My Genealogy Hound

JAMES R. ZEARFOSS, an enterprising and well-to-do business man of Easton, is one of her prominent citizens. For about fifteen years he has devoted his energies to the management of his large general lumber trade, in addition to which he, in company with others, owns and operates a wholesale ice business, known as the Easton Ice Company, of which he is President. He is a member and one of the Directors of the Easton Board of Trade, and has been an important factor in many of the industrial enterprises of this place. The birth of our subject occurred in Riegelsville, Hunterdon County, N. J., July 13, 1840, his parents being Thomas and Mary A. (Raub) Zearfoss. His ancestors were natives of Germany, and his paternal grandmother was reared in the Quaker faith. George Zearfoss, his grandfather, was a native of New Jersey, a farmer by occupation, and a very successful man in business affairs. Thomas Zearfoss, his son, was born on the old homestead, and on arriving at man’s estate became Superintendent of a division of the Delaware Canal. Afterward he was made Superintendent of the mines of the Durham Iron Works, situated about a mile from Riegelsville. In later years he was engaged in the lime and sand business. In political affairs he took an active part, being a stanch Democrat, and was a good citizen in the best sense of the word. Religiously he belonged to the Lutheran denomination, taking an intelligent interest in all church affairs, and in the congregation to which he belonged occupied official positions. On his death, which occurred in 1887, he was placed to rest in the cemetery of Riegelsville. His three children are all living. G. F. Zearfoss is engaged in the lumber business in Easton; and Emma J., who became the wife of John Bellis, of Riegelsville, resides on the old homestead.

The boyhood years of James R. Zearfoss were passed on his father’s farm, and his education was obtained in the public schools. For two years he was in the employ of his grandfather, and afterward became bookkeeper for Peter Uhler. With that gentleman he remained, giving him his faithful services for eighteen years, and was associated with him in several branches of his trade, that of grain and lumber. For two years subsequently he was engaged in the lime business at Riegelsville, and with his former employer carried on a mercantile business. In 1869 he came to Easton and engaged in the lumber trade, in connection with Mr. Uhler, and at the time of the latter’s death, in 1877, he leased the mill, which he carried on independently for two years. In 1879 the mill was sold by the executors of Mr. Uhler’s estate, Mr. Zearfoss becoming the purchaser. He then took in Mr. Hilliard as a partner, and together they have continued the business up to the present time.

In politics Mr. Zearfoss is a Democrat, and, like a true citizen and patriot, he is interested in everything that relates to the country’s interests. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and endeavors to put in practice in his daily life its exalted teachings. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, council, commandery and Lulu Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Philadelphia. January 17,1892, he was united in marriage with Mrs. M. A. Glanz, daughter of Henry Rinek, of Easton. She was born in this city, received a good education here, and has always held a high place in social circles.