- tral Committee. He was an active worker during
Governor Pattison's campaign in 1890, and served on several important committees. Mr. Schaadt is a young man whose enterprise, ambition and merit have placed him in a position of prominence not only among his professional brethren, but also among the representative citizens of Allentown.
M ILTON J. HESS, one of the represent- ative and efficient business men of Hell- ertown, who is also well known through- out Northampton County, was born August 19, 1847, in the village where he now resides. Here his primary education was gained in the common schools, after which he prepared for college at Al- lentown Seminary. In 1866 he entered Franklin and Marshall College, from which institution he was graduated three years later with the degree of A. B. In 1872 the degree of M. A. was conferred upon him by the college.
At the close of his literary studies, Mr. Hess em- barked in the drug business in Bethlehem, Pa., where he was proprictor of a retail drug store for the ensuing seven years. In 1876 he returned to Hellertown, where he formed a partnership with his brother, Jeremiah S., in the lumber and coal business, and the connection then formed has since continued. The firm does a large business in lum- ber and coal, and for reliability of transactions is favorably known throughout the county.
With the public affairs of Hellertown Mr. Hess has been closely identified, and has represented his fellow-citizens in a number of responsible posi- tions. Elected Burgess of Hellertown in 1883, he served acceptably in that capacity for ten years, retiring from the office in 1893. While a resident of Bethlehem he was a member of the School Board. In his social connections he is identificd with Hellertown Lodge, F. & A. M., and Zinzendorf Chapter. He is identified with the German Re- formed Church, to the maintenance of which he is a liberal contributor. Politically he is a Democrat, firm in his allegiance to party principles.
In 1870 Mr. Hess was united in marriage with Miss Mary A., daughter of Aaron Bachman, of
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Lower Saueon, Northampton County. They are the parents of five children, namely: William J., deceased; Howard Samuel, who is a member of the Class of '95 in Lehigh University; Calvin B .; George, deceased; and Katie Eliza. The family is one of high social standing, and is worthy of the confidenee and esteem of the people of the town.
AMUEL S. KELLER, a retired jeweler, now living in Allentown, was for some years prominently connected with the commer- cial interests of this place, doing a wholesale and retail business in the jewelry trade. His well di- rected efforts brought him suceess, and he steadily worked his way upward, acquiring a handsome competency, so that he is now enabled to live a retired life, enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves.
Mr. Keller was born in Northampton County, Pa., on the 1st of June, 1825, and is a son of Jo- seph and Lydia (Butz) Keller. The father was born in Kellersville, Northampton County, in 1800, and was a farmer and general business man. His native town was named in honor of the grand- father of our subjcet, George Keller, who was born on the site of that place. He built the first house of that village in 1815, and it is standing at the present day. The maternal grandfather, George Butz, was a prominent early settler of Butztown, Northampton County.
The subject of this sketch is one of a family of fifteen children, ten of whom reached adult age. He spent his boyhood days in what is now Monroe County, but was originally a part of Northampton County, the two having been divided in 1837. He attended the common schools in his early youth, and when he had attained a sufficient age began elerking in his father's store, where he remained until twenty-one years of age. He then started out in life for himself, turning his attention to ag- rieultural pursuits. He purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land, and for a short time en- gaged in farming, but not liking that occupation
he learned the tanner's trade under the instruction of John Sumner, of Kellersville. When he had mastered the business lie took charge of his em- ployer's tanyard, and served as foreman for a num- ber of years, or until 1857, when the great finan- cial panie eame on. By that time he had become part owner of the tannery, and in the general cri- sis lost quite heavily, but managed to continue operations until 1862.
In that year Mr. Keller responded to the coun- try's call for troops, entering the service as a mem- ber of the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Penn- sylvania Infantry. He was put with the drafted men and did garrison duty, being stationed for a time at Ft. Monroe, after which he was sent to Norfolk, Va., where the regiment went into winter quarters. In the spring the troops were ordered to North Carolina, and afterward to South Caro- lina, where they spent eight months, and then went to Savannah, Ga. Our subjeet received his dis- charge in 1863, and then returned to Kellersville, where he again engaged in tanning and in general farming. In connection with his other interests he also carried on a general store, doing a suceess- ful business along that line until 1865, when he sold out. After a short visit in Tiffin, Ohio, he came to Allentown and formed a partnership in the jewelry business with his brother, Edward Kel- ler, under the firm name of Keller Bros. They built up a large and extensive trade, which con- stantly increased from the beginning, and the part- ship continued for twenty-two years, during which time they conducted a wholesale and retail trade. The store which they occupied was 20x225 feet in dimensions and two stories in height. It is now the property of our subjeet, who also owns several ,good buildings, which he rents.
In 1847 Mr. Keller was married to Miss Mary Deeh, a daughter of Jacob Dech, of Northampton County. To them was born a daughter, Clara, now the wife of Marcus M. C. Kline, a prominent at- torney of Allentown. Their beautiful home, taste- fully furnished, is situated at No. 112 North Fifth Strect. Both Mr. and Mrs. Keller are members of St. John's Lutheran Church, with which he has been connected for half a century, and of which he has served as Deacon and Elder for many years.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
He is now President of the Official Board of the church. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been called upon to serve in various official positions. For six years he was a member of the School Board, and for two terms was a member of the Common Council. His life has been well and worthily passed, and all who know him esteem him highly for his sterling worth and many excellences of character.
T ILGHMAN G. HELFRICH is President and Superintendent of the Allentown Manu- facturing Company, formerly known as the Lehigh Valley Chemical Agricultural Works, lo- cated in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County. He is a native of this county, and was born August 10, 1842, being a son of Reuben and Mary M. (Yundt) Helfrich. The family originated in Ger- many, whence his great-grandfather cmigrated to the United States at an early period in its history, making his home in Pennsylvania.
The subject of this sketch was reared to man- hood in Lehigh County and received a good edu- cation in the public schools. August 1, 1867, in connection with A. J. Breinig, he organized the Lehigh Valley Agricultural Works, which were started on a small scale. From that beginning the works have been built up, and additions have been made to the business from time to time, until there is now an extensive plant. The partnership con- tinued for a number of years, until 1877, when it was merged into the present stock company, known as the Allentown Manufacturing Company.
The products of the factory are fertilizers and all kinds of paint. Employment is furnished to about ten men in the shops, and a traveling sales- man represents the company on the road. They do a business amounting to about $60,000 per year, and have one of the largest concerns in this line of work in the state. Mr. Helfrich has been prac- tically identified with the business since it was started, and has done much toward bringing it to its present state of perfection. The plant is fitted out with the latest improved machinery, and is in-
cluded among the important industries of the county.
By his union with Miss Elmira Worman, Mr. Helfrich has become the father of four children: Emma J., Alfred R., John L. and Mary R. Mr. Helfrich is the owner of fifty-two acres of farming land in Whitehall Township, to which he gives his personal attention in addition to his other duties. For three years he has served as a School Director, and in politics always votes with the Republican party. He has been honorable and upright in all his dealings, and has thus gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he lias been brought in contact. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and thoroughly identifies himself with all moral and public measures of his community which commend themselves to his excellent judg ment.
A ARON YOUNG. This venerable resident of Northampton County occupies an hon- orable place among the intelligent and capable farmers of Lchigli Township, in whose so- cial, public and religious life he is a prominent factor. Prior to engaging in farm pursuits he was a millwright for over thirty years.
Mr. Young is a native of Moore Township, this county, and was born June 5, 1823. He is the son of .Abraham and Rebecca (Steckel) Young, also natives of this county, which was also the birthplace of Grandfather Jacob Young. Aaron was one in a family of seven children, of whom the following survive: Lucy, now the widow of Abraham Meyer; Stephen, living in Philadelphia; Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Anthony; Peter J., engaged as a wheelwright in Allen Township; Henry, a resident of Allen Township; and Be- linda, the wife of David Boyer.
Our subject has always lived in this county, at- tending the common schools early in life, after which he learned the trade of a millwright, which he followed successively for thirty years. Wlien abandoning that occupation he purchased a farm, and has ever since been engaged in its cultivation. It comprises fifty-seven acres in Lehigh Town-
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ship, upon which he has placed all needful ma- ehinery and buildings, and now, when advanced in years, is prepared to enjoy life.
When ready to establish a home of his own Mr. Young was married, in 1848, to Miss Rebecea Sehall, daughter of Joseph Schall, also a resident of Moore Township, this eounty. For about twenty-two years a nephew of our subject, Q. J. Young, has been an inmate of his home. Mr. Young is well liked by his fellow-townsmen, who have eleeted him to serve on the Seltool Board for four years. He is identified with the Lutlieran Church, hold- ing membership with the congregation known as Zion's Stone Church, which he has served as Dea- con, and he is at present Treasurer of the board. A Demoerat in politics, Mr. Young never fails to cast a ballot in favor of the candidates of his party. His intelligenee, good citizenship and fine charac- ter entitle him to the esteem of his acquaintances and friends, who are many and sincere.
A BRAHAM S. SCHROPP, Secretary of the Bethlehem Iron Company, has longer held an official position with that immense con- cern than any other connected therewith, for he has efficiently served in his present capacity for over thirty years. Mr. Schropp, who is universally well esteemed, comes of one of the oldest Moravian families of the Lehigh Valley, of the sturdy Ger- man stock, whose enterprising and industrious qualities have so largely helped to build up the prosperity of this wealthy region.
In 1743 the second Moravian colony to settle in Northampton County started from Germany and located in Nazareth. Among the number was the great-grandfather of our subjeet, whose Christian name was Matthew, and who was a native of Kanf- beuren. He was a minister in the little colony, and was Warden of the congregation at Nazareth, where he first settled, and where his son Jolin, grand- father of our subjeet, was born. Later Matthew Schiropp removed to Salem, N. C., where he became Warden of the Moravian Congregation, and wliere his death occurred in 1767. John Schropp was also
a minister in the Moravian Church. He received his education in Bethlehem, where he was Warden of a church, which position he filled until his death in 1805. He was married to Elizabeth Tanneber- ger, a native of Nazareth, whose father was an or- gan builder. Our subject's father, John Schropp, was born in Bethlehem in 1805, and on arriving at man's estate he engaged in merchandising on Main Street, where he carried on business until his death, in September, 1840. His wife, Maria C. Goundie, a native of this eity, was the daughter of John Sebastian Goundie, who was born in the Father- land, and came to America when a young man of about eighteen years. Settling in Bethlehem, he became one of the officers of the Moravian Clureli, and in this eity occurred his death. Mrs. Schropp died October 6, 1893, when in her eighty-seventh year, leaving two children to mourn her loss. She was the mother of four sons and two daughters; one daughter and three sons lived to maturity, and one of these, John, is with the Bethlehem Iron Company.
The youngest of the family, Abraham, was born in Bethlehem, Mareh 22, 1841, and received a good education in the Moravian parochial sehool, and in Van Kirk's private sehool. At the age of fif- teen years he became an employe of the Lehigh Valley Railroad as a elerk in the general tieket offiee, and was with that company from 1856 to 1863. During this time, however, in 1861, on the first call for defenders of the Stars and Stripes, he enlisted with his brother John in Company A, First Pennsylvania Regiment, being mustered into serv- iee in this city. At the end of three months the company was mustered out, and in 1862, on the emergency call, he became a member of the Fifth Pennsylvania Militia. The following year he served as Adjutant in the Thirty-fourth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, under Colonel Albright.
In the fall of 1863 Mr. Sehropp beeame clerk in the office of the Bethlehem Iron Company, and in October of the following year was elected Seere- tary of the company, which position he has held ever since, devoting all his time and interest to the well-being of the concern.
In 1864 Mr. Schiropp married Miss Caroline Guetter, who was born and reared in Bethlehem
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Her father, Henry Guetter, a native of Germany, was formerly engaged in the lumber business in this city, and was a prominent Moravian. Mr. and Mrs. Schropp have had three children: Elizabeth, Mrs. Worrall, who died in Rochester, N. Y .; Mary, Mrs. Leoser, of Elizabeth, N. J .; and Ruth, Mrs. Bev. A. D. Thaeler, of Winston, N. C. The pleas- ant home of the Schropp family is located on Mar- ket Strect, and there a cordial hospitality is cx- tended to their many friends.
As a Trustee in the Moravian Congregation in this city, our subject has been active in the work of the church, and is also Trustee of the Young Ladies' Seminary. Formerly he was officially con- nected with the Moravian parochial schools, and has always shown himself interested in the cause of education. For four years he was Commander of J. K. Taylor Post, G. A. R., and served for one term as Aide on the staff of the Department Com- mander of tlie state. In 1892 he was Aide on the staff of General Palmer, at the National Encamp- ment at Washington. A true patriot and good citizen, Mr. Schiropp supports the candidates of the Republican party, the principles of which he is always one of the most ardent advocates.
ATHER PHILIP MCENROE has been pas- tor since 1877 of the Church of the Holy Infancy, which congregation was started and organized by his brother Michael. The church edifice is very large and cxcecdingly beautiful, be- ing built in Gothic style, and with fine paintings and decorations. It was commenced in 1882 and completed four years later. The cost of the build- ing was $70,000, which was fully paid at the time it was dedicated, through the earnest efforts and zeal of the pastor.
A native of Ireland, Father McEnroe was born December 20, 1839, in County Cavan. His father, who bore thic Christian name of Philip, was born in the same county, coming from one of the old- est families in Ireland, and being a descendant of Owae Roe, a great king of about the sixteenth cen-
tury. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and received his primary education in the Nation- al schools. His mother was Mary Farley before her marriage, her birth having also occurred in County Cavan. Of her eleven children but two survive. Charles was pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Mauch Chunk, and died in 1859, when about thirty-three years of age. Michael is now pastor of the Church of the Holy Family at Manayunk, Philadelphia.
The classical education of our subject was ob- tained in Cavan Seminary, where he completed the course. In 1862 he left his native land, coming to the United States, and in Philadelphia became en- rolled as a student in St. Charles Seminary, taking up the philosophical and theological branches, and finishing his studies in 1867. His ordination was celebrated January 2, 1867, in the Cathedral of Philadelphia, by Bishop Wood, after which he was assigned to the Philadelphia Diocese. For a short time he was assistant pastor at West Chester, and then for three months was assistant priest at East- on. For the succeeding year he served in a sim- ilar capacity in St. Patrick's Church at Pottsville, and later was sent to Port Carbon. At Schuylkill Haven he was made the first pastor of St. Ambrose's Church, which he cleared of debt, and under his influence a substantial parsonage was erected. Three years later he went to St. Clair as pastor of St. Mary's Church.
The year 1877 witnessed the installation of Fa- ther McEnroe as pastor-in-charge of the Church of the Holy Infancy at South Bethlehem, where he succeeded his brother Michael, who had started and organized the congregation in 1861, and two years later built the church. He was pastor of the Allentown Missions until 1877. The congregation over which Father McEnroe officiates is the largest in this locality, and they are devoted to their pas- tor, who is very popular with cvery onc. The beautiful edifice is considered one of the handsom- est churches in the valley, and no cost was spared which would enhance its beauty. The paintings, which are greatly admired, were executed by Cost- igne, a master in his line. In connection with the church a fine parochial school has been opened for the benefit of the children of the parish, and it is
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