Before . . . (Photo c.2009 by Richard F. Hope)

. . . After ! (Photo 2012 by Richard F. Hope)

Laubach’s Department Store Building (322-36 Northampton Street)

The Laubach’s Department Store buildings complex occupies the entire block between bank Street and Hess’s Alley, from Northampton Street to Pine Street. It replaced a number of earlier buildings. The main building was identified as being in the “Greek Revival/Italianate” architectural styles.1

The John Rinker Hotel Property

In Colonial times, the Eastern portion of this property at the corner with what later became Bank Street was original Town Lot No.169 (as surveyed by William Parsons when Easton was founded in 1752).2 John “Fricker” obtained a warrant and had this Lot surveyed by William Parsons in 1754.3 John “Friker” is included on a list of licensed tavern owners in June 1755,4 and John “Fricker” was among those donating to the construction of the first Easton schoolhouse in the same year.5 A somewhat confusing note on a later survey of the land indicates that the “Fricker” Family conveyed the property to “John Rincker” for a valuable consideration.6

John Friker/Fricker also owned the tavern property at the SW corner of Northampton and Hamilton (now called 4th) Streets, which his estate sold to John Rinker in 1772.7

2 A.D. Chidsey, A Frontier Village: Pre-Revolutionary Easton 262 (Vol. III of Publications of The Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society 1940)(Building No.61); A.D. Chidsey, Jr., The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware Plan of Easton, Map 2 (Vol. II of Publications of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1937), citing Patent, Penn Family to John Rinker, Patent Book A18 295 (6 June 1765), indexed online at www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17PatentIndexes/A-AAPatentIndex262.pdf. See also Northampton County Warrant No. R49 issued to John Rinker, Patent Book A18 295 (4 June 1765, returned 5 June 1765), indexed online for Northampton County Warrant p.145, Warrant No.49, indexed online at www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-88WarrantRegisters/NorthamptonPages/Northampton145.pdf, survey returned at Survey Book C169 270 (27 May 1765, returned 5 June 1765)(laid out for John Fricker, deceased).

3 See Northampton County Warrant F21 issued to John Fricker, indexed online at Northampton County p.57 Warrant No.21 www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-88WarrantRegisters/NorthamptonPages/Northampton57.pdf (11 Feb. 1754, returned 5 June 1755), survey copied at Survey Book C48 125 (returned 9 Mar. 1754), available online at www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-114CopiedSurveyBooks/Books%20C1-C234/Book%20C048/Book%20C-048%20pg%20252.pdf (survey) and http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-114CopiedSurveyBooks/Books%20C1-C234/Book%20C048/Book%20C-048%20pg%20253.pdf (reverse side).

4 His name was replaced by Henry Rinker on a similar list in September of that same year. Compare Return of Constables from Easton, Return of Liquor by Small [measure] (17 June 1755)(single page document in 1755 court file at Northampton County Archives)(showing Adam Yohe, Peter Kitlin [presumably, Kichlein], John Friker, Nathaniel Vernon, and “Meyar Hart by quarts and gallon”) with Return of Constables from Easton, Sellers of Spiritous Liquors in Easton (16 Sept. 1755)( single page document in 1755 court file at Northampton County Archives)(showing Adam Johe, Peter Kitlin, Nathaniel “Warning” [presumably, Vernon], and Henry Rinker, all “by License”, and Meyer Hart “by quarts & Gallon”).

5 Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 17 (George W. West 1885 / 1889)(John Fricker subscribed £ 1 6 shillings).

6 Survey Book C169 270 (27 May 1765, returned 5 June 1765). The survey was done for John Fricker, but who the text indicates was then deceased. The notation indicated that Anthony Fricker [perhaps John Fricker’s heir?] had sold the property in his lifetime to John Rincker. Note that the purchaser was John Rincker, not Henry Rinker who had succeeded Friker on the tavern owners list in 1755.

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John Rinker’s inn was utilized as the headquarters of the Quakers during the 1757-58 Indian Treaty Conferences.8

In December of 1758, apparently just after Nathaniel Vernon’s departure from Easton after the Treaty Conferences, John Rinker petitioned County Court for a recommendation to take over Vernon’s license, stating that Rinker “now dwells at the ferry house in Easton, where a Tavern was formerly kept”. This application was endorsed as “Allowed”.9

By contrast, Henry Rinker’s tavern was located at what is now numbered 26 South 3rd Street.10

John Rinker formally acquired title from the Penn Family for his Northampton Street Lot in 1765.11 A survey in that year described John Rinker’s Northampton Street property as containing “a large square Log or Plank dwelling house 28 Ft 2 Story high with a Stone Chimney Stables and Other Improvements”.12

In 1766, John Rinker lost his building in a Sheriff’s sale to John Arndt, over a debt that Rinker owed to George Taylor13 (Easton’s signer of the Declaration of Independence14).

John Arndt was the son of prominent Forks Township miller and farmer Major Jacob Arndt. John Arndt would later become a Captain in Washington’s Army during the Revolutionary War, and a prominent Easton politician after the Revolution. Much later, he would become the operator of the Arndt’s Hotel across the alley from Rinker’s Hotel.15

In 1767 (the year after he purchased the Rinker property), Arndt resold it to the German Reformed Congregations of Easton and three other local communities, to become their parsonage.16 Despite its actual affiliation of the parsonage with the German Calvinist congregations, the property was nevertheless frequently referred to in 1776 as the “Presbyterian Parsonage”.17 It is possible that the Scots-Irish Calvinist Presbyterians, having no separate church of their own, had a relationship with their German co-religionists in the building.

The building was transformed back into a hotel by George Vogel – perhaps beginning in approximately 1777 as proposed by one authority,18 but more likely when Vogel purchased the property from the German Reformed Congregations in 1794 for £505, including the parsonage “House”.19 This house was apparently a small two-story house with four window bays and a highly pitched roof,20 which was probably substantially the same two-story “Log or Plank” building described in the 1765 survey (see above). After George Vogel’s death, his estate sold the property in 1798 to John Mulhollon for £1165 in order to pay the estate’s debts.21 This large increase in sale price (over what Vogel had paid to the church congregations) may indicate that Vogel improved the house and/or built additional buildings on the Lot to increase its value, probably in connection with its conversion back to hotel use.

7 Deed, Anthony Fricker and Joseph Kole, Executors of the Will of John Fricker, to Adam Yohe, B2 86 (4 Aug. 1772). See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 400 Northampton Street.

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The 1798 purchaser, John Mulhollon subdivided the property. He apparently sold off a strip of land on the western end of the property prior to 1801.22 He then sold a building and the strip of land at the corner with Bank Alley (now Bank Street) for £401.23 Edward Lackey briefly re-acquired the parcels and re-united the Lot later in 1801,24 but he later sold it off again in two separate eastern and western pieces.

First , in 1807, Lackey sold the eastern piece along what became Bank Street, together with a building at the corner with Northampton Street, to John Green,25 a large Easton landowner.26 A year later, John Green sold off the front of his parcel and the building at the corner to Nathan Gulick.27 A year

22 No deed has been located for this sale. However, on 12 January 1801 the property was seized from Charles Kachlein by the Sheriff, and sold to Edward Lackey. Deed Poll, Nicholas Kern, Sheriff, for Charles Kachlein, to Edward Lackey, D3 275 (12 Jan. 1801)(land with a frontage of 27’ on Northampton Street, depth not legible, reciting the property to the East as once part of John Mulhollon’s property and to the West as belonging at one time to Jacob Opp).

23 Deed, John (Sarah) Mulhollon to Daniel Herster, H2 138 (17 Apr. 1801)(sale price £ 401 for part of Lot No.169 with frontage of 28’ on Northampton Street X 220’ deep). This piece of property was sold twice more in that same year, each time at slightly higher prices. Deed, Daniel (Catharine) Herster to Jacob Hart, H2 137 (1 July 1801)(sale price £ 425); Deed, Jacob Hart to Edward Lackey, H2 140 (9 Sept. 1801)(sale price £ 451).

24 Before purchasing the corner property in September (see above), Lackey had acquired the western half at a Sheriff’s sale in January. Deed Poll, Nicholas Kern, Sheriff, for Charles Kachlein, to Edward Lackey, D3 275 (12 Jan. 1801)(sale price $1400 for “stone Messuage” to pay off debt of £ 513 plus damages).

1 City of Easton, Pennsylvania Historic Resource Survey Form, Attachment: Building Description Survey Area 1 Zone H (City Council Resolution approved 12 May 1982).

8 James A. Wright, Colonial Taverns of Northampton County, Pennsylvania 9 (1993)(SW corner of Bank and Northampton Streets)(Quakers); A.D. Chidsey, A Frontier Village: Pre-Revolutionary Easton 234-35, 262-63 (Vol. III of Publications of The Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society 1940)(Building Number 61; original title dated 1765 but Rinker had previously built a house on the lot; residence during the Indian treaty conferences of “a number of citizens from Philadelphia”).

Two authorities appear to have concluded (based upon an 1800 engraving) that the corner at Bank Street had a short 2-story house that was Frederick Nungessor’s Hotel (and after 1785, the Widow Nungessor’s Hotel), while Rinker’s Hotel was the second building from the corner. William J. Heller, Historic Easton from the Window of a Trolley-Car plate facing 10 (Express Printing Co. and Harmony Press 1911, reprinted 1984); Leonard S. Buscemi, Sr., The Easton-Phillipsburg 1999 Calendar unnumbered p.21 (Buscemi Enterprises 1998). This appears to be incorrect. See Chidsey, A Frontier Village, supra at 234-35, 258 (shows Rinker’s Tavern at the corner with Bank Street); A.D. Chidsey, Jr., The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware Plan of Easton, Map 2 (Vol. II of Publications of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1937)(Frederick and Christina Nungesser received Original Town Lot Nos. 132 and 133 from the Penn Family, located on Centre Square to the East of Bank Alley); Deed, Patent, Tomas Penn and Richard Penn to Frederick Nungesser, Patent Book A18 390 (8 Feb. 1765), as cited in Deed, Isaac (Elizabeth) Sidman to Peter Miller, H2 437 (30 Nov. 1802)(regarding Original Lot No.132); Deed, John Penn the Younger and John Penn the Elder to Christina Nungesser, B2 558 (27 Oct. 1789)(regarding Original Lot No.133); James A. Wright, Colonial Taverns of Northampton County, Pennsylvania 6, 8-9 (1993)(Nungessor’s Hotel located near Widow Bush’s Tavern in the SW corner of Centre Square);

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after that (i.e., in 1809), this property was jointly purchased by Elijah P. Hunt and John B. Hunt.28

Second , Edward Lackey sold off the western piece of the Lot in 1808 (the year following his sale to John Green).29 By 1810, this western piece became the property of Philip Odenwelder. Odenwelder’s land contained a stone house.30 Because Rinker’s inn of Colonial days was described in 1765 as being a “Lot or Plank” building (and not of stone), it would appear that the inn must not have been the building on the portion of the property purchased by Odenwelder. Accordingly, the Colonial inn must have been located on the portion at the corner purchased by the Hunts.31

9 The Petition of John Rinker (9 Dec. 1758), in Northampton County Achives, Box labeled “Photostatic Copies of Tavern Licenses Found in Criminal Section (Criminal dockets) 1753 – 1784” (reviewed 21 Dec. 2011).

10 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 26 South 3rd Street. 11 A.D. Chidsey, A Frontier Village: Pre-Revolutionary Easton 262 (Vol. III of Publications

of The Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society 1940)(Building No.61); A.D. Chidsey, Jr., The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware Plan of Easton, Map 2 (Vol. II of Publications of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1937), citing Patent, Penn Family to John Rinker, Patent Book A18 295 (6 June 1765), indexed online at www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17PatentIndexes/A-AAPatentIndex262.pdf. See also Northampton County Warrant No. R49 issued to John Rinker, Patent Book A18 295 (4 June 1765, returned 5 June 1765), indexed online for Northampton County Warrant p.145, Warrant No.49, indexed online at www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-88WarrantRegisters/NorthamptonPages/Northampton145.pdf, survey returned at Survey Book C169 270 (27 May 1765, returned 5 June 1765)(laid out for John Fricker, deceased).

12 Survey Book C169 270 (27 May 1765, returned 5 June 1765). 13 A.D. Chidsey, A Frontier Village: Pre-Revolutionary Easton 234-35, 262-63 (Vol. III of

Publications of The Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society 1940)(Building No.61).

14 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entries for the Bachmann Publick House at 169 Northampton Street, and the Parsons-Taylor House at 60 South 4th Street.

15 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Easton National Bank Building at 316 Northampton Street.

16 Deed, Jacob Arndt to Lewis Know, et al., in Trust for four Protestant Reformed German Congregations, B1 34 (22 Jan. 1767)(specifying Lot No.169 measuring 55’ on Northampton Street X 220’ deep); see A.D. Chidsey, A Frontier Village: Pre-Revolutionary Easton 262-63 (Vol. III of Publications of The Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society 1940). A later deed specifies that the four Congregations were Easton, Bethlehem, Plainfield, and Greenwich N.J. Deed, Philip Odenwelder the Younger, et al., Trustees of the four Protestant Evangelic Reformed German Congregations, to George Vogel, H2 139 (1 Apr. 1794).

17 A.D. Chidsey, A Frontier Village: Pre-Revolutionary Easton 234-35, 262-63 (Vol. III of Publications of The Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society 1940).

18 Buscemi, The Easton-Phillipsburg 1999 Calendar, supra; Wright, Colonial Taverns of Northampton County, Pennsylvania, supra.

19 Deed, Philip Odenwelder the Younger, et al., Trustees of the four Protestant Evangelic Reformed German Congregations, to George Vogel, H2 139 (1 Apr. 1794).

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In 1812, a release of the ground rents owed to the Penn Family was jointly obtained by Philip Odenwelder, Elijah P Hunt and John Green. This document identifies Odenwelder as a storekeeper, Elijah Hunt as a saddler, and John Green as a “Gentleman”.32

At about this time, John Arndt’s Hotel stood across the alley (later called Bank Street) from the Hunts’ property. Arndt’s Hotel became very popular in part due to a young member of staff named William “Chippy” White. White’s nickname, “Chippy”, reflected his ability to “tell a humorous story and crack a joke in such a way as to give life to the company without giving offense.” “He was a man of very keen wit and ready repartee. . . . Few names were better known or more pleasantly remembered than his.”33

20 Based upon a woodcut of Northampton Street published in the September 1798 edition of the Pennsylvania Monthly Magazine, reprinted in, e.g., Rayner Wickersham Kelsey, At the Forks of the Delaware 1794 – 1811 plate facing p.2 (The Pennsylvania History Press 1920)(attributes picture to 1800); William J. Heller, Historic Easton from the Window of a Trolley-Car plate facing p.12 (The Express Printing Co., Inc., 1912, reprinted by Genealogical Researchers, 1984)(dated the picture to after the Revolution); Henry F. Marx, “Easton of Long Ago”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 19 Apr. 1930, p.13, cols. 3-4 (identifies the original publication of the picture). The picture is reproduced in the separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 344 Northampton Street, together with a footnote citing other authorities discussing it, and contextual reasons for dating the picture to 1797-98.

Heller’s caption to this engraving incorrectly places Rinker’s Hotel not at Bank Street, but as one building farther West. He made this mistake because he attempted to insert Nungesser’s Hotel onto Northampton Street (when in fact it was located on the other side of the property, facing Centre Square). Because of this mistake, Heller wrongfully assigned Nungesser’s name to Rinker’s Hotel, and then had to assign the next building as Rinker’s – which was actually Odenwelder’s house. Once his attempt to interpolate Nungesser’s is correct, the buildings fall back into line with the authorities (such as Chidsey) and the deed record. See A.D. Chidsey, Jr., A Frontier Village: Pre-Revolutionary Easton 234-35, 258 (vol. III of Publications of The Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society 1940)(Building No.50), and deeds and other authorities cited herein.

21 Deed, Abraham Bachman and Frederick Gewinner, Administrators of the Estate of George Vogel, to John Mulhollon, F2 299 (16 Apr. 1798)(sale price £ 1165 for Lot No.169 measuring 55’ X 220’).

25 Deed, Edward (Mary) Lackey to John Green, D3 275 (1 July 1807)(sale price $2,200 for “Tenement and part of a Lot” No.169 with 27’ 8” frontage on Northampton Street).

26 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entries for 30 Centre Square, 101 Northampton Street, 137-39 Northampton Street, and 316 Northampton Street.

On the day after his purchase, John Green sold back to Lackey a 6’ wide alleyway across Green’s land, linking Lackey’s remaining western parcel to the alley. Agreement, John Green to Edward Lackey, C3 237 (2 July 1807)(6’ wide alley strip, from Green’s property over to what later became known as Bank Street).

27 Deed, John (Rhoda) Green to Nathan Gulick, D3 118 (26 May 1808)(sale price $1433 for the corner land with a 27’ 8” frontage on Northampton Street, without the rear portion of the properly along Pine Alley that John Green had also purchased).

28 Deed, Nathan (Elizabeth) Gulick to Elijah P. Hunt and John B. Hunt, E3 81 (1 Apr. 1809)(sale price $2150). The deed recites that Elijah P. Hunt was a saddler. The depth of the property was 80’ on one side, but took a jog on the other side at a point 36’ from Northampton Street and 44’ from the back of the property.

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The success of Arndt’s Hotel generated overflow guests. One Easton historian recorded reminiscences that the house across the alley (i.e., the Hunt building) was converted by its “owner”, George Barnet, back into a tavern in part to take advantage of this overflow traffic. Indeed, the story relates that the overflow was so large, Barnet had to prevail upon his next door neighbor on the other side, “Michael” Odenwelder, to “cut a doorway through the wall for a passage into his home, for part of the overflow of the Arndt and Barnet guests.”34

There are some evident discrepancies between this story and the deed record, but a careful examination actually tends to confirm the main points. For example, although Philip (and not Michael) Odenwelder was the owner of the Odenwelder property at the

29 Deed, Edward (Mary) Lackey to John C. Ernst, D3 276 (8 Dec. 1808)(sale price $3,250 for property with frontage of 24’ 4”).

30 Deed, John C. (Sibilla Amelia) Ernst to Philip Odenwelder, F3 244 (21 Nov. 1810)(sale price $5,000 for “Stone Tenement & part of a Lot” with 24’ 4” frontage on Northampton Street).

31 Historian A.D. Chidsey, Jr., concurred in that conclusion. See A.D. Chidsey, A Frontier Village: Pre-Revolutionary Easton 234 (Vol. III of Publications of The Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society 1940)(Building No.61).

32 Deed, John Penn and William (Juliana Catharine) Penn to Philip Odenwelder Jr., Elijah P. Hunt and John Green, G3 462 (1 Mar. 1812)(release of 7s annual ground rents).

33 Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The Hisotry of Easton, Penn’a 166 (George W. West 1885 / 1889). 34 Floyd S. Bixler, The History with Reminiscences of the Early Taverns and Inns of

Easton, 11-12 (Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1931)( Paper Read before the Northampton County Historical Society at the St. Crispin Anniversary Dinner at the Lafayette Hotel on 25 Oct. 1930); see Buscemi, The Easton-Phillipsburg 1999 Calendar, supra at 16, 21.

According to Floyd Bixler’s account, yet further overflow guests from Arndt’s Hotel were housed in Peter Miller’s residence, next door to the East. See separate entry for Two Rivers Landing, 30 Centre Square.

The identity of the “George Barnet” involved is somewhat unclear. It may be the same George Barnet who owned property on the other side of Northampton Street from 1808 until 1821, and built the brick Hay Building still standing at 339-41 Northampton Street. Barnet got into financial trouble in 1821 through a $2,600 debt owed to the Bank of Pennsylvania. His property on the other side of Northampton Street was seized and sold at Sheriff’s sale in that year, although it appears that a family member purchased it. See Deed Poll, Marmaduke McMichael, Sheriff, for George Barnet, to William Barnet, H4 288 (25 Aug. 1821); see also separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Hay Building at 339-41 Northampton Street. There are numerous other mentions of George Barnet, including Article III of the Charter of Lafayette College, which lists him as one of the original College Trustees. See www.lafayette.edu/community/president/2008charter.pdf (accessed 23 Sept. 2009).

Genealogical records concerning this man are somewhat uncertain. There were three George Barnet’s in Easton for the 1840 Census: George Barnet and George C. Barnet living in the Lehigh Ward, and George W. Barnet living in the Bushkill Ward. 1840 Census, Roll 479, p.28 (George Barnet), p.31 (George C. Barnet), and p.9 (George W. Barnet) (accessed through www.ancestry.com 24 Sept. 2009). George Barnet was born 30 May 1783, and died on 25 May 1865, age 72, leaving a widow, 5 children, and 2 sisters, among other relatives. Record Book of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Easton, Pennsylvania (Easton Area Public Library Code B) 146 (copied in Easton Public Library May 1936). He would appear to have been about the right age for our story.

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time, Philip did later (in 1827) sell the property to Michael Odenwelder,35 his grandson.36 It is possible that the story mistook which Odenwelder was actually in possession prior to 1814.37 As to another point, George Barnet never does appear in the deed record as an owner of the Hunt property at the corner. However, co-owner Elijah P. Hunt’s wife was Susan Barnet38 – and thus presumably George Barnet’s relative. The other co-owner, John B. Hunt, was Elijah and Susan’s son39 and thus he was also a Barnet relative. [One might speculate that his middle initial “B” might well stand for his mother’s maiden name, “Barnet”.] It is thus entirely possible that George Barnet occupied or leased the building from the Hunts to run it as a tavern. Moreover, a relationship regarding the overflow guests from “Chippy” White’s is circumstantially corroborated by the fact that John B. Hunt (the younger co-owner) in 1835 married none other than Maria, a daughter of William “Chippy” White.40

After Elijah Hunt died in 1854,41 his son John B. Hunt ultimately acquired full ownership of the corner property.42 By 1873, his widow was living at 1 South Bank Street (evidently in the former hotel building), under the numbering scheme in effect at that time.43 With the inauguration of the modern street numbering scheme in 1874, Mrs. Hunt was assigned to 5 South Bank Street.44 A photograph made in the 1880s shows that by then the building at the corner had been expanded to 3-1/2 stories, with two large gables in the roof.45 Although the building was leased to William Laubach for his store (see below), formal ownership remained with the Hunt Family until the corner property was sold to Laubach in 1924.46

Meanwhile, Michael Odenwelder (next door) apparently also became a relation of the Barnet Family through marriage: he married Sarah Barnet.47 Odenwelder’s was a much taller house, with three window bays, a full two stories, and a further small gable in the roof.48 Michael Odenwelder operated a dry goods store on the premises, in which he eventually gave a partnership interest to his son, George. After Michael Odenwelder’s death in 1861, George took over the business fully.49 William Laubach took over this dry goods business, buying out the Odenwelder store in 1872 from which he launched his retail empire (see below).

Schematic (Not to Scale):

|------------Lot No. 169--------|----------Lot No. 170-------------|

Jacob Arndt’s

Bank Alley (Street)

Hunt

Odenwelder JacobOpp

One of the others listed in the census was probably George William Barnet (1803 – 1869), a founder of the iron industry in the area, who “built ‘Barnet’s Palace’ (so called by the townspeople) on the hill overlooking the Delaware where now stands Easton’s City Hall.” George Valentine Massey, Descendants of the Four Grandfathers of Walter Samuel, Jr. and Mary Louise (Wootten) Carpenter (1950)(available online through Heritage Quest). In 1950, Easton’s City Hall stood on Gallows Hill, although it has since been torn down. See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Alpha Building at 1 South 3rd Street, and sources cited therein. He appears to have been too young to be the person in our story.

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Hotel (later Clifton)

N o r t h a m p t o n S t r e e t

The Jacob Opp Property

Original Town Lot No.170 next to Odenwelder’s house (towards the West) was noted in the 1790s as having a “House built Fenced by Miss DeLion”.50 This is almost certainly a reference to a relative of prominent Easton merchant Meyer Hart’s wife, Rachel, the daughter of Esther and Abraham de Leon, who also had a sister Abigail.51 Easton 1767 Tax List lists “Delions widow” on page 1, while the 1768 Tax List for Easton at 2 lists “Lynos widow” as a “Shop” being taxed “for the House She Lives in”, and the 1770 Tax List for Easton lists “Lyons and owe for the house” on page 2, all probably referring to the Widow de Lyon.52 Rev. Trachtenberg, the modern expert on Easton’s Jewish community, concluded that this was almost certainly a reference to Meyer Hart’s mother-in-law and perhaps to his sister-in-law.53

In 1794, the property was formally obtained from the Penn Family by weaver Jacob Opp Jr. for £31 3s. “in Specie”.54 In 1798, Opp agreed to form a common alley with Jacob Mixsell, then the owner of the Meiner House next door to the West, and each of the two landowners contributing a small strip of land.55 Prior to 1813, Jacob Opp Jr. was the “landlord” of the Golden Swan Tavern/Hotel, located at what has since been renovated into the building at 460-62 Northampton Street.56 He was the son of Michael Opp, a weaver.57 He may have been a relative of Jacob Opp Sr., “the Inn-keeper” of Opp’s Inn (predecessor of the Hotel Lafayette).58 Jacob Opp Jr. moved away from Easton in 1813 to Dansville, New York.59 The next year, he sold Lot No.170 to Christian and David Butz for $14,600.60 Jacob Opp Jr. died in Dansville in 1848.61

Christian Butz was apparently the same person who succeeded to the proprietorship of Jacob Opp Sr.’s Tavern at 4th and Northampton Streets – the predecessor to the Hotel Lafayette of today.62 When Christian Butz died without a will, his half-interest in the property was split up among his 7 children, plus his widow Mary.63

David Butz (no doubt concerned about the complexities of dealing with all of Christian’s heirs) obtained agreement to partition (i.e. separate off) his interest in the property.64 Meanwhile, one of Christian Butz’s daughters, Elizabeth, was married to Philip Odenwelder, the owner of the Odenwelder property next door.65 In 1824, Philip and Elizabeth Odenwelder acquired the property interests of Elizabeth’s siblings,66 and then sold the property three years later to the very wealthy merchant Peter Miller.67 Miller was one of the three “rich men of Easton”,68 and as Easton’s “merchant prince” and “philanthropist”.69

“Cordwainer” (shoemaker) John Clifton acquired Peter Miller’s interest in the property in 1828 for $3,600.70 Clifton had previously acquired David Butz’s portion of the property in 1824 for $3,000.71 This made John Clifton the sole owner. After John Clifton’s death, in 1851 the Lot was split up into five pieces and distributed among his children in an Orphan’s Court partition proceeding. Three of the five pieces fronted on Northampton Street, and two in the rear fronted on Pine Alley (now called Pine Street).72

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Based on an old photograph, the three Northampton Street parcels’ frontage was occupied by a continuous 4-story building with six window bays.73 This building might have been constructed by John Clifton – the only sole owner of the property since early times – although it is possible that it might have been a collaborative effort of the Butz Family. At all events, each of the three Northampton Street parcels divided out to John Clifton’s children in 1851 had an equal 16’ 8” frontage on Northampton Street;74 accordingly, each of these three parcels must have included an equal 1/3 share of the 6-bay building – i.e. two window bays each.

73 See Photograph of Northampton Street taken c.1880 in the possession of the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society.

74 Proceedings in Partition, Orphan’s Court Record Book 16 at 406 (29 Jan. 1851). 37 Arndt’s Hotel was replaced by the Easton Bank in approximately 1814. See separate

www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 316 Northampton Street, and sources cited therein. 38 Parish Records of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Easton, PA from 1769 to

the Consecration of the New Church, Jan. 1, 1832 (Easton Area Public Library Code G) 278 (transcribed in Easton, PA, no date)(marriage on 2 March 1809); accord, Obituary, “George M. Odenwelder, Easton’s Oldest Resident Dead At 100”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 4 May 1926, pp.1, 3 (George Odenwelder’s father, Michael Odenwelder, married Susan Barnett).

Mrs. Susan Hunt, “consort of Elijah P. Hunt”, died on 15 March 1840, in her 55th year. Henry F. Marx (compiler), II Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1799 – 1851 Newspaper Extracts 467 (Easton Area Public Library 1929).

39 See Parish Records of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Easton, PA from 1769 to the Consecration of the New Church, Jan. 1, 1832 (Easton Area Public Library Code G) 106 (transcribed in Easton, PA, no date)(parents Elijah P. Hunt and Susan Hunt’s son John Barret Hunt was born 6 June 1812 and baptized 29 Nov. 1812; the “Barret” is almost certainly a mis-transcription of “Barnet”, the mother’s maiden name); accord, Deed, Ralph (Ellen M.) Guild to John B. Hunt, G9 364 (30 July 1858)(reciting that Elijah P. Hunt’s will left his property to John B. Hunt, his son and Ellen Guild, his daughter).

40 Henry F. Marx (compiler), II Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1799 – 1851 Newspaper Extracts 442 (Easton Area Public Library 1929)(John B. Hunt married Maria daughter of William White on 12 March 1835); Parish Records of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Easton, PA from 1769 to the Consecration of the New Church, Jan. 1, 1832 (Easton Area Public Library Code G) 298 (transcribed in Easton, PA, no date)(John B. Hunt married Maria White on 12 March 1835).

Moreover, the landlord of the Arndt’s tavern property was actually John Green – the very same John Green that had owned the Hunt’s corner property in the period 1807-08. See Deed, John (Rhode) Green to Easton Bank, A4 421 (26 Jan. 1815), and separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 316 Northampton Street including the sources cited therein.

41 Record of First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pennsylvania 1811 – 1887 (Easton Area Public Library Code F) 85 (copied in Easton Public Library 1936)(Elijah P. Hunt died 5 Feb. 1854); Henry F. Marx (compiler), II Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1852 – 1870 Newspaper Extracts 423 (Easton Area Public Library 1934)(Elijah P. Hunt died in Easton on 29 Jan. 1854 (according to the WHIG newspaper) or on 5 Feb. 1854 (according to the ARGUS newspaper), at age 73).

42 See Deed, Ralph (Ellen M.) Guild to John B. Hunt, G9 364 (30 July 1858)(reciting that Elijah P. Hunt’s will left his property to John B. Hunt, his son and Ellen Guild, his daughter; this

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The various Clifton heirs sold off their parcels over time. Oldest son George Clifton sold his western part of Clifton’s Northampton Street building two months after he acquired it, to James Hess.75 Hess established his “hats, caps and furs” store in the building, numbered 130 Northampton Street under the pre-1874 numbering scheme.76 It was assigned to 336 Northampton Street when the buildings were renumbered.77 Hess was very successful in business: by the 1870s and ‘80s, he resided in the Hess Mansion on North Third Street (“Millionaire’s Row”).78 When he died in 1884, his widow and children inherited the Northampton Street property; his son, Robert J. Hess, later reassembled the various Hess family interests in the property under a single ownership.79

deed sold Ellen Guild’s interest to her brother for $2,500).

The Hunts also acquired a portion of the land at the rear of the property that had been retained by John Green. See Deed, Enoch Green and John Stewart, Executors of the Will of Eseck Howell, to Elijah P. Hunt, A7 314 (31 Mar. 1843)(rear portion along Bank Alley, 24’ 5” X 26’ 1”). For the sake of completeness, I note that the Hunt’s original property, plus this parcel, when combined with the Daily Express and Froehlich Tavern parcels, produce together the full 220’ depth of the original Town Lot No.169, as follows:

Depth (along Bank Street/Alley)Hunt parcel purchased in 1809 80’ Hunt parcel purchased in 1843 24’ 5“ Daily Express (Mutchler) Building 45’Froehlich Tavern property . 70’ 7”

TOTAL 219’ 12” = 220’ 43 Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 84 (1873)(Mrs. J.B.

Hunt, house at 1 South Bank Street). The location was at the SW corner of Bank and Northampton Streets. Cf. D.G. Beers, Atlas of Northampton County Pennsylvania, Plan of Easton (A. Pomeroy & Co. 1874)(“Mrs. JBHunt” -- semble).

44 Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Mon., 8 Dec. 1873, p.3, col.5. 45 Photograph in possession of Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society. 46 When John B. Hunt died and his will was probated on 16 Mar. 1860, he left the property

to his widow (Sophia) for life, and then equal shares to his daughters Susan, Mary, and Annie Hunt. Susan’s will was probated on 17 April 1902, leaving her interest to her two sisters. After Mary died, the property was sold to William Laubach’s Estate. Deed, Mabel Schuyler Crane, Executrix of the Will of Mary B. Hunt, et al., to George A. Laubach, Executor and Trustee of the Estate of William Laubach, H52 233 (18 June 1924)(sale price $25,000 for half interest from Annie and half interest from Mary B. Hunt’s estate; Susan Hunt Crozier was now dead).

35 Deed, Philip (Elizabeth) Odenwelder to Michael Odenwelder, C5 542 (24 July 1827)(sale price $3,800 for property with 24’ 4” frontage on Northampton Street, and irregular depth measurements).

A newspaper story in 1832 indicates that Philip Odenwelder was at that time a resident of Forks Township, when his daughter, Mary Ann Odenwelder, married Edward J. Seip. Henry F. Marx (compiler), III Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1799 – 1851 Newspaper Extracts 905 (Easton Area Public Library 1929).

36 See Obituary, “George M. Odenwelder, Easton’s Oldest Resident Dead At 100”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 4 May 1926, pp.1, 3 (Michael Odenwelder was George Odenwelder’s father; Philip Odenwelder was Michael Odenwelder’s grandfather); Article, “Celebrates 90th Birthday – George M. Odenwelder Promises to Round Out 100 Years”, EASTON EXPRESS, 28 Jan. 1924, p.2 (same). See also Philip Odenwelder Online Research Work Group, A Partial Descendant’s Chart

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Clifton’s second-oldest son, Jacob Clifton, sold the middle portion of Clifton’s building to Thomas Timmins on the same day his older brother sold the property next door to Hess.80 Thomas Timmins located his clothing store in the building in the 1860s,81

and later established his residence there.82 He died on 20 November 1875, and his widow and children inherited the property.83

The eastern portion of Clifton’s building, together with the Clifton Family Pine Alley land in the rear, was owned and occupied by James K. Clifton in the early 1870s.84 Their address (in their portion of the Clifton Building on Northampton Street) in 1873, prior to the inauguration of the modern street numbering scheme, was 126 Northampton

for Philip Odenwelder, www.kerchner.com/des9874.htm (from PAF database of Charles F. Kerchner, Jr., updated 27 Feb. 2004, accessed 2 Oct. 2009)(Michael Odenwelder born 5 May 1786, died 3 June 1861, both in Easton, PA).

47 Church Record of the German Reformed Congregation Easton Pennsylvania (Easton Area Public Library Code E) 7 (copied in Easton Public Library 1936)(Michael Odenwelder and his wife Sarah Barnet were parents of Emma Wagener Odenwelder, born 20 Sept. 1834); Obituary, “George M. Odenwelder, Easton’s Oldest Resident Dead At 100”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 4 May 1926, pp.1, 3 (Michael Odenwelder married Sarah Barnett).

48 See engraving reprinted in Rayner Wickersham Kelsey, At the Forks of the Delaware 1794 – 1811 plate facing p.2 (The Pennsylvania History Press 1920)(attributes picture to 1800) and William J. Heller, Historic Easton from the Window of a Trolley-Car plate facing p.12 (The Express Printing Co., Inc., 1912, reprinted by Genealogical Researchers, 1984). Note discussion above regarding William Heller’s mis-captioning of the Rinker and Odenwelder buildings.

49 See Obituary, “George M. Odenwelder, Easton’s Oldest Resident Dead At 100”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 4 May 1926, pp.1, 3; Article, “Celebrates 90th Birthday – George M. Odenwelder Promises to Round Out 100 Years”, EASTON EXPRESS, 28 Jan. 1924, p.2.

The exact date of Michael Odenwelder’s death is subject to conflicting reports. Compare Church Record of the German Reformed Congregation Easton Pennsylvania (Easton Area Public Library Code E) 141 (copied in Easton Public Library 1936)(Michael Odenwelder died 3 June 1861 of “Apoplexy”); Henry F. Marx (compiler), III Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1852 – 1870 Newspaper Extracts 658 (Easton Area Public Library 1934)(Michael Odenwelder died 3 June 1861, “aged about 74 years”) with Obituary, “George M. Odenwelder, Easton’s Oldest Resident Dead At 100”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 4 May 1926, pp.1, 3 (states his father died in the late 1860s).

50 Charles de Krafft, Map of Easton Original Town Lots (from the collection of Luigi “Lou” Ferone (“Mr. Easton”) auctioned 27 Feb. 2010, said to have been used by the Penn clerks for notations to keep track of the town lots c.1779-1801).

51 See Joshua Trachtenberg, Consider the Years, The Story of the Jewish Community of Easton 1752 – 1942 39-41, 67 (Centennial Committee of Temple Brith Sholom 1944)

52 [Copies photographed by Virginia Lawrence-Hope and donated to Marx Room, Easton Area Public Library, taken from Microfilm #21682 Tax Lists 1761-1793 Assessments, 1761-1815, held by: Family History Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Salt Lake City), apparently filmed in 1948 by The Genealogical Society (Salt Lake City, Utah) from holdings of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia).

53 See Joshua Trachtenberg, Consider the Years, The Story of the Jewish Community of Easton 1752 – 1942 39-41 (Centennial Committee of Temple Brith Sholom 1944)

54 Deed, John Penn the Younger and John Penn the Elder to Jacob Opp Junior, H1 480 (10 Jan. 1794)(sale price £31 3s. “in Specie” for original Town Lot No.170 measuring 56’ X 220’);

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Street.85 This property was sold to Martin J. Riegel in 1875.86 Riegel promptly established his books and stationery shop there, at 332 Northampton Street under the newly-adopted, modern numbering scheme.87

Riegel had been located in the Hunts’ building at the corner with Bank Street from 186488 into the early 1870s.89 He moved over when he purchased property from the Cliftons.

Riegel’s shop remained at 332 Northampton Street until 1889.90 His business was not confined to merely selling books – he also published: the City Directories from 1875 until 1889 were published by M.J. Riegel.91 Riegel also added pianos and organs to his product lines in 1884,92 taking on a partner and a separate shop on Pine Street (between

see A.D. Chidsey, Jr., The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware Plan of Easton, Map 2 (Vol. II of Publications of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1937).

55 Agreement, Jacob Mixsell and Jacob Opp, E2 312 (22 Aug. 1798). 56 Floyd S. Bixler, The History with Reminiscences of the Early Taverns and Inns of

Easton, Paper read before the Northampton County Historical Society on 25 Oct. 1930, at 27 (Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1931); see also James A. Wright, Colonial Taverns of Northampton County, Pennsylvania 7-8 (1993). See generally separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Hotel Stirling Building at 460-62 Northampton Street.

57 See Deed of Trust, Robert (Elizabeth) Traill to Michael Opp in trust for Elizabeth Traill, F3 105 (9 Aug. 1806)(recitals; regarding sale of large parcel of land located just West of modern 7th Street).

58 See generally separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Hotel Lafayette at 11 North 4th Street.

59 Henry F. Marx (compiler), II Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1799 – 1851 Newspaper Extracts 731 (Easton Area Public Library 1929).

60 Deed, Jacob (Elizabeth) opp to Christian Butz and David Butz, A4 128 (16 Apr. 1814)(and recitals that he had moved away).

61 Henry F. Marx (compiler), II Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1799 – 1851 Newspaper Extracts 731 (Easton Area Public Library 1929)(died 9 March 1848).

62 See Floyd S. Bixler, The History with Reminiscences of the Early Taverns and Inns of Easton, Paper read before the Northampton County Historical Society on Oct. 25, 1930, 25 (printed by the Society 1931); see generally separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 11 North 4th Street.

63 See Deed, David (Mary) Butz to John Clifton, H4 310 (23 Feb. 1824)(recitals); Deed of Release, Mary Butz (Widow and Relict of Christian Butz), and Heirs of Christian Butz, to David Butz, H4 293 (9 Feb. 1824)(recitals).

64 Deed of Release, Mary Butz (Widow and Relict of Christian Butz), and Heirs of Christian Butz, to David Butz, H4 293 (9 Feb. 1824); Acknowledgement, Elizabeth Wife of Michael Butz, D5 208 (9 Feb. 1828)(her acquiescence in the Deed of Release of 1824 because she had been a minor at that time).

65 See Deed of Release, Mary Butz (Widow and Relict of Christian Butz), and Heirs of Christian Butz, to David Butz, H4 293 (9 Feb. 1824)(recitals that daughter Elizabeth Odenwelder was married to Philip Odenwelder).

66 Deed, Jacob Butz, David Butz, et al., Heirs of Christian Butz, to Elizabeth Odenwelder, D5 60 (12 Apr. 1824).

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4th and 5th Street) for the musical instruments in 1885.93 He moved the book and stationery enterprise – without the partner – to 421 Northampton Street in 1889,94 while the pianos and organs business was established at 17-21 South 4th Street.95

Schematic (Not to Scale):

|------------Lot No. 169--------|----------Lot No. 170-------------|

EastonBank

Bank Alley

Hunt Odenwelder Riegel Timmins Hess

67 Deed, Philip (Elizabeth) Odenwelder to Peter Miller, D5 62 (29 Sept. 1827)(sale price $2,433-1/2 down, and$1,166-2/3 upon the death of Mary Butz, for a total of $3,600).

68 Article, “Rich Men”, EASTON ARGUS, Thurs., 21 Nov. 1861, p.2, col.3. The other two identified by the ARGUS were Col. Thomas McKeen and Hon. David D. Wagener. See generally separate entries for the Wagner Mansion (Pomfret Club) at 33 South 4th Street (owned by David Wagener’s son) and the Col. Thomas McKeen Mansion at 231 Spring Garden Street.

69 Floyd S. Bixler, The History with Reminiscences of the Early Taverns and Inns of Easton, 12 (Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1931)( Paper Read before the Northampton County Historical Society at the St. Crispin Anniversary Dinner at the Lafayette Hotel on 25 Oct. 1930); accord, William J. Heller, Historic Easton From the Window of a Trolley-Car 72 (The Express Printing Co., Inc., 1912, reprinted by Genealogical Researchers, 1984)(“famous Easton philanthropist and merchant”). See separate entries on www.WalkingEaston.com for Library Hall, 32 North Second Street, and The Log Cabin Lot / Peter Miller Building, 209-17 Northampton Street.

70 Deed, Peter Miller to John Clifton, D5 194 (1 Feb. 1828)(sale price $3,600 for “Messuages Tenements Store Houses and Lot” with a frontage on Northampton Street measuring 32’).

71 Deed, David (Mary) Butz to John Clifton, H4 310 (23 Feb. 1824)(sale price $3,000 for “All those several Messuages or dwelling Houses” with a Northampton Street frontage measuring 28’).

72 Proceedings in Partition, Orphan’s Court Record Book 16 at 406 (29 Jan. 1851).

The five parcels – or “Purparts” as they were called – were distributed as follows:

Purpart No.1: western 16’ 8” parcel on Northampton Street next to the private alley adjacent to the Meiner House next door, valued at $4,300, taken by George W. Clifton, the oldest son.

Purpart No.2: middle 16’ 8” parcel on Northampton Street, valued at $3,000, taken by Jacob Clifton, the second oldest son.

Purpart No.3: eastern 16’ 8” parcel on Northampton Street located next to Michael Odenwelder’s building next door, valued at $3,000, taken by Alexander J. Clifton, the third oldest son.

Purpart No.4: western parcel on Pine Alley measuring 25’ X 90’, valued at $800, taken by Susan Clifton, the second oldest daughter.

Purpart No.5: eastern parcel on Pine Alley measuring 25’ X 90’ located next to the Odenwelder property, valued at $600, taken by Alexander J. Clifton, the third oldest son.

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(Street) N o r t h a m p t o n S t r e e t

Laubach’s

In 1872 William Laubach bought the Odenwelder property96 and merged his own dry goods business with George Odenwelder’s.97 The Odenwelder property was located

A sixth Purpart, located on the North side of Northampton Street (and not part of Lot No. 170), was taken by John K. Clifton, the fourth oldest son.

75 Deed, George (Amelia) Clifton to James Hess, D8 211 (31 Mar. 1851)(sale price $5,300). This sale price was $1,000 more than the property’s valuation in the Partition Proceeding just two months before (see above).

76 C[harles] Kitchen, A General Directory of the Borough of Easton PA 34 (Cole & Eichman’s Office, 1855); Talbot’s Lehigh Valley Gazetteer and Business Directory 1864-65 17 (Press of Wynkoop & Hallenbeck 1864)(James Hess, hatter, 130 Northampton); Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 50 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870)(James Hess, hats, caps and furs, 130 Northampton); Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 81 (1873). See also D.G. Beers, Atlas of Northampton County Pennsylvania, Plan of Easton (A. Pomeroy & Co. 1874)(J.Hess).

But see “Hess’s New Hat Store”, EASTONIAN, Friday, 23 Oct. 1851, p.2, col.6 (listing James Hess’s store at 76 Northampton Street). That 76 Northampton Street address was (prior to the renumbering in 1874) the address of Samuel Drinkhouse’s hat store at “Drinkhouse Corner”. See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 1 Centre Square. It is unclear whether this is a newspaper typographical error, or whether Hess actually began his new store in Drinkhouse’s building.

77 Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Sat., 22 Nov. 1873, p.3, cols.5-7 (James Hess, Hats to be assigned 336 Northampton Street); Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 64 (M.J. Riegel 1875)(James Hess, hats at 336 Northampton); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc,] Directory for 1877 87 (M.J. Riegel 1877)(James Hess, hats, caps, &c. at 336 Northampton).

78 See Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Mon.., 24 Nov. 1873, p.3; Article, “Interesting Reminiscence, North Third Street a Third of a Century Ago”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Thursday, 20 Aug. 1885, p.3 (James Hess assigned 41 North 3rd Street); Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 64 (M.J. Riegel 1875); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc,] Directory for 1877 87 (M.J. Riegel 1877); 1880 Census, Series T9, Roll 1161, p.383A; J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 67-68 (1881)(James Hess of Hess Bros. wholesale grocers and tobacco, residence at 41 North Third Street); George W. West, West’s Guide to Easton, [Etc.] 58 (West & Everett, Job Printers 1883); see Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 475 (George W. West 1885 / 1889); D.G. Beers, Atlas of Northampton County Pennsylvania, Plan of Easton (A. Pomeroy & Co. 1874)(Mrs. Jas. Hess). See also Fitzgerald & Dillon (compilers), Easton Directory for 1870-71 50 (M.J. Riegel 1870)(James Hess house at 9 North 3rd Street, under the numbering scheme then in effect). See generally separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Simon Mansion at 41 North Third Street, which replaced the Hess Mansion (as well as several others) in 1902.

79 Deed, John F. (Sue) Hess and Harlem P. Hess to Robert J. Hess, H30 566 (23 Nov. 1896)(2/3 interest, James Hess died in 1884 intestate, his widow also died in 1884 before the property was partitioned among the surviving three children); see also Deed, Robert J. (Lutie L.)

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near the middle of the site where the Laubach’s Building now stands. William Laubach (1833 – 1914) had been born on a farm in Plainfield Twp., Northampton County. At the age of 16 he went to work in a general store at Kesslersville.98 He originally came to Easton in 1853. He worked for 5 years in Jacob Hay’s store (see 339-41 Northampton Street), and another year for Jacob Rader. In 1860, Laubach opened his own dry goods store in a single small room at 128 Northampton Street (under the numbering scheme in effect at the time).99 In the following Spring he moved to the corner of Fourth and Northampton Streets, where the Northampton National Bank Building now stands. Here

Hess to William Laubach, B31 131 (31 Dec. 1901)(recitals). 84 As noted above, Clifton’s third-oldest son, Alexander Clifton, acquired two parcels in the

Partition Proceeding in 1851 (see above). He also purchased the other Pine Alley parcel from his sister, Susan Clifton, half a year later. Deed, Susan Clifton to Alexander J.Clifton, A11 303 (12 June 1851)(sale price (900 for Purpart No.4 in the Partition Proceeding). He sold the property to his younger brother, John K. Clifton, in 1864. Deed, Alexander J. (Sarah Ann) Clifton to John K. Clifton, A11 304 (23 Nov. 1864)(sale price $9,043.95). See also D.G. Beers, Atlas of Northampton County Pennsylvania, Plan of Easton (A. Pomeroy & Co. 1874)(J.K. Clifton).

80 Deed, Jacob (Mary Ann) Clifton to Thomas Timmins, D8 153 (31 Mar. 1851)(sale price $3,600). The deed recital notes that the property next door was “intended to be conveyed to James Hess”. The sale price to Timmins represented a $600 profit over the Partition Proceeding valuation only two months before.

At the same time, in 1850-51, Thomas Timmins also purchased two of the parcels of property that had been carved out of John Clifton’s estate on “Clifton Street” (now South 6th Street). See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 128 South 6th Street, and sources cited therein.

81 See William H. Boyd, Boyd’s Directory of Reading, Easton, [Etc.] 131 (William H. Boyd 1860)(Thomas Timmins, clothier, 128 Northampton Street); see also Talbot’s Lehigh Valley Gazetteer and Business Directory 1864-65 30 (Press of Wynkoop & Hallenbeck 1864)(Thomas Timmins, merchant tailor, listed at 138 Northampton Street, which may be a typographical error for No.128). See generally D.G. Beers, Atlas of Northampton County Pennsylvania, Plan of Easton (A. Pomeroy & Co. 1874)(T.T). By 1875, Thomas Timmins had apparently retired, because his home was listed at 220 Northampton Street (under the modern numbering scheme) and no business address was listed. Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 122 (M.J. Riegel 1875).

82 See Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 122 (M.J. Riegel 1875)(Tomas Timmins, house at 220 Northampton Street); Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Sat., 22 Nov. 1873, p.3, col.5 (Thos. Timmins, residence assigned to 220 Northampton Street); see also J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc,] Directory for 1877 139 (M.J. Riegel 1877)(Mrs. Margaret Timmins, house at 220 Northampton Street); but see Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 123 (1873)(Thos. Timmings, house at 58 Northampton Street).

83 See Deed, James Timmins, et al., Heirs of Thomas Timmins, to William Laubach, A31 519 (13 Dec. 1901)(recitals). The deed also recites that Thomas Timmins’s widow, Mary Timmins, died on 6 April 1895.

85 Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 60 (1873)(John K. Clifton, house at 126 Northampton Street).

86 Deed, John K. (Elizabeth R.) Clifton to Martin J. Riegel, H14 145 (1 Apr. 1875)(sale price $18,500, property includes a “four story brick building” now numbered 330-332 Northampton Street, and a vacant lot of ground in the rear 28’ X 55’).

16

the store remained until 1872.100 It was then numbered 142 Northampton Street, under the street numbering scheme in effect at that time.101

As noted above, in 1872 Laubach moved his dry goods store to replace Odenwelder’s. According to store publicity, he “erected” a building with three stories, four window bays, and an Italianate style façade facing Northampton Street102 on the site of Odenwelder’s dry goods store.103 In fact, it appears from comparison of old pictures that the new building was actually a remodeling of Odenwelder’s pre-existing building of 1860104 -- which was evidently larger than the building shown at the turn of the century (see above). At any event, the opening of “Laubach’s Trade Palace” was an evening celebration, with an orchestra.105 The store was numbered 124 Northampton Street, under the numbering scheme then in effect, and Laubach added a decoration to the roof cornice

87 Easton Daily Express, Illustrated Industrial Edition 17, col.2 (Jan. 1893, reprinted by W-Graphics)(“moving in 1876 to 332 Northampton street”); Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 101 (M.J. Riegel 1875)(M.J. Riegel, 332 Northampton Street, house at 340 Bushkill Street); see also J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc,] Directory for 1877 120 (M.J. Riegel 1877)(M.J. Riegel, 332 Northampton Street, house at 340 Bushkill Street); J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 (1881) (alphabetical listing for M.H.Riegel, book seller and stationer, at the 332 Northampton Street); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1883-4 117 (J.H. Lant 1883)(M.J. Riegel, bookseller and stationer, 332 Northampton Street, house at 340 Bushkill Street).

88 See Easton Daily Express, Illustrated Industrial Edition 17, col.2 (Jan. 1893, reprinted by W-Graphics)(“In 1864 he embarked in business on his own account at the corner of Bank and Northampton streets . . .”).

89 See Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 135 (1873)(business directory for M.J. Riegel, book seller and stationer, at 122 Northampton Street); Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 9, 71 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870)(ad and alphabetical listing for M.J. Riegel books and stationery at 122 Northampton Street under the numbering scheme then in effect). Laubach’s would become 124 Northampton Street under this numbering scheme (apparently one door to the West) when it opened in Odenwelder’s dry goods store in 1872 (see below).

With the inauguration of the new numbering scheme in 1874, Riegel was assigned to 324 Northampton Street – two doors East of Laubach’s No.328. Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Sat., 22 Nov. 1873, p.3, cols.5-7.

90 Easton Daily Express, Illustrated Industrial Edition 17, col.2 (Jan. 1893, reprinted by W-Graphics)(“About four years ago he moved to his present stand, 421 Northampton Street”); see George W. West, West’s Guide to Easton [Etc.] 121 (George W. West 1887).

91 See citations above and below. 92 J.H. Lant, Easton, [Etc.] Directory for 1884-5 113 (J.H. Lant 1884)(M.J. Riegel,

bookseller and stationer, pianos and organs, 332 Northampton Street). 93 W.M.R. Williamson (manager), Ferris Bros Northampton County Directory 105

(Wilmington (DE): Ferris Bros 1885)(M.J. Riegel, books, stationery and pictures at 332 Northampton Street, Riegel & Luch organ manufacturers on Pine Street between 4th and 5th Streets); see George W. West, West’s Guide to Easton [Etc.] 121 (George W. West 1887)(same, Riegel & Luch organ makers and piano dealers on Pine Street above 4th Street).

94 Easton Daily Express, Illustrated Industrial Edition 17, col.2 (Jan. 1893, reprinted by W-Graphics); see George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory for Easton, [Etc.] 185 (George W. West 1889)(Martin J. Riegel, bookseller, stationer and organ manufacturer, 421 Northampton Street).

17

proclaiming “Laubach’s” and the 124 street number.106 With the inauguration of the modern street numbering scheme in 1874, it was renumbered 328 Northampton Street.107

In the 1880s, Laubach’s Building was apparently occupied by more than just the Laubach’s store: a lawyer was also located at Laubach’s address in 1873,108 and a photograph dated to c.1880 shows a Dentist’s office upstairs on the second floor.109 However, Laubach’s aggressive expansion evidently filled the building, and created a need for still more space. In 1881, Laubach added another 50 feet to the rear of the store.110 In 1890, Laubach leased the Hunt Family’s building at the corner of Bank Street; with an agreement that allowed him to modify the building to connect it to his store.111 A picture dated to this time shows that the gables had been removed from

95 Easton Daily Express, Illustrated Industrial Edition 17, col.2 (Jan. 1893, reprinted by W-Graphics); see George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of Easton [Etc.] ad inside front cover, 179 (George W. West 1892); George W. West (compiler), Directory of Easton, [Etc.] 213 (George W. West 1894)(books, stationery, pianos & organs, listing addresses at 421 Northampton Street and 17, 19, 21 South 4th Street, house at 340 Bushkill Street).

96 Deed, Elisha L. Odenwelder and George M. Odenwelder, Executors of the Will of Michael Odenwelder, to William Laubach, E13 377 (30 Mar.1872)(sale price $20,000 for property containing a “Three Story Stone and Brick Dwelling and Stone House with two story brick back building attached frame Stone House double Frame two story Dwelling House and Lot”, with 28’ frontage on Northampton Street X 220’ deep to Pine Street).

97 See William J. Heller, III History of Northampton County and The Grand Valley of the Lehigh 618 (The American Historical Society 1920); see also Frank B. Copp, Biographical Sketches of Some of Easton’s Prominent Citizens 237-40 (Hillburn & West 1879); Marie and Frank Summa & Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., Images of America: Historic Easton 51 (Arcadia Publishing 2000). See George A. Laubach, An Address by George A. Laubach at the Reunion of the Laubach Family (Rheinhart Laubach, 13 Aug. 1925), bound in Easton Area Public Library, Historical Pamphlets, Vol.12, No.5, which indicates that William Laubach moved his store to that location at that time, but suggests that the store was already at both this location and at the corner of 4th Street before 1872.

98 Obituary, “Wm. Laubach’s Busy Life ended, Merchant Prince Passes Away, Closing Long and Useful Career”, EASTON DAILY EXPRESS, Fri., 31 July 1914, p.5, col. 2.

99 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 7, 10 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920); Jim Deegan, “Laubach’s should never be forgotten”, THE EXPRESS-TIMES, Sunday, 25 Feb. 2007, pp.A-6, A-7; Marie and Frank Summa & Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., Images of America: Historic Easton 51 (Arcadia Publishing 2000); see also George A. Laubach, An Address by George A. Laubach at the Reunion of the Laubach Family (Rheinhart Laubach, 13 Aug. 1925), bound in Easton Area Public Library, Historical Pamphlets, Vol.12, No.5; Obituary, “Wm. Laubach’s Busy Life ended, Merchant Prince Passes Away, Closing Long and Useful Career”, supra.

The Sixty Years of Store Progress pamphlet (at 7) states that this first store room was “twelve by forty feet in size, on a part of the site we now occupy”, but also identifies it as being “on part of the site now occupied by Easton’s Daylight Department Store”. The picture printed at 10 in this book shows the street number of 128 – which is obviously next to the building where Laubach’s store opened in 1872, which was numbered 124 Northampton Street (see above). Moreover, in the 1860 picture, the portion of the building next door to the left strongly resembles the façade of Laubach’s new building of 1872 (also pictured on that page). No “Daylight Department Store” is listed in the 1920 Easton Directory: Charles M. Barnard (compiler), West’s Directory for City of Easton 202 (Union Publishing Co. 1920). However, the Sixty Years of Progress booklet does not list any such “Department” in Laubach’s Store in 1920, either.

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Rinker’s old building, leaving the three full floors with a flat roof, and an added roof cornice. It still had the same four window bays on the third floor that had existed in the 1880s, with a large cental oriel window on the second floor, and a commercial awning, picture windows and entry at the street level. Laubach left the building intact at this time, and did not yet incorporate it into the Laubach Building’s facade. The pictures of the 1890s show that Laubach’s main building continued to show the same general façade as the Odenwelder Building, and Laubach’s roof cornice addition showing his name and street number had by this time been removed.112

100 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 7 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920); see Leonard S. Buscemi, Sr., Easton Remembered 63 (Buscemi Enterprises 2007), quoting American Journal of Progress, “Greater Easton of To-day” 14 (written c.1902 during Mayor B. Rush Field’s second 3-year term, reprinted courtesy of W-Graphics); Obituary, “Wm. Laubach’s Busy Life ended, Merchant Prince Passes Away, Closing Long and Useful Career”, supra; Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 58 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870)(William Laubach, dry goods and carpets, Northampton at the corner with 4th Street).

101 Talbot’s Lehigh Valley Gazetteer and Business Directory 1864-65 21 (Press of Wynkoop & Hallenbeck 1864)(William Laubach, dry goods, 142 Northampton Street).

102 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 7 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920); see Leonard S. Buscemi, Sr., Easton Remembered 63 (Buscemi Enterprises 2007), quoting American Journal of Progress, “Greater Easton of To-day” 14 (written c.1902 during Mayor B. Rush Field’s second 3-year term, reprinted courtesy of W-Graphics); D.G. Beers, Atlas of Northampton County Pennsylvania, Plan of Easton (A. Pomeroy & Co. 1874)(map shows w. Laubach in second building from corner).

A photograph of Northampton Street taken c.1880 in the possession of the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society shows this building, with an elaborately decorated cornice with scroll brackets, and very tall arched windows.

103 William J. Heller, III History of Northampton County and The Grand Valley of the Lehigh 618 (The American Historical Society 1920).

104 See Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 10 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920), which shows pictures of the store in 1860 in the building next door (at 128 Northampton Street) and the newly-“erected” store of 1872. The façade features and windows of the building to the left in 1860, match exactly the features of the building of 1872.

105 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 7 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920); see George A. Laubach, An Address by George A. Laubach at the Reunion of the Laubach Family (Rheinhart Laubach, 13 Aug. 1925), bound in Easton Area Public Library, Historical Pamphlets, Vol.12, No.5. An 1872 photograph of the building appearing in Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 10 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920) shows a false roof façade over the cornice giving the street address at No.124.

106 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 10 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920)(picture shows “Laubachs 124” on roof cornice in 1872).

107 Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Sat., 22 Nov. 1873, p.3, cols. 5-7; see Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 77 (M.J. Riegel 1875); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc,] Directory for 1877 99 (M.J. Riegel 1877); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1879 109 (M.J. Riegel 1879).

108 Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 96 (1873)(John C. Merrill, lawyer, at 124 Northampton Street).

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Laubach’s store continued to expand. In 1895, he purchased the M.J. Riegel Building next door to the West.113 This was the same small 2-bay building in which Laubach’s had begun in 1860, but Laubach remodeled it into three stories to be consistent with his store, and incorporated it into his main store façade.114 In 1899, Laubach added a basement to the store building in order to add more departments. In 1901, he acquired the Timmins115 and Hess116 properties to the West, but only incorporated them into the store in 1905, remodeling them to be consistent with the Odenwelder Building’s three-story design, façade and roof cornice, but now finished in white instead of the earlier white-trimmed red brick.117 In 1910, Laubach remodeled the Hunt Building into a consistent height and façade with his main store,118 making use of an earlier lease revision he had negotiated with the Hunt family which allowed him to demolish or remodel their leased building.119 The finished façade along Northampton Street contains 14 window bays:120 four from the Odenwelder building, 4 from the John Rinker hotel, and six more from the three properties acquired on the old Opp Lot. The style of the façade, although now uniformly white, is still consistent with the Odenwelder Building that pre-dated Laubach.121 The remodeling was designed by Easton architect William Marsh Michler.122

Also in 1910, Laubach added an additional building at the rear of the property.123 In 1915, Laubach’s Store added the 7-story brick tower in the rear, to house work rooms and duplicate stock. This tower still stands, fronting on Pine Street. The remaining Clifton land on Pine Street was purchased in 1916.124 In 1918, Laubach’s purchased the former headquarters of the Easton Express Publishing Company at 15-17 South Bank Street.125 This is the building now the home of the Easton creamery (formerly the “Purple Cow”).126 Laubach’s also leased the second story of the Froehlich Saloon Building at the corner of Bank and Pine Streets, and purchased that building in 1920.127 At that point, the the Laubach’s Store buildings occupied the entire block from Bank Street to Hess’s Alley, and from Pine Street to Northampton Street.128

109 Photograph of Northampton Street taken c.1880 in the possession of the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society.

110 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 7 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920). This source states that the 1881 addition of 50 feet created a store property 28’ X 220’.

111 Agreement, Susan E. (Robert) Crozier, Mary B. Hunt and Annie S. Hunt, with William Laubach, MISC 25 32 (7 Nov. 1890)(Northampton County deeds records); Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 9 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920)(store space added 1891); see also Leonard S. Buscemi, Sr., Easton Remembered 63 (Buscemi Enterprises 2007). The Laubach’s Store book of 1920 refers to the building as “the Hunt property at Bank and Northampton Streets”. The 1875 City Directory refers to Mrs. John B. Hunt at 1 South Bank Street, while the 1870 City Directory shows Mrs. Sophia Hunt at 1 Bank Street and Mrs. J.B. Hunt (widow) at 120 Northampton Street under the numbering scheme in effect at that time – which was the next number East of M.J. Riegel in that year. See Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 68 (M.J. Riegel 1875); Fitzgerald & Dillon (compilers), Easton Directory for 1870-71 52 (M.J. Riegel 1870).

112 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 12 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920)(pictures dated 1891, 1895, and 1905); Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., The 2000 Easton-Phillipsburg Calendar unnumbered p.79 (Buscemi Enterprises 1999)(photographs dated to 1893 and 1907); see also Ronald W. Wynkoop, Sr., It Seems Like Yesterday 341 (self published 1989)(photograph).

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William Laubach, the founder of the Laubach’s firm, built his mansion in Captain Hay’s development of “suburban villas” on 14th Street in the 1870s.129 By the early 20th Century, however, he was living on North 2nd Street, next to his son, George A. Laubach.130 George entered the business as an employee in 1881131 and was admitted to the partnership in 1889. He continued the store after his father’s death in 1914, by which time it had become Easton’s largest department store.132 Other Laubach children and relations were also involved in operating the store.133

In 1947, the family sold the store business to Allied Stores Corporation.134 Ownership of the real estate, however, was retained by the Laubach Realty Company.135

129 Frank B. Copp, “The Beautiful City of the Delaware” (1878), reprinted with Donna Troxel, “Old paper turns back the clock in Easton”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sunday, 19 July 1981, p.C-1, C-3; see J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1877 99 (M.J. Riegel 1877)(William Laubach home on 14th Avenue); J.H. Lant, Easton, [Etc,] Directory for 1879 109 (M.J. Riegel 1879). See generally separate entry for the Hay Building, 339-41 Northampton Street.

130 1910 Census, Series T624, Roll 1381, p.27B; 1900 Census, Series T623, Roll 1447, p.57A and B; 1920 Census, Series T625, Roll 1609, p.90A. See generally separate entry for Site of Former John Maxwell Residence and Laubach Residences at 133-37 North Third Street.

131 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 7 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920).

132 Marie and Frank Summa & Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., Images of America: Historic Easton 51-52 (Arcadia Publishing 2000); Ken Klabunde, “William Laubach & Sons: From a Small Dry Goods Store to Easton’s Largest Department Store” (Parts I and II), THE EASTON IRREGULAR, Sept. 2005, pp.8-9 / Oct. 2005, p.17. See also Easton Daily Express, Illustrated Industrial Edition at 17, cols. 4-5 (Jan. 1893, reprinted by W-Graphics); William Peterson, Eagle Scout Project: Historic Guide of Easton Site #19 (2006), available through Easton City website, www.easton-pa.com (via “History” link)(states that Laubach moved to this site in 1871); George L. Seibel, Men of Easton and Phillipsburg (1920)(alphabetical listing for George A. Laubach); Jim Deegan, “Laubach’s should never be forgotten”, THE EXPRESS-TIMES, Sunday, 25 Feb. 2007, pp.A-6, A-7.

133 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 8-9, 11 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920).

113 Deed, Martin J. (Anna L.) Riegel to William Laubach, D26 92 (1 Aug. 1895)(sale price $25,000 for a “four story brick messuage” and property with a frontage of 16’ 8” on Northampton Street X 150’ deep, including a rear parcel of property that fronted on the alley running by the Able Opera House); see Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 9 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920). Compare Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., The 2000 Easton-Phillipsburg Calendar unnumbered p.79 (Buscemi Enterprises 1999)(photograph dated to 1893, showing Laubach’s without incorporating the Riegel property just visible at the edge of the picture) with Wm Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 12 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920)(photograph dated to 1895, showing the additional two window bays from Riegel’s property, remodeled to match the Odenwelder Building’s façade).

114 See Wm Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 9, 10, 12 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920). The picture of 1860 (at 10) shows a small 4-story, 2-bay building which is consistent with the small sliver of that building shown in the 1891 photo (at 12). The 1895 picture (also at 12), however, shows those two window bays now incorporated into Laubach’s 3-story building, with a common façade and roof cornice.

115 Deed, James Timmins, et al., Heirs (wife and children) of Thomas Timmins, to William Laubach, A31 519 (13 Dec. 1901)(sale price $25,000 for “Brick Store Building” with 16’ 8” frontage on Northampton Street X 120’ deep).

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The new owners leased the Laubach’s premises and continued to use the Laubach’s name until the mid-1960s, when they changed over to the name of their Pomeroy Department Store subsidiary.136 In 1973, the real estate was sold to real estate agent137 Humbert Orlandi, Jr.138 Despite falling business, Pomeroy’s Department Store continued its lease until October 1976, when it closed.139 A year later, the real estate was sold to the Easton National Bank and Trust Company for $400,000.140 The Bank attempted to auction off the property in 1979, but received only one bid: from Andrew Cusano, owner of The London Shop at 339 Northampton Street, for $25,000. It rejected that bid,141 and instead was able to sell the property in 1980 to the City of Easton.142 The following year, Easton sold the property to the Easton Land and Development Corp.,143 which apparently

116 Deed, Robert J. (Lutie L.) Hess to William Laubach, B31 131 (31 Dec. 1901)(sale price $24,000 for property with 16’ 8” frontage on Northampton Street X 120’ deep).

Robert J. Hess was one of three sons of James Hess, who had died intestate in 1884. The heirs had agreed that his widow, Annette, would keep the property for her lifetime; after her death on 31 October 1884, it was partitioned. A daughter (Sallie A. Burke, wife of Frank W. Burke) died in 190, leaving the three boys split the property interests. Two of these boys sold their interests to their brother. Deed, John F. (Sue) Hess and Harlem P. Hess to Robert J. Hess, H30 566 (23 Nov. 1896).

117 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 9, 12 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920).

118 James A. Wright, Colonial Taverns of Northampton County, Pennsylvania 9 (1993); Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 9, 11 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920); see also Ken Klabunde, “William Laubach & Sons: From a Small Dry Goods Store to Easton’s Largest Department Store” (Parts I and II), THE EASTON IRREGULAR, Sept. 2005, pp.8-9 / Oct. 2005, p.17 (expansions in 1910 and 1914).

His estate finally purchased the Hunt property outright in 1924. Deed, Mabel Schuyler Crane, Executrix of the Will of Mary B. Hunt, et al., to George A. Laubach, Executor and Trustee of the Estate of William Laubach, H52 233 (18 June 1924)(sale price $25,000).

119 Agreement, Mary B. Hunt and Annie S. Hunt, with William Laubach, MISC 38 233 (9 Dec. 1902)(effective 1 April 1903).

120 See Marie and Frank Summa & Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., Images of America: Historic Easton 51 (Arcadia Publishing 2000)(“Trade Parlor”)(photograph).

121 See Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 10, 12 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920); Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., The 2000 Easton-Phillipsburg Calendar unnumbered p.79 (Buscemi Enterprises 1999).

122 Table at the back of Historic Easton, Inc. Annual House Tour: William Marsh Michler A Retrospective (17 May 1986).

123 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 9 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920).

124 Deed, Elizabeth R. Clifton, Executrix of the Will of John K. Clifton, et al., to George A. Laubach, Executor of the Will of Willliam Laubach, H43 184 (1 July 1916)(property with 50’ frontage on Pine Street X 70’, running alongside “Hess’s alley” to the West); see Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 13 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920).

125 Deed, Alice B. Mutchler to George A. Laubach, Executor of the Will of William Laubach, H44 573 (2 Jan. 1918)(sale price $18,000 included as Purpart No.1 the “Easton Daily Express plant” measuring 45’ X 26’ 1” ); see Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 13 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920); see separate

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represented a group of four local investors who intended to redevelop the property, but failed to bring their plans to fruition.144

In 1986, the property was sold to Switlyk Properties145 in exchange for a promise to pay $300,000. The deal was announced in a joint press conference from the office of Easton’s Mayor.146 This was a substantial reduction from the price paid for the property a few years before (see above). The buyer, George Switlyk, publicized plans to convert the main Laubach’s Building “to a mix of office and retail space.”147 Switlyk’s project was only part of his larger plans to redevelop Easton’s downtown area; he was said to have held “Easton’s revitalization hopes in his hands”.148 Switlyk Properties ultimately also purchased the Mohegan Market at 27 South 4th Street,149 the Mayer Building,150 the Farr’s

www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 16-17 South Bank Street. 126 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 15-17 South Bank Street. 127 Deed, Thomas (Ruhmah) MacDonald and William (Minerva J.) Little to George A.

Laubach, Trustee under the Estate of William Laubach, H46 573 (27 Feb. 1920)(sale price $23,000 for “brick messuage, tenement” on property with 70’ 7” frontage on Bank Street X 26’ 1”); see Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 13 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920). See generally separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Froehlich Saloon Building at 19 Bank Street.

128 Wm. Laubach & Sons, Sixty Years of Store Progress 1860-1920 13 (Easton: The Hobson Printing Co. 1920); see separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 19 South Bank Street.

In 1924, William Laubach’s estate sold the entire block of buildings to William Laubach and Sons (then a corporation), which in turn immediately sold the property to Laubach Realty Company. Deed, George A. Laubach, Executor of the Will of William Laubach, to William Laubach and Sons, G52 278 (1 Aug. 1924)(sale price $440,265.03 for 8 Parcels which, together, constituted the entire block); Deed, William Laubach and Sons to Laubach Realty Company, G52 283 (1 Aug. 1924)(sale price $450,000).

134 See Ken Klabunde, “William Laubach & Sons: From a Small Dry Goods Store to Easton’s Largest Department Store” (Part I), THE EASTON IRREGULAR, Sept. 2005, p.8, at 9; see generally Jim Deegan, “Laubach’s should never be forgotten”, THE EXPRESS-TIMES, Sunday, 25 Feb. 2007, pp.A-6, A-7.

135 See Deed, Laubach Realty Company to Humbert Orlandi, Jr., 450 455 (21 Feb. 1973). 136 See Marie and Frank Summa & Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., Images of America: Historic

Easton 51-52 (Arcadia Publishing 2000)(Pomeroy’s took over in the 1960s); compare Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1966 Street and Avenue Guide 125 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1966)(Pomeroy’s dept stores at 322 Northampton Street) and Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1967 Street and Avenue Guide 193 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1967)(Pomeroy’s Dept. Store at 322 Northampton Street) with Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1965 Street and Avenue Guide 118 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1965)(Laubach’s dept. store at 322 Northampton Street); Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1964 Street and Avenue Guide 116 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1964)(same); Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1963 Street and Avenue Guide 117 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1963)(Wm. Laubach & Sons).

137 See Obituary, “Humbert Orlandi Jr.”, MORNING CALL, 22 Mar. 2000, p.B-12; Peg Rhodin, “Board Told of City Club’s Long Decline Downtown Woes Cited in Appeal for Lower Taxes”, MORNING CALL, 26 Sept. 1986, p.B-1 (“people don’t want to walk in downtown Easton, even between the [Pomfret] club and the parking garage.”).

138 Deed, Laubach Realty Company to Humbert Orlandi, Jr., 450 455 (21 Feb. 1973)(sale price $400,000).

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Building151 (later incorporated into Two Rivers Landing), White’s Hotel Annex,152 and the Alpha Building in Centre Square, among other Easton properties.153 In fact, George Switlyk used his Easton properties as collateral to buy other buildings elsewhere,154 while his projects in Easton were never completed.155 He “defaulted on his financial commitments and left the area”,156 and later spent time in federal prison for bank fraud.157 He was later referred to as a “notorious developer”.158 Switlyk’s scaffolding stood against the Laubach’s Building for nearly two years, until it was ordered removed in 1989.159 In 1992, Northampton County’s Tax Claims Unit seized the Laubach’s property and sold it to Richard Baeyen to recover a claim for $4,706.13.160

139 Ken Klabunde, “William Laubach & Sons: From a Small Dry Goods Store to Easton’s Largest Department Store” (Parts I and II), THE EASTON IRREGULAR, Sept. 2005, p.8 at 9, and Oct. 2005, p.17; see Tracy Jordan, “Pomeroy Lofts not abandoned, Pektor says ** Developer insists the condo and brew pub project awaits steel to start construction”, MORNING CALL, 18 July 2007, p.B-7A(closed 1977); Marie and Frank Summa & Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., Images of America: Historic Easton 51-52 (Arcadia Publishing 2000); see also Jim Deegan, “Laubach’s should never be forgotten”, THE EXPRESS-TIMES, Sunday, 25 Feb. 2007, pp.A-6, A-7.

140 Deed, Humbert Orlandi, Jr. to Easton National Bank and Trust Company, 573 423 (20 Oct. 1977)(Tract No.2).

141 Ken Klabunde, “William Laubach & Sons: From a Small Dry Goods Store to Easton’s Largest Department Store” (Part II), THE EASTON IRREGULAR, Oct. 2005, p.17.

142 Deed, Easton National Bank and Trust Company to Dominick A. Lockwood, Attorney and Trustee of the City of Easton, 618 551 (11 Sept. 1980).

143 Deed, Dominick A. Lockwood, Attorney and Trustee of City of Easton, to Easton Land and Development Corp., 624 800 (23 Feb. 1981). According to a newspaper account, the owners of the building (thus, presumably, of the Easton Land and Development Corp.) were Jacob and Asher Seip and Raymond Bartolacci. See Joe Nixon, “Pomeroy Site Buyer to Convert Building into Shops, Offices”, MORNING CALL, 14 Nov. 1886, p.B-1.

144 Ken Klabunde, “William Laubach & Sons: From a Small Dry Goods Store to Easton’s Largest Department Store” (Part II), THE EASTON IRREGULAR, Oct. 2005, p.17.

145 Deed, Easton Land and Development Corp. to Switlyk Properties, 717 369 (29 Dec. 1986).

146 Joe Nixon, “Pomeroy Site Buyer to Convert Building into Shops, Offices”, MORNING CALL, 14 Nov. 1986, p.B-1 (Mayor Sal Panto Jr. “said the project will restore the confidence of those who are ‘still skeptical’ about improvement of the downtown area.”).

147 Tracy Jordan, “Pomeroy Lofts not abandoned, Pektor says ** Developer insists the condo and brew pub project awaits steel to start construction”, MORNING CALL, 18 July 2007, p.B-7A.

148 Joe Nixon, “Switlyk Pleads Guilty to Fraud * Former Easton Developer Admits in Federal Court that He Was Behind Scheme Involving a $150,000 Business Loan”, MORNING CALL, 19 Aug. 1998, p.B-1; see also Tom Moylan, “30-Year-Old Is ‘Major Player’ in Downtown Easton’s Future”, MORNING CALL, 9 Aug. 1987, p.D-1 (“Easton Mayor Salvatore . . . Panto Jr. is high on Switlyk: “George is a major player in downtown Easton and he is a credible player.’”); Dennis Zehner and Lauri Rice-Maue, “Real Estate Magnate Will Spend One Year in Jail * Switlyk, Who Owned Easton Properties, Stole $150,000 from N.J. Bank”, MORNING CALL, 15 Dec. 1998, p.B-4; Jack Kraft, “Switlyk Adds to Easton Holdings Developer to Purchase Farr’s Shoes Building”, MORNING CALL, 3 June 1988, p.B-8.

149 Deed, New Mohican Market, Inc. to Switlyk Properties, 751 604 (3 June 1988); Jack Kraft, “Switlyk Adds to Easton Holdings Developer to Purchase Farr’s Shoes Building”,

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Baeyen promptly resold the real estate block for $25,000 to Jahtvahr, Inc. (also spelled Jahtvar, Inc.)161 – perhaps coincidently the same price that had been bid for the whole property in 1979 by Andrew Cusano (see above). Jahtvahr was a food importing company dealing in products such as pickles and olives, that was owned by New Jersey businessman Giel Millner. Millner used a small portion of the property to store inventory, and the rest remained vacant.162 Four years later (in 1996), Jahtvahr subdivided the property and sold the two buildings on Bank Street (the Froehlich Saloon and the Express/Purple Cow Building) to a redevelopment company.163

MORNING CALL, 3 June 1988, p.B-8 (Mohegan Market Building purchased “for roughly $200,000”). See generally separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 23-27 South 4th Street.

150 Lauri Rice-Maue, “Would-Be Savior of Easton Charged with Bank Fraud”, MORNING CALL, 18 Mar. 1998, p.B-5; Jack Kraft, “Switlyk Adds to Easton Holdings Developer to Purchase Farr’s Shoes Building”, MORNING CALL, 3 June 1988, p.B-8.

151 Gay Elwell, “Switlyk Sells 3 Easton Sites”, MORNING CALL, 9 Sept. 1989, p.B-15; Jack Kraft, “Switlyk Adds to Easton Holdings Developer to Purchase Farr’s Shoes Building”, MORNING CALL, Fri., 3 June 1988, p.B-8.

152 Jack Kraft, “Switlyk Adds to Easton Holdings Developer to Purchase Farr’s Shoes Building”, MORNING CALL, 3 June 1988, p.B-8 (“Empire Beauty School building”); Tom Moylan, “30-Year-Old Is ‘Major Player’ in Downtown Easton’s Future”, MORNING CALL, 9 Aug. 1987, p.D-1 (“Empire building at 60 Centre Square”); see separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 60 Centre Square.

153 Joe Nixon, “Switlyk Pleads Guilty to Fraud * Former Easton Developer Admits in Federal Court that He Was Behind Scheme Involving a $150,000 Business Loan”, MORNING CALL, 19 Aug. 1998, p.B-1; see Dennis Zehner and Lauri Rice-Maue, “Real Estate Magnate Will Spend One Year in Jail * Switlyk, Who Owned Easton Properties, Stole $150,000 from N.J. Bank”, MORNING CALL, 15 Dec. 1998, p.B-4; Jack Kraft, “Switlyk Adds to Easton Holdings Developer to Purchase Farr’s Shoes Building”, MORNING CALL, 3 June 1988, p.B-8; Tom Moylan, “30-Year-Old Is ‘Major Player’ in Downtown Easton’s Future”, MORNING CALL, 9 Aug. 1987, p.D-1.

154 Madeleine Mathias, “Dreamers Won with Two Rivers Mayor Goldsmith: Landing Will Lead Downtown Revival”, MORNING CALL, 14 July 1996, p.S-03.

155 Tracy Jordan, “Pomeroy Lofts not abandoned, Pektor says ** Developer insists the condo and brew pub project awaits steel to start construction”, MORNING CALL, 18 July 2007, p.B-7A.

156 Joe Nixon, “City Hall Relocation Vote Monday”, MORNING CALL, 9 Aug. 1995, p.B-3; see Jimmy P. Miller, “Lawyer buys Empire Beauty building – Martin D. Cohen acquires the Downtown Easton building and the lot behind it”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Thurs., 21 Jan. 1999, p.B-1 (Switlyk “came to Easton in 1986 promising major Downtown revitalization. He left behind 35 unpaid mortgages totaling almost $8 million, fled to Florida and is currently serving a one-year prison sentence in New Jersey.”). But see Tom Moylan, “Some L.V. Business Unfinished, Developer Switlyk Moving on George Switlyk’s Lehigh Valley Odyssy”, MORNING CALL, Sun., 2 July 1989, p.D-1 (Easton Mayor Panto, after being “initially skeptical about Switlyk”, concluded that he was a “major player” in downtown Easton “I think George is a really good influence on the city.”).

157 Tracy Jordan, “Pomeroy Lofts not abandoned, Pektor says ** Developer insists the condo and brew pub project awaits steel to start construction”, MORNING CALL, 18 July 2007, p.B-7A; Dennis Zehner and Lauri Rice-Maue, “Real Estate Magnate Will Spend One Year in Jail * Switlyk, Who Owned Easton Properties, Stole $150,000 from N.J. Bank”, MORNING CALL, 15

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In 2005, Jahtvahr sold the Laubach’s Building and complex (not including the two rear buildings on Bank Street) to a development partnership for $1.5 million.164 This partnership was backed by Lou Pektor’s Ashley Development Corp., who was haled in an IRREGULAR article as a “knight in shinning armor” [sic] for its plans to convert the complex into the Pomeroy Lofts – condominiums with a brewpub on the first floor.165 Ashley Development Corp. has also publicized plans to develop a high-rise condominium to be known as The Majestik in place of the defunct movie theater on South 3rd Street, and other projects in the Lehigh Valley. In 2006, Ashley gutted the Laubach’s Department Store building as part of their widely-publicized plans, but construction stopped in 2007. The work stoppage was reported at that time as a temporary delay “waiting for steel”,166 but it was later made clear that “funding problems sank the project.”167

Nonetheless, in November 2010 a new developer (Pomeroy Development L.P., headed by Hunterdon County, NJ developer Mark Mulligan168) made use of Ashley’s interior demolition work and split the building into two: a portion fronting on

Dec. 1998, p.B-4. 158 Tracy Jordan, “Pomeroy Lofts not abandoned, Pektor says ** Developer insists the condo

and brew pub project awaits steel to start construction”, MORNING CALL, 18 July 2007, p.B-7A. 159 Tracy Jordan, “Pomeroy Lofts not abandoned, Pektor says ** Developer insists the condo

and brew pub project awaits steel to start construction”, MORNING CALL, 18 July 2007, p.B-7A; Article, “Eyesore No More”, MORNING CALL, 18 July 1989, p.B-1.

160 Deed, Ruth E. Tiburzi, Supervisor of Tax Claims Unit, County of Northampton, to Richard Baeyen, 854 586 (6 Feb. 1992).

161 Deed, Richard Baeyen to Jahtvar, Inc., 859 359 (8 Apr. 1992)(sale price $25,000). The subsequent sale deeds recited that Jahtvahr, Inc. had been erroneously called Jahtvar, Inc. in the earlier 1992 purchase deed. Jahtvahr, Inc. to Schy-Rhys Redevelopment, Inc., 1996-1-12497 (15 Bank Street) and 1996-1-120501 (19 Bank Street) (13 Nov. 1996).

162 Compare Ken Klabunde, “William Laubach & Sons: From a Small Dry Goods Store to Easton’s Largest Department Store” (Part II), THE EASTON IRREGULAR, Oct. 2005, p.17 with Tracy Jordan, “Pomeroy Lofts not abandoned, Pektor says ** Developer insists the condo and brew pub project awaits steel to start construction”, MORNING CALL, 18 July 2007, p.B-7A.

163 Deeds, Jahtvahr, Inc. to Schy-Rhys Redevelopment, Inc., 1996-1-12497 (15 Bank Street) and 1996-1-120501 (19 Bank Street) (13 Nov. 1996). This deed recited that Jahtvahr, Inc. had been erroneously called Jahtvar, Inc. in the earlier 1992 purchase deed. See also Ken Klabunde, “William Laubach & Sons: From a Small Dry Goods Store to Easton’s Largest Department Store” (Part II), THE EASTON IRREGULAR, Oct. 2005, p.17.

164 Deed, Jahtvar, Inc. to 322 Nrothampton Street Development, LP, 2005-1-194225 (24 May 2005)(sale price $1,500,000 for Lot #1 on the Final Plan of Subdivision of Jahtvaht, Inc., Plan Book 1995-5 at 362).

165 Ken Klabunde, “William Laubach & Sons: From a Small Dry Goods Store to Easton’s Largest Department Store” (Part II), THE EASTON IRREGULAR, Oct. 2005, p.17.

166 Tracy Jordan, “Pomeroy Lofts not abandoned, Pektor says ** Developer insists the condo and brew pub project awaits steel to start construction”, MORNING CALL, 18 July 2007, p.B-7A (mis-identifies The Majestik project as being on North 3rd Street).

167 Edward Sieger, “Developer successfully splits Pomeroy’s building in two”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Fri., 12 Nov. 2010, pp.B-1, B-2.

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Northampton Street, and a separate building in the rear along Pine Street (including the 7-story tower). The development plan seeks to provide apartments in the upper floors and rental space for at least two tenants in the Northampton Street building, while the rear (Pine Street) building is “mothballed” until a future development phase.169 A 28’ courtyard is to be provided between the two buildings.170 The renewed project received extensive state government investment – variously stated as a grant of $1.65 million,171 or an aggregate of $1.94 million – which includes an increase of several hundred thousand dollars beyond the amount promised to Ashley. In addition, nearly $4 million was obtained from private investors.172

The building was opened in 2012, with Maxim’s 22 restaurant (a French bistro) in the corner commercial space, while a “Cheeburger Cheeburger” grill occupies the other side. Mark Mulligan, the most prominent of the two property developers on the project, currently lives in Hunterdon County, NJ, and started life singing opera. He is the CEO of VM Development Group LLC, operating with partner William Vogt. They are also developing the Northampton National Bank Building (“The National Building”), the Governor Wolf Building on North 2nd Street, and the Alpha Building on Centre Square, as well as being involved in the project to develop the Simon Silk Mill on North 13th Street.173 As of October 2016, all of the 46 apartments developed in the Laubach’s Department Store Building, as well as the two restaurant spaces on the first floor, were occupied.174 In 2017, store space at 13 South Bank Street was occupied by Grandma’s Back Porch, a store offering handmade jewelry and home decor items.175

168 Sarah M. Wojcik, “Easton officials announce additional $200,000 in state grant funding for Pomeroy’s development project”, LEHIGH VALLEY LIVE (12 Apr. 2010), http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf/2010/04/easton_officials_announce_addi.html (accessed 12 Nov. 2010).

173 Anthony Salamone, “In leading Easton’s redevelopment revival, Mark Mulligan says ‘never fight a building’”, LehighValleyLive (EXPRESS-TIMES), http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf/2013/12/developer_mark_mulligan_is_lea.html (1 Dec. 2013).

174 Rudy Miller, “Easton’s old structures are getting a new look and a new life Brick By Brick”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Thurs., 6 Oct. 2016, p.1, col.1.

175 2017 Easton Christmas Book 16 (Easton Irregular Winter 2017). 169 Edward Sieger, “Developer successfully splits Pomeroy’s building in two”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Fri.,

12 Nov. 2010, pp.B-1, B-2. 170 Sarah M. Wojcik, “Easton officials announce additional $200,000 in state grant funding

for Pomeroy’s development project”, LEHIGH VALLEY LIVE (12 Apr. 2010), http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf/2010/04/easton_officials_announce_addi.html (accessed 12 Nov. 2010).

171 Edward Sieger, “Developer ready to rebuild Pomeroy’s – A TALE OF TWO PROJECTS. Work on brewpub in Downtown Easton still not ready to begin”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Fri., 16 July 2010, p.A-1.

172 Sarah M. Wojcik, “Final piece of Pomeroy’s financing -- WORK LIKELY TO BEGIN in May for Easton redevelopment project”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Tues., 13 Apr. 2010, A-1, see also LehighValleyLive.com entry at http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf/2010/04/easton_officials_announce_addi.html (accessed 12 Nov. 2010).

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