My Genealogy Hound

JAMES M. SCHNABEL. Among the wealthy and prominent citizens of Bethlehem may be mentioned the name of James M. Schnabel. He is the senior partner in the boot and shoe firm of James M. Scbnabel & Bro., and was born in Northampton County, Pa., near Bethlehem, in 1850.

The father of our subject and the grandfather were both born in this country. Samuel, the father, was a veterinary surgeon, and practiced at Hanoverville, Pa., with success. He was a zealous member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics was a Democrat. His demise occurred at Bethlehem in 1890. The mother of our subject, Diana W. Schnabel, was born in New Jersey, and was of English descent. She was the daughter of a miller, and with the family removed to Pennsylvania, where the father erected a mill on the Bushkill, in Bethlehem Township. She died at quite an advanced age, a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.

There were eight children born of the union of Samuel and Diana Schnabel, seven of whom attained the age of maturity, and six are yet living. James M. Schnabel was the fourth youngest, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He began working on the farm at an early age, and continued thus until the year 1866, when he came to Bethlehem and engaged as a clerk in the store of Wolle, Krause & Erwin. He gave entire satisfaction to his employers, and remained with them until December, 1872, when he engaged with Riegel, Cortright & Solt, and there remained until 1879, when he and his brother, Edwin H., started in business for themselves, under the firm name of James M. Schnabel & Bro.

The firm opened a store at No. 13 Main Street, where they carried on the boot and shoe business until 1891. They met with success, and finding the facilities for doing their business at that place were entirely too limited they moved into their present quarters. The dimensions of their new building are 24x100 feet, and it consists of a basement and storage room, with the retail store on the main floor. The workshop and manufactory are adjacent. The firm has the finest and largest stock of boots and shoes in this part of the state, and their stock is estimated at more than $16,000. Their window displays would do credit to any boot and shoe firm in the country. The secret of their success as a firm is their undaunted courage and their perfect reliability.

The marriage of our subject occurred in 1878, at Bethlehem, when Miss Clara H. Steckel became his wife. She was born at Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa., and died September 6, 1894, at Bethlehem, deeply regretted by her husband and many friends. She left one son, Willie R.

Iu recognition of his ability and integrity, Mr. Schnabel has been honored with several offices of trust. He was Councilman from the Fourth Ward on the Democratic ticket, and for three years was chairman of the Police Committee, besides serving on numerous other committees. He is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum, and is one of the charter members of Grace Lutheran Church, and at the present time Secretary of the Sunday-school. He was one of the incorporators of the Bethlehem Board of Trade, and resides at No. 96 Broad Street.

The character of Mr. Schnabel needs no elaboration at the hands of the biographer. From the simple recital of the successive events of his career the future generations who may be interested in tracing his influence and position in Northampton County will be at no loss to form a just estimate of his true deserts.