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 95

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 95
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 95
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 95

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ILLIAM CANAM, superintendent of the finishing department of the steel mill of the Bethlehem Iron Company, has been with them since the starting of the works in Bethlehem in 1862-63. He assisted in making the first steel rail in South Bethlehem, and sinee 1862 has been connected with this giant in- dustry. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Canam was born in Huntingdon County, October 7, 1827, being a son of Richard Canam, who was born in Connecticut and was a merchant by occupation. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent. Richard Canam came to Pennsylvania when a young man, starting in business in what is now Racetown, and afterward going to Alexandria, where he en- gaged in merchandising until his death, at the age of forty-five years. His wife, who was of Irish descent, was in her girlhood Susan Thompson, a native of Huntingdon County and a daughter of John Thompson, also a native of the same place. The mother died about the year 1856, in her seventy-fifth year. Of her seven children, only two are living, our subject and his sister, Mrs. Re- becca Moss Ward, of Marietta, Ohio. A remarka- ble fact connected with the Canam family is that eight nephews of William Canam and two brotli- ers-in-law took part in the late war.

William Canam was reared until his fifteenth year in the county of his birth, where lic attended the common schools and learned the carriage-

maker's trade in Hollidaysburg. As early as 1840 he worked in a rolling-mill at Alexandria, and then went to northwestern Pennsylvania. Later he was employed at Brady's Bend as a millwright, building rolling-mills. At Johnstown he worked as assistant at rolls in the mills at that place. In 1862, eoming to Bethlehem at the solicitation of John Fritz, he took charge of the finishing de- partment upon the opening of the mills (having previously assisted to put the machinery in the rolling department of both mills) until the new rolling-mill started, when he was given a sim- ilar position, and in 1873, still having charge of the finishing department, assisted in manufacturing and finishing the first steel rails, they being cast October 4, and rolled and finished October 18. These were made for the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Some time after this Mr. Canam became assistant to John Fritz in the steelmill. He is a stock- holder in the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and for- merly owned stock in the Northern Pacifie Rail- road, which, however, he disposed of.

Since 1864 the residenee of our subject has been at No. 147 South New Street. In 1850 he married Miss Rebecca Homan, who was born in Venango County, and died in Bethlehem in 1879. Of their nine children, five grew to maturity. Clara is now Mrs. Frank Bynon, of Denver, Colo .; Mary, who died in Bethlehem in 1891, was the wife of H. A. Groman; Annie is Mrs. Oliver Wilson, of Elmira, N. Y .; Edith became the wife of J. Paul MeNeal, of Philadelphia; and Grace is attending Strouds- burg Normal School. In July, 1888, Mr. Canam married Mrs. Rebecca B. Talley, who was born in Wilmington, Del., and is a daughter of Richard C. MeBride, a native of New Jersey. The latter was a contractor and builder at Wilmington and later in New Castle, Del., where he died in 1869. Mrs. Canam's ancestors were of Scoteh-Irish descent, and her mother bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Gibbon. Ephraim Gibbon, the father of the latter, was a farmer near Greenwich, N. J. Mrs. Canam, who is the eldest of eight children, was reared in New Castle, and married in Philadelphia Charles L. Talley, who was a hardware merchant in Phila- delphia, where his death occurred. They were the parents of four children, two of whom are living.

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Leonard Kent, a graduate in pharmacy, is in the United States Navy; and Anna is at school in Stroudsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Canam have three children, Isabel, Florence and Helen. The wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Canam was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a Master Mason. In poli- ties he is a true-blue Republican, and is person- ally well liked by his large circle of friends and acquaintances.

P ETER EDELMAN is one of the worthy American-Germans who have been impor- tant factors in upbuilding Northampton County. Herc his birth occurred June 20, 1835, his parents being Charles and Susan (Walter) Edelman, who were both natives of Palmer Town- ship. The former is now deceased. The great- grandfather of our subject on the paternal side, who founded the family in this country, emigrated from the Fatherland, and settled near Easton, this county, where the family became pioneers, and assisted greatly in developing those parts. His son, Peter Edelman, was also a resident of a farm near Easton.

Charles Edelman, the father of our subject, was a carpenter by trade, which calling he followed for many years successfully. In his later years he de- · voted his attention to farming, settling in Lower Nazareth Township. He was called from this life January 24, 1892. His widow survives him, be- ing now in her eighty-sixth year. She was one of the pioneer women of the county, sturdy, cour- ageous and industrious, and of her children only one, our subject, survives to comfort her in her declining ycars. The father was a public-spirited man and a progressive farmer. In politics he was a Republican, and endeavored to further the inter- ests of his fellow-men as far as possible.

Peter Edelman was reared to manhood in this county, and from early years has made agriculture his life work. In boyhood he attended the com- mon schools of the county, where he received a

general education, to whichi he has constantly added by subsequent reading and study. On arriving at a suitable age he married Elizabeth C., daughter of George H. Beck, of Lower Nazareth Township, now deceased. To our worthy subject and wife one child was born. This son, Charles H., married Sarahı Dech, and one child, Preston J., graces their union.

Many years have passed since Peter Edelman was elected Secretary of the Northampton Horse Insurance Company, and as such he is still serv- ing. For eight years he was the efficient Presi- dent of the Northampton Agricultural Society, and at the present time is a member of the Revis- ing Committee of that organization. One of the Directors of the Poor Farm, he has endeavored to further its interests, and in politics he supports the Republican party. Formerly he was a Director of the Easton Trust Company Bank. In religion, like his forefathers, Mr. Edelman is a Lutheran, belonging to the church of that denomination at Hecktown, in which he served for a number of years as an Elder. In addition to the various offices we have enumerated, Mr. Edelman is Presi- dent of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany of Northampton County. Mr. Edelman is the proud possessor of one hundred and eighty- two acres of choice land in this township, and four acres of woodland in Moore Township, this county.

ILLIAM R. GRUBB is now serving his second term as Justice of the Peace for the borough of Bangor, Northampton County, having been elected to that responsible position in 1887. With the work of the Republican party he is actively identificd, and during the last fifteen years has very often been sent as a delegate to the conventions of his party. In 1892 he es- tablished the American Slate Trade Journal, the only paper devoted to the interests of this impor- tant industry in the country. It is a monthly journal, comprising sixteen pages, three columns to the page, and has met with universal favor

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throughout the United States. Since 1879 Mr. Grubb has made his home in this place, and at that time became proprietor of the Bangor Observer, an eiglit-page, seven-column sheet, which is politically independent, and has promoted the local interests of the community in every possible manner.

The father of our subject, who bore the same Christian name, was born in Dundee, Scotland, December 3, 1835, and in his early years followed the trade of nailmaking. In 1849 he came to the United States, settling at Boonton, N. J., where he subsequently became a member of the firm of Pat- terson, Anthony & Grubb, nail manufacturers. He is still living, being retired from business, and is yet a resident of Boonton. Though he has money invested in a number of commercial and financial enterprises, he has to a large extent withdrawn from commercial circles. Prior to the war he was a strong anti-slavery man, and is now a Republi- can. In Arcana Lodge No. 60, F. & A. M., of Boonton, he is the oldest living member. At va- rious times he has been elected to local offices, and among others to that of Justice of the Peace, but never served in that capacity. A man of good moral habits, his upright and indus- trious life has been a blessing to the community in which he dwells. He married a daughter of Samuel C. Tibbals, Miss Emily F., of Boonton. The family to which she belonged came originally from Connecticut. Four children were the result of this union: William R .; George W., who mar- ried Belle Delp, of this county, and is in charge of the store owned by E. A. Bacer & Co., of Boonton, N. J .; Charles L., editor of the Suffolk County News, of Sayreville, N. J., and who married Clara Kunst- man, of Nazareth; and Frank C., an Auditor of the Prudential Life Insurance Company of New- ark, N. J., his home being at Little Falls, in that state.

The birth of William R. Grubb occurred March 21, 1857, in Boonton, N. J., and his primary education was obtained in the public schools of that city. He early commenced learning the print- cr's trade in the office of the Boonton Bulletin, where he remained for some four years, and dur- ing this time for a short period had editorial charge of the paper. Afterward he worked at

Newark, Paterson, New York City, and in Hack- ettstown, N. J., had charge of a paper for a few months. In 1879, as previously stated, he came to Bangor, and has since edited the Observer. From 1880 to 1882 he served as Town Clerk, and has held a leading place in local affairs. At this writ- ing he is Master of Bangor Lodge No. 565, F. & A. M., and holds membership with Bangor Chapter No. 274, R. A. M .; Slate Council No. 726, R. A .; and Prosperity Lodge No. 661, I. O. O. F.

March 18, 1880, Mr. Grubb was married to Miss Carrie Schoolcy, whose father, Stephen Schooley, now deceased, was a former resident of Bangor. By her marriage Mrs. Grubb has two living chil- dren: Ethel F., born November 3, 1883; and Will- iam E., Junc 27, 1887.

EORGE M. HOCH, one of the leading business men and the efficient Register of Wills of Easton, is a native of North- ampton County, and was born in Moore Township April 2, 1841. His parents, Matthias and Sarah (Welty) Hoch, were also natives of Northampton County, but were born in Bushkill Township. The ancestors of our subject were originally from Holland, but for several generations have resided in Pennsylvania, having emigrated to America and settled in this county in an early day. Jacob Hoch, the grandfather, who was a weaver by trade, died at the advanced age of ninety-three, and is buried in Moorestown churchyard. Eight chil- dren clustered around his family hearthstone, but only one survives-Simon, a resident of Somerset County, Ohio, who is eighty-seven years of age at the present time. Grandfather Hoch was a Dem- ocrat in politics, and an ardent supporter of the principles of his party. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and an active worker in the same.

The father of our subject was a weaver and farmer by occupation, and was a very successful business man. In his political views he was a Dem- ocrat, and kept well posted on all questions of the

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day. Religiously he was a member of the Luth- eran Church, and gave liberally to the support of the Gospel. His family consisted of six children: Stephen; Charles; George M., our subjeet; Elizabeth, wife of Reuben Miller; Mary, deceased; and Lou- isa, now Mrs. Edwin Kuntz. The father departed this life April 11, 1863, and the mother in Decem- ber, 1885.

George M. Hoeh was reared on his father's farm in Moore Township, Northampton County, and attended the publie schools of his locality. When about fifteen years of age he engaged as a clerk in dry-goods stores in Carbon and North- ampton Counties, where he remained five years, and by his pleasant manners and willingness to wait on customers gained for himself many warm friends and the respect and confidenee of his em- ployers. In 1862 Mr. Hoeh responded to his eoun- try's eall for volunteers, and, September 16, en- listed in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty- third Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, com- manded by Col. Charles Glantz. During his term of service he took an active part in a number of engagements, the principal ones being those of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was First Sergeant of his company, and as such performed his duties as a brave offieer and true soldier. He was honorably discharged July 24, 1863.

After Mr. Hoch returned from the war he fol- lowed farming and surveying and a number of other voeations for a tinie, filling many offices of trust in his township, and in 1890 was elected Register of Wills for Northampton County. He was re-elected in 1893, and is at present attending to the duties of that offiee to the satisfaction of all. Our subject is actively interested in polities and is a warm advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. He takes an intelligent interest in the civil and industrial problems, and is well posted on all political questions of the day. So- eially he is a member of the Knights of Malta, the Grand Army of the Republie, and the I. O. A. M.

In July, 1865, George M. Hoch and Catherine Snyder were united in marriage. Her parents, John and Diana Snyder, are natives of this county, and reside in Bushkill Township. Five sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoeh, all of whom are

living: Willis E., a Teller in the First National Bank of South Bethlehem, Pa .; Charles E., Tell er of the Easton Trust Company; Thomas M., a painter and paper-hanger by oeeupation; Harry F., Deputy Register; and George W., a student in the schools of Easton. This family is highly esteem- ed in the community in which they live, and their social standing is among the best families of East- on and vicinity.

EORGE M. WELLER, one of the leading I business men of Easton, is a representative of one of the leading families of the Leliigh Valley, a brief sketch of which is here appended. Phillip Weller, the first known aneestor of the family in America, was born in Germany in 1689, and came to this country in 1730, settling in Amwell, Hunterdon County, N. J. (near Ringoe's Tavern). He moved with his family to Greenwich, Sussex County (now Franklin, Warren County) in 1742, where he purchased a tract of land of about two hundred aeres on Pohatcong Creek, which land has been in the family up to this time, 1894. Phillip Weller died June 25, 1761, aged seventy-two years, and is buried in Weller's Graveyard, which is a part of the above-mentioned traet of land, and which was chosen by himself as a family bury- ing-ground about one hundred and thirty-three years ago. There is placed over his and his wife's grave a large marble slab, with suitable inscription, and enelosed with a neat iron fence. To himself and wife were born eight children, one of whom, Phillip Weller, the second, was born in Amwell in 1734, and was about eight years old when his father moved to Greenwich. He lived on the land his father purchased, and in 1791 built a gristmill on the same traet of land, which is still in operation at this time (1894) and is called Weller's Mill. He died in 1812, and was buried with his wife in the above-named burying-ground.

Phillip Weller, the seeond, had two sons, Phillip and John P. The former, Phillip Weller the third, in 1840 moved to Licking, Ohio, where he pur-

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chased a large tract of land. He died in 1865. John P. Weller, the grandfather of G. M. Wel- ler, was born in 1778, on the tract of land above mentioncd, and lived on it until 1830, when he moved with his family to Phillipsburg, N. J. He died in 1856, and with his wife is buried in the Weller burying-ground.

A. B. Weller, son of John P. Weller, was born in 1829, on the tract of land on Pohatcong Creek owned by his father. He moved to Phillipsburg with the family and lived there until 1850, when he moved back to the place of his birth and lived on the same tract of land owned by his father. In 1876 he moved to Easton. He was married to Thisbe B. Stout, of Everittstown, Hunterdon County, N. J. They had four children : S. Frances, George M., William W. and Annie Musie. S. Frances married Rev. J. H. Cooper, of Blain, Perry County, Pa., and died October 8, 1883. Annie Musie died October 9, 1880; and William W. Wel- ler is now pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Geneva, N. J.

G. M. Weller was born on the 18th of February, 1858, on the same land purchased by his forefatlı- ers. He came to Easton with his father in 1876, and engaged with him in the market business un- til the time of his father's death, when he suc- ceeded to the business, and now has the largest trade of any meat-dealer in the city. His custom- ers are the best people of Easton, and he has built a market next door to where his father com- menced the business, which is especially adapted for carrying on the large trade which he is do- ing. The market will compare favorably with any in the largest cities. He also has a market at the corner of Spring Garden and Bank Streets, and a stand at the Circle (a public market-place). He runs two wagons and employs cight men.

In 1880 he was married to Miss Anna Elizabeth Sampson, daughter of Joseph and Susan Sampson. They have had four children : Helen F .; J. Goebel; George M., Jr .; and William W., deceased. Mr. Weller and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Com- mon Council, serving his third term, having been elected by the Republican party. Mr. Weller's forefathers were Whigs. He is Chairman of the

Fire Committee, a member of the Highways Com- mittee, and also of the Sewer Committee. He takes a great interest in secret societies, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Malta, Order of the Golden Chain, Royal Arcanum and Independent Freemen's Al- liance. He has in his possession a large clock which Phillip Weller, the first, brought with him from Germany in 1730, and which is running and keeping excellent time at this date, 1894.

)ILSON K: MOHR, a successful attorney of Allentown, was born August 19, 1863, in the city where he now lives. In the schools of this place he gained the rudi- ments of his education, and the knowledge there acquired was afterward supplemented by a course of study at Muhlenberg College, from which in- stitution he was graduated in 1885 with the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by the college. While a member of the Senior class he began the study of law, which he conducted in the office of Hon. Edward Harvey. In 1887 he was admitted to the Bar, and has since followed the profession successfully.

In 1890 Mr. Mohr opened an office at Macungic, Lehigh County, but soon returned to Allentown, where he has since resided. In addition to general legal practice he has carried on a large insurance business, representing six companies. In 1889 he accepted the position of lecturer on Commercial Law, Political Economy and Civil Government in the American Business College of Allentown, and he has since served in that capacity. He is also a frequent contributor to journals and local news- papers. At the present time he is a member of the Board of Managers of the Alumni Association of Muhlenberg College.

In politics a Democrat, Mr. Mohr takes an act- ive interest in the welfare of his party, and is in demand as a stump speaker during state and na- tional campaigns. However, he accords to others

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the same liberty of thought and action which he claims for himself, and is by no means bigoted or narrow-minded. In the Lehigh Agricultural As- sociation he has served as Corresponding Secretary and member of the Executive Committee. He has been clerk of the American Trotting Association, and in different courses has served as starter. So- cially he affiliates with Vienna Lodge No. 847, I. O. O. F., which he represents in the Grand Lodge. In the latter organization he was appointed Chair- man of the Transportation Committee, having charge of railroad and hotel accommodations for the conventions of the order. A member of the Knights of Pythias, he is Past Chancellor Com- mander of Lodge No. 257. He belongs to Red Hawk Tribe, I. O. R. M., of which he has been First Prophet; for two years he was Deputy Great Sachem for the Twenty-first District Improved Order of Red Men, and is also a member of the Great Council of Pennsylvania. His religious connections are with Zion's Reformed Church of Allentown.

H ENRY W. MOHR, father of Wilson K., and the Chairman of the Board of City Assessors of Allentown, was born in Le- high County, Pa., March 26, 1843. His father, Daniel B., and grandfather, Christopher, were also natives of Leliigh County, where settlement was made by the great-grandfather, who came hither from England. The father and grandfather spent their entire lives in the county named, where they died, the former at the age of eighty-six, and the latter when eighty-one. Both were farmers by oc- cupation.

Our subject's mother was Maria, daughter of Philip Haas, both natives of Lehigh County, where she died in 1860, at the age of seventy-six years. The Haas family originated in Germany, whence our subject's great-grandfather emigrated to Amer- ica and settled in Pennsylvania. Henry W. was reared in the locality of his birth, and after com- pleting the studies of the common schools entered Allentown Academy, where he prosecuted his

readings until sixteen years of age. He then se- cured a situation as clerk, which he followed for nine years. Meantime he was economical, and, prudently saving his earnings, was cnabled, at the age of twenty-five, to embark in a general mer- cantile business, forming a partnership with Mr. Lichten walner, which lasted for thirteen years. For two years after severing his connection with this firm he was not actively engaged in business, and then for two years, 1878-79, acted as super- intendent of the Grange Store.

On the Democratic ticket Mr. Mohr was elected Clerk of the Orphans' Court, and served in that ca- pacity for three years. On the death of his suc- cessor he was chosen to complete the unexpired term, which he did. In the spring of 1890 he was City Assessor for a term of three years, and filled the position of Chairman of the board. So efficient was he in the discharge of his duties that he won the commendation of the people, who in the spring of 1893 re-elected him to this office, which he still holds, being the present Chairman of the board. He is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Al- lentown. In 1880, upon that ticket, he was elected to represent the Eighth Ward in the Common Council for a term of two years, but at the expira- tion of one year resigned to accept the position of Clerk of the Orphans' Court.

As a Knight of Pythias Mr. Mohr has attained prominence throughout the state. He is a mem- ber of Greenleaf Lodge No. 257, which he has represented in the Grand Lodge of the state for the past sixteen years. Since 1885 he has been a member of the Supreme Lodge of the World. For six years he has been Sir Knight Commander of Lehigh Division No. 9, Uniformed Rank, K. of P. In 1885 he was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment, Uniformed Rank of Pennsylva- nia, and the following ycar was appointed by Maj .- Gen. J. F. Carnahan, of Illinois, as a member of his first staff, with the rank of Colonel, which posi- tion he resigned one year later. For eighteen years he was District Deputy Grand Chancellor of Le- high County, in which responsible position he dis- played the possession of superior ability and judg- inent.

While it is with the Knights of Pythias that Mr.

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Mohr has been more intimately associated, he has also maintained an interest in, and connection with, other orders. A charter member of Vienna Lodge No. 847, I. O. O. F., he has for the past sixteen years been its Treasurer, and for three years served as its representative to the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania. He is a charter member of Red Hawk Tribe No. 55, I. O. R. M., of which he has been Chief since its organization in 1888. A Democrat in political matters, lic takes an active part in local, county, state and national politics.

In 1862 Mr. Mohr was united in marriage with Miss Ellen E. Stahr, a native of Allentown, and daughter of James Stahr, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Lehigh County. There have been born unto them one son and one daugh- ter, of whom the former, Wilson K., is the only survivor. Mr. and Mrs. Mohr reside at No. 126 South Eighth Street. They are prominent in so- cial circles and active in the work of Zion's Re- formed Church, to which they belong.

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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 95

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