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James Fegely |
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| Longswamp Church Cemetery |
James Fegley was born on Aug. 12, 1823, the son of David and Susanna (Gaumer) Fögle -- Americanized to "Fegley" and "Fegely."
He entered into marriage with Mary Bernhardt (July 17, 1821-1908), daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Snyder) Bernhardt of Longswamp Township, Berks County. James was two years younger than his bride.
They became the parents of nine children, among them Sarah Roth, Marietta A. Eck, David "Wilson" Fegely, Amelia Fegely, Martin Penrose Fegley, Clara Colletta Schneck Reider, James O. Fegley and Aquilla DeLong Wolfe.
James became a master carpenter by the age of 36. The United States Census of 1860 enumerates the family in Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County, PA. That year, James' elderly parents lived in the household.
They were members of the Reformed wing of the Longswamp Church.
James passed away at the age of 77 on Nov. 15, 1900. Burial was in Longswamp Union Cemetery in Mertztown, Berks County.
Mary outlived her spouse by eight years. She moved into the home of her married daughter Sarah Roth. At her 83rd birthday, in July 1904, a dinner and supper were held on the lawn of her married granddaughter Eleanor Stansfield in Emmaus. Reported the Allentown Leader, "Mrs. Fegley is still very active and enjoys nothing better than working among the flowers. She was the mother of nine children, seven of whom are still living, three sons and four daughters. Among those present at the party were her son Martin and family of Lebanon; son Wilson and family of Mertztown; daughter and son-in-law Sarah and Matthias Roth; granddaughter Hannah Fegley and her husband Peter; Mr. and Mrs. George Roth and family; Mrs. Oliver Schmeci, Addison Romig and son of Emmaus; Mrs. James Schmeck and son Ed Rhiter and married granddaughter Lillie May Adams of Longswamp; and Mrs. Washington Long and family of Wescosville. At the time, she had 27 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Suffering from "senile gangrene" -- common for older adults where the artery walls degenerate, causing poor blood circulation -- she died on July 25, 1908. She was placed into eternal repose in Longswamp Cemetery, with Rev. W.L. Meckstroth preaching the funeral service. Oobituaries appeared in the Leader and Democrat.
~ Daughter Sarah (Fegely) Roth ~
Daughter Sarah Fegely (1845- ? ) was born in March 1845.
In about 1863, when she would have been 18 years of age, Sarah married 23-year-old Matthias Roth (Feb. 1840- ? ).
Among their six known children were Emma Elizabeth Schmick, Ida Roth, Hannah S. Fegely, Eleanor "Ella" Christiana Reinhard Stansfield and George Roth plus one who died young.
The couple resided in Maple Grove in or near Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA circa 1869-1880. There, he was an "engineer" at a local coal mine in 1870 and provided "mine labor" in 1880. The federal census of 1880 shows Matthias' 58-year-old uncle, Charles Bernhard, living under their roof and also providing mine labor. Later, sometime before 1900, they moved to Emmaus, Lehigh County.
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| Bird's-eye view of the town of Emmaus, Pennsylvania |
They took care of Sarah's bachelor uncle, David Fegley of Longswamp, until his death in 1902. Matthias enjoyed hunting and made news in November 1900 when he shot a six-foot-long blacksnake. His work in 1900 was as a day laborer at an Emmaus foundry. He was deceased by 1916. By 1923, Sarah had relocated to Green Bay, WI to live with her married daughter Eleanor Stansfield, whose husband was pastor of the Moravian church congregation.
Daughter Emma Elizabeth Roth (1863-1909) was born on Aug. 3, 1863. She wedded William O. Schmick. They resided in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County. Emma contracted an acute case of kidney disease in her mid-40s. At the age of 46, she died on Nov. 3, 1909. Her remains were lowered into repose in the Emmaus Moravian Cemetery.
Daughter Ida Roth (1865- ? ) was born in about 1865 in Berks County, PA.
Daughter Hannah S. Roth (1869-1926) was born on Nov. 3, 1869. She was joined in matrimony with a relative, Peter S. Fegley ( ? - ? ). The family dwelled in Emmaus, Lehigh County. Their address in the 1920s was at 220 Adrain. Hannah was diagnosed with cancer of the abdominal wall, added to pain from gallstones. She underwent surgery to drain fluid from the area, but could not rally. She died at the age of 56 on Feb. 20, 1926. Interment was in the Moravian Cemetery in Emmaus.
Daighter Eleanor Christiana "Ella" Roth (1874-1948) was born on Feb. 5, 1874 in Maple Grove, Berks County. She was a dress maker. She was twice married. Her first husband was (?) Reinhard ( ? - ? ). The did not reproduce. Tragically, he died young, sometime in or before 1900. Sarah moved back into the home of her parents. Later, she was united in wedlock with Rev. Robert K. Stansfield ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of a daughter, Frances Stansfield. The couple lived in Emmaus circa 1904 and in July of that year hosted a birthday party on their lawn for her aged grandmother, Mary Fegley. Robert graduated in 1912 from the Moravian College and Theological Seminary. He was ordained by Bishop C.L. Moench and received his first pastorate at the Moravian Church of Emmaus. His career lasted for 44 years. He moved on to the Moravian Congregation at Canadensis, PA and was there for five years. Sometime prior to 1924, Robert was named pastor of a Moravian church congregation in Green Bay, and they moved to Wisconsin. In August 1924, in company with Eleanor's mother, they drove back to Allentown for a holiday. Reported the Allentown Morning Call, "Rev. Stansfield has obtained several weeks' vacation which he will spend in town and other points in the east, especially some of the towns in which he preached before he went west.... On Sunday evening he preached an inspiring sermon in the local Moravian church, and Miss Stansfield obliged with a vocal solo. Rev. Stansfield, who is the son of E.A. Stansfield, of town, was reared in this borough, where he still has a host of friends. He is one of the several young men who were members of the local Moravian congregation at the time of their ordination into the christian ministry." They made another trip home in June 1925, covering 1,000 driving miles. Later, they relocated to a church in the Bronx in New York City, where their home was located at 1620 Mayflower Avenue. During the summer of 1948, Eleanor returned to Pennsylvania and lived in Bassett Township, Monroe County. Burdened with hardening of the arteries and hypertension, Eleanor suffered a heart attack and died four days later, at the age of 74 on Sept. 7, 1948. Burial was in Emmaus. Robert continued his ministry at the Tremont Terrace Moravian Church in the Bronx until retirement on June 30, 1956. In 1952, he took part in a televised Christmas Eve candlelight service in Allentown with the 12-member Moravian Church Tombone Choir, with the performance televised and recorded for broadcast by NBC-TV. In his later years, Robert resided in Closter, NJ. He died in Sycamore Park Convalescent Hospital in Hollywood, CA at the age of 83 in mid-Nov. 1965. Funeral services were held in the Tremont Terrace church in the Bronx, and an obituary was printed in the Morning Call.
Son George Roth (1879- ? ) was born in about 1879 in Longswamp Township, Berks County. At the age of 21, living with his parents in Emmaus, Lehigh County, he worked as a silk weaver.
~ Daughter Marietta Alavista (Fegely) Eck ~
Daughter Marietta Alavista Fegely (1847-1923) was born on May 1, 1847 in Macungie.
She married Reuben J. Eck (1844-1911).
They adopted a daughter, Annie Eck.
Reuben was deceased by 1916. Marietta was named in the Allentown Morning Call obituary of her brother Wilson in 1916. She underwent surgery in the winter of 1923 and died in Allentown Hospital at the age of 75 on Feb. 27, 1923. Funeral services were held in the home of her nephew Morris Eck near Stahlneckers Crossing, with burial in Allentown's Greenwood Cemetery. A brief obituary was printed in the Allentown Morning Call, which said that "relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend without further notice."
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| Longswamp Cemetery |
~ Son David "Wilson" Fegely ~
Son David "Wilson" Fegely (1851-1916) was born on May 30, 1851 in Lower Macungie Township.
At his birth, an elaborate taufschein -- a certificate of birth considered unique to the culture of Pennsylvania Germans -- was hand-lettered in German and decorated in watercolors as a record of the event.
He was baptized at age four months, on Sept. 25, 1851, by Rev. Jeremias "Jeremiah" Schindel, with David and Sallie (Trollinger) Hertzog standing as sponsors.
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Rev. Schindel
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Wilson was confirmed as a teenager by Rev. D.K. Humbert in the Longswamp Church.
At the age of 21, on Jan. 15, 1873, Wilson married his first bride, Elizabeth "Liza" Reinert ( ? - ? ), also spelled "Reinhard," in nuptials held at Rothrocksville.
The couple produced two sons and four daughters, among them James J. Fegely, Lillie Mary Ann Adams, Amelia Jane Hess and Gertrude Victoria "Gertie" Eck.
The federal census enumeration of 1880 shows this family living in Longswamp Township, Berks County, with Wilson laboring in a local coal mine.
Sadly, Elizabeth died young, leaving her husband with six children to raise. The cause of her untimely passing is not yet known.
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| Wilson Fegely's taufschein -- hand-colored birth certificate in German, 1851 |
On Christmas Day 1888, at the age of 37, he wedded his second spouse, 25-year-old Larue Susannah (Haas) Bortz (April 23, 1863-1927), daughter of Alfred and Maria (Knerr) Haas of Chatmaus, Lehigh County. Rev. Humbert officiated, with the ceremony held at Bowers, PA. Larue had been married previously, to William Bortz ( ? - ? ) and brought a daughter to the marriage, Eva A. Conrad.
The second marriage led to at least five more children -- Flossie S. Fenstermaker, Ida Maria Adams, Wilson A. Fegely and Helen Minerva Moyer.
They dwelled in 1900 in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, where he earned a living "shaking out" at a foundry. Then by 1906, they migrated to a new home in Mertztown, Longswamp Township, Berks County. Larue and her younger daughters enjoyed visiting friends in Allentown from time to time. Because Wilson's birthday was so close to his daughter Ida's, the two are known to have celebrated together. One of these parties was reported in the Allentown Democrat, headlined "Party at Mertztown," stating that in addition to Wilson and Larue and their younger children, the following were present:
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Fegley and sons Warren and Ernst of Lebanon; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Skeleton and children Margaret and Ray of Rittersville; Mr. and Mrs. James Fegley of Bethlehem; Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Batz and daughter Florence of Birdsboro; Fr. and Mrs. Francis Fenstermacher and son Leroy of Topton; Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Bowlly of Allentown; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Auer of Bethlehem; Mrs. Maria Haas, Lloyd Haas, Gertrude Hess, Mrs. Gertrude Eck, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Haas and daughters Esther and Emma, Augustus Carl, Peter Carl, of Allentown; Verna Rowland, Clarence and Floyd Fegley of Bethlehem; Mrs. Sabine Hilbert and Elmer Adams of Allentown; and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Adams and Mahlon Adams of Alburtis.
One of the social activities Larue enjoyed attending was an occasional "carpet rag party," with known ones held at the homes of Sallie Romig and Mrs. Harry Hertzog in Mertztown in 1916. These events, dating to the Civil War era among Pennsylvania Germans, typically were an opportunity for women to meet for sewing large fabrics from leftover rags, exchange gossip and a enjoy meal.
Wilson's occupation in 1910 was as a laborer at "odd jobs," including grave-digging. When digging for a burial in Mertztown Cemetery in April 1916, he suffered a stroke and was considered "in a serious condition," reported the Allentown Morning Call.
The family was shrouded in grief in early November 1916 when son Wilson was killed in a horrible accident at a local carpet mill in Topton. (See details below.)
Sadly, at the age of 65, Wilson Sr. died just 14 days after his son, on Nov. 18, 1916. from the effects of a stroke and cerebral bleeding. Funeral services were held in the Fegely home, following by burial in Longswamp Church Cemetery. An obituary in the Morning Call said he was "a well known resident of Mertztown" and counted 20 surviving grandchildren. Inscribed on his half of their grave marker are the words "Thy rest is won." [Find-a-Grave]
Larue survived her spouse by 11 years. In 1922, she earned income as a wood finisher in Allentown. She made a home toward the end of her life in Topton, Berks County, likely with her married daughter Flossie Fenstermaker.
Burdened with hardening of the arteries, she suffered a stroke while visiting her daughter Flossie Fenstermaker in Topton and died four days later on Aug. 2, 1927. The gossip columns of the Reading Times said that "Many of our people attended the funeral of Mrs. Wilson Fegley at Longswamp. She was formerly a resident of town but resided lately in Allentown." The Morning Call added that she was survived by her 89-year-old mother in addition to four daughters, 11 grandchildren, three stepchildren and 14 step-grandchildren. Interment was in the Longswamp Church Cemetery, with her brothers Lloyd and Chester Haas and sons-in-law John Hess, Frances Fenstermaker, Elmer Adams and Frank Moyer serving as pallbearers.
A marker was placed on the Fegely's grave. At the bottom, spanning both her and him, was the phrase "Thy trials ended. Thy rest is won."
Son James J. Fegely (1873-1941) was born on March 18, 1873. He wedded Amanda Larash (June 29, 1872-1937), daughter of James and Fietta (Rader) Larash. The couple produced four known offspring-- Verna Fries, James Fegely, Carl Fegely and Wilson Fegely. They were farmers and lived in South Allentown in 1916 and in East Salisbury in 1922 and in rural Bethlehem in 1937. Sadly, Amanda was burdened with chronic heart disease and hardenign of the arteries. At the age of 64, she passed away on Feb. 20, 1937. James survived his wife by four years. At the end of his life, suffering from chronic arthritis, he dwelled in the home of his son James at 628 South Filmore Street in Allentown. He was felled by a stroke and was admitted to Sacred Heart Hospital where he died a day later, at the age of 68, on Aug. 29, 1941. Funeral services were held in Eastern Salisbury Jerusalem Church, with burial following in the church's adjoining cemetery. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call reported that he was survived by six grandchildren.
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Granddaughter Verna Fegely wedded William Fries. They made a home in Allentown in 1941.
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Grandson James Fegely
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Grandson Carl Fegely
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Grandson Wilson Fegely
Daughter Lillie Mary Ann Fegely (1875-1937) was born on Oct. 27, 1875 in Longswamp Township, Berks County. She married Charles H. Adams ( ? - ? ) and dwelled in Emmaus in 1916-1937. Their address in the mid-1930s was 431 Elm Street in Emmaus. In the dead of winter of 1937, Lillie underwent gallbladder surgery in Allentown Hospital. Post-surgery, she contracted pneumonia and died there on Feb. 20, 1937, at the age of 61. Mahlon A. Adams of the home was the informant for the death certificate. Her remains were lowered into repose in Northwood Cemetery.
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| Allentown's wire mill, where John Hess was employed as a foreman |
Daughter Amelia Jane Fegely (1877-1929) was born on Jan. 5, 1877 near Shamrock in Longswamp Township, Berks County. At the age of 18, on Dec. 19, 1896, she wedded 19-year-old wire worker John H. Hess (May 25, 1877-1955), son of Daniel B. and Emma (Eddinger) Hess and a native of Churchville, Berks County. Rev. George W. Richards officiated at the wedding. Their four known offspring were Lloyd Hess, Paul Hess, Gertrude Henry and Ruth Bisbing. In 1916-1929, their home was in South Allentown at 1146½ Union Street. In the spring of 1929, Amelia suffered cardiac failure and contracted pneumonia. She was admitted to Allentown Hospital and succumbed there at the age of 52 on May 18, 1929. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery. John outlived his wife by 26 years. He worked as a foreman for American Steel & Wire Company of Allentown. He also was a charter member of the Fairview Fire Company of Allentown. Toward the end of his life, he moved into the home of his son Paul in rural Lower Macungie Township near Allentown. On Jan. 23, 1955, he died suddenly of a heart attack in the son's residence at the age of 77. An obituary was published in the Allentown Morning Call.
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Grandson Lloyd Hess lived in Louisiana in 1955.
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Grandson Paul Hess made a home in the 1950s in rural Lower Macungie Township near Allentown.
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Granddaughter Gertrude Hess wedded Lawrence Henry. They dwelled in Allentown in the 1950s.
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Granddaughter Ruth Hess married Charles Bisbing. They resided in Allentown.
Daughter Gertrude Victoria "Gertie" Fegely (1880-1922) was born in Jan. 2, 1880. She was united in matrimony with divorcee and Spanish-American War veteran Morris Eck (Feb. 13, 1874-1943), son of Orlando Eck of Topton. He had been married before in 1895 to Rosa Rintz (or "Riedtz"). Gertrude and Morris bore these daughters -- Margaret Lillian Clauser, Edith Morris, Evelyn Eck and Gladys Eck. Circa 1907, their address was 1210 Walnut Street in Allentown. That year, Gertrude opened a hand laundry business, advertising in the Allentown Democrat that she accepted washing and ironing, operating in her home. Morris got into trouble with the law in 1907 when he and Dan Adams and Robert Hartzell were accused of arson in the Allentown area, with Morris tried and found guilty. Gertrude was by his side in court the entire time. In coverage in the Allentown Morning Call, he was implicated in burning the barn and stealing property of Richard O. Blose on June 24, 1907 in Washington Township. Said the Morning Call, "Ed. Dunkel was at Mickley's Hotel at 7 o'clock on the night of the fire when Hartzell came along on horseback and Adams and Eck on a wagon. They stopped at the hotel and had several drinks. They were talkative and told how they were going to swap horses at Egypt and left the impression that they had beer on the wagon." Other barns they torched belonged to the Bittner, Husicker & Co. warehouse, the Prince Furniture Co. warehouse, the Ebbert barn in Bath and the Schwartz barn containing goods of Gately & Fitzgerald. He claimed he had only been involved in trying to trade a horse with the other two men when circumstances got out of hand and they stole a horse from the Blose barn. He was convicted on Sept. 10, 1907 of larceny but not arson. He was sentenced to three years of hard labor in the Lehigh County Jail. In the sentencing, said the Allentown Leader, "Judge Trexler remarked that Eck was the most innocent appearing prisoner that ever came before him for sentence." He served his sentence and by 1911 was back home. In Feb. 1911, his family gathered to celebrate his 37th birthday at their residence at 940 Walnut Street. "A number of his friends assembled at his home early in the evening and for a few hours had an enjoyable time," said the Morning Call. "Card playing, vocal and instrumental solos and recitations, constituted the social part of the evening. Charles Holmes, of Hudson, N.Y., officiated at the piano, and acquitted himself creditably. A supper, prepared with taste, was served by Mrs. Eck, to which the guests did ample justice." Among the guests were Gertrude's parents and sister Helen of Mertztown; sister and brother in law Lillie and Charles Adams and son Mahlon of Alburtis; sister and brother in law Ida and Elmer Adams and daughter Sarah; sister and brother in law Flossie and Francis Fenstermaker and son Leroy of Topton; brother and sister in law James and Amanda Fegley and children Verna, Clarence and Floyd of Bethlehem; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Holmes of Hudson, NY; sister and brother in law Minnie and Edwin Sechler and children James, Samuel and Mae; Mr. and Mrs. E. Wetzel; Mr. and Mrs. David Bechtel; Mr. and Mrs. T. Eck; Mr. and Mrs. John McCracken and daughters Clara and Florence; Mr. and Mrs. David McCracken and offspring Ethel and Arthur; Mr. and Mrs. Seagraves and son; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McCracken; Ambrose Hoffman; Mrs. George Gibson and son Wesley; Daniel Heckman; Nora Pfeiffer; Gertrude Hess; Lizzie McCracken; and Myrtle Gehris.
Grief swept over the family when infant daughter Evelyn died in Aug. 1920. They resided at Stahlnecker's Crossing in Eastern Salisbury Township in rural Allentown. Further heartbreak enveloped the Ecks in late December 1922. After giving birth, Gertrude developed a post-partum infection. Just four weeks before her 43rd birthday, she died in Allentown Hospital on Dec. 23, 1922. The grieving Morris signed the death certificate. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Allentown, with Rev. C.K. Kressley officiating. The Morning Call printed an obituary, which said that floral tributes at the funeral service included: "Pillow of roses and carnations, Husband and children; narcissus, sisters and children; narcissus, Mr. and Mrs. Strohl and family; carnations and narcissus, Mrs. Robert McCracken and daughter; carnations, employes of Collum & Post Co., mother and sister Helen, Aunt Jetta Eck, Jerusalem Sunday school, Frank Van Gieson, Brother James and family; calla lilies, John Waltz and family; carnations, Albert Eck and family; carnations and narcissus, Mr. and Mrs. James Fegley and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Berger; roses and sago palms, Doherty and Wadsworth Co.; mounted wreath of roses and sweet pease, employees of Doherty & Wadsworth Co.; wreath of roses, office employes and foremen of Allentown Reed, Harness and Mill Supply Co." After a period of grief, Morris married a second time to Susan "Susie." They made a home in the 1940s in rural Allentown. He was employed as a stationery engineer (maintenance) with Dougherty and Wadsworth, a silk mill in Allentown. Morris belonged to the George Schwartz Camp, the Loyal Order of Sparrows and St. Mark's Reformed Church. Suffering from heart problems, Morris died at age 66 on June 1, 1943. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Morning Call.
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Granddaughter Margaret Lillian Eck (1914- ? ) was born in about 1914. She was baptized in July 1914 by Rev. Daniel E. Schaffer. As a young woman, she earned a living performing "piece work" in Allentown. On April 30, 1937, when she was age 22, Margaret was united in wedlock with 26-year-old salesman Arthur C. Clauser ( ? - ? ), son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Heydt) Clauser of Pottstown. Rev. Conrad Wieker officiated. At the time of marriage, Arthur lived along Route 60 in Allentown.
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Granddaughter Edith Eliza Eck (1916- ? ) was born in about 1916. She was baptized in June 1916 by Rev. Daniel E. Schaffer, with her parents named as sponsors. Edith married Charles Morris.
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Granddaughter Gladys Eck ( ? - ? ) wedded Harold Schantz.
Daughter Flossie S. Fegely (1888-1951) was born on Aug. 7, 1888 in Lowhill Township, Lehigh County. She lived in Mertztown as a young woman. At the age of 18, on Aug. 11, 1906, she was joined in wedlock with cabinet maker 26-year-old Francis D. Fenstermaker (Oct. 1, 1880-1963), a native of Topton, Longswamp Township, Berks County and the son of James O. and Floranda (Miller) Fenstermaker. ("Fenster" in English translates to "window.") When their marriage license was filed, the news was printed in the Reading Times, and when the marriage was held, it was reported in the Allentown Leader. The couple produced two sons, Leroy F. Fenstermaker and Harold M. Fenstermaker. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1910, ,the Fenstermakers dwelled in Topton, Berks County, with Francis earning a living making cabinets for a furniture factory. They lived in 1916 in Williamsport, Lycoming County; Longswamp, Berks County in 1920, where he was a cabinet maker for a planing mill; in Emmaus in 1922 and in Topton in 1927-1951, with an address of 34 South Spruce Street. They were members of St. Peter's Reformed Church, with Flossie a member of its Service Class and the Flower Committee. Burdened with hardening of the arteries, she was felled by a cerebral hemorrhage and passed into eternity at the age of 62 on Jan. 26, 1951. Her remains were placed into rest in Topton Union Cemetery. An obituary in the Reading Eagle noted that the funeral services were officiated by Rev. Franklin D. Slider. Francis survived his wife by a dozen years and remained for part of that time at their longtime address of 34 South Spruce Street. Later, toward the end, he became a resident of the Reinmiller Convalescent Home in Emmaus. Burdened with heart disease and an enlarged prostate, he succumbed there at the age of 82 on June 5, 1963. A short death notice was published in the Eagle.
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Grandson Leroy F. Fenstermaker (1907- ? ) was born in about 1907 in Topton, Berks County. Circa 1940, at the age of 32, he was unmarried and employed as a teacher in a public school in or near Topton. He lived with his parents in 1951.
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Grandson Harold M. Fenstermaker (1915- ? ) was born in about 1915. He dwelled in Reading, Berks County in the early 1950s.
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| Elmer L. Adams' employer, L.F. Grammes & Sons, Allentown |
Daughter Ida Maria Fegely (1890-1967) was born in May 1890 in Emmaus. In Dec. 1909, when she was age 19, Ida married Elmer L. Adams ( ? -1968), son of Erwin and Sarah (Long) Adams of Longswamp, Berks County. The wedding took place in Longswamp, by the hand of Rev. William Meckstroth. The couple were the parents of six children -- Sarah Wieder, LaRue Dankel, Gloria Schlegel, Dorothea Jenne, Winfield Adams and Evan Adams. From 1909 to 1911, Elmer served in the Pennsylvania National Guard and was on duty in eastern Pennsylvania. Later, he worked over the years for L.F. Grammes & Sons in Allentown, which manufactured tools, sheet metal and cigar box machinery. After retiring in 1956, he earned income as a barber, stepping away in 1964 and handing over the shop to his son Evan. Their residence in 1912 was on Second Street in Alburtis and in 1916-1967 was in Emmaus. They belonged to the St. John's United Church of Christ in Emmaus, and their address in the 1960s was 433 Elm Street. In December 1959, the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a family dinner at the Village Inn in Allentown, and were pictured in the Allentown Morning Call. As her health failed, Ida was admitted to the Reinmiller Covalescent Home in the city. She passed away there at the age of 76 on Feb. 22, 1967. She was survived by 11 grandchildren and three grandchildren, said the Morning Call. Elmer did not outlive his bride by long. He too went to live in the Reinmiller facility. He died there at the age of 81 on Oct. 10, 1968. The Morning Call printed an obituary.
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Granddaughter Sarah Adams married Ralph Wieder. In 1967, they lived in Emmaus.
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Granddaughter LaRue Adams wedded Paul Dankel. They dwelled in 1967 in Emmaus.
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Granddaughter Gloria E. Adams ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). On Feb. 3, 1946, she was joined in wedlock with World War II veteran Wayne Schlegel ( ? - ? ), son of Irwin and Clara Schlegel of Mertztown. Rev. Royce Schaeffer and Rev. Warren Cassel led the service, held in St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Emmaus. News of the nuptials was printed in the Allentown Morning Call. During the war, Wayne joined the U.S. Navy in September 1942 and served in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theatres of war. Their home in the latter 1960s was in Emmaus.
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Granddaughter Dorothea M. Adams ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). As a young woman, she was employed by Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation during World War II. On Aug. 4, 1945, in a ceremony held at St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Emmaus, she was united in marriage with Gerald Jenne ( ? - ? ), son of Harvey A. Jenne of 1971 South Fifth Street in Allentown. Rev. Royce E. Schaeffer officiated. At the time of the marriage, Gerald was serving in the U.S. Army as a technician third grade and had served for 26 months overseas, primarily in Iran. They resided in Allentown.
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Grandson Winfield E. Adams lived in Emmaus.
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Grandson Evan Adams made a home in 1967 in Emmaus. He took over his father's barber shop in Emmaus in 1964.
Son Wilson A. Fegely (1891-1916) was born on Sept. 22, 1891. At the age of 18, in 1910, he earned income as a railroad laborer. He married Laura Tyson (1895- ? ), daughter of Robert and Emma (Eck) Tyson of Longswamp Township, Berks County. They had two children. At the age of 25, Wilson was employed applying and drying dyes at the Long Valley rug mills at Topton near Longswamp Township, Berks County. On the fateful day of Nov. 4, 1916, Wilson was killed in a grisly accident at work. Reported the Reading Times:
The condition of Daniel Alexander, who is in the Allentown Hospital with two broken legs and other injuries sustained in an accident which happened in the Long Valley rug mills, Topton, Saturday, in which Wilson Fegely, Jr., was instantly killed, was reported as somewhat improved Sunday. The men were struck by parts of a "whizzer," which was suddenly wrecked. The two men were in the whizzing room at the time, being the only occupants. The machine crashed without warning, flying in all directions and the heavy fragments struck Fegely and Alexander. So great was the force of the flying parts that a piece of the whizzer crashed through a nine-inch brick walk and landed on the sidewalk in front of the building. Other members of the plant, attracted by the noise, which could be heard for blocks, investigated and found Fegely and Alexander unconscious. Dr. Long, of Topton, was summoned and when he reached the mill Fegely was already dead. The doctor dressed Alexander's wounds temporarily and then had him removed to the Allentown Hospital. Fegely's body was horribly mutilated, being split from the mouth to the base of the neck. His body was a mass of bruises and nearly every bone was broken.
Sadly, co-worker Alexander also succumbed to his injuries. Wilson's funeral services were held in the home of William Eck in Mertztown with additional rites at the Longswamp Church. Burial was in Longswamp Cemetery. News of the tragedy was reported widely in the region, including in the Philadelphia Inquirer and Carlisle Sentinel. Laura remained his widow for five years. Then on Nov. 5, 1921, at the age of 26, she wedded again to 29-year-old chauffeur Herbert D. Schneck (1891- ? ) of Alburtis, Lehigh County. Rev. James N. Blatt led the nuptials. Herbert was the son of William and Amanda (Schlicher) Schneck of Hereford Township, Berks County.
Daughter Helen Minerva Fegely (1900- ? ) was born in Jan. 1900 in Allentown. She lived at home in 1916. At the age of 19, she was employed as a wood finisher and lived at 433 15th Street in Allentown. On May 3, 1919, in nuptials held in Allentown, she wedded Frank C. Moyer ( ? - ? ), son of Peter and Henrietta (Frey) Moyer. Rev. E.E. Fisher officiated. They resided in Fullerton, PA in 1922. In 1941, when mentioned in the Allentown Morning Call obituary of her brother James, and in 1967, when named in the obituary of her sister Ida, Helen lived in Allentown.
Stepdaughter Eva A. Bortz (1885-1961) was born on Dec. 3, 1885 in Longswamp Township. She was three years of age when her mother married David "Wilson" Fegely. Eva eventually married Richard Conrad ( ? - ? ). They dwelled in Emmaus. Eva earned income over the years as a waitress. Widowed and afflicted with cancer of the rectum in the fall of 1961, she suffered a pulmonary embolism and was admitted to Allentown General Hospital. She succumbed there on Nov. 23, 1961. Russel Skelton of 506 Linden Street in Allentown signed the death certificate. Interment was in Northwood Cemetery in Emmaus.
~ Daughter Amelia Fegely ~
Daughter Amelia Fegely (1855- ? ) was born in about 1855.
~ Son Martin Penrose Fegely ~
Son Martin Penrose Fegley (1859-1935) was born on Feb. 5, 1859 in Lower Macungie Township, Berks County.
He wedded Mary Ellen Beck (1861-1943).
Ther offspring were Annie V. Fortna, Warren B. Fegley and Ernest E. Fegley.
They resided in 1916-1923 in Lebanon, Lebanon County, PA. Suffering from a urinary tract infection, Martin died at the age of 75 on Jan. 28, 1935. His remains are in repose in Kimmerling Cemetery in Lebanon.
~ Daughter Clara Colletta (Fegely) Schneck Reider ~
Daughter Clara Colletta Fegley (1861-1908) was born on June 29, 1861. She was twice married.
Her first husband was James F. Schneck (1853-1903), sometimes misspelled "Schmick."
The couple produced a son, Robert Schneck.
Heartache enveloped the family when James died in 1903 at the age of about 50.
After a period of grieving, Clara wedded a second time to Edwin Reider ( ? - ? ). They made a home in Alburtis, Lehigh County.
Suffering from heart failure at the age of 46, she passed away on Feb. 24, 1908. Interment was in Mertztown in Longswamp Union Cemetery, following funeral services held at the church, led by Rev. W.F. Bond.
~ Son James O. Fegley ~
Son James O. Fegley (1863-1948) was born on July 9, 1863 in Longswamp Township, Berks County.
He was united in holy matrimomy with Emma Swavely (Dec. 28, 1863-1943), daughter of Isaac W. and Susan (Yoder) Swavely of Berks County.
They produced two known daughters, Laura M. Berger and Minnie E. Hunsberger.
The Fegleys lived in Copley, PA in 1916 and in about 1918 relocated to Allentown, where they remained for the balance of their lives. Their address in 1923 was 1023 Tilghman Street and in the early 1940s was 625 North 11th Street.
Sadly, Emma contracted breast cancer in about 1941 which spread to her lungs. As her health failed, her heart began to fail. She died at the age of 80 on Aug. 5, 1943.
James survived his wife by five years. He was afflicted with prostate cancer and hardening of the arteries and succumbed to cardiac heart failure at the age of 84 on May 7, 1948. Burial was in St. Johns Union Cemetery in Mickleys, Lehigh County. Mrs. Ray Hunsberger of the home was the informant for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death.
~ Daughter Aquilla (Fegely) DeLong Wolf ~
Daughter Aquilla Fegley (1868-1964) was born on July 5, 1868 in Longswamp Township, Berks County. She was married twice.
In about 1887, she wedded her first spouse, George "Washington" DeLong Sr. (1864-1903), son of Daniel and Anna Catharine (Schumacher) DeLong of Longswamp Township.
They bore these children -- Mamie Frey, Ella Katie Strauss, Minnie L. Sechler, Howard J. DeLong, Clarence J. DeLong, Mabel S. Ainey, Naomi R. "Naomah" DeLong and George Washington DeLong Jr.
The DeLongs spent the winter of 1895 living with Aquilla's parents in Longswamp Township, returning to Wescosville that spring, At the time, he was employed as superintendent of the ore bed of local business owner Henry Benfield. He was a member of the Cedar Council of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics of Wescosville.
The Allentown Leader once called Washington "one of the jolliest men in the vicinity" and Aquilla "amiable." When she delivered their fifth child in October 1895, said the Leader, "His audible smiles and whistling tones, harmonizing with scores of congratulations, are to be heard echoing everywhere."
In 1900, the DeLongs made a home in the East Texas section of Lower Macungie, and circa 1903 they lived in a tenant house in Wescosville belonging to Owen W. Bastian, with Washington laboring at that time for Clinton T. Bastian.
Deep sadness enveloped this family when the 40-year-old Washington contracted influenza in the winter of 1903, and, unable to recover, passed away on Feb. 30, 1903. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call said he was survived by his wife "and seven children, five daughters and two sons, ranging in age from 2 to 18 years." The Morning Call also named among his survivors his siblings Peter DeLong, Mrs. Henry Fritch, Mrs. Henry Ochs, Mrs. George Lengle and Mrs. William Krause. Funeral services were held at home and then in the Longswamp Church, led by Rev. Nevin Helfrich. His funeral sermon was based on the scripture verse John 14:5: "Jesus saith unto them 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one cometh unto the Father but by Me'." Only daughter Ella, burdened with pneumonia, was sick in bed at home and unable to attend the funeral. The remains were lowered into repose in the church cemetery, borne by pallbearers from the JOUAM, Aaron A. Kuhns, Allen Sell, Percival Knappenberger, N.M. Stettler, W.H.T. Kuhns and Preston M. Bastian.
A year later, in 1904, Aquilla lost her daughter Naomi at the tender age of two years and 10 months. The Morning Call said in an obituary that the dead girl had "a seven-months-old brother who is at present very ill. Her father died about 10 months ago." Following funeral services held in the family home, interment was in Longswamp Church Cemetery.
Aquilla appears to have moved into the city of Allentown by 1908. After seven years as a widow, in about 1910, Aquilla married her second husband was Charles L. Wolf (1862-1916). He had been married before and brought a son to the union, Arthur Wolf.
Sadly, the second marriage only lasted for six years until his untimely death in 1910.
Aquilla returned to a widow's life and was so for more than half a century. Sadly, she endured the deaths of at least four of her children over those years. In 1923, when she was named in the newspaper obituary of her sister Marietta, she lived at 910 Chew Street. Her address in the early 1960s was 242½ North Hall Street in Allentown. When she celebrated her 91st birthday in 1959, the family held a dinner, and a story was published in the Morning Call.
On Feb. 11, 1964, at the age of 95, she died in Allentown from the effects of cancer of her left breast, which she had endured for four years. She rests for eternity in Longswamp Union Cemetery. Daughter Mabel Ainey signed the death certificate.
Daughter Mamie DeLong (1886-1940) was born on June 26, 1886 in Wescosville, Longswamp Township. She moved to Allentown at the age of 14 in 1900 and married barber J. Radley Frey ( ? - ? ). The couple did not reproduce. They dwelled at 445 North 10th Street in Allentown and were members of the Zion Reformed Church. She also belonged to the Star Council of the Daughters of America. Suffering from cancer of the bladder at the age of 54, she was admitted to Allentown Hospital on Sept. 20, 1940. She only lived for another few weeks and died on Oct. 9, 1940. Interment was in Arlington Memorial Park, presumably with her pastor officiating, Rev. Simon Sipple.
Daughter Ella Katie DeLong (1889-1984) was born in about 1889 in Longswamp Township. In 1903, in the obituary of her father, the 14-year-old Ella was said to be "with David H. Gilbert, of the East Wescosville Hotel." On June 27, 1908, in nuptials held in Doylestown, PA, she wedded Edwin G. Strauss ( ? - ? ). Rev. Simon Sipple officiated. They were the parents of Mrs. Phaon Weaver and Kenneth Strauss. Their residence for many years was in Macungie, with an address circa 1953 of 9 Coach Street. For more than 44 years, Edwin worked as a clerk at the E.B. Schultz Hardware Store. He also was the tax collector for the borough of Macungie, and in 1953 told the Allentown Morning Call that he had "100 percent collections during the past five years." They were members of Solomon's Evangelical and Reformed Church, later known as Solomon's United Church of Christ. The couple celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in June 1953 with a family dinner at the fire hall in Macungie. The Morning Call published a story about the anniversary along with a photograph of the couple. Ella spent her final years in the Phoebe-Devitt Home in Allentown and at the age of 95 died in Allentown Hospital on Feb. 13, 1984.
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Granddaughter (?) Strauss ( ? - ? ) wedded Phaon Weaver. They lived at 145 Pine Street in Emmaus in the early 1950s.
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Grandson Kenneth Strauss ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). On June 29, 1940, he was joined in matrimony with Carolyn Frey ( ? - ? ), daughter of Fred Frey of Topton. They dwelled in Topton in 1953.
Daughter Minnie L. DeLong (1891-1974) may have been born in 1891 in Wescosville. She was united in matrimony with Joseph U. Sechler ( ? - ? ). The couple did not reproduce. They lived in Macungie in 1953 and attended her sister Ella's 45th wedding anniversary party in June 1953. Their address in Macungie was 148 East Main Street. Over the years, they were members of the United Church of Christ congregatin of St. Paul's Union Church in Trexlertown. At the end, Minnie was admitted to the Phoebe-Devitt Home in Allentown. She succumbed there at the age of 83 on Nov. 11, 1974, with an obituary appearing in the Allentown Morning Call.
Daughter Mabel S. DeLong (1898-1987) was born in about 1898 in Wescosville. She was joined in wedlock with William H. Ainey Jr. ( ? - ? ), son of William H. Ainey Sr. They were the parents of Kathryn A. Smith. The family belonged to Zion's United Church of Christ in Allentown, and Mabel served as president of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post and the Major General C.T. O'Neill Auxiliary. In 1953-1987, she lived with her married daughter Kathryn at 2322 Tilghman Street in Allentown. Mabel passed away in Allentown Hospital at the age of 89 on March 5, 1987. The Allentown Morning Call printed an obituary.
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Granddaughter Kathryn Ainey ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In March 1948, she married Charles F.O. Smith ( ? - ? ), son of Claude Smith. Their only known daughter was Sally Ann Smith. Charles earned a living as a cabinet make with Allen Organ Company of Macungie. The Allentown Morning Call once reported that their favorite vacation spot was the Breckenridge Resort Hotel in St. Petersburg, FL. Their address in 1987 was 2322 Tilghman Street in Allentown.
Son Howard J. DeLong (1894-1973) was born in about 1894. He married Maude Guth ( ? - ? ). They produced four offspring -- Joyce Apt, Frances Deutsch, Woodrow DeLong and Molton DeLong. Over the span of 48 years, from 1911 to 1959, he ws employed as a packer by Lehigh Portland Cement. They made a home in Fogelsville and were members of St. John's Lutheran Church. After retirement in 1959, they relocated into the home of their married daughter Joyce Apt in Atlantic City, NJ, living at 133 South Bartram Avenue. Howard died in the Apt residence at the age of 79 on Feb. 26, 1973. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call reported that he was survived by six grandchildren.
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Granddaughter Joyce DeLong married Stanley Apt. They dwelled in Atlantic City, NJ in 1973.
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Granddaughter Frances DeLong wedded Rudolpoh Deutsch. In 1973, their home was in Las Vegas.
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Grandson Woodrow DeLong resided in Allentown.
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Grandson Molton DeLong lived in 1973 in Falls Church, VA.
Son Clarence J. DeLong (1895-1953) was born on Oct. 11, 1896 in Wescosville, Lehigh County. He never married. He served in the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. Over the years, Clarence earned a living as a butcher, working for Kehm's Meat Market. He was a social member of the Allentown Marine Band Association and the Forrest Lodge of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of near Sellersville. In the early 1950s, his address was 242½ North Hall Street in Allentown. He became ill with colon cancer and emphysema in 1952 and, after suffering for about a year, was admitted to Allentown Hospital in June 1953. Unable to recover, he died at the age of 57 on July 9, 1953. His sister Mabel Ainey of 2322 Tilghman Street signed the death certificate. Interment was in Grandview Cemetery in Allentown, with an obituary appearing in the Allentown Morning Call.
Son George Washington DeLong (1897?- ? ) may have been born in about 1897. At the age of two, reported the Allentown Leader, he "fell backward over a high chair and one of the rungs penetrated the body. The wound is an ugly one, but Dr. Miller says the child will recover." He may have died at the age of two years and 14 days, with burial in Longswamp Union Church Cemetery.
Stepson Arthur Wolfe ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He dwelled with his mother and step-brother Clarence in Allentown in the 1950s-1964 at 242½ North Hall Street.
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