Henry Lange

HENRY LANGE. The father of Henry Lange, of Webster, was George Lange, born in 1826, in Wurtemberg, Germany, where he learned the wagonmaker's trade. At the age of sixteen he went to Switzerland and there remained five years. At twenty-one years he returned to Wurtemberg to stand his chance of being drafted for military service, but was not drawn, and immediately emigrated to the United States. For some years he worked at his trade on Pine creek, near Pittsburg, and then moved to Belle Vernon where he was employed by Christian Amalong. A year later he bought out his employer and continued in the wagonmaking industry until 1850, when he engaged in the livery business, maintaining his connection with it during the remainder of his life. He was an active member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. George Lange married Emily McCrary, and their family consisted of six children, all of whom, with the exception of one, are now living; Henry, mentioned hereafter; Clara, of Belle Vernon; Regina, wife of Samuel Dugan, of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania; Josephine, of Belle Vernon; and Wilson, also of Belle Vernon. The death of Mr. Lange occurred February 1, 1885.

Henry Lange, son of George and Emily (McCrary) Lange, was born March 8, 1850, in Belle Vernon, and was educated in the public schools of his native town. On reaching his majority he purchased a team and contracted with the Merchants' Glass Company to deliver their coal. For more than eight years he continued to do this, and in 1880 sold his teaming business. He then entered into partnership with Dr. A. C. Streeter, and for some ten years they prospered as a drug firm. Mr. Lange then purchased his partner's interest and established his son, W. H. Lange, in the business. The same year Mr. Lange bought of Frost & Carnes the old Webster Hotel, one of the landmarks of the borough, and as the proprietor of this hostelry has been very successful. He is liberal in his political views.

Mr. Lange married Frances Billitter, of Portage county, Ohio, and of their twelve children nine survive: Wooda H., druggist, of Belle Vernon; George, in ice business at Belle Vernon; Bessie, wife of Samuel Spears, of Webster; Edna, wife of Bert Ammon, of Webster; Fannie B., Catharine F., Grace, Jessie, and Francis; all of whom are at home. All these children have been given the advantages of a superior education and have finished at the head of their classes. Among them are three especially gifted in music. Bessie is an accomplished pianist. Fannie B. is equally gifted on the violin, and the attainments of Catharine F., who is now but sixteen, are considered remarkable. The eldest son, Wooda H., is a thirty-second degree Mason.

Source: History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Volume II, by John N. Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906, Page 296-7.
Transcribed by Carol C. Eddleman for the Westmoreland County History Project.
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

Westmoreland County Genealogy Project Notice:

These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format, for any presentation, without prior written permission.