My Genealogy Hound

HOWARD A. HARTZELL has been for almost a quarter of a century connected with the well known firm of M. E. Abel & Co., and now occupies the responsible position of foreman and manager of the manufacturing department. This firm does the largest business in Easton in the confectionery line, and their outside sales have increased surprisingly of late years. Mr. Hartzell is an active Republican, and has been much interested in municipal affairs. At present he is serving his second term in the Select Council, and previously he was for two terms a member of the Common Council. His popularity as a citizen, and his high sense of trust and honor as a representative of the public, are abundantly shown by the fact that though his residence is in a very strong Democratic ward, he has, nevertheless, secured a majority of votes on numerous occasions.

The Hartzell name frequently appears in the annals of Easton and vicinity, where members of the family have resided for several generations. They are of German descent, and the first one of whom anything is definitely known was Christopher Hartzell, the great-grandfather of our subject. In the early part of his life he ran a hotel at Easton. The parents of our subject were John and Ann (Gould) Hartzell.

The birth of H. A. Hartzell occurred February 19, 1853, at Easton. In his boyhood he attended the public schools of this city until he was fourteen years of age, when it became necessary for him to earn his own livelihood. For a year and a-half he worked in the capacity of clerk in a carpet house, and subsequently was employed by N. W. Clark, a grocer, for two years. The boy wisely concluded that it would be best for him to learn a regular trade, and began serving an apprenticeship for Mr. Abel, a wholesale and retail dealer in and manufacturer of confectionery. Twenty-four years have elapsed since the youth entered that gentleman’s employ, and he may be still found, as he has ever been, at his post of duty, faithfully maintaining his superiors’ best interests. He has risen from an ordinary workman to be foreman and general manager in the manufacturing department, and brings to bear upon his work a thorough knowledge of the business, and long-cultivated habits of industry and perseverance in whatever he undertakes.

In social and benevolent organizations Mr. Hartzell has always taken a great interest. He is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and council. He is Past Master of the blue lodge and its present representative to the grand lodge. In Easton Chapter he is Past High Priest, and is a member of Hugh De Payen’s Commandery. In Lehighton Lodge No. 244, I. O. O. F., he is Past Noble Grand and Trustee, and is Past Chief Patriarch of the Odd Fellows Valley Union Encampment. In Easton Council No. 984, Jr. O. U. A. M., he holds the office of Treasurer, and is one of its charter members. Among the other orders to which he belongs are the Knights of Malta and the Heptasophs, he being a charter member of the latter.

Mr. Hartzell was united in marriage with Miss Isabel, daughter of John Abel, of this city. Our worthy subject and wife have a very pleasant home, whose hospitable doors swing freely open for the reception and entertainment of their many friends and acquaintances, who hold them in high esteem. Mr. Hartzell, who has long been identified with all movements having for their object the welfare of his fellow-citizens and the prosperity of the community at large, is a Director in the West Ward Building and Loan Association.