My Genealogy Hound

GUSTAVE A. SCHNEEBELI, Superintendent and General Manager of the Nazareth Manufacturing Company, is a native of Silesia, Prussia, and was born May 23, 1853. His parents, Adolph and Amelia (Engeler) Schneebeli, were natives of Switzerland and Germany respectively. Ulrich Schneebeli, grandfather of our subject, was a forester in Switzerland, and passed away in his native land, at the advanced age of ninety-nine years. His wife, formerly Johanna Zwingli, is a lineal descendant of the reformer; Ulrich Zwingli.

The father of our subject was born in Switzerland, May 2, 1826, and at the age of thirteen went to Paris, France, where he remained for some time, afterward going to the Rhine Country, and finally to Silesia, Prussia. There he learned the trade of butcher, which occupation he followed for a number of years. In 1864 Mr. Schneebeli emigrated to the United States, arriving here December 1 of the same year, and locating first in Bethlehem, where he remained one year, after which he established his home permanently in Nazareth. He is now living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of his labor and the rest he so well deserves. He is a Democrat in politics, and has been a warm advocate of that party ever since he became a citizen of the United States. In his religious belief he is a member of the Moravian Church, and has always lived an honest and upright life. His family consists of six children, namely: Gustave Adolph, Max William, Levin Alexander, Robert, Lizzie and Bertha.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the Moravian parochial schools of Germany, and at the age of eleven years crossed the ocean with his parents and came to Pennsylvania, where he has since made his home. Soon after his arrival here he started out to make a living for himself. He first found employment as clerk in a store in Nazareth, but a short time afterward entered the employ of Charles M. Dodson & Co., of Beaver Brook, Carbon County, with whom he remained for nine years. He then became the representative of Louis Kraemer & Co., manufacturers of cloth, in Reading, Pa., for whom he traveled in the Western States. While connected with that firm he made his home in Ohio for eight years.

In 1886 Mr. Schneebeli returned to Nazareth and organized the Nazareth Manufacturing Company, in which he holds the position of Superintendent and General Manager. The plant is controlled by a stock company, of which Louis Kraemer is President; G. A. Schneebeli, Secretary and General Manager; and L. F. Kraemer, Treasurer. The principal product of the mills are ladies’ and children’s knit underwear, of which they make a specialty. From the first the business, under the supervision of Mr. Schneebeli, has been a success, and, constantly increasing its proportions, now commands a trade second to none in the state.

September 10, 1878, G. A. Schneebeli and Miss Carrie E., daughter of Alfred and Clarissa Schneider, of Loyal Oak, Ohio, were married. They are the parents of two children, namely: Ellis Clark, born October 6, 1879, and Louis Ferdinand, May 13, 1891. Politically our subject is a Republican, and takes a deep interest in political and educational affairs, although, never having aspired to public office. He is one of the Trustees of Nazareth Hall. He and his excellent wife are consistent members of the Moravian Church of which he is a Trustee. They are highly respected and possess the regard of a host of friends. He is widely known for his business ability, and is ranked among the leading men and substantial citizens of Northampton County.