My Genealogy Hound

HENRY W. KLUSMEYER has been for the past seven years engaged in carrying on a coal business in Easton. He is a leading Democratic politician, and though a resident of a Republican ward was elected by his friends to serve as a member of the City Council, and as such was Chairman of the Committees on Water and Light, doing efficient work in various directions. He is a native of Northampton County, having been born in South Easton, February 28, 1845, and there he grew to manhood and received his educational advantages.

Christian Klusmeyer, the father of our subject, was born in Hanover, Germany, New Year’s Day, 1811, and when a young man of about twenty-two years left the Fatherland, coming to the New World to seek his fortune. He had received a meager education in his mother tongue, and on arriving in the United States secured a position as boatman on the Lehigh Canal, which post he held until 1847. During this time he became interested in operating a store and hotel, and various other enterprises. At one time he owned as many as thirty-five boats engaged in transportation, and in addition to other investments made a considerable sum by his dealings in horses and mules. He was actively engaged in business until about a year prior to his death, which occurred December 14, 1874. He was a Democrat in politics, belonged to the Odd Fellows’ fraternity, and religiously was a member of the Lutheran Church. His home was for a great many years in the vicinity of the town of Easton. By his marriage with Anna K. Herrmann he was the father of seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Mary, wife of Willibald Kuebler, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Henry W.; Jacob F.; Christian C.; and Emma, Mrs. Abram Hay, of Easton. Those who have passed from this life are William H., and Caroline C., who was the wife of Bernhard Kurth.

After completing his education Henry W. Klusmeyer went into his father’s employ and worked for him until the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted in Company H, of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanded in turn by Captain Witherell, Captain Seip and Captain Fleming. Being ordered to Washington, he was there in quarters for a short time and then proceeded to Fortress Monroe and Hampton Roads. At those points he wasstationed until the Peninsular campaign of 1862, when five companies of the regiment went with General MacClellan, while the remaining companies took possession of Norfolk, Va., our subject going with the latter. He was only sixteen years old when he enlisted in the service, and to the defense of the Old Flag he devoted the next three years of his life. Among the many important battles in which he took part were those of Deserted House, Ft. Franklin or Black Water River, the three-weeks siege of Suffolk, Va., Garrett’s Station, N. O, Ream’s Station, near Richmond, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Richmond, Bermuda Hundred and Johnson’s Farm. It is quite remarkable that during all this active and arduous performance of duty he received no wounds, though of course he suffered the usual privations and hardships which fell to the common lot of our country’s defenders. After his honorable discharge, October 11, 1864, our subject returned home.

Until 1866 Mr. Klusmeyer remained on the canal in the transportation business, and then, going to a place called Hope, he embarked in merchandising. From 1867 till 1872 he was employed in a similar line of work in Mauch Chunk, Pa., selling out the same in May of the latter year. For the next two years he was once more in his father’s employ, and from 1874 to 1879 operated the store for himself. March 14, 1879, he went into business with his brother-in-law in his bottling works, and there continued until March, 1887. Since the last-named date he has been occupied in running a coal business and has built up a lucrative trade. Religiously he holds membership with the Lutheran Church, belonging to the Council of the congregation. Socially he is identified with Amana Lodge No. 77, K. of P., and with Post No. 217, G. A. R., of Easton.

April 14, 1873, Mr. Klusmeyer married Elizabeth Carman, of this place, and of their union seven children were born, as follows: Herman T., Henry Chester, William H., Louis Carman (deceased), Charles L., Cornelia and Elizabeth.