(Photo by Richard F. Hope)

Col. Thomas McKeen Mansion (231 Spring Garden Street).

Federal style brick house, with “19 rooms, 56 windows, 49 doors and seven fireplaces.”1 The mansion was originally constructed in 1832 or ‘33 by Col. Thomas McKeen (often spelled “McKean”2), for his new (second) wife, Harriet P. Porter, on a portion of what had been the estate of the Samuel Sitgreaves “Spring Garden” Mansion.3

Easton town father, financier and industrialist Samuel Sitgreaves4 had acquired the entire Square between Bushkill, Pomfret (North 3rd), Spring Garden, and Sitgreaves Streets.5 [A more detailed history of this is included with the Sitgreaves “Spring Garden”

1 Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, The 28 th Annual House Tour 20 (3 May 2008).

The modern property measures 55’ on Spring Garden Street X 153.92’ deep along Sitgreaves Street, running back to Nolls Court in the rear. Northampton County Tax Records map, www.ncpub.org.

2 See, e.g., David B. Skillman, “The Newcomers to Easton One Hundred Fifty Years Ago,” in A.D. Chidsey, Jr., The Old County Court House and other Northampton County History 15, at 18 (Easton: Papers Read before the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1964); Historic Easton, Inc., Annual House Tour Site #2 (18 May 1985)(McKean).

3 Dr. Elinor Warner, Easton, Pennsylvania Walking Tour, for Pennsylvania Art Education Association Conference 2000, http://www.kutztown.edu/paea/paeaconf/2000/easton/walk_tour.html (accessed 4 Jan. 2005); David B. Skillman, “The Newcomers to Easton One Hundred Fifty Years Ago,” in Various, The Old County Court House and other Northampton County History 15, at 18 (Easton: Papers Read before the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1964); Historic Easton, Inc., Annual House Tour Site #2 (18 May 1985)(“new bride Harriet Porter”); Easton Heritage Alliance, House Tour 1996: Historic Easton Homes and Gardens 40-41 (18 May 1996); accord, Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, The 28 th Annual House Tour 20 (3 May 2008)(built in 1833).

A view of this house and garden fence looking down (South) along Sitgreaves Street is apparently the subject of the artistic rendition in Timothy George Hare, Easton Inkscapes No.47 (Easton: Inkwell Publications 1989). Another view, this time from the front, is featured in No.70.

Mansion property, now replaced by the former Y.M.C.A. Headquarters at 109 North 3rd Street.] Samuel Sitgreaves made Col. McKeen his protégé.6 McKeen (1763 – 18587) had been born in northern Ireland,8 but in 1827, McKeen succeeded Sitgreaves as the second President of the Easton Bank.9 He became known (in conjunction with Sitgreaves initially) as “the great Financier” of Easton projects; it was said that his biography for the 44 years of his life in Easton “would, to a large extent, be the history of Easton” itself.10 Col. McKeen obtained his military rank from the state militia, which he joined during the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794,11 and was promoted to major and later colonel afterwards.12 He was a “ruling elder” of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton for 35 years, and died in 1858 at the age of 96.13 He was later referred to as one of the three “rich men of Easton”.14

After Samuel Sitgreaves died in 1827,15 the Sitgreaves estate sold the entire Square to brewer John G. Marbacher for $6,500.16 Marbacher then divided up the Square, and proceeded to sell it off in separate pieces. He sold Thomas McKeen two parcels, including this one at the corner of Spring Garden and Sitgreaves Streets17 where McKeen built a mansion.18 In the mid-19th Century, the McKeen Mansion was listed as 55 Spring Garden Street, under the street numbering scheme in effect at that time.19 “The kitchen and servants’ wing at the rear was added about 1850.”20

The Colonel died without any surviving children in 1858, at age 96.21 He is buried in Easton Cemetery Plot E-273.22 His will arrangements caused considerable

15 Floyd S. Bixler, The History with Reminiscences of the Early Taverns and Inns of Easton, Paper read before the Northampton County Historical Society on 25 Oct. 1930, at 16 (Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1931); F.S. Bixler, “’Hon. Samuel Sitgreaves’, An Illustrious Citizen of Northampton County”, Speech read at meeting of Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, 18 Feb. 1922.

16 Deed, James Linton, Executor of the Will of Samuel Sitgreaves, to John G. Marbacher, G5 204 (31 Dec. 1830)(sale price $6,500, recital that Marbacher was a brewer).

17 Deed, John G. (Elizabeth) Marbacher to Thomas McKeen, H5 330 (13 Apr. 1833)(sale price $1100 for property measuring 55’ on Spring Garden Street X 150’ along a public alley (now Sitgreaves Street) back to a private alley constructed by Marbacher (now known as Nolls Court)).

Thomas McKeen also purchased the parcel behind this one on Bushkill Street. Deed, John G. (Elizabeth) Marbacher to Thomas McKeen, A6 354 (2 Dec. 1834)($450 for 27’ X 130’ parcel at the corner of Bushkill Street and a public alley (now Sitgreaves Street)).

18 David B. Skillman, “The Newcomers to Easton One Hundred Fifty Years Ago,” in Various, The Old County Court House and other Northampton County History 15, at 18 (Easton: Papers Read before the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1964); Virginia Williams Bentley, Sesquicentennial Story of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pennsylvania 1811-1961 45 (1961)(spelled “McKeen”). He should not be confused with Thomas McKean, a Governor of Pennsylvania and signor of the Declaration of Independence.

McKeen acquired it through John Marbacher, who had acquired the entire square from the Sitgreaves estate. See Deed, James Linton, Executor of the Will of Samuel Sitgreaves, to John G. Marbacher, G5 204 (31 Dec. 1830).

19 See C[harles] Kitchen, A General Directory of the Borough of Easton PA (Cole & Eichman’s Office, 1855)(alphabetical listing for Thomas McKean, “gentleman”).

20 Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, The 28 th Annual House Tour 21 (3 May 2008).

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interest in town. His widow (and second wife, nee Harriet P. Porter,23 a sister of Lafayette College founder James Madison Porter24) was initially to have received only their Spring Garden Street mansion and the Colonel’s interest in the Stewart & Co. wire factory in South Easton, while a series of bequest bestowed the rest of his wealth on a variety of people, principally his two nephews Thomas and Henry McKeen. A subsequent codicil removed Thomas as a will executor, and a further subsequent codicil revoked all the bequests and gave everything to the widow, although the newspaper speculated that a challenge would be made.25

21 Virginia Williams Bentley, Sesquicentennial Story of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pennsylvania 1811-1961 45 (1961); see Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, I The Scotch-Irish of Northampton County, Pennsylvania 178 (1926).

22 Carol L. Campbell, “Col. Thomas McKeen”, in Easton Cemetery Find A Grave Memorial # 14454695, www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=McKeen&GSfn=Thomas&GSiman=1&GScid=44735&GRid=14454695& (accessed 10 June 2011).

4 Obituary, “Col. McKeen’s Will”, EASTON ARGUS, Thurs., 2 Dec. 1858, p.2, col.4. 5 Deed, James Linton, Executor of the Will of Samuel Sitgreaves, to John G. Marbacher,

G5 204 (31 Dec. 1830). He had gradually acquired the entire Square all the way to Bushkill Street, as follows:

Lot No.58: Deed, John Penn the Younger and John Penn the Elder to Samuel Sitgreaves, G1 489 (3 Sept. 1790)(sale price £ 25 “in specie”).

Lot No.56: Deed, Conrad (Elizabeth) Roan to Samuel Sitgreaves, D2 269 (20 Sept. 1797)(including a “Messuage”, sale price £ 380). According to a deed recital, this property had been purchased by Roan from John Penn the Younger and John Penn the Elder by a deed dated 10 Jan. 1794.

Lot No.54: Deed, Henry (Catharina) Deringer to Samuel Sitgreaves, D2 565 (20 Apr. 1799)(sale price $600). Deringer (also spelled “Dehringer” and “Derringer”) had purchased this property from the Penn Family in 1794. Deed, John Penn and Elder and John Penn the Younger to Henry Deringer, D2 564 (10 Jan. 1794)(sale price £25 “in Specie”).

Lot Nos. 52 and 50: Deed, George (Catharine) Dingler to Samuel Sitgreaves, C3 70 (1 Apr. 1807)(sale price $1,500).

6 See Obituary, “Col. McKeen’s Will”, EASTON ARGUS, Thurs., 2 Dec. 1858, p.2, col.4. 7 E.g., Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, I The Scotch-Irish of

Northampton County, Pennsylvania 178 (1926).8 See Obituary, “Col. McKeen’s Will”, EASTON ARGUS, Thurs., 2 Dec. 1858, p.2, col.4. 9 See Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, The 28 th Annual House

Tour 20 (3 May 2008)(before becoming Bank President, McKeen had been the first Head Cashier); see also Dr. Elinor Warner, Easton, Pennsylvania Walking Tour, for Pennsylvania Art Education Association Conference 2000, http://www.kutztown.edu/paea/paeaconf/2000/easton/walk_tour.html (accessed 4 Jan. 2005); David B. Skillman, “The Newcomers to Easton One Hundred Fifty Years Ago,” in Various, The Old County Court House and other Northampton County History 15, at 18 (Easton: Papers Read before the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1964); Historic Easton, Inc., Annual House Tour Site #2 (18 May 1985); Easton Heritage Alliance, House Tour 1996: Historic

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Col. McKeen’s nephews, acting as executors of the estate, ultimately obtained at least two of Col. McKeen’s other properties through paired transactions that appear to have laundered the properties through third parties.26

In the event, the widow McKeen did receive the mansion under the will,27 and continued to live in it.28 After her death in 1864,29 the property was inherited by Harriet Porter,30 the namesake of Mrs. Harriet [Porter] McKeen and evidently her niece, a daughter of James Madison Porter31 (her brother32). Miss Porter apparently used the property as a rental – for example, in 1873 to C. Hepburn,33 a “Gentleman” in 1870 worth $10,000 in real estate.34

Easton Homes and Gardens 40-41 (18 May 1996). 10 Obituary, “Col. McKeen’s Will”, EASTON ARGUS, Thurs., 2 Dec. 1858, p.2, col.4. 11 David B. Skillman, “The Newcomers to Easton One Hundred Fifty Years Ago,” in

Various, The Old County Court House and other Northampton County History 15, at 18 (Easton: Papers Read before the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1964) (spelled “McKeen”); Virginia Williams Bentley, Sesquicentennial Story of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pennsylvania 1811-1961 45 (1961)(spelled “McKeen”). He should not be confused with Thomas McKean, a Governor of Pennsylvania and signor of the Declaration of Independence.

12 Obituary, “Col. McKeen’s Will”, EASTON ARGUS, Thurs., 2 Dec. 1858, p.2, col.4. 13 Bentley, Sesquicentennial Story of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pennsylvania

1811-1961, supra at 27 & n.*, 29, 45; see Record Book of First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pennsylvania 1811-1887 (Easton Area Public Library Code F) 79 (copied in Easton Public Library 1936)(ordained an elder in the church on 8 June 1823).

14 Article, “Rich Men”, EASTON ARGUS, Thurs., 21 Nov. 1861, p.2, col.3. The other two identified by the ARGUS were Peter Miller and Hon. David D. Wagener. See generally separate entries for the Wagner Mansion (Pomfret Club) at 33 South 4th Street (owned by David Wagener’s son) and the Two Rivers Landing at 30 Centre Square.

23 Record Book of First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pennsylvania 1811-1887 (Easton Area Public Library Code F) 63, 79 (copied in Easton Public Library 1936)(Thomas McKeen, Esq. married Harriet P. Porter on 11 April 1832). McKeen’s first wife, Elizabeth, had died in 1830. Id. at 79.

24 David Bishop Skillman, I The Biography of a College: Being the History of the First Century of the Life of Lafayette College 15 (Easton: Lafayette College 1932).

25 Obituary, “Col. McKeen’s Will”, EASTON ARGUS, Thurs., 2 Dec. 1858, p.2, col.4. 26 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entries for 241 Northampton Street (Thomas) and

77, 75 and 73 North Second Street (Henry). 27 See Deed, Harriet porter to Henry D. Lachenour, H18 305 (27 Mar. 1885)(recitals). 28 William H. Boyd, Boyd’s Directory of Reading, Easton, [Etc.] 126 (William H. Boyd

1860); cf. 1860 Census, Series M653, Roll 1147, p.236 (showing Household No.122 (“Harriett McKean” – apparently the widow of Col. Thomas McKeen); Household No.123 (Samuel Brown (age 42), with wife Acsah, age 34, 3 children, a governess, and two servants); and Household No.124 (wholesale grocer Leigh Rodenbough, age 43, with Clara Rodenbough (age 29) and three small children).

29 Record Book of First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pennsylvania 1811-1887 (Easton Area Public Library Code F) 79 (copied in Easton Public Library 1936); accord, McKeen

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Harriet Porter sold the McKeen Mansion on Spring Garden Street in 1885 to Dr. Henry D. Lachenour for $15,000.35 He was the son of Dr. Daniel Lachenour, a prominent Easton physician36 who had practiced for years on North 3rd Street.37 Henry had established his own practice after his father’s death, prior to moving to the McKeen Mansion.38

Dr. Lachenour used at least part of the McKeen Mansion for his medical practice,39 which was conducted as a partnership with Dr. Henry D. Michler.40 Young Dr. Michler was Dr. Lachenour’s nephew: his mother, Julia Lachenour, was Dr. Lachenour’s sister.41 It appears that Dr. Michler’s family also joined the Lachenours as residents in

Genealogy Chart, contained in the “McKeen” file at the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society (no compiler noted).

30 See Deed, Harriet Porter to Henry D. Lachenour, H18 305 (27 Mar. 1885)(recitals); see also D.G. Beers, Atlas of Northampton County Pennsylvania, Plan of Easton (A. Pomeroy & Co. 1874)(Miss Porter).

31 In 1860, Harriet Porter (age 35) was in the household of James Madison Porter (Sr.)(age 67), along with Eliza M. Porter (age 57 – i.e. Mrs. Porter, the mother), Elizabeth (age 37 – evidently an older sister), and four younger (but grown-up) Porter children including James Madison Porter Jr. (then age 23). 1860 Census, Series M653, Roll 1147, p.250.

In 1870, Miss Porter was in residence in the Porter Mansion with E.P. Porter (apparently her older sister). See also 1870 Census, Series M593, Roll 1382, p.20 (front)(Harriet Porter, age 43, in E.P. Porter’s household, both women possessing considerable wealth). The ladies’ residence during the period was in the Porter Homestead at 53 North 3rd Street. See ); J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1884-5 108-09 (J.H. Lant 1884)(Miss Harriet Porter and E.P. Porter both residents at 53 North 3rd Street); Article, “Interesting Reminiscence, North Third Street a Third of a Century Ago”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Thursday, 20 Aug. 1885, p.3 (two daughters of James M. Porter reside in North 3rd Street house); 1880 Census, Series T9, Roll 1161, p.383A (“Harret” Porter in household of her sister, Elizabeth Porter, at 47 North 3rd Street). See also www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Porter Parking Lot at 53 North 3rd Street. But see Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Monday, 24 Nov. 1873, p.3 (No.53 assigned to the residence of William H. Davis, while 49 North 3rd Street was the offices of the Porter & Swift firm).

Harriet Porter died on 2 June 1890, leaving an estate worth over $47,000. Estate of Harriet Porter, File No.12294, 11 Will Book 521 (Northampton County Orphan’s Court).

32 David Bishop Skillman, I The Biography of a College: Being the History of the First Century of the Life of Lafayette College 15 (Easton: Lafayette College 1932).

33 See Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Friday, 5 Dec. 1873, p.3 (No.231 listed to C. Hepburn).

34 1870 Census, Series M593, Roll 1382, p.10 (front)(L.C. Hepburn and wife Sarah). 35 Deed, Harriet Porter to Henry D. Lachenour, H18 305 (27 Mar. 1885)(sale price $15,000

for property measuring 55’ X 150’). 36 Portrait and Biographical Record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties,

Pennsylvania 923 (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co. 1894, reprint by Higginson Book Co. 1970). 37 In 1874 (with the advent of the new street numbering scheme), “Dr. D. Lachenour” had

been in residence at 37 North 3rd Street, with his office at 35 North 3rd Street, just a few doors away from the Porter Homestead. Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Monday, 24 Nov. 1873, p.3.

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the McKeen Mansion for a time, while the two doctors maintaining their joint medical practice there.42

Dr. Henry Michler was a son of Francis Michler and Julia Lachenour, one of Dr. Daniel Lachenour’s daughters.43 [Dr. Henry Michler was, thus, Dr. Henry Lachenour’s nephew.]

To accommodate the medical practice, Dr. Lachenour added the small 2-1/2 story brick expansion (numbered 229 Spring Garden Street).44 He also remodeled the main house in Victorian style at about the same time.45 The changes included a “Victorian staircase, inlaid floors, elaborate dining room woodwork and diamond-paned windows.”46 The two doctors appears to have continued their joint practice in the house47 until after Dr. Lachenour’s death on 6 November 1893.48 Dr. Henry D. Michler then moved away to other locations.49

38 See J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1877 98 (M.J. Riegel 1877)(Henry D. Lachenour, physician, at the corner of Spring Garden and 2nd Streets); J.H. Lant, Easton, [Etc,] Directory for 1879 108 (M.J. Riegel 1879)(same). See generally 1880 Census, Series T9, Roll 1161, p.379B; www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 165 Spring Garden Street.

Dr. Daniel Lachenour had died in 1875. Portrait and Biographical Record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties, Pennsylvania 923 (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co. 1894, reprint by Higginson Book Co. 1970).

39 See Historic Easton, Inc., Annual House Tour Site #2 (18 May 1985); Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, The 28 th Annual House Tour 21 (3 May 2008).

Dr. H.D. Lachenour was shown in Easton in the 1880 Census at a different address – 44 Spring Garden Street – 5 years prior to the Lachenour purchase of the McKeen Mansion. That Census shows that Dr. Lachenour had a wife Laura and two daughters, the youngest (age 1) named Laura. In 1910, the McKeen Mansion was occupied by Laura S. Lanchenour (apparently the Doctor’s widow), and his daughter Laura S. Ormsby (age 30). Compare 1910 Census, Series T624, Roll 1381, p.28B with 1880 Census, Series T9, Roll 1161, p.379B.

40 Portrait and Biographical Record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties, Pennsylvania 923 (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co. 1894, reprint by Higginson Book Co. 1970)(partners until Dr. Lachenour died in 1893); see J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1884-5 98 (1884)(Henry D. Michler, partner in Lachenour & Michler, physicians; home at 37 North 3rd Street).

41 Portrait and Biographical Record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties, Pennsylvania 923 (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co. 1894, reprint by Higginson Book Co. 1970); accord, Obituary, “Dr. Michler, Surgeon, Dead”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 22 June 1926, p.1, col.1. Both Julia and Henry D. Lachenour were children of Dr. Daniel Lachenour. Julia Lachenour married Francis Michler, Dr. Henry Michler’s father.

42 See George W. West, West’s Guide to Easton [Etc.] 137, 158 (George W. West 1889)(H.D. Michler and Henry D. Lachenour both listed to the house at 231 Spring Garden Street, together with the Lachenour & Michler medical practice); George W. West, West’s Guide to Easton [Etc.] 83, 99 (George W. West 1887)(Dr. H.D. Lachenour and Dr. Henry D Michler, partners in Lachenour & Michler at the corner of Spring Garden and Sitgreaves Streets).

43 Portrait and Biographical Record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties, Pennsylvania 923 (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co. 1894, reprint by Higginson Book Co. 1970); accord, Obituary, “Dr. Michler, Surgeon, Dead”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 22 June 1926, p.1, col.1.

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After Dr. Lachenour died, his widow (Laura Stewart Lachenour)50 inherited the mansion. She continued in residence, along with51 a daughter (Laura S. Lachenour Ormsby) and son-in-law (Frank G. Ormsby).52 Dr. Lachenour’s widow was the granddaughter of wire manufacturer Frank Stewart, and daughter of leading Easton merchant Edward F. Stewart. They, and her uncles Clement Stewart and William G. Stewart, were all residents on North 4th Street.53 As a girl, Laura (then) Stewart attended “the famous school of Dr. Van Norman, of New York city”, and was valedictorian of her class. In addition to her scholarly talents, she was also an “accomplished musician”. As an adult, she made a reputation as being “instrumental in the organization of most of Easton’s public charities, and the success of these admirable institutions is due in large part to her excellent practical ideas and her remarkable power for organization and development.” Among her charities was the Easton Hospital bazaar, the Easton Children’s Home, and various educations institutions and students.54

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Laura Stewart Lachenour died on 10 March 1917, and willed the mansion to her two daughters: Laura Stewart Ormsby and Margaret Kennedy Nesbitt. Mrs. Nesbitt, in turn, died just 9 days later (on 19 March 1917), leaving her one-half interest to her daughter, Fredrika Lachenow Nesbitt.55 Miss Nesbitt sold her half interest to her aunt (Mrs. Ormsby) in 1931.56

In 1953, Mrs. Ormsby sold the McKeen Mansion in 1953 for $25,000 to the Williams twin brothers, Leslie and Lesler, noted Easton developers who then owned (among other things) the Hotel Easton.57 The brothers, as well as Leslie’s wife Bess, became long-time residents in the house.58

55 Deed, Laura Stewart Ormsby to Leslie C. Williams and Lesler D. Williams, E93 342 (14 Apr. 1953)(recitals).

56 Deed, Fredrika Lachenour Nesbitt to Laura Stewart Ormsby, A64 42 (18 Nov. 1931). 57 Deed, Laura Stewart Ormsby to Leslie C. Williams and Lesler D. Williams, E93 342 (14

Apr. 1953)(sale price $25,000 for property at 231 Spring Garden Street measuring 55’ X 153’ 11”); see Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, The 28 th Annual House Tour 21 (3 May 2008)(“In 1953, the family who then owned the Hotel Easton acquired the property”; it had only “three owners in its first 140 years”); see Historic Easton, Inc., Annual House Tour Site #2 (18 May 1985)(Ormsby lived in the house “a short time”), but were still there for the 1920 Census, Series T625, Roll 1609, p.97A.

58 Historic Easton, Inc., Annual House Tour Site #2 (18 May 1985)(Leslie and Bess); Obituary, “Leslor D. Williams Once Operated Hotels in Easton With Brother”, EASTON EXPRESS, Wed., 22 Jan. 1969, p.14, col.2 (Leslor’s home had been at 231 Spring Garden Street).

44 William Peterson, Eagle Scout Project: Historic Guide of Easton Site #31 (2006), available through Easton website, www.easton-pa.com (via “History” link); see Dr. Elinor Warner, Easton, Pennsylvania Walking Tour, for Pennsylvania Art Education Association Conference 2000, http://www.kutztown.edu/paea/paeaconf/2000/easton/walk_tour.html (accessed 4 Jan. 2005)(expansion built in 1885); Linda Harbrecht, “Easton House Tour: A Rebirth of Elegance”, THE EXPRESS-TIMES, Saturday, 11 May 1996, at Home pp.D-1, D-4; Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, The 28 th Annual House Tour 21 (3 May 2008).

45 Warner, Easton, Pennsylvania Walking Tour, supra. 46 Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, The 28 th Annual House Tour 21

(3 May 2008). 47 Portrait and Biographical Record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties,

Pennsylvania 923 (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co. 1894, reprint by Higginson Book Co. 1970); see George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of Easton [Etc.] 132 (George W. West 1892)(Lachenour & Michler, physicians, 229 Spring Garden Street). Since the main house’s address is 231 Spring Garden Street, the medical practice’s address at No.229 would appear to refer to the addition built onto the house; Dr. Michler’s personal address was also given as 229 Spring Garden Street in this directory.

48 Obituary, “Mrs. Lachenour Passes Away”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 13 Mar. 1917, p.5, col.3 (gives that as the date of her husband’s death); see also Sandra S. Froberg (transcriber), II Cemetery Record Books of the Easton Cemetery Company 315 (Easton Area Public Library, Easton Cemetery Company, and Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society joint project Jan. 1993)(Henry D. Lachenour age 55 buried 9 Nov. 1893 in Plot E-90).

Laura Lachenour (Dr. Lachenour’s widow) was later buried in Plot E-92. Sandra S. Froberg (transcriber), II Cemetery Record Books of the Easton Cemetery Company 316 (Easton Area Public Library, Easton Cemetery Company, and Northampton County Historical & Genealogical

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The twins, together with another brother, Walter Williams, had taken over operation of the Nazareth Inn from their father in 1912. Two years later, they bought the Gerver House (128 Northampton Street), refurbished it and renamed it the Hotel Easton; in 1915, they sold the Nazareth Inn. Then, in 1927, they took over the new Hotel Easton constructed across Green Street at 140 Northampton Street, and turned the old Gerver House into a bus terminal. After Walter died in 1932, the twins re-established the old Gerver House as the Terminal Hotel, which they sold in 1947.59 They appear to have turned over control of the new Hotel Easton to Neal Rumbaugh in 1956.60

Society joint project Jan. 1993). 49 By 1894 (shortly after Dr. Lachenour’s death the prior year), Dr. Michler had moved to

327 Spring Garden Street. George W. West (compiler), Directory of Easton [Etc.] 179 (George W. West 1894)(H.D. Michler, M.D., residence at 327 Spring Garden Street); see generally George W. West (compiler), Directory of Easton [Etc.] 176 (George W. West 1896)(Dr. H.D. Michler’s office was listed at 37 North 3rd Street).

He then went to the Kirkpatrick Row Houses at 120 North 3rd Street. See 1900 Census, Series Series T623, Roll 1447, p.70A (Henry D. Michler, born 1856, resident at 120 North 3rd Street); George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of Greater Easton for the Year 1900 222 (George W. West 1900)(Dr. H.D. Michler, 120 North 3rd Street with a wife and a child); George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of Greater Easton 165 (George W. West 1898)(Dr. Henry D. Michler, 120 North 3rd Street); www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Judge Kirkpatrick Row Houses at 120-22 North 3rd Street.

Ultimately, he became the long-time resident at 134 North 3rd Street. See www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Dr. Michler Practice building at 134 North 3rd Street, and sources cited therein.

50 Obituary, “Mrs. Lachenour Passes Away”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 13 Mar. 1917, p.5, col.3; see Record Book of Brainerd Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pennsylvania (Marx Room reference letter “A”) 23 (copied in Easton Public Library May 1936)(Dr. Henry D. Lachenour married Laura Stewart on 9 July 1874).

51 Historic Easton, Inc., Holiday Preservation Tour of Historic Easton unnumbered p.5 (9 Dec. 1978); see George W. West (compiler), Directory of Easton, [Etc.] 158 (George W. West 1894)(Mrs. Laura Lachenour’s house at 231 Spring Garden Street); George W. West (compiler), Directory of Easton [Etc.] 147 (George W. West 1896)(Mrs. Henry Lachenour, 229 Spring Garden Street); George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of Greater Easton 138 (George W. West 1898)(Mrs. Laura Lachenour at 231 Spring Garden Street); George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of Greater Easton for the Year 1900 184 (George W. West 1900)(Mrs. Henry Lachenour, widow, at 231 Spring Garden Street – looks somewhat like 237, but that house was occupied by D.W. Conklin); 1900 Census, Series T623, Roll 1447, p.62A; Charles M. Barnard (compiler), West’s Directory for City of Easton 20 (Union Publishing Co. 1920); 1910 Census, Series T624, Roll 1381, p.28B; 1920 Census, Series T625, Roll 1609, p.97A.

52 Compare 1880 Census, Series T9, Roll 1161, p.379B (Dr. H.D. Lachenour, with wife Laura, age 32, and daughters Matilda, age 3, and Laura, age 1) with 1910 Census, Series T624, Roll 1381, p.28B (Laura S. Lachenour head of household, with daughter Laura S. Ormsby and son-in-law Frank G. Ormsby). Frank Ormsby’s occupation was listed as a Manager of a real estate company in the 1910 Census, supra, and as “Landlord” in the 1920 Census, Series T625, Roll 1609, p.97A.

53 See Obituary, “Edward F. Stewart”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 25 Feb. 1902, p.5, col.2 (father to Mrs. Laura Lachenour); Obituary, “Mrs. Lachenour Passes Away”, EASTON EXPRESS,

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In 1969, Leslor William died of a “self-inflicted gunshot wound of the right temple”. He had been under a doctor’s care, and was 95 years of age at the time.61 His twin brother Leslie Williams died a year later, in 1970, at the McKeen Mansion,62 leaving the Mansion to his widow, Bess. She remained in the house until she sold it in 1975.63 Thereafter, between approximately 1978 and 1980, the gourmet Ormsby’s Restaurant operated on the site, which took its name from the Ormsby Family, the former owners. The proprietors were John and Linda Erickson, Daniel McDole, and initially Larry Mann.64

The purchaser in 1975 was Dolores W. Smith. She (or a trust on her behalf, with herself as trustee)65 held the property until 1984, when it was sold for $110,000 to Patric and Carmen Mangan.66 Four years later, the Mangans got $285,000 for it from Diane Finch Smith of Phillipsburg.67 Unfortunately, Ms. Smith lost the property in 1993 in a

Tues., 13 Mar. 1917, p.5, col.3 (father was Edward Farmer Stewart). See generally separate www.WalkingEaston.com entries for 133 North 4th Street (home of John Stewart and Edward F. Stewart), Clement Stewart Row House at 123 North 4th Street, and William G. Row House at 119 North 4th Street.

54 Obituary, “Mrs. Lachenour Passes Away – She Was a Leader in Many Public Movements for the Good of Easton”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 13 Mar. 1917, p.5, col.3.

59 Obituary, “Leslor D. Williams Once Operated Hotels in Easton With Brother”, EASTON EXPRESS, Wed., 22 Jan. 1969, p.14, col.2.

60 See Obituary, “Neal H. Rumbaugh, 70; Ex-Owner of the Circlon and the Hotel Easton”, THE MORNING CALL, Sat., 30 Mar. 1985, p.I-14 (Neal Rumbaugh owned the Hotel Easton from 1956 until his retirement in 1984); Kenneth L. Klabunde, “Hail Hail The Gang’s All Here”, Summer 2006 Heritage Edition 44, at 48, 50 (Easton Is Home 2006)(Neal Rumbaugh became the hotel owner in 1956, and sold his majority interest in 1984).

61 Obituary, “Leslor D. Williams Once Operated Hotels in Easton With Brother”, EASTON EXPRESS, Wed., 22 Jan. 1969, p.14, col.2.

62 Obituary, “Leslie C. Williams, Former Owner of Terminal, Easton Hotels”, EASTON EXPRESS, Tues., 21 Julyl 1970, p.25, col.4.

63 Deed, Bess R. Williams to Dolores W. Smith, 534 121 (16 Dec. 1975); see Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1974 Street and Avenue Guide 250 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1974)(Mrs. Bess R. Williams resident in 231 Spring Garden Street, part of structure vacant); Historic Easton, Inc., Annual House Tour Site #2 (18 May 1985)(states that Bess Williams resided in the mansion until her death in 1975).

64 Historic Easton, Inc., Holiday Preservation Tour of Historic Easton unnumbered p.5 (9 Dec. 1978); Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1978 367 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1978)(Ormsby’s restaurant at 231 Spring Garden Street run by John V. & Linda H. Erickson, Daniel McDole, and Larry Mann); Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1980 411 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1980)(same, without Larry Mann); Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1981 Street & Avenue Guide 306 (R.L. Polk & Co. 1981)(231 Spring Garden Street vacant); see Warner, Easton, Pennsylvania Walking Tour, supra (Ormsby’s Restaurant in the 1970s); Linda Harbrecht, “Easton House Tour: A Rebirth of Elegance”, THE EXPRESS-TIMES, Saturday, 11 May 1996, at Home pp.D-1, D-4.

65 Deed, Dolores W. Smith to Dolores W. Smith, Trustee, 574 1061 (28 Nov. 1977). 66 Deed, Dolores W. (Walter E.) smith, a/k/a Dolores W. Smith Kemmerer, individually and

as trustee, to Patrick J. (Carmen) Mangan, 664 762 (8 May 1984)(sale price $110,000). 67 Deed, Patrick J. (Carmen) Mangan to Diane Finch Smith, 760 51 (2 Dec. 1988)(sale

price $285,000).

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sheriffs sale, over a debt owed to the Highlands Community Bank, N.A. The purchasers (for $147,000) were Roger and Sandra Paul.68 The house was returned to use as a private residence.69 It was resold for $550,000 in 2012 to Graham and Katie Manley.70

Behind the mansion, at 118 Sitgreaves Street, is the McKeen stables built circa 1833.71 In 1995, this was taken over, cleaned and renovated by Roger and Sandra Paul, and turned into a residence known as the Carriage House.72

A further lot, now designated as 230-32 Bushkill St. (at the corner with Sitgreaves St.), was also built by Col. McKeen as an investment at the rear of his original mansion property (see separate entry).

68 Deed, Kevin P. Franczak, Sheriff, for Diane Finch-Smith, to Roger J. (Sandra B.) Paul, 1993-4-6695 (14 Dec. 1993).

69 See, e.g., Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, The 28 th Annual House Tour 21 (3 May 2008)(“The Paul Residence”).

70 Deed, Roger J. (Sandra B.) Paul to Graham (Katie) Manley, 2012-1-098788 (30 Apr. 2012)(sale price $550,000 for 231 Spring Garden Street property measuring 55’ X 153’ 11”). The Parcel ID is L9NE3D 14 9.

71 See door plaque, evidently taking the date from the construction of Col. McKeen’s mansion. See also Easton Heritage Alliance, House Tour 1997: Historic Easton Homes and Gardens 41 (17 May 1997)(1840).

72 Easton Heritage Alliance, House Tour 1997: Historic Easton Homes and Gardens 41 (17 May 1997).

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