John N. Lawfer

  General Notes:

From the 1906 Lauffer History

John N. Lawfer, throughout the period of his business career actively and prominently connected with one of the leading department stores, W.R. Lawfer & Co., of Allentown, was born in Kreidersville, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1860, and is an honored representative of one of the old American families, whose connection with the new world dates back to the seventeenth century. His great- grandfather was Peter Lawfer, and his grandparents were Jacob and Leah (Steckel) Lawfer, natives of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Jacob Lawfer was a farmer by occupation, and conducted his operations for many years on the old family homestead in Moore township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Among the children born to him was a son, William R, Lawfer. William R. Lawfer, father of John N. Lawfer, was born August 5, 1838, on the old homestead in Moore township. Northampton county, died at Allentown, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1900, and his remains were interred in Fairview Cemetery, Allentown. The days of William R. Lawfer's boyhood and youth were passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. He assisted in the labors for which his age and strength fitted him, and attended the common schools until thirteen years of age, when he entered upon his business career as a clerk in the store of his uncle, Aaron Steckel, with whom he remained for six months. He was employed by Stephen Raeder, of Bath, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1851, and continued in that position until the business was sold. After which he remained with Flick & Smock, successors of his former employer, for four years. Desirous then of enjoying better educational privileges than had previously been afforded him, he became a pupil in the select school taught by Dr. Thomas C. Apple, and subsequently continued his studies in the Phillip Lehman select school, at Easton, Pennsylvania, taught by John H. Oliver. Resuming his place in the business world, he was employed in the general store of Joseph Wanamaker, (a relative of John Wanamaker, the famous Philadelphia and New York merchant), in Kreidersville, Pennsylvania, and afterwards by A. H. and Amos Hahn, in Bath, with whom he continued for eight years. During the year 1865-66 He was a salesman in the store of Hon. Joseph Laubach, Stemton, Pennsylvania, and in the latter named year became a resident of Allentown. Then he entered into a partnership with W. R. Steckel under the firm style of Lawfer & Steckel. They carried a large stock of dry goods and groceries, and the Business was continued by the original partners until 1874, when Mr. Steckel disposed of his interest to George W. Hartzell, and in 1876 Mr. Hartzell was succeeded by Jacob Lawfer, a brother of William R Lawfer. At the expiration of three years time the sons of William R. Lawfer - J. Harry, John N. and Alvin W. -- entered the firm. They conducted an extensive department store, covering acres of floor space, which is still one of the leading mercantile enterprises of the city. Mr. Lawfer was a director in the Allentown National Bank, a member of the board of trustees of the Allentown College for Women, and one of the charter members of the Allentown Hospital. He was interested in all matters calculated to advance the welfare of the community. He was very active in religious and benevolent work, held membership in the Zion Reformed Church, represented the Congregation as delegate elder at meetings of classes and synod, and also served as superintendent of the Sunday school connected therewith for many years. He was a member of the board of directors of the Bethany Orphan Home of the Reformed Church, at Womelsdorf, Berks county, Pennsylvania. In 1857 William R. Lawfer was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Kleppinger, a daughter of John Kleppinger, a prominent and successful farmer near Siegfried's Bridge, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania. John N. Lawfer, son of William R. and Hannah (Kleppinger) Lawfer, was reared in Allentown, Pennsylvania, acquired a knowledge of the rudimentary branches of study in its public schools, later was a student at Muhlenberg College, and completed his education at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He received his business training in his father's store, and after serving in the capacity of salesman for some time was admitted to a partnership. Mr. Lawfer, who is clear headed. enterprising and discriminating in his business methods, became quickly recognized as a progressive merchant, and his keen sagacity and strong purpose, which were salient elements in his career, combined with strict integrity won for him a prominent place in the commercial circles of Allentown, where his word is considered as good as his bond. The enterprise with which he is connected is conducted along modern business lines, and its great increase in trade during recent years is in a large measure due to the capable and efficient efforts of John N. Lawfer. Aside from his extensive business interests, Mr. Lawfer devotes considerable of his time and means to benevolent work more particularly in behalf of orphans, being an active and potent factor in the success of the Bethany Orphan Home of the Reformed church, at Womelsdorf, Berks county, with which his father was for many years actively identified. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Phoebe Deconess and Old Folks Home of Allentown. He is a member of St. John's Reformed church, and served in its board for a number of years. Mr. Lawfer enjoys the acquaintance of a wide circle of friends, who admire him for his many excellent characteristics, and he and his family occupy an enviable position in the social life of Allentown. Mr. Lawfer so closely resembled his father in looks, disposition and physique that he was often taken for his brother. John N. Lawfer was married to Miss Irene C. Saeger, daughter of Henry J. Saeger, and they became the parents of five children: Emily M., Charles H., who died in infancy; Harold S., Marian S., who also died in infancy; and William R. Lawfer. Mr. Lawfer is a faithful and devoted husband, a kind and indulgent father, and their home is noted for the utmost hospitality.



HOW WE LEARNED OF OUR WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA ANCESTORS.

While sitting at my desk at my place of business, W. R. Lawfer & Co., Allentown, Pa., July 5th, 1902, a friend of mine came to me and handed me the "North American" published at Philadelphia, July 5th, 1902, containing the picture of My Name Sake the "Centenarian John Lauffer," of Harrison City, Pennsylvania. I at once noticed the resemblance of this old gentleman to that of my Grand Father Jacob Lawfer. I took the paper, covered the names and showed it to my uncle Jacob A. Lawfer, and asked him, who it looked like. He at once said it look like his father, who was my Grand Father. Being desirous of knowing more of our western relatives of whom I had often heard my father W. R. Lawfer speak, I addressed a letter to Rev. Stanley Krebbs, of Greensburg, Pa., formerly of Allentown, Pa., who informed me that he had a number of "Lawfers" belonging to his Reformed congregation. I addressed a letter to Mr. Joseph A. Lauffer, Greensburg, Pa., who mailed me a history of the "Lauffers," which had been prepared for their gathering, which was held July 4th, 1903. I became very much interested which led to more correspondence and was followed by my visiting Greensburg, Pa., several months later, where we were furnishing a new theatre for Messrs. Good &: Son. I met he Centenarian John Lauffer at his home in Harrison City in company with Dr. Charles A. Lauffer, Joseph A. Lauffer and Lawyer Lauffer. I was very much pleased with the conversation I had with our old relative, and shall never forget; --when he was asked by his daughter, who he thought I was, he remarked, "Well it looks like a Lauffer and I suppose he is one of our Eastern relatives." After asking him what kind of people these Western Pennsylvania Lauffers were, he said, "well they have always been able to keep out of jail," which remark brought forth a hearty laugh from all of us. His story of his trip to Easton, where he drove cattle to Philadelphia, where he went

to see the ships, and to visit the Old Homestead; near the Stone church where he went to see his Uncle Peter,- was very interesting and will never be forgotten by the writer, who was much entertained by his way of stating thing- they happened about eighty odd years before. Several weeks later the writer and his wife again visited this Renowned gentleman and were much pleased with his anecdotes and his remarkable memory.

His daughter, who kept house for him, certainly was a great comfort to her father.

John N. Lawfer, Allentown, Pa

John married Irene C. Saeger on 1 Dec 1881 in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.