(Photos by Richard F. Hope)

Bixler-Nightengale Bldg. (315-21 Northampton Street)

Striking 3-1/2-story, peach-colored brick, with green decorative band and dormers, peaked green roof with red trim, exhibiting “Richardson Romanesque” and “Victorian” features.1 (Map Reference 34)(These are two separate parcels in the tax

records.) The current brick building appears to be a renovation of at least a part that existed in 1862.2

This is the original site of Christian Bixler III’s homestead and clock and jewelry store. Various sources date the business from approximately 1785;3 one source dates the homestead specifically to 1787.4 The Bixler (originally, Buchsler) Family – more specifically, Christian Bixler’s namesake grandfather – had emigrated from the area near Bern, Switzerland in 1727. Bixler’s father, Christian Bixler II, was a veteran of Washington’s army in the Revolution, who had become a clockmaker in Reading.5 Christian Bixler III moved to Easton in approximately 1785, and began making clocks at

2 See Ronald Wynkoop, Sr., The Old Home Town 120 (self published 1977), and discussion below.

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

3 See Easton Is Home, Easton Christmas Book 2005 15 (Easton Is Home 2005)(“established in 1785”); Bixler’s Jewelers’ Website, www.bixlers.com (“Established 1785”); Scott Hill, A Self Guided Tour . . . Historic Forks of the Delaware 4 (Eagle Scout Project, 29 April 1992)(“opened his first store in 1785, at the corner of Bank and Northampton Streets”). See also John W. Jordan, Edgar Moore Green & George T. Ettinger, II Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania 111 (The Lewis Publishing Co. 1905, reprint by Higginson Book Co.)(opened his store in 1788).

Bixler Family historian Floyd Bixler (one of Christian’s grandsons) at one point placed the beginning of the business in 1784, but elsewhere stated that Christian Bixler didn’t settle in Easton until 1787. Compare Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 15, 30 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930) with id. at 15.

Easton’s tax lists (originals located in the Northampton County Archives) do not show Christian Bixler until he appears as a “Single Freeman” in a list dated 23 February 1788. Some secondary sources have used this later date for the opening of the Bixler business. John W. Jordan, Edgar Moore Green & George T. Ettinger, I Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania 110-11 (The Lewis Publishing Co. 1905, reprint by Higginson Book Co.)(store established in 1788, Bixler came to Easton in 1785); Obituary, “C. Willis Bixler”, EASTON EXPRESS, Mon., 31 Aug. 1908, p.5, col.2 (jewelry business established in 1788). See also Marie and Frank Summa & Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., Images of America: Historic Easton 48 (Arcadia Publishing 2000)(places the opening in 1787).

The formal deed to what became the Bixler Family homestead property at the NE corner of Bank and Northampton Streets was not concluded until 1789. Deed, Penn Family to Christian Bixler, A2 559 (9 Nov. 1789); 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). However, many deeds in Easton were concluded in that year, after the property owners had unofficially occupied them for some time prior to concluding formal agreements with the Penn Family.

4 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 36 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930).

5 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 4, 8-9 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930); John W. Jordan, Edgar Moore Green & George T. Ettinger, I Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania 110 (The

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his homestead at the NE corner of an alley (now called Bank Street) and Northampton Street (now 321 Northampton Street).6 He formally purchased that property from the Penn Family in 1789 for £38 6 shillings and 8 pence “in Specie”.7

Bixler made some 465 clocks between 1784 and 1812, especially “tall case” (grandfather) clocks which (in one case) originally sold for £38, 6 shillings and eight pence, plus a “quit rent of one barley corn, payable on the 5th day of March, each year, forever thereafter, if demanded”. Today, when they are in good condition, these clocks are expensive collector’s items worth thousands of dollars. Bixler soon began selling jewelry as well.8 After about 1830, his store came to rely more on the jewelry business, as his brass movement clocks were replaced with cheaper “Yankee” clocks with wooden movements.9

In addition to his store, Christian Bixler “erected and operated one of the first mills to be put in operation on the Delaware river in Easton, and owned considerable real estate.”10 His properties included the purchase in 1800 of the rocky (unfarmable) hilltop along what is now North 2nd Street, where the Easton Union Academy had been established, in order to save that land from repossession by the Penn Family (who had never been paid for it). Bixler was later reimbursed.11 As a result of Bixler’s loan, the land was called “Bixler’s Bluff”.12 He was a founder of the local library, and joined a volunteer fire company.13 He was a founder of the Easton Water Company (engaged in bringing drinking water to town from spring on Chestnut (now College) Hill via wooden pipes).14 He was chairman of the town committee charged with getting a charter for the Easton Bank, which came to be headed by Bixler’s “intimate friend” Samuel Sitgreaves.15

In 1799, he ran against his brother-in-law Daniel Wagener (also spelled Wagoner) for Chief Burgess of Easton. They tied, and Wagener was chosen by lot.16

Christian Bixler had married Catharine Opp, one of three daughters of Jacob Opp, the German immigrant who operated an inn on the site of the present-day Hotel Lafayette. Indeed, it was probably his involvement with the Opp Family (who were distant relatives) that bought Bixler to Easton in the first place.17 Catharine’s sister, Eve (Opp) Wagener, was the wife of Daniel Wagener.18

Christian Bixler died in 1840 in his homestead at Northampton and Bank Streets.19 At that time, the property contained a 2-1/2 story “Stone House”, with a brick building in the rear. A published sketch has purported to show this building.

Lewis Publishing Co. 1905, reprint by Higginson Book Co.); see Article, “Completing the Circle”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sun., 1 Sept. 1985, p.F-1, cols. 1-4 & p.F-7 (discussing recent Bixler genealogical discoveries in Europe); see also Barbara B. Buchholz and Margaret Crane, Corporate Bloodlines: The Future of the Family Firm 78-79 (Carol Publishing Group 1989).

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Christian Bixler’s Homestead20

This sketch shows a building with a chimney and dormer at each end that could have been divided between Bixler’s boys (see below), but intriguingly also shows an adjacent stone building (perhaps on the theory that William had a separate house of his own. The artist, and the basis for this sketch, are unknown.

Christian Bixler’s will gave a life estate in a “Brick building in the rear of the Stone House now occupied by me situated on the corner of Northampton Street and Bank Alley”.21 His will went on to, in effect, divide his “Stone House” residence in half between his two sons (William and Daniel). [The widow’s brick building in the rear went to Daniel after her death, suggesting that it stood entirely on Daniel’s half of the property.] The will made special provision that William would also get the right to use the entry door and hall.

[William Bixler and his heirs received] “the Eastern half of the said Stone House with half of the Lot whereon it stands” [measuring 20’ X 240’ deep] “with the privilege of using the Door & Hall entering from Northampton Street so long as the same shall be kept as the entrance, or until the owner or owners of the part of the said Stone House shall build up or tear down to the line of his part where the said privilege shall end and the owner of the said Eastern half shall be confined to the said twenty foot front.”22

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This asymmetry of the entrance door suggests that the sketch of the Bixler Homestead shown above is not accurate. This discrepancy supports the supposition that the sketch was prepared at a later date – possibly even in the 20th Century – quite possibly based only upon later descriptions or recollections of the building.

The two Bixler brothers continued the business after their father’s death under the name “W. and D.L. Bixler”, but within a few years “they separated . . . each branching out in the same business under his own name.”23

The Eastern Half

Christian Bixler’s older son, William Bixler, took into his part of the business a very young Eli M. Fox as an employee in the 1840s.24 William Bixler died on 8 February 1848. His widow, Sophia (nee Tolan),25 took over the business.26 In the 1850s and ‘60s, the street listing for this property was No.115 Northampton St.27 By 1873, Mrs. Bixler had made Eli M. Fox a partner in the business.28 Fox also resided in Mrs. Bixler’s building.29 Fox, in turn, took on his nephew, Eli Fulmer, as his apprentice.30

23 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 24 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930).

24 See Obituary, “Eli M. Fox Dead”, EASTON EXPRESS, Fri., 7 June 1901, p.4, col.1. This states that Fox died in his 71st year (i.e. at age 70); had first come to Easton about 60 years before his death (i.e. in about 1841); and as a young man was employed by William Bixler.

25 William J. Heller, III History of Northampton County and the Grand Valley of the Lehigh 316 (American Historical Society 1920)(death date and information on his widow); see John W. Jordan, Edgar Moore Green & George T. Ettinger, I Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania 110-11 (The Lewis Publishing Co. 1905, reprint by Higginson Book Co.)(William Bixler’s wife was named Sophia).

But see Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 100 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930)(states that William Bixler died in 1850).

26 See Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 24 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930).

27 See Talbot’s Lehigh Valley Gazetteer and Business Directory 1864-65 (Press of Wynkoop & Hallenbeck 1864)(alphabetical listing for “Mrs. Bixler”, watchmaker & jeweler, evidently William Bixler’s wife and young Elwood Bixler’s mother).

28 See Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 55, 71 (1873)(alphabetical listings, Bixler and E.M. Fox). See generally separate www.WalkingEaston.com listing for 32 North 3rd Street, where Eli M. Fox lived.

29 Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 71 (1873)(E.M. Fox of Bixler & Fox, house at 115 Northampton Street under the street numbering scheme in effect at that time); Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 28, 49 (M.J. Riegel 1875)(Eli Fox of Bixler & Fox, house at 317 Northampton Street); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1877 75 (M.J. Riegel 1877)(E.M. Fox of Bixler & Fox, house at 315 Northampton Street); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1879 79 (M.J. Riegel 1879)(same); see also www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Bixler-Nightengale Building at 315-21 Northampton Street.

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After the renumbering of Northampton Street in 1874, the Bixler & Fox jewelry store was listed as No.317,31 and the residence as No.315.32

During the 1870s, Sophia Bixler’s son, J. Elwood Bixler, lived with his mother and worked as a jeweler, presumably in the Bixler & Fox store.33 According to one source, Elwood had been born on 26 February 1848 – 18 days after his father’s death.34 After Sophia Bixler died on 18 May 1879,35 she was succeeded by her son, J. Elwood Bixler, as head of the family business.36 Eli Fox left the Bixler firm in 1880 (the year after Sophia’s death and Elwood taking control), and opened his own competing jewelry store, taking his nephew Eli Fulmer along with him as his partner.37

30 Obituary, “Eli Fulmer Passes Away”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 12 Dec. 1931, p.1, col.2. 6 See Easton Is Home, Easton Christmas Book 2005 at 15; Jennifer Heebner, “Preserving

History, How Heirs to the 217-Year-Old Bixler’s Jewelers Keep the Past Alive”, Jewelers Circular Keystone (trade publication) 106-09 (Oct. 2002); Barbara B. Buchholz and Margaret Crane, Corporate Bloodlines: The Future of the Family Firm 80 (Carol Publishing Group 1989); Bixler’s Jewelers’ Website, www.bixlers.com; Ronald W. Wynkoop, The Old Home Town 118 (self published, 1977); Scott Hill, A Self Guided Tour . . . Historic Forks of the Delaware 3 (Eagle Scout Project, April 29, 1992)(copies sold by Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society); Obituary, “Owner Of Easton’s Oldest Business Establishment Founded in 1785, Dies At 63 After Week’s Illness”, EASTON EXPRESS, Thurs., 11 Oct. 1945, p.1, cols.5-6 (store established in 1785).

7 Deed, Penn Family to Christian Bixler, A2 559 (9 Nov. 1789)(sale price £38 6 shillings and 8 pence “in Specie” for property measuring 40’ (on Northampton Street) X 240’ (on what is now Bank Street, western part of original town Lot Nos. 134-37); 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).

Floyd Bixler’s history of the Bixler Family specifically claims that Christian Bixler later purchased the remainder of the square from Henry Alshouse.

“A few years after [Christian Bixler’s purchase of Bixler’s Bluff for the school] from the Penns, he secured title to the remaining eighty (80) feet on Northampton Street, of Henry Alshouse, carpenter and builder, making a total of one hundred wenty (120) feet front on Northampton Street, by two hundred and forty (240) feet deep northward to Church Street. It was a city square of land from Bank Street to Center Square, and of that width in depth to Church Street, the site of the present store of Bush and Bull.”

Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 16 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930), citing to property research done by Calvin G. Beitel.

Deed records do confirm that Henry Alshouse owned this property, but do not appear to support the assertion that Alshouse sold it to Christian Bixler. See generally Deed, John Penn the Younger and John Penn the Elder to Henry Alshouse or Allshouse, D2 333 (4 Dec. 1789). Instead, the recorded deeds indicate that Henry Alshouse divided his property at Centre Square and Northampton Street into three pieces – two of them fronting on Northampton Street – and disposed of them separately. See Deed, Henry (Susannah) Allshaus or Allshouse to John Allshaus or Allshouse, D2 335 (29 Oct. 1792)(sale price £ 60 for the western 40’ strip of the property, lying next to Christian Bixler’s land); Deed, John (Elizabeth) Allshouse to John Cooper, E2 595 (28 Mar. 1798)(40’ X 240’ strip of land lying next to Christian Bixler); Mortgage, John Cooper to John Allshouse, E2 190 (28 Mar. 1798)(Cooper having bought John Allshouse’s 40’ X 240’ strip of land in a sale “executed immediately before”, gave back a mortgage to secure payment of a penal bond for £848 securing a £420 debt obligation (plus interest) – presumably the debt for part of the purchase price of the property); Deed, Henry Allshaus or Allshouse to Robert

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This Fox & Fulmer store was known as the “jewelry palace of Easton”, initially located at 345 Northampton Street38 (the Fraley Building).39

Elwood Bixler’s manager for some years was Walter Hammann (also spelled Hammann),40 apparently beginning in about 1886.41

In 1873, Walter Hamman had been listed as the proprietor of a jewelry store at 406 Northampton Street.42 This was apparently the location where Elwood’s cousin, Rush Bixler, had previously operated his jewelry store.43 At that time, Walter Hamman was a young man of about 21 years of age, just starting in

Innes the Younger, D2 336 (21 Nov. 1797)(sale of portion of Allshouse at corner of Centre Square and Northampton Street); Deed, Henry Allshouse to Catherine Allshouse, E2 465 (27 June 1798)(transfer of title to rear portion lying in NW corner of Centre Square).

8 See Easton Is Home, Easton Christmas Book 2005 at 15; Jennifer Heebner, “Preserving History, How Heirs to the 217-Year-Old Bixler’s Jewelers Keep the Past Alive”, Jewelers Circular Keystone (trade publication) 106-09 (Oct. 2002); see Barbara B. Buchholz and Margaret Crane, Corporate Bloodlines: The Future of the Family Firm 80 (Carol Publishing Group 1989)(original sale price); Bixler’s Jewelers’ Website, www.bixlers.com; Scott Hill, A Self Guided Tour . . . Historic Forks of the Delaware 4 (Eagle Scout Project, April 29, 1992)(copies sold by Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society)(locates original store); Ronald W. Wynkoop, The Old Home Town 118 (self published, 1977); Marie and Frank Summa & Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., Images of America: Historic Easton 48 (Arcadia Publishing 2000)(places the opening in 1797, locates original store); Scott Hill, A Self Guided Tour . . . Historic Forks of the Delaware 3 (Eagle Scout Project, April 29, 1992)(copies sold by Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society); John W. Jordan, Edgar Moore Green & George T. Ettinger, I Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania 110-11 (The Lewis Publishing Co. 1905, reprint by Higginson Book Co.)(store established in 1788, Bixler came to Easton in 1785).

A photo display of one of Bixler’s clocks, made in 1805, is available from the Adams Brown Company of Cranbury, NJ on their website at www.adamsbrown.com/bixler.

9 See Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 17, 22 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930)(Bixler built no more clocks after 1830 “or a little later”, supplanted by cheaper “Yankee” clocks); Barbara B. Buchholz and Margaret Crane, Corporate Bloodlines: The Future of the Family Firm 80 (Carol Publishing Group 1989).

10 William J. Heller, III History of Northampton County and the Grand Valley of the Lehigh 316 (American Historical Society 1920).

11 Article, “Easton Public School System Acclaimed for Accomplishments”, EASTON EXPRESS, Saturday, 12 June 1937, Jubilee Section B p.9; Deed, Penn Family to Christian Bixler, F2 267 (6 Feb. 1800); 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); Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 35-36 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930)(conveyed to Union Academy Trustees 31 July 1805); Deed, Penn Family to Christian Bixler, F2 267 (6 Feb. 1800)(original town Lot Nos. 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34).

See also William J. Heller, III History of Northampton County and the Grand Valley of the Lehigh 316 (American Historical Society 1920)(Christian Bixler and his wife “loaned the village of Easton £700 sterling without interest in order that the hill might be retained, upon which the first stone schoolhouse in the village was built, Easton High School building now occupying the site. This loan was made necessary from the fact that the heirs of Mr. Penn claimed ownership of the

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business.44 Hamman married in 187845 -- just before Elwood’s mother died in 1879 and Fox left in 1880.

J. Elwood Bixler continued to run the family store until he died in 1891,46 ending his branch of the Bixler family’s involvement in the jewelry business.47 His manager, Walter Hammann, then moved to Philadelphia.48 The Bixler Family continued to own the Northampton Street property thereafter.49 Elwood Bixler’s widow, Emma (nee Eilenberger), built the mansion at the SW corner of Second and Spring Garden Streets in 1893, with the assistance of her nephew, Floyd S. Bixler (one of Daniel Bixler’s sons – see below).50 In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, both the store and residence were

hill”). This account is somewhat confused, as the “first stone schoolhouse” was actually the one built behind the German Union Church on North 3rd Street.

12 Cf. Len Buscmi, “Easton Trivia: Did You Know?”, EASTON IRREGULAR 5 (Apr. 2009). 13 See Barbara B. Buchholz and Margaret Crane, Corporate Bloodlines: The Future of the

Family Firm 80 (Carol Publishing Group 1989)( “a founder of its library, a fire fighter, the mayor.”).

14 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 30 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930)

15 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 29 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930).

16 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 30 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930).

31 Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Friday, 21 Nov. 1873, p.3; see J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 (1881)(alphabetical listing for J.E. Bixler, jeweler, evidently referring to J. Elwood Bixler).

32 J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 (1881)(alphabetical listing for C.C. Bixler). The 1880 Census makes it clear that this directory listing referred to Charles C. Bixler, brother of J. Elwood Bixler (the jeweler). Elwood was listed as the head of household in the 1880 Census. Charles lived in his brother’s house, but had “No occupation”. Also in the household were J. Elwood’s wife, Emma, and his 2-year-old son William O. Bixler. 1880 Census, Series T9, Roll 1161, p.409A.

33 Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 28 (M.J. Riegel 1875); (J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1877 55 (M.J. Riegel 1877); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1879 58 (M.J. Riegel 1879)(same).

34 William J. Heller, III History of Northampton County and the Grand Valley of the Lehigh 316 (American Historical Society 1920). Despite reciting these dates, this source also claims that William Bixler retired “in favor of his son”.

But see Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 100 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930)(states that William Bixler died in 1850). Floyd is meticulous in recording dates to the day for many of the other family members, but only gives years for William Bixler’s birth and death, possibly suggesting some uncertainty (or even obfuscation) by the family.

35 Henry F. Marx (compiler), I Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1871 – 1884 Newspaper Extracts 161 (Easton Area Public Library 1935).

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apparently rented to the photographic business of Kreidler & Crider (operated by Vincent A. Kreidler alone after Crider retired in 1897).51

The Western Half

Christian Bixler’s younger son, Daniel L. Bixler (1810 – 189252), had attempted unsuccessfully to strike out on his own before his father’s death. In about 1837,53 and against father Christian’s advice,54 Daniel had put his wife and 2-year-old daughter Adelia in a covered wagon, to “try the west”. Taking along a cow (for milk) and a supply of clocks, store stock and fixtures,55 they required about 5 weeks of hard travel to the

36 See Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 24 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930); J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 (1881)(alphabetical listing for J.E. Bixler, jeweler, evidently referring to J. Elwood Bixler). See generally John W. Jordan, Edgar Moore Green & George T. Ettinger, I Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania 110-11 (The Lewis Publishing Co. 1905, reprint by Higginson Book Co.); John W. Jordan, Edgar Moore Green & George T. Ettinger, I Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania 111 (The Lewis Publishing Co. 1905, reprint by Higginson Book Co.).

37 Obituary, “Eli Fulmer Passes Away”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 12 Dec. 1931, p.1, col.2; accord, American Journal of Progress, “Greater Easton of To-day” 21 (written c.1902 during Mayor B. Rush Field’s second 3-year term, reprinted courtesy of W-Graphics)(opened 1880).

38 See American Journal of Progress, “Greater Easton of To-day” 21 (written c.1902 during Mayor B. Rush Field’s second 3-year term, reprinted courtesy of W-Graphics); J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 41 (1881). See generally Photograph of Northampton Street 300 Block c. 1880 in possession of Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, showing the store.; www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 345 Northampton Street.

Eli Fulmer’s residence was at 15 South 5th Street. See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for that address; Census Directory of Northampton County, Eleventh U.S. Census, 1890 (Joseph H. Werner, assisted by Geo. W. West 1891), E-H transcribed online at www.bethlehempaonline.com/beth1890/eastonetoh.html. (watch maker); 1910 Census, Series T624, Roll 1381, p.110B (jewelry merchant). In the 1920s and ‘30s, he lived at 248 Spring Garden Street. West’s Easton Pa. and Phillipsburg, N.J. Directory 698 (R.L. Polk & Co. of Philadelphia 1930); 1920 Census, Series T625, Roll 1609, p.98A (Eli Fulmer (age 66), jewelry store, and family at 248 Spring Garden Street).

39 Obituary, “Eli Fulmer Passes Away”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 12 Dec. 1931, p.1, col.2. 40 See Obituary, “Walter Hammann Dies In Phila.”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 8 Oct. 1927,

p.2, col.7. This obituary indicates that “for many years he managed the store of the late J. Ellwood Bixler” at 317 Northampton Street. He moved to Philadelphia after Elwood died, and worked in the jewelry departments of the John Wanamaker store, and of the Strawbridge & Clothier store.

41 As seen above, Walter Hammann had his own watchmaker shop address in the early 1880s, until the 1884-5 City Directory. J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1884-5 61 (1884). However, beginning in 1887, he was listed as a jeweler, showing only his home address at 1132 Northampton Street. It seems likely that his employment with Elwood Bixler started before that time, and continued until Elwood Bixler’s death. See George W. West (compiler), West’s Guide to Easton [Etc.] 53 (George W. West 1887); George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory for Easton, [Etc.] 102 (George W. West 1889).

42 Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Friday, 21 Nov. 1873, p.3.

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relatively new state of Ohio,56 evidently via the first federally-funded “National Road” which was just then being opened to their destination at Springfield (a little West of Columbus). Both existing version of this story make the point of how awful the road was during this journey.57 Once in Ohio, Bixler’s business started well, but “one morning Mr. Bixler awoke to find that thieves had entered his store and had taken everything of value.” Unable to replenish stock, and without equipment to continue operating as a jeweler, had was forced to apply to his father for money to defray of the expense of the journey back to Easton.58

Daniel continued with his brother William in the jewelry business for a time after his return to Easton, but the brothers ultimately separated their businesses.59 [For a history of his family’s jewelry business, see the entry for 24 Centre Square.] After his father’s death, Daniel “altered the old corner at Bank and Northampton Streets into a . . . hardware store, and did a fine business, though many of the people to whom he gave credit never paid their accounts.”60 In 1852, the Sheriff seized Daniel’s portion of the Bixler homestead property (at the corner) over a debt of $1,708, and sold the property for $5,600 to shoe salesman John A. Nightengale (also spelled Nightingale).61 However

43 See discussion in www.WalkingEaston.com discussion of Bixler’s Jewelers in the entry for 24 Centre Square.

44 1870 Census, Series M593, Roll 1382, p.129 (back) shows Walter Hamman at age 18, living in the Easton household of bank teller William Hamman (apparently, his father).

45 His wife, Mollie T. Barr, had originally come from Philadelphia. Henry F. Marx (compiler), III Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1871 – 1884 Newspaper Extracts 665 (Easton Area Public Library 1935)(Walter Hamman married Mollie T. Barr of Philadelphia on 22 May 1878).

17 See Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 50, 100 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930); John W. Jordan, Edgar Moore Green & George T. Ettinger, I Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania 111 (The Lewis Publishing Co. 1905, reprint by Higginson Book Co.). See generally www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Hotel Lafayette at 11 North 4th Street.

18 See Estate of Jacob Opp, 7 Orphan’s Court Record 319 (3 June 1805), 7 Orphan’s Court Record 330 (17 Aug. 1805); 8 Orphans Court Record 5 (18 Apr. 1806); see Deed, Abraham (Elizabeth) Horn Jr. to Christian Butz and Jacob Mixsell, B3 455 (22 Feb. 1808)(recital). Portion No.2 went to Eve Wagener and her busband, Daniel Wagener. Portion No.4 (on what is now 4th Street) went to Catharine (Opp) Bixler and her husband, Christian Bixler. See also www.WalkingEaston.com entries for the Lafayette Hotel at 11 North 4th Street, and the Churchman Buildings, 355 Spring Garden Street.

19 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 36, 100 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930)(death date 29 Jan. 1840).

Floyd Bixler clearly stated that Christian Bixler, and later his wife Catherine Opp Bixler, were buried in the crypt under St. John’s Lutheran Church, at 330 Ferry Street. Id. at 38. Inquiries in recent years indicate that the Bixler headstone is in the crypt, although the presence of bodies underneath it was not verified. Opinions differ as to whether Mr. Bixler’s body is still located in the crypt.

21 See Will of Christian Bixler III, Northampton County File No. 4943, Will Book 6 at 32, Paragraph “First” (4 Feb. 1840).

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Daniel L. Bixler’s principal biographer (and son, Floyd) indicated that Daniel and his family did not move their residence from the Northampton Street house until 1854.62 In 1855, Daniel Bixler had become the superintendent of Easton’s Water Works, and was by then living on Ferry Street.63 A biography also indicates that at about this time he also built a saw mill on the Lehigh River, to the West of the foot of what is now 4th Street. However, his old business problem of collecting from delinquent accounts also rendered this venture “disastrous”.64 From 1859, until he retired in about 1878, Daniel Bixler became a clerk or bookkeeper at the Easton National Bank65 (which he father had helped to found). Daniel L. Bixler died in 1892.66

John Nightengale (also frequently spelled Nightingale) had come to Easton in approximately 183467 from Massachusetts, and opened a retail shoe business.68 He may

22 In point of detail, this was a life estate to William, with a trust to his widow and children if he had any. If there was no widow or issue, the will executors were to sell the property. The trustees for William’s widow and children were his brother, Daniel L. Bixler, and Charles W. Mixsell. See Will of Christian Bixler III, Northampton County File No. 4943, Will Book 6 at 32, Paragraph “Second” (4 Feb. 1840). The “Western half of the Stone House and Lot” were given to Daniel L. Bixler in Paragraph “Sixth” of the will, with no mention of the door or the entry Hall (clearly indicating that there was no need to give a similar privilege to Daniel, presumably because the door and hall were all located on his side of the house).

46 William J. Heller, III History of Northampton County and the Grand Valley of the Lehigh 316-17 (American Historical Society 1920)(died 12 June 1891); accord, John W. Jordan, Edgar Moore Green & George T. Ettinger, I Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania 111 (The Lewis Publishing Co. 1905, reprint by Higginson Book Co.).

47 See Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 24 (undated, typed by Edith Jane Stires, 1930 per data on p.15).

48 Obituary, “Walter Hammann Dies In Phila.”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 8 Oct. 1927, p.2, col.7.

49 See, e.g., Agreement, Edith Bixler (by Trustee Emma E. Bixler) and J.F. Nightingale, Deed Book Misc.37 227 (16 Jan. 1902).

50 See Easton Daily Express, Illustrated Industrial Edition 22 (Jan. 1893, reprinted by W-Graphics)(with illustration; article says Howell “is supervising the construction of the house”); Deed, Floyd S. Bixler to Emma E. Bixler, B24 232 (31 March 1892). See also 1900 Census, Series T623, Roll 1447, p.63A. Floyd had purchased the property the previous year. Deed, Jeremiah (Lizzie) Anglemyer to Floyd S. Bixler, H22 576 (1 March 1892).

51 American Journal of Progress, “Greater Easton of To-day” 21 (written c.1902 during Mayor B. Rush Field’s second 3-year term, reprinted courtesy of W-Graphics).

52 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 113 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930). The current Bixler’s Jewelers owners descend from Daniel’s side of the family.

53 See Article, “Mrs. Butz at 91 Recalls Days of the Covered Wagon and Indian Squaws Holding Her on Their Laps”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 24 July 1926, p.11, cols.1-2; accord, Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 40 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930). This date is consistent with Adelia being about 2 and a half years old at the time, since she was born in 1835. But see Floyd Bixler, supra at 26, which states that Daniel was age 25 for his Ohio adventure – placing the event in 1835, since Daniel was born in 1810. By contrast, at page 27, Floyd Bixler’s picture caption references 1838 as the date of the Ohio trip.

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not have moved his business onto the Bixler property immediately after purchasing it in 1852, because in 1855 his business was still advertised in the building now known as Military Hall, farther up Northampton Street.69 Bixler Family tradition holds that Daniel Bixler’s hardware business – run by a John Cooper – continued in Daniel Bixler’s premises until 1854, and that Nightengale only took over the space in 1855.70

Nightengale’s shoe business was firmly established in Daniel Bixler’s former property by the 1860s. At that time, the property was numbered 117 Northampton St. He also established his family residence in the building.71

54 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 26 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930).

55 Article, “Mrs. Butz at 91 Recalls Days of the Covered Wagon and Indian Squaws Holding Her on Their Laps”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 24 July 1926, p.11, cols.1-2.

56 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 28 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930). But see Article, “Mrs. Butz at 91 Recalls Days of the Covered Wagon and Indian Squaws Holding Her on Their Laps”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 24 July 1926, p.11, cols.1-2 (Mrs. Butz recalled the journey as requiring about 3 months to arrive near Columbus Ohio).

57 Floyd Bixler’s account (at 28) specifically mentioned Springfield, Ohio, while Adelia Butz’s interview only said it was near Columbus, Ohio. Using the new “macadamized” construction technique, the National Road was opened to Columbus in 1833, and to Springfield in 1838. In the following year it was finished to Vandalia, IL, but never completed beyond that point. Plans to reach the Mississippi were abandoned. Beginning in 1832, tolls were instituted as federal funding ended and states took over. However, the tolls failed to generate sufficient revenue to properly maintain the road. Nevertheless, the road was heavily used in the mid-19th Century. Later, however, railroads took over much of the traffic, as poor maintenance made the National Road even less attractive. During the 20th Century, use by motor cars encouraged the government to fund better maintenance. The road was eventually paved with concrete (superseding more expensive brick paving), and it became the basis of Route 40. See Touring Ohio, “National Road”, http://www.touring-ohio.com/history/national-road.html (accessed 31 Jan. 2014); see also Wikipedia, “National Road”, http://history1800s.about.com/od/transportation/a/nationalroad.htm (accessed 31 Jan. 2014).

58 Article, “Mrs. Butz at 91 Recalls Days of the Covered Wagon and Indian Squaws Holding Her on Their Laps”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 24 July 1926, p.11, cols.1-2. By contrast, Floyd Bixler’s account (at 40), after confirming similar facts about the burglary, suggests that Daniel returned to Easton because he heard that his father was in declining health, and thought he might be of use there.

20 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 23 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930)(captioned “Bixler Home Stead 1787 – 1854 N.E. corner Northampton and Bank Streets, site of Bush and Bull store”); Ronald Wynkoop, Sr., The Old Home Town 118 (self published 1977) (sketch of Bixler stone homestead); Marie & Frank Summa and Leonard Buscemi Sr., Images of America: Historic Easton 48 (Arcadia Publishing 2000)(sketch of Bixler stone homestead).

59 See Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 24 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930). This suggests that the brothers remained in business together for “a few years” after their father’s death.

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By 1869, one of John A. Nightengale’s sons, Henry O. Nightingale,72 was operating his own shoe store (perhaps as a branch of the family business) on the South side of Northampton Street.73 His business also operated another branch in Centre Square, located in the Porter Block (later incorporated into the modern Alpha Building).74

In 1871, H.O. Nightingale erected a new building on the North side of Northampton Street, at what became 447-49 Northampton Street75 – known as the Nightingale Building.76

In 1868, one of John A. Nightengale’s daughters, Ophelia, married Easton resident W.W. Moon.77 Moon was the son of Easton painter Samuel Moon78 (“one of the

60 See Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 44 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930). Floyd Bixler indicates that the change to hardware began in 1843 – probably because of an Advertisement, “New Hardware Store Sign of the Padlock”, DEMOCRAT & ARGUS, Thurs., 16 Feb. 1843, p.4, col.5. The advertisement identifies the location of the hardware store as across from the Easton Bank, which is consistent with the Bixler homestead’s location.

This 1843 advertisement appears to show a placement date of 26 November 1840. If that date is correct (rather than something closer to the date of this newspaper edition), then it suggests that Daniel Bixler went into the hardware business very soon after his father’s death, rather than remaining in business with his brother for “a few years” as suggested by Floyd Bixler in The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd , supra at 24.

61 Notice of Seizure from Daniel L. Bixler and Sheriff’s Sale, Shff 2 141 (19 April 1852); Deed, John Bachman, Sheriff, to John A. Nightengale, F8 138 (27 April 1852; recorded 9 July 1852); see Mortgage Deed, John F. Magee, Jr., Executor for Elizabeth A. Magee, to Easton National Bank & Trust Co., 571 200 (8 Sept. 1977)(ownership recital for 321 Northampton St. property, dates sheriff’s sale to 1852).

It is through Daniel L. Bixler’s family, however, that the present Bixler’s Jeweler’s store descends. See Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd , supra (genealogical charts at back). See generally John W. Jordan, Edgar Moore Green & George T. Ettinger, I Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania 356-57 (The Lewis Publishing Co. 1905, reprint by Higginson Book Co.)(biography of Rush Bixler).

62 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 38, 44 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930)(also indicating that Christian Bixler’s widow, Catherine Opp Bixler, continued to live with Daniel until his move to a new home at the corner of Ferry and Walnut Streets in 1854).

63 C[harles] Kitchen, A General Directory of the Borough of Easton PA 15 (Cole & Eichman’s Office, 1855)(D.L. Bixler, sup. Water Works, house at 227 Ferry Street). Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd , supra at 44, states that his residence was located at the corner of Ferry and Walnut Streets. See citations below (concerning his bookkeeping career) for directory citations to the house, which was renumbered 643 Ferry Street with the adoption of the modern street numbering scheme in 1874. However, that house today is not located at the corner with Walnut Street, as another house intervenes.

64 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 44 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930).

65 Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 44 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930); accord, William H. Boyd, Boyd’s Directory of Reading, Easton, [Etc.] 118 (William H.

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most prominent artists of Pennsylvania” of the period79) and grandson (through his mother) of noted Easton innkeeper William “Chippy” White.80

Indeed, William Moon’s middle initial, “W.”, stood for “White”.81

Thus, Moon and Henry O. Nightingale were brothers-in-law. In addition, Moon was also independently related to Henry O. Nightingale’s wife, Emily Cottingham,82 through the White Family.83 The family relationships were apparently close. For example, on 29 October 1871, “H. Oscar” and Emily Nightingale had their daughter (Nina Josephine) baptized at the same time that William W. and Ophelia Moon had their sons Arthur and Fred baptized, at Trinity Episcopal Church.84

Boyd 1860)(Daniel L. Bixler, clerk, house 227 Ferry Street); Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 30 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870)(Daniel L. Bixler, clerk, Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Bank, house 227 Ferry Street); Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 55 (1873)(Daniel L. Bixler, clerk, house at 227 Ferry Street); Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 27 (M.J. Riegel 1875)(Daniel L. Bixler, bookkeeper, Easton National Bank, house 643 Ferry Street); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1877 55 (M.J. Riegel 1877)(Daniel L. Bixler, house 643 Ferry Street); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1879 58 (M.J. Riegel 1879)(Daniel L. Bixler, bookkeeper, house at 643 Ferry Street); Obituary, “BIXLER”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 13 Dec. 1892, p.2, col.2 (Daniel Lewis Bixler died at his residence at 643 Ferry Street).

He died on 12 December 1892, at age 82. Obituary, “BIXLER”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 13 Dec. 1892, p.2, col.2 (died Monday evening [12 December], in his 83rd year [i.e. age 2]); Jane S. Moyer (compiler), II Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1885-1902 Newspaper Extracts 60 (Easton Area Public Library 1976)(born 3 Oct. 1810, died 12 Dec. 1892 at age 83).

66 Obituary, “BIXLER”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 13 Dec. 1892, p.2, col.2 (Daniel Lewis Bixler died at his residence at 643 Ferry Street).

67 See Obituary, “NIGHTINGALE”, EASTON EXPRESS, 29 Oct. 1894, p.2, col.3 (came to Easton 60 years ago). Accord, Article, “Disastrous Fire”, EASTON DEMOCRAT & ARGUS, 8 Nov. 1838, p.2, col.5 (reference to frame shop on Northampton Street “tenanted by the Messrs. Nightingale, shoemakers” whose goods were removed in fear of a fire but whose building was “providentially saved”). The exact location of this fire is not identified. It began in a “double frame” building “occupied by Mrs. Tillotson as a millinery and boarding house, and by Mr. J. Price, ladies’ shoemaker”. Nightingale’s shop was two doors to the West, separated by a fame building occupied by “Messrs. Johnson & Colver, tailors” that was pulled down to prevent the spread of the fire. On the East of Mrs. Tillotson’s house was the “two story brick house of Mrs. Shnyder”, which was also “saved from the flames” despite being “several times on fire”.

68 Obituary, “J.F. Nightingale, Retired Merchant, Whist Expert, Dies”, EASTON EXPRESS, Wed., 22 Dec. 1937, p.1, col.6 (states the decedant’s father, John A. Nightingale, had come to Easton from Massachusetts and opened a retail shoe business there). However, this source placed the father’s shoe store at Bank and Northampton streets, and dated its opening to “shortly after the Civil War”. We know from directory entries that his store in fact pre-dated the Civil War (see below).

When he died, two of John A. Nightengale’s brothers lived in Quincy, Massachusetts. Accordingly, it seems likely that he had originally come from Quincy. See Jane S. Moyer (compiler), XIV Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1885-1902 Newspaper Extracts 36 (Easton Area Public Library 1976).

69 In 1855, J.A. Nightingale’s boots and shoes had been located in Military Hall at 137 Northampton St. C[harles] Kitchen, A General Directory of the Borough of Easton PA (Cole & Eichman’s Office, 1855)(advertisement).

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Consequently, it should probably come as no surprise that when Henry O. Nightingale died at the age of only 33 on 1 April 1875,85 William W. Moon took over his shoe store business.86 In 1879, Moon’s father-in-law, the old shoe merchant John A. Nightengale, purchased a mansion at 60 North 3rd Street,87 where the Moon and his wife promptly took up residence.88 When Nightengale died in 1894,89 he left title to the house to his daughter Ophelia in trust, with one of her brothers as trustee.90

Meanwhile, for some years before he died, old John A. Nightengale had left his own shoe business (at 321 Northampton Street) to the direction of his son Charles.91 Another son, John F. Nightengale, by 1881 had joined Moon’s separate firm.92 In

70 See Floyd Smith Bixler, The Vine and Background of Christian Bixler, 3 rd and Some Collateral Branches 38, 44 (typed by Edith Jane Stires, undated but text at 15 indicates written in 1930), which states that Daniel “gave up” the dry goods business to L.M. Cohen, a Philadelphia merchant, who operated it from 1854-55, and then the property was sold by Cooper to Nightengale in 1855. This version does not appear to be consistent with the deed record, but may reflect the actual occupancy of the building, especially as viewed by young Floyd, who was only born in 1843 (and thus was a pre-teen / teenager at the time these events occurred).

71 William H. Boyd, Boyd’s Directory of Reading, Easton, [Etc.] 127 (William H. Boyd 1860)(John A. Nightingale, shoemaker, 117 Northampton Street); Talbot’s Lehigh Valley Gazetteer and Business Directory 1864-65 25 (Press of Wynkoop & Hallenbeck 1864)(J.A. Nightingale & Son, wholesale and retail boot & shoes at 117 Northampton Street, residence at same address); Obituary, “J.F. Nightingale, Retired Merchant, Whist Expert, Dies”, EASTON EXPRESS, Wed., 22 Dec. 1937, p.1, col.6 (J.F. Nightingale’s father established the family residence in the building at Bank and Northampton Streets).

72 See 1850 Census, Series M432, Roll 802, p.160B, ancestry.com Image 327 shows the household of shoemaker John A. Nightingale (age 36) in Easton with (among others) the oldest son, Henry O. Nightingale, age 8).

73 See H.O. Nightingale, “A Card”, EASTON EXPRESS, Mon., 30 Oct. 1871, p.3, col.1. The address, under the street numbering scheme in effect at that time, was 166 Northampton Street. Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 66 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870)(with residence address at 208 Ferry Street).

74 See Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 92 (M.J. Riegel 1875)(Henry O. Nightingale, shoe dealer at 1 South 3rd Street and 447 Northampton Street, house at 445 Northampton Street); www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Alpha Building at 1 South 3rd Street.

75 See H.O. Nightingale, “A Card”, EASTON EXPRESS, Mon., 30 Oct. 1871, p.3, col.1 (new store erected 1871); Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Friday, 21 Nov. 1873, p.3; Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 92 (M.J. Riegel 1875)(Henry O. Nightingale, shoe dealer at 1 South 3rd Street and 447 Northampton Street, house at 445 Northampton Street). See also www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Nightingale Building at 447-49 Northampton Street for discussion of the change in numbering from 445-47 to 447-49 Northampton Street.

76 E.g., Charles M. Barnard (compiler), West’s Directory for City of Easton 21 (The Union Publishing Co. 1914)(“Blocks, Buildings, Halls”); Obituary, “Fred Nightingale, Easton Native and Businessman, 79”, EASTON EXPRESS, Mon., 20 Mar. 1950, p.12, col.1 (Fred Nightingale had been born and operated a shoe business in the Nightingale Building, 449 Northampton Street).

77 Trinity Episcopal Church of Easton, Pennsylvania, Register of Baptisms – Funerals and Marriages (Easton Public Library code T) 67 (copied in Easton Public Library 1936)(William White Moon married Ophelia Frances Nightingale on 2 June 1868 in Easton); see also Deed, F.F.

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approximately 1884, William Moon purchased (presumably from Charles) the Nightengale Family’s main shoe sales operation93 at 321 Northampton Street, continuing to operate it under a separate firm name (Moon & Co.) with a Nightingale son, John F. Nightingale, as his partner. Old John A. Nightengale continued to live in residential space in that building.94 Charles Nightingale, meanwhile, had left the sales side of the business to concentrate on manufacturing shoes at a factory at the corner of Bank and Church Alleys in the rear of the shoe store property.95

By 1887, Moon and J.F. Nightingale had consolidated the shoe stores at 321 and 447 Northampton Street into the single W.W. Moon & Co. firm name, while John F.

(Pearl B.) Moon to Wilson Beam, E41 35 (18 Feb. 1914)(recital that the will of previous property owner John A. Nightengale had left the property in trust for his daughter, Ophelia F. Moon); Jane S. Moyer (compiler), XIV Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1885-1902 Newspaper Extracts 36 (Easton Area Public Library 1976)(One of John A. Nightingale’s daughters was Mrs. W.W.Moon). See generally separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 60 North 3rd Street.

78 Frank B. Copp, Biographical Sketches of Some of Easton’s Prominent Citizens 112 (Hillburn & West 1879).

79 Frank B. Copp, Biographical Sketches of Some of Easton’s Prominent Citizens 110-12 (Hillburn & West 1879); see William J. Heller, II History of Northampton County and The Grand Valley of the Lehigh Biographical Section 287-88 (The American Historical Society 1920).

80 Frank B. Copp, Biographical Sketches of Some of Easton’s Prominent Citizens 112 (Hillburn & West 1879). Samuel Moon had married Matilda White on 1 July 1835 in the First Presbyterian Church of Easton; Willliam White Moon was baptized in that church on 22 September 1839. Record of First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pennsylvania 1811-1887 36, 66 (copied in Easton Public Library 1936). See also David B. Skillman, The Biography of a College 28 (Lafayette College 1932).

81 David B. Skillman, The Biography of a College 28 (Lafayette College 1932)(gives middle name of White).

82 Trinity Episcopal Church of Easton, Pennsylvania, Register of Baptisms – Funerals and Marriages (Easton Public Library code T) 121 (copied in Easton Public Library 1936)(Emily Cottingham married Henry Oscar Cottingham in Trinity Episcopal Church on 23 September 1863), handwritten records image on ancestry.com.

83 Emily Cottingham was the daughter of Robert Cottingham and his wife, Sophia. 1850 Census, Series M432, Roll 802, p.163A, ancestry.com Image 332 (Emily Cottingham, age 10, in household of Robert Cottingham, age 50, and Sophia Cottingham, age 45).

Her mother, Sophia Cottingham, was a daughter of Easton hotelier William “Chippy” White. See Estates of Susan and Sarah White, 22 Orphan’s Court Record 28, 523, 524 (22 Jan. 1864, 24 and 25 Apr. 1865)(Robert Cottingham had married Sophia White, and was thus the brother-in-law of Susan and Sarah White, and (by extension) son-in-law of Easton hotelier William White).

84 Trinity Episcopal Church of Easton, Pennsylvania, Register of Baptisms – Funerals and Marriages (Easton Public Library code T) 101 (copied in Easton Public Library 1936).

85 Henry F. Marx (compiler), IV Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1871 – 1884 Newspaper Extracts 1302 (Easton Area Public Library 1935).

86 Moon’s obituary stated that he started his own business in 1875. Obituary, “W.W. Moon Dead in South”, EASTON EXPRESS, Thursday, 30 Oct. 1919, p.1, col.6; see J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1877 110 (M.J. Riegel 1877)(W.W. Moon, shoe store at 447 Northampton Street, residence at 616 Ferry Street); see also J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 87 (1881)(W.W. Moon & Co., 447 Northamptpon Street and 1 South 3rd Street, house at 60 North 3rd

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(now listed as “J. Frank”) Nightingale had taken over brother Charles’s old residential address at 616 Ferry Street.96 Charles was no longer listed, apparently having left shoe manufacturing and Easton altogether to run a glass and bottle business in Binghamton (NY) and Chicago; he later retired to Oakland, California.97

Old John A. Nightengale died in 1894.98 Moon continued in the shoe business until 1897, when he sold his interest.99 After his wife’s death in 1905,100 Moon left Easton to live with his daughter, Emilie Miller, in Nazareth.101 Moon subsequently tried several other activities in various locations for short periods of time. Finally, he returned to this area and to the telephone business he had entered as a young man, by becoming

Street); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1883-4 103 (J.H. Lant 1883)(same).

The 1875 city directory actually shows Henry O. Nightingale operating the business, and W.W. Moon as a clerk with no store of his own. This was presumably based upon data compiled at the beginning of that year, before Henry O. Nightingale’s death. Compare Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 92 (M.J. Riegel 1875)(Henry O. Nightingale, shoe dealer at 1 South 3rd Street and 447 Northampton Street, house at 445 Northampton Street) and id. at 89 (William Moon, clerk, house at 1459 Washington Street).

87 Deed, Charles Heller, Trustee for Susan Innes, to John A. Nightingale, C16 618 (5 July 1879)(sale price $8050 for “brick messuage or tenement” and lot measuring 27’ X 240’); Deed, Susan W. Innes to John A. Nightingale, C16 620 (5 July 1879)(same price and property: apparently a duplicate deed done in case the trust was deemed to have ceased upon the death of John A. Innes and provided ownership directly by his wife directly).

88 1880 Census, Series T9, Roll 1161, p.403B (boots & shoes merchant W.W. Moon (age 41) and wife Ophelia residence at 60 North 3rd Street); J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 87 (1881); George W. West, West’s Guide to Easton, [Etc.] 103 (West & Everett, Job Printers 1883); George W. West, Directory of Easton, [Etc.] 184 (Geo. W. West 1894); Article, “Interesting Reminiscence, North Third Street a Third of a Century Ago”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Thursday, 20 Aug. 1885, p.3. See also Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 475 (George W. West 1885 / 1889).

89 Obituary, “NIGHTINGALE”, EASTON EXPRESS, 29 Oct. 1894, p.2, col.3; see Jane S. Moyer (compiler), XIV Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1885-1902 Newspaper Extracts 36 (Easton Area Public Library 1976).

90 See Deed, F.F. (Pearl B.) Moon to Wilson Beam, E41 35 (18 Feb. 1814)(recitals; Ophellia’s brother and trustee was John F. Nightengale).

91 J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc,] Directory for 1877 113 (M.J. Riegel 1877)(C.T. Nightingale, shoes at 321 Northampton Street; John A. Nightengale no longer listed as having any occupation, residence at 321 Northampton Street); see J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 90 (1881)(C.T. Nightingale, manufacturer and dealer in shoes at 321 Northampton Street, house at 114 North 3rd Street; John A. Nightingale, house at 319 Northampton Street, occupation listed as “clerk”); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1883-4 106 (J.H. Lant 1883)(C.T. Nightingale, boots & shoes at 321 Northampton Street).

Until 1877, the shoe store at 321 Northampton Street had been listed to John A. Nightingale (Nightengale). See, e.g., Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 92 (M.J. Riegel 1875).

Regarding Charles’s family relationship: the obituaries of John A. Nightingale included Charles T. Nightingale among his surviving children. Jane S. Moyer (compiler), XIV Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1885-1902 Newspaper Extracts 36 (Easton Area Public Library 1976)(two entries). See also 1850 Census, Series M432, Roll 802, p.160B, ancestry.com Image 327 (Charles, then age 1, in the household of John A. Nightingale).

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the manager of the Slate Belt Telephone Co, where he remained for ten years.102 W.W. Moon died in 1919; his funeral was held at the residence of “J. Frank” Nightingale.103

After his father’s death and William Moon’s retirement, John F. Nightingale took over control of the main family shoe business at 321 Northampton Street. He continued to manage that business until 1902, when he also retired.104 He then leased 321 Northampton Street as expansion space for the adjacent Bush & Bull store.105 In retirement, he indulged his passion for cards, becoming one of the most expert whist players in national competition in America (with his partner, C.D.P. Hamilton of St. Louis), and the founder of the Nightingale Club to play bridge in the afternoons. He also continued his early membership in the Pomfret Club, acting for many years as its

92 J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 90 (1881)(J.F. Nightingale in W.W. Moon & Co., house at 319 Northampton Street).

93 William J. Heller, II History of Northampton County and the Grand Valley of the Lehigh Biographical Section 289 (American Historical Society 1920).

94 See J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1884-5 100, 104 (1884)(Moon & Co., boots & shoes, at 321 Northampton Street; W.W. Moon & Co., shoe store at 447 Northampton Street; J.F. Nightengale in Moon & Co., house at 319 Northampton Street; John A. Nightengale, house at 321 Northampton Street).

95 J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1884-5 103 (1884)(Charles T. Nightengale, shoe manufacturing at Bank corner with Church; house 616 Ferry Street); accord, Obituary, “Charles T. Nightingale”, EASTON EXPRESS, Thurs., 26 Apr. 1928, p.7, cols.2-3 (factory at the rear of the Nightingale shoe store property).

96 George W. West (compiler), West’s Guide to Easton [Etc.] 103, 107 (George W. West 1887); see George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory for Easton, [Etc.] 162, 168 (George W. West 1889)(same); George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of Easton [Etc.] 157, 161 (George W. West 1892)(same).

97 See Obituary, “Charles T. Nightingale”, EASTON EXPRESS, Thurs., 26 Apr. 1928, p.7, cols.2-3.

98 Obituary, “NIGHTINGALE”, EASTON EXPRESS, 29 Oct. 1894, p.2, col.3; see Jane S. Moyer (compiler), XIV Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1885-1902 Newspaper Extracts 36 (Easton Area Public Library 1976); Mortgage Deed, John F. Magee, Jr., Executor of the Will of Elizabeth A. Magee, to Easton National Bank & Trust Co. and John F. Magee, Jr. as Trustees, 571 200 (8 Sept. 1977)(recital: John A. Nightengale died 28 Oct. 1894).

99 William J. Heller, I History of Northampton County and the Grand Valley of the Lehigh Biographical Section 289 (American Historical Society 1920).

100 See Deed, F.F. (Pearl B.) Moon to Wilson Beam, E41 35 (18 Feb. 1814)(recital); see also Obituary, “W.W. Moon Dead in South”, EASTON EXPRESS, Thursday, 30 Oct. 1919, p.1, col.6 (Moon’s wife died about fourteen years previously).

101 Obituary, “W.W. Moon Dead in South”, EASTON EXPRESS, Thursday, 30 Oct. 1919, p.1, col.6; see 1910 Census, Series T624, Roll 1382, p.39A (W.W. Moon a resident with John A. Miller on Belvidere Street in Nazareth).

102 Obituary, “W.W. Moon Dead in South”, EASTON EXPRESS, Thursday, 30 Oct. 1919, p.1, col.6; see also William J. Heller, I History of Northampton County and the Grand Valley of the Lehigh Biographical Section 289 (American Historical Society 1920)(telegrapher, sold shoe business in 1897).

103 Funeral Notice, EASTON EXPRESS, Saturday, 1 Nov. 1919, p.9.

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Treasurer.106 In fact he had provided the Pomfret Club with its location over the shoe store at 321 Northampton Street from 1891 until 1895, when it moved to its present location in the John O. Wagner mansion.107 John F. Nightingale died in 1937.108

After Moon’s retirement, control of the Nightingale Building shoe store (now numbered 449 Northampton Street) was assumed by Fred O. Nightingale.109 Fred was H.O. Nightingale’s son, and had been born in the Nightingale Building.110

Despite the lease to Bush & Bull, the Nightengale Family (by now consistently spelled Nightingale) continued to own their portion of the Bixler-Nightengale property long into the 20th Century.111 John A. Nightengale died in 1894,112 willing the property to John Franklin Nightengale. He, in turn, died in 1937, willing it to Elizabeth A. Magee,113

104 Obituary, “J.F. Nightingale, Retired Merchant, Whist Expert, Dies”, EASTON EXPRESS, Wed., 22 Dec. 1937, p.1, col.6; see George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of City of Easton 187 (West & Johnson Printing Co. 1901)(J.F. Nightingale, boots & shoes at 321 Northampton Street, house at 338 Spring Garden Street).

105 Obituary, “J.F. Nightingale, Retired Merchant, Whist Expert, Dies”, EASTON EXPRESS, Wed., 22 Dec. 1937, p.1, col.6; see Agreement, J.F. Nightingale with William O. Bixler and Edith Bixler (by her Trustee, Emma E. Bixler), Misc.37 227 (Northampton County Deeds Office 16 Jan. 1902). See also George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of City of Easton 196 (West & Johnson Printing Co. 1903)(J. Frank Nightingale, 338 Spring Garden Street, no occupation).

106 Obituary, “J.F. Nightingale, Retired Merchant, Whist Expert, Dies”, EASTON EXPRESS, Wed., 22 Dec. 1937, p.1, col.6 (died at his home at 227 Bushkill Street).

107 Club Book, Pomfret Club 3 (April 1913); Easton Heritage Alliance, 27 th Annual House Tour 22 (Saturday, 5 May 2007); see also Obituary, “J.F. Nightingale, Retired Merchant, Whist Expert, Dies”, EASTON EXPRESS, Wed., 22 Dec. 1937, p.1, col.6 (had been located over the Nightingale shoe store before moving to the Wagener house); Article, “Pomfret Club Purely Social, Resulted from Whist and Talk Session of Small Group”, EASTON EXPRESS, Saturday, 14 June 1937, Jubilee Section C p.16 (Nightingale building in Northampton Street). See generally www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the John O. Wagner Mansion at 33 South 4th Street.

108 Obituary, “J.F. Nightingale, Retired Merchant, Whist Expert, Dies”, EASTON EXPRESS, Wed., 22 Dec. 1937, p.1, col.6 (died at his home at 227 Bushkill Street).

109 George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of City of Easton 187 (West & Johnson Printing Co. 1901)(Fred Nightingale & Co., boots & shoes, 449 Northampton Street); George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of City of Easton 196 (West & Johnson Printing Co. 1903)(same).

This address at No.449 is incorporated into the modern street numbers for the Nightingale Building. See Northampton County Tax Records, www.ncpub.org.

In the 1874 renumbering, No.449 had been assigned to the Northampton County Savings Bank. Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Friday, 21 Nov. 1873, p.3. This Bank was located next door to the Moon / Nightengale store. See D.G. Beers, Atlas of Northampton County Pennsylvania, Plan of Easton (A. Pomeroy & Co. 1874)(H.O. Nightingale). It was actually the forerunner building of the State Theatre of today. See separate entry for State Theatre, 453 Northampton Street. However, in 1881, both the Bank and the Moon store were listed at No.447. J.H. Lant & Son, Easton etc. Directory 1881-2 87, __(1881)(alphabetical listings).

110 Obituary, “Fred Nightingale, Easton Native And Businessman, 79”, EASTON EXPRESS, Mon., 20 Mar. 1950, p.12, col.1.

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his daughter.114 She was married to John Magee, who worked his way up to become the President of the Alpha Cement Co. in Easton.115 Elizabeth Magee died in 1954, and her Estate Trustees didn’t sell the property until 1985.116

Two Buildings / One Building

The Nightengales and Bixlers, initially operating separately, appear to have replaced their respective portions of Christian Bixler’s stone homestead property with their own buildings. The 1852 notice and deed Sheriff Sale of Daniel L. Bixler’s property references a 2-story stone building, apparently the same homestead described in Christian Bixler’s will. Specifically, the Sheriff stated that the property was “improved” by:

“a Stone House two stories High twenty feet by thirty four feet fronting on Northampton Street with Brick back building attached two Stories high Seventeen feet by forty three feet, also on the back end of the lot a building twenty feet by thirty five feet two Stories high”.117

In 1858, Sophia Bixler concluded an agreement with the owners of the adjacent property towards Centre Square. The agreement recited that she was “about to repair and improve” her House “by raising the Roof thereof”. To do so, she wished to “take down the Eastern wall of her said house”, and the wall with one of “Brick three Stories in height, thirty four feet or thereabouts in deptch and nine inches in thickness”. It would sit half on the wall of Bixler’s celler, and half on the wall of the neighbor’s cellar. The agreement established that it would be a party wall, belonging half to the neighbors.118

111 See Mortgage Deed, John F. Magee, Jr., Executor for Elizabeth A. Magee, to Easton National Bank & Trust Co., 571 200 (8 Sept. 1977) (recital).

112 Obituary, “NIGHTINGALE”, EASTON EXPRESS, 29 Oct. 1894, p.2, col.3; see Jane S. Moyer (compiler), XIV Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1885-1902 Newspaper Extracts 36 (Easton Area Public Library 1976); Mortgage Deed, John F. Magee, Jr., Executor of the Will of Elizabeth A. Magee, to Easton National Bank & Trust Co. and John F. Magee, Jr. as Trustees, 571 200 (8 Sept. 1977)(recital: John A. Nightengale died 28 Oct. 1894).

113 See Mortgage Deed, John F. Magee, Jr., Executor of the Will of Elizabeth A. Magee, to Easton National Bank & Trust Co. and John F. Magee, Jr. as Trustees, 571 200 (8 Sept. 1977)(recitals: John A. Nightengale died 28 Oct. 1894; John Franklin Nightengale died 21 Dec. 1937).

114 See Obituary, “J.F. Nightingale, Retired Merchant, Whist Expert, Dies”, EASTON EXPRESS, Wed., 22 Dec. 1937, p.1, col.6 (surviving daughter Elizabeth Magee, wife of John F. Magee).

115 See Historic Easton, Inc. Annual House Tour: William Marsh Michler A Retrospective Site #4 (17 May 1986).

116 Deed, Merchants National Bank of Allentown (successor to Easton National Bank & Trust Company) and John F. Magee, Jr., Trustees under the Will of Elizabeth A. Magee, to A.D.K. Co., 688 959 (1 Oct. 1985)(recitals: Elizabeth Magee died 2 Dec. 1954); see Mortgage Deed, John F. Magee, Jr., Executor of the Will of Elizabeth A. Magee, to Easton National Bank and Trust Company and John G. Magee, Jr., Trustees, 571 200 (8 Sept. 1977).

117 Deed Poll, John Bachman, Sheriff, for Daniel L. Bixler, to John Nightengale, F8 138 (9 July 1852).

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This agreement appears to date Bixler’s replacement of the old stone homestead with a taller brick building, at least on one side. The Nightengales apparently did the same on their side , because a picture dated to 1862 appears to show that Nightengale had by then built a brick building at the corner with Bank Alley. It was 3-1/2 stories high, 3 window bays wide, with 2 front dormers on the roof.119 An even clearer photograph taken in 1897 shows the same (apparently brick) building at the Bank Street corner, identified as “Nightingale’s” Shoe Store.120 Yet another photograph of Northampton Street in 1900 appears to show each side of the oiginal Bixler homestead location occupied by a separate building of similar – but not identical – height about 3 stories high, each with its own separate façade.121

By 1906, the separate Nightingale and Bixler buildings were apparently remodeled to something approximating their current unified appearance, according to a photograph showing them in that year.122 This remodeling was probably done in 1902, when the Nightengale and Bixler Families agreed to undertake a joint renovation of their buildings in order to facilitate their use by the Bush & Bull store, which leased them both. That property agreement provided for cooperation in remodeling the building, to implement their “desire to cut through and remove the walls between [their adjoining] properties so as to use the two properties in common in the conduct of the business of the firm of Bush and Bull”, which was leasing the premises. A partition wall was to be provided, for which Bush & Bull would pay.123 The Bush & Bull store had, by that time, become one of Easton’s two main department stores, primarily occupying its own massive building at the corner with Centre Square.124 That store continued until the death of its two founders, but was closed a few years thereafter, in 1938.125 It continued to lease space in the Bixler-Nightengale Building into the 1930s,126 but by 1930 other tenants were also operating commercial ventures in them. In particular, Leslie’s Drug Store was already operating at 315 Northampton Street by 1937,127 and continued there128

until approximately 1965.129 Leslie’s moved to the Steele Building (No.45) Centre Square in approximately 1967,130 with branch stores at other locations.

118 Agreement, Robert C. Pyle and Robert D. Clifton with Sophia Bixler, Misc. 11 194 (Northampton County Deeds Office 14 May 1858).

119 Ronald Wynkoop, Sr., The Old Home Town 120 (self published 1977).120 Ronald Wynkoop, Sr., A Time to Remember 131 (self published 1985) (Nightingale’s

[sic] Shoe Store in photo dated 1897; roof has 2 front dormers, building is 3 windows wide). See also, George W. West, West’s Guide to Easton, [Etc.] for 1883-4 153, 156 (West & Everett, Job Printers 1883).

121 Ronald W. Wynkoop, Sr., It Seems Like Yesterday 238 (self published 1989).

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The Bixler Family continued to own the Northampton Street building until 1980,131 followed by the Cusano Family (which owned The London Shop at 339 Northampton Street132) essentially until 1993,133 and then the Caponigro Family essentially until 2012.134

Meanwhile, at 321 Northampton Street (at the corner), it appears that a billiard parlor was established by 1930,135 succeeded by a shoe store for many years thereafter.136 In the 1940s, the upper stories along Bank Street became the Delightform brassiere factory.137 By the 1970s, this operation had been taken over by De Pano Industries.138 This corner building was sold by the Magee Estate in 1985 for $65,000,139 and then resold

132 See www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Hay Building at 339 Northampton Street, and sources cited therein.

133 Deed, Elwood Bixler (Helen H.) Laubach, et al., to Andrew (Frances) Cusano, 622 20 (5 Dec. 1980)(sale price $40,000; sellers constitute the heirs of William O. Bixler and Edith Bixler Laubach); Deed, Andrew (Frances) Cusano to Andrew Cusano, 700 822 (14 May 1986); Deed, Robert Michael Cusano, Executor of the Estate of Andrew Cusano, to Robert Michael Cusano, Trustee (Marital Trust), 762 909 (4 Jan. 1989); Deed, Robert Michael Cusano, Trustee (Marital Trust) under the Will of Andrew Cusano, to Mark Holmes, 802 222 (1 June 1990)(sale price $74,900); Tax Deed, Ruth E. Tuburzi, Supervisor of the Tax Claim Unit (Northampton County), [for Mark Holmes,] to Robert Michael Cusano, Trustee (Marital Trust) under the Will of Andrew Cusano, 892 254 (21 Dec. 1992)($25,000); Deed, Robert Michael Cusano, Trustee (Marital Trust) under the Will of Andrew Cusano, to John A. Caponigro, 897 3 (21 May 1993)(sale price $50,000).

131 A pair of essentially contemporaneous transactions in 1935 moved title from Christian Bixler’s estate to the heirs of Elwood Bixler and his wife, Emma. Deed, Christian Bixler Estate to Flora T. Ely, D66 155 (3 May 1935); Deed, Flora T. Ely to Edith Bixler Laubach and William O. Bixler, D66 158 (2 May 1935).

134 Deed, John A. Caponigro to Easton Capital Ventures, L.P., 2006-1-008666 (6 Jan. 2006)(sale price $355,000); Deed, Easton Capital Ventures, L.P. to John A. Caponigro, 2008-1-242817 (20 Aug. 2008); Deed, Linda Marie Caponigro, Executor of the Estate of John Anthony Caponigro, to 315 Northampton, LLC, 2012-1-152326 (15 June 2012)(sale price $210,000 tax basis ($75,000 cash plus assumption of mortgage) for property measuring 20’ (on Northampton Street) X 220’ deep; Parcel ID L9SE2A 11 6).

John A Caponigro (Sr.) died in 2011. Obituary, “John A. Caponigro”, MORNING CALL, Fri., 15 July 2011, p.A-16. See generally Interview of John A. Caponigro by David Venditta, “I saw a vision . . . and my whole life passed before my eyes”, MORNING CALL, Fr., 24 Dec. 2010, p.A-1.

122 Ronald W.Wynkoop, Sr., The Golden Years 13 (self published 1970) shows a photograph dated to 1906, in which the modern building’s roofline is visible in the upper left corner. See also Ronald Wynkoop, Sr., A Time to Remember 132 (self published 1985)(similar photo dated 1908); Leonard S. Buscemi, Sr., The 2000 Easton-Phillipsburg Calendar unnumbered p.1 (Buscemi Enterprises 1999)(similar photo dated 1909). Compare with Ronald W. Wynkoop, Sr., It Seems Like Yesterday 239 (self published 1989)(photo dated to 1989 showing massive and homogenous building façade of today).

123 Agreement, J.F. Nightingale with William O. Bixler and Edith Bixler (by her Trustee, Emma E. Bixler), Misc.37 227 (Northampton County Deeds Office 16 Jan. 1902).

The 1903 City Directory in fact showed the Bush & Bull store with an address listing on Bank Street, as well as Centre Square and Church Street. George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of Easton City for the Year 1903 36 (George W. West 1903). See also William J. Heller, III History of Northampton County and The Grand Valley of the Lehigh 317 (American Historical

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less than a year later for $127,500 Jacob and Patricia Meyerowitz.140 The Meyerowitzs were artists who came to Easton in approximately 1986 after they lost their loft space in New York City, and were attracted to Easton by a City program encouraging artists to convert empty Easton buildings into loft studios.141 The Meyerowitz couple had immigrated to New York from London in 1970.142

Jacob Meyerowitz, who had been born in Cape Town (South Africa), was known for oil paintings, acrylics, and silk screenings.143 He died in 1998;144 three years later his silk screen design “Cosmic Chess” was copied for a wall mosaic dedicated to him on the North Bank Street studio building.145 He was the author of Before the Beginning of Time

Society 1920)(J. Elwood Bixler’s former store is “now” occupied by Bush & Bull).

A clarifying agreement in 1921 made it clear that this renovation had covered over an 8’ private alley from Bank Street (located 120’ back from Northampton Street), which Christian Bixler’s will had required his son Daniel to build for the benefit of the lot divided to his son William. It was agreed that when Bush & Bull no longer wanted the space, this alley would be restored. Agreement, J. Frank Nightingale with William O. Bixler and Edith B. Laubach (wife of Henry Laubach), Misc. 69 169 (Northampton County Deeds Office 29 Nov. 1921).

124 See Easton Daily Express, Illustrated Industrial Edition 15 (Jan. 1893 reprinted by W-Graphics); see also Marie & Frank Summa & Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., Images of America: Historic Easton 53 (Arcadia Publishing 2000)(undated picture showing Bush & Bull occupying huge building space at the corner). See generally www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 301 Northampton Street.

125 Ken Klabunde, “Bush and Bull (and Banking): Easton’s Great Department Store”, in SUMMER 2006 HERITAGE EDITION, 22 (Easton Is Home Publications 2006); see www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 301 Northampton Street.

126 West’s Easton Pa. and Phillipsburg, N.J. Directory 680 (R.L. Polk & Co. of Philadelphia 1930)(Bush & Bull at 301-17 Northampton Street).

127 Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1937-38 324 (R.L. Polk & Co., Inc. 1937)(Leslie’s Drug Store at 315 Northampton Street). The same page also contains an entry for Leslie’s Cut Rate Stores (Herman & Morris Cohen) at 61 Centre Square. In 1930, Leslie’s Cut Rate Stores had been located at 466 Northampton Street. West’s Easton Pa. and Phillipsburg, N.J. Directory 362 (R.L. Polk & Co. of Philadelphia 1930).

128 See Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1944-45 648 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1944)(Leslie Drug Store, as well as U.S. Post Office substation, and other tenants, at 315 Northampton Street); Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1949 752 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1949)(same); Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1951 775 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1951)(Leslie’s Drug Store Inc., Jewel Optical Co., etc. at 315 Northampton Street); Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1958 915 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1958)(Leslie’s Drug Store, Cohen Bros. Drug Company, U.S. Post Office substation, at 315 Northampton Street).

129 Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1965 201 (R.L. Polk & Co., Inc. 1965)(Leslie’s Drug Store at 315 Northampton Street, managed by Morris, Hymen and Gilbert Cohen); Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1964 205 (R.L. Polk & Co., Inc. 1964)(same).

In 1966, Leslie’s Drug Store was listed at three locations: 407 Northampton Street, 1710 Butler Street (West Ward), and 363 West Berwick St. (South Side). Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1966 214 (R.L. Polk & Co., Inc. 1966).

130 See Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1967 205 (R.L. Polk & Co., Inc. 1967)(Leslie’s Drug Store at 45 Centre Square, plus two other locations); see also Bell Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania Easton Directory (1980)(listings for “Leslie’s store” and “Leslie’s Coffee

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(1994) and Basic Orgonometry: Wilhelm Reich’s Abstract Technique for Comprehensive Thinking .

Jacob’s wife, Patricia Meyerowitz, continued her studio after her husband’s death, and has been a recent resident of the building. Born in 1933146 in England, her sculpture and jewelry designs “have been widely displayed in the United States and Europe.”147 Her jewelry, which she has been making since 1962, was exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 1984.148 Notable sculpture exhibits include:

A “winding abstract staircase” sculpture constructed of Corian Acrylic stands in the Du Pont Design Center in Wilmington, Delaware.149

Shop” at 45 Centre Square). See generally www.WalkingEaston.com entry for Steele Building at 44 Centre Square.

135 West’s Easton, Pa and Phillipsburg, NJ Directory 680 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1930)(Harry Leon Billiards at 321 Northampton Street). However, this address was shown as being West of Bank Street – see discussion below.

136 See, e.g., West’s Easton Pa. and Phillipsburg, N.J. Directory 680 (R.L. Polk & Co. of Philadelphia 1930)(Miles Shoes, Inc. at 321 Northampton Street); Polk’s 1949 Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 752 (R.L. Polk Co., Inc. 1949)(Delightform Foundation Inc. at 321 Northampton Street); Polk’s 1951 Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 775 (R.L. Polk Co., Inc. 1951); Polk’s 1955 Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 965 (R.L. Polk Co., Inc. 1955). As indicated below, these (apparently erroneously) show No.321 lying West of Bank Street.

Correctly placed on the East side of Bank Street are the listings in: Polk’s 1957 Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 936 (R.L. Polk Co., Inc. 1957); Polk’s 1958 Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 915 (R.L. Polk Co., Inc. 1958). Accord, Polk’s 1968 Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory St. & Ave. Dir. 193 (R.L. Polk Co., Inc. 1968).

137 See Tim Blangger, “Lofty Ideas Artists, Planners Tie Building Conversions to Downtown Revival”, THE MORNING CALL, 28 March 1996, p. D-1 (3 Bank Street had been the Delightform brassiere factory).

See also Polk’s 1949 Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 752 (R.L. Polk Co., Inc. 1949)(Delightform Foundation Inc. at 321 Northampton Street); Polk’s 1951 Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 775 (R.L. Polk Co., Inc. 1951); Polk’s 1955 Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 965 (R.L. Polk Co., Inc. 1955). However, these directories show the building as lying West of Bank Street.

This apparent geographical error was corrected by 1958, when Delightform Foundation Inc. and Miles Shoes Inc. are still shown in 321 Northampton Street, with that address located East of Bank Street. Polk’s 1957 Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 936 (R.L. Polk Co., Inc. 1957); accord, Polk’s 1958 Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 915 (R.L. Polk Co., Inc. 1958).

138 The Easton Directories for the period identify De Pano Enterprises Inc. as one of the tenants at 5 Bank Street, in the “sewing” or “womens clothing” business. The operator was Larry De Pano of Martins Creek. See Polk’s 1977 Easton City Directory 115, St.Dir. at 40 (R.L. Polk Co. 1977)(5 Bank Street shared by Tuller Fabrics and De Pano Enterprises Inc. and J.D. Mfg. Div. De Pano, sewing); Polk’s 1981 Easton City Directory 135, St.Dir. at 48 (R.L. Polk Co. 1981)(5 Bank Street shared by Tuller Fabrics, De Pano Enterprises Inc. (sewing) and JD Mfg. Div. De Pano (womens clothing); Polk’s 1985-86 Easton City Directory St.Dir.(R.L. Polk Co. 1985)(5 Bank St. vacant); Polk’s 1987 Easton City Directory 137, St.Dir. at 48 (R.L. Polk Co. 1987)(5 Bank St. with vacant space and De Pano Enterprises Inc. (womens clothes manufacturers)).

139 Deed, Merchants National Bank of Allentown (successor to Easton National Bank & Trust Company) and John F. Magee, Jr., Trustees under the Will of Elizabeth A. Magee, to A.D.K. Co., 688 959 (1 Oct. 1985)(sale price $65,000).

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The redwood sculpture “Easton Ellipse” stands near Riverside Park, near the approach to the Bushkill (Route 22) Bridge.150

A sterling silver statute “Square Dislocation” is in the Hirshorn Museum.151

She is also the author of:

Jewelry and Sculpture through Unit Construction (London: Studio Vista; New York: Reinhold Pub. Corp. 1967);152

And a Little Child, Stories of Anyone (rRp Publishers 1982); and

Preface and Introduction to Gertrude Stein’s How to Write (New York: Dover Books, 1975).

A.D.K. Co. was subsequently identified as a general partnership among Joseph Gordon, Saul Richard Gordon, and Jacob Gordon. See Deed, A.D.K. Co. to Jacob (Patricia) Meyerowiz, 707 202 (15 Aug. 1986)(recital).

140 Deed, A.D.K. Co. to Jacob (Patricia) Meyerowiz, 707 202 (15 Aug. 1986)(sale price $127,500 for property measuring 20’ on Northampton Street X 240’ deep, with alley cut through to next property from Bank Street, 120’ back from Northampton Street).

141 Tim Blangger, “Lofty Ideas Artists, Planners Tie Building Conversions to Downtown Revival”, THE MORNING CALL, 28 March 1996, p. D-1; see Rosa Salter, “Lofty Ideas Easton Is Trying Hard to Sell Itself as a Haven for New York Artists”, THE MORNING CALL, 18 June 1985 (5th ed.), p.D-1.

A quotation in Blangger’s 1996 article indicates that the Meyerowitzes had been in Easton for more than 10 years, which would place their arrival in 1985 or ’86. However, they had not yet decided to move to Easton when the Salter article was written in June 1985, and Easton City Directories for 1985-86 and 1987 do not show them at 16 North Bank Street, where their studio was located in the 1989 Directory. Compare Polk’s 1985-86 Easton City Directory 131, St.Dir. at 46 (R.L. Polk Co. 1985)(Street Directory shows 16 North Bank Street vacant, De Pano at 5 North Bank Street with some vacant space in that building); Polk’s 1987 Easton City Directory 137, 400, St.Dir. at 48 (R.L. Polk Co. 1987)(16 North Bank Street vacant, 5 North Bank Street vacant (presumably at ground level) and still occupied by De Pano Enterprises Inc. (presumably on the upper floors); no entry for Meyerowitz) with Polk’s 1989 Easton City Directory 375, St.Dir. at 48 (R.L. Polk Co. 1989)(Street Directory shows Jacob Meyerowitz at 16 North Bank Street, with 5 North Bank Street vacant, and no residential listing for Meyerowitz).

By 1990, the Joseph and Patricia Meyerowitz residence is listed as 16 North Bank St., and in 1992, it is listed as 5 North Bank Street. See Polk’s 1990 Easton City Directory 378, St.Dir. at 46 (R.L. Polk Co. 1990); Polk’s 1992 Easton City Directory 172 and St. Address Dir. (R.L. Polk Co. 1992).

142 Catalogue by Leonard Lawrence, Patricia Meyerowitz Exhibition Held in the Jewellery Gallery of the Victoria and Albert Museum 4 (London, 3 March – 26 April 1984).

143 Madeleine Mathias, “Mosaic in Easton Dedicated to Artist Jacob Meyerowitz Silk Screen Print Takes on New Shape on Wall of N. Bank street Studio”, THE MORNING CALL, 15 May 2001, p.B-3.

144 Deed, Patricia Meyerowitz to 321 Northampton, LLC, 2004-1-424128 (22 Oct. 2004)(recital: Jacob Meyerowitz died 30 Oct. 1998); see Obituary, “Jacob Meyerowitz”, THE MORNING CALL, 1 Nov. 1998, p.A-26.

145 Madeleine Mathias, “Mosaic in Easton Dedicated to Artist Jacob Meyerowitz Silk Screen Print Takes on New Shape on Wall of N. Bank street Studio”, THE MORNING CALL, 15 May 2001, p.B-3.

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She is the editor of:

Gertrude Stein, Look at Me Now and Here I Am: Writings and Lectures 1909 – 1945 (London: Peter Owen Ltd. 1967, New York: Penguin Books 1971, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Univ. Press 1974); and

Look at Me Now and Here I Am: Writings and Lectures, 1911 – 1945 (London: Peter Owen 2004).

In 1997, the City of Easton awarded the Meyerowitzs $10,000 to improve the façade on their building. As part of the deal, they agreed to maintain the property for five years.153 As discussed above, Jacob Mayerowitz died in 1998.154 In 1999, the City of Easton was approached by an unnamed developer “with the idea of turning North Bank Street between Northampton and Church streets into a pedestrian mall with possibly five new stores”.155 Since that time, the block has in fact been turned into a walking mall, while a store (Just Around the Corner) and a pottery art gallery have been established on the East side. As of 2009, however, no separate shop entries have yet been established on the West side, other than a private entrance to the former Weller Center (now the Easton Farmers Market) at the rear of the block.

146 See Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Gallery website, Caption to Patricia Meyerowitz “Square Dislocation” 1965, hirshhorn.si.edu/collection/print.asp?ID=86.3245.

147 Article, “Easton to Get Redwood Sculpture”, THE MORNING CALL, 18 June 1990, p.B-3; see also Madeleine Mathias, “Mosaic in Easton Dedicated to Artist Jacob Meyerowitz Silk Screen Print Takes on New Shape on Wall of N. Bank street Studio”, THE MORNING CALL, 15 May 2001, p.B-3 (known for sculpture and jewelry designs).

148 Catalogue by Leonard Lawrence, Patricia Meyerowitz Exhibition Held in the Jewellery Gallery of the Victoria and Albert Museum 2 (London, 3 March – 26 April 1984).

149 Geoff Gehman, “Easton Artist’s New Ellipse Crafter from Acrylic Corian, 850-Pound ‘Du Pont’ Piece Was Built by Head of RW Jones & Son”, THE MORNING CALL, 3 April 1998 (3rd ed.), p.B-6.

150 Photo Caption, “Constructivist sculptor Patricia Meyerowitz of Easton proudly displays her finished creation”, THE MORNING CALL, 29 June 1990, p.B-3; see The Easton Irregular 16 (Heritage Edition Summer 2000); see also Photo Caption, “Constructivist sculptor Patricia Meyerowitz of Easton, . . . supervises the beginning of work”, THE MORNING CALL, 26 June 1990, p.B-3.

151 Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Gallery website, Caption to Patricia Meyerowitz “Square Dislocation” 1965, hirshhorn.si.edu/collection/print.asp?ID=86.3245.

152 Reissued as Making Jewelry and Sculpture Through Unit Construction (New York: Dover Books 3rd ed. 1978). See generally Catalogue by Leonard Lawrence, Patricia Meyerowitz Exhibition Held in the Jewellery Gallery of the Victoria and Albert Museum 4-5 (London, 3 March – 26 April 1984)(list of publications and credits).

153 Façade Maintenance and Covenant Agreement, City of Easton with Jacob (Patricia) Meyerowitz, 1998-1-7868 (5 Dec. 1997).

154 Deed, Patricia Meyerowitz to 321 Northampton, LLC, 2004-1-424128 (22 Oct. 2004)(recital: Jacob Meyerowitz died 30 Oct. 1998); see Obituary, “Jacob Meyerowitz”, THE MORNING CALL, 1 Nov. 1998, p.A-26.

155 See Jimmy P. Miller, “Downtown street may become mall”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Fri., 9 Apr. 1999, p.B-1.

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Patricia Meyerowitz sold the property in 2004 for $403,000 to a company156 whose owners also now own the former Bixler property next door.157 Several art studios remain in the building (on Bank Street), as well as the Just Around the Corner Gallery which is, in fact, “just around the corner” from Northampton Street. On Northampton Street itself, the building houses Utopia Wicker Furniture (at No.315) and Terra Café (formerly The Coffee Works, at No.321).

156 Deed, Patricia Meyerowitz to 321 Northampton, LLC, 2004-1-424128 (22 Oct. 2004)(sale price $403,000 for property measuring 20’ (on Northampton Street) X 240’ deep, with alley right from Bank Street 120’ behind Northampton Street; Parcel ID L9SE2A 1 7).

157 321 Northampton, LLC lists is address in the Northampton County Property Tax Records, www.ncpub.org, as 19D Elcock Ave., Boonton, NJ 07005. 315 Northampton, LLC (owner of the property next door) shows the same address. See Deed, Linda Marie Caponigro, Executor of the Estate of John Anthony Caponigro, to 315 Northampton, LLC, 2012-1-152326 (15 June 2012).

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