Hiester, Adam W.

Adam W. Hiester, a well-known jeweler of Strausstown, Pa., was born Dec. 13, 1868, in Upper Tulpehocken Township, not far from where he now resides. Mr. Hiester is a son of Moses Hiester, and grandson of Gabriel, great grandson of Daniel and Barbara (Kaufman) and great-great-grandson of Joseph and Elizabeth (Strunk), the former of whom came to America with his father Johannes from Germany early in the eighteenth century.

 

Gabriel Hiester was born in Bern Township in 1798, and died in Bethel Township in 1872. He followed farming throughout his lifetime, in the winter also working at his trade of tailor. His farm of 200 acres lay in what is now called Bethel Township. He married Catherine Emerich, a daughter of John Emerich, and six children were born to this union: (1) Joseph, who is buried at Blue Mountain church, was a cooper and blacksmith by trade; he m. Marie Miller, and their children were, Malinda, Isabella, Sarah, Kate, Maria and Alice. (2) Benjamin, who was also buried at Blue Mountain church, m. Catherine Degler; their children were; William, Levi and Henry. (3) Michael now lying in the same churchyard, m. Leah Christ, and to them were born ten children: William, Emanuel, Lizzie, Sally, Cyrus, Rebecca, Amelia, Mary, James W. and Monroe. (4) Moses is referred to later. (5) Hannah m. John Zerbe, and their children are Kate, Joseph, Daniel, Henry, Lizzie, Amelia. (6) John is living at Xenia, Ohio. (7) David, of Dayton, Ohio, married Sarah Lindermuth, and their children were Belle, Frank and Harry. (8) Henry, living at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, was twice married, first to Mary Stupp, by whom there were six children, Willoughby, Cyrenius, Adeline, Benjamin, Miranda and Charles; his second wife was Emma Dieffenbach, by whom he had one child Alma.

 

Moses Hiester, father of Adam W., was born in Bethel Township May 24, 1827. For many years he was in the milling business, having learned the trade of Joseph Seyfert. Some years later in 1855, he and his father-in-law, George Degler, bought a mill from Joseph Seyfert, located at Strausstown. The mill was owned and operated by them until 1870, when it was sold to Jacob E. Hiester, and it later was bought by W. B. Anthony, who is the present owner and operator. After disposing of his milling interests, Mr. Hiester bought some farming land about one half mile west from Strausstown, where he followed the occupation of farming until 1894. Then he retired from active life and moved to Strausstown, where he died March 25, 1900. He was well and favorably known throughout the county, and was noted as a man of good habits. He is buried at Blue Mountain Church.

 

He married Maria Degler, born 1830, and still living, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Zerbe) Degler. They had children as follows: (1) James M. died at the age of thirty-eight. (2) George A., a grocer of Paulding, Ohio, m. Mary Viebach, of Defiance, Ohio, and they have Florinda, Emma and Edwin. (3) Benjamin Franklin, living at Glendo, Wyoming, is a carpenter by trade and also a ranchman, owning one of the largest ranches in the State and having been a "rancher" since 1893; he is unmarried. (4) Selisa, who died in 1884, was the wife of John M. Hassler, and had one daughter, Sallie. (5) Devilla D. died young. (6) Charles H., living at South Bethlehem, an employee in the Physical Laboratory, Lehigh University of that city, m. Hannah Dierwechter, and they have J. Robert and M. Minerva. (7) Adam W. is mentioned below. (8) Hettie D. married Charles H. Miller and died in 1904, leaving a daughter, Lizzie.

 

Adam W. Hiester remained at home until twenty years of age, assisting his father in the farming business. His education was acquired in the public schools of the township. He afterward learned the trade of cigar-making, which he followed for six years. In 1892 he went to Reading, where he learned the jeweler's trade with J. C. Luden. Four years later he returned to Strausstown, where he engaged in the jewelry business. He follows all lines of the business, and is considered one of the successful men of the place. At times he works in the Electrical Engineering Laboratory at the Lehigh University South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Mr. Hiester is well known in the county and prominent in his home town. He is an active member of the P. O. S. of A., No. 664, past officer, and since 1902 treasurer of his camp, a member of Camp No. 38 P. O. of A. and the present financial secretary. As a member of the Reformed church he is active in its management, being one of the trustees of that organization, a teacher in the Sunday School, and a member of the choir. He is a member of Zion's Union Aid Society, being its secretary for nine successive years. He is unmarried. He has a large circle of friends, and is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.[bib]624[/bib]