Lehr

Kindly submitted June 2008 by: Cindy chaha@tx.rr.com  
 

Adeline Nichols Lehr

 Mrs. Adeline nee Nichols Lehr, widow of John M. Lehr, died Friday, July 21, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Lehr, Bethlehem , aged 87 years. Death was due to infirmities of old age.  Mrs. Lehr was born at Durham , on September 10, 1846. Her husband recently preceded her to the grave.  There survive three sons, Charles E. and J. Oscar, Bethlehem , and Steward S., Allentown , three daughters, Mrs. Oliver Lambert, Bethlehem ; Miss Margaret Lehr, New York City and Mrs. Emil Warnke, Detroit Mich. ; two brothers, James Nichols, Bridgeport Conn. , and Steward Nichols, of New York City ; 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

From Larry Hillpot http://larry.uptask.com/obits.asp

Charles Edward Lehr (her son)

Charles E. Lehr, 1842 Kenmore Ave. , Bethlehem , retired chief engineer of Bethlehem Steel Co., died Wednesday morning in St. Luke’s Hospital.  He was 82.  Lehr, who was employed by Bethlehem Steel for 54 years, retired in 1945.  He had entered the employ of the old Bethlehem Iron Co., predecessor to Bethlehem Steel, in 1891.  He started as a second helper in Open Hearth 1, and later became first helper.  Lehr entered the engineering department as a draftsman in 1901 and two years later was appointed a “squad leader” covering open hearth, press forge, blacksmith shop and foundries.  From 1905 to 1907, he did much toward the development of the Saucon plant, Northampton Heights , assuming responsibilities connected with the cuts, grades, sewers and railroads necessary in the development of what was then the last word in rolling mills.  In 1908, he assumed the duties of chief engineer and it was under his supervision that the shape mills at the Lackawanna plant in Buffalo , and the slabbing mills at the Sparrows Point plant in Maryland were developed.  Lehr visited South America in 1920 in the interests of Bethlehem Steel, investigating the steel industry there.  In 1934 he was assigned charge of engineering for the heavy machinery and power divisions, formerly operated under separate heads, consolidating this new job with his other responsibilities.  Lehr was born on a farm near Riegelsville, Bucks County , April 19, 1872, and was educated in district schools.  Surviving are his wife, Celesta (Deifenderfer) Lehr; two sons, Harold D., Noble, and C. Ellis, Bethlehem ; a sister, Mrs. Addie Warnke, Detroit , Mich. ; two brothers, Oscar, Bethlehem , and Stewart, Allentown ; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Snyder Funeral Home, 527 Center St. , Bethlehem .

[The Morning Call, Allentown , PA , Thursday, September 1, 1955, page 26]

Death Notice (p. 27):

     Age at death = 82 years, 4 months, 13 days

     Buried, Durham Cemetery

Death announcement on Thursday, September 1, 1955, says he died on Wed morning, so August 31, 1955.

An interesting story of Charles Edward Lehr, written by his Grandson, Charles E. Lehr, Jr.: 

Charles spent his life working at Bethlehem Steel.  In order to get ahead, he went to the gym and learned how to box, and after showing his boss he was the tougher man, became a supervisor of sorts at a mill in Bethlemen.  During an accident he lost an ankle and foot, so he was told to leave.  He was a big man, about 6' 1" to 6' 2", about 200 to 220 lbs, bright and tough.  He went in to the company's owner, Charlie Schwab and demanded more money and a job.  He was told they only hired people who could walk in on two feet.  So Charles went to Philadelphia , with his wife, Celesta, driving the horse and buggy, and got one of the first artificial pivoting legs ever made.  It was Charles that designed it, and he gave the rights to the man who built it.  Afterwards, he went back and got a job in the engineering department at Bethlehem Steel, working for Harry Stoflet (?), who became his mentor.  Charles took an international correspondence course and when Harry left, he then became the Chief Engineer.

Charles had a really bad time after losing his ankle and foot.  None of his brothers came forward to help or support them, such as with money or lend any kind of hand.  He never forgave them and this ruined their relationship.  His children were already grown and no longer living at home. 

Charles lost his fortunes twice.  Once in 1922, with Victor, who was Celeste's brother who owned Victor Leather Goods, when he went bankrupt.  The other time was in 1930 during the Great Depression.  Although it was not required by law, Charles made sure to pay both these debts when he was able.

Page last updated: Monday, 13 October 2008