Isaac S. Laubach

Isaac S. Laubach, like his father before him, was a master stone mason. They built many of the stone structures in the lower Musconetcong region. After his father's retirement, Isaac S. continued to work as a master stone mason and contractor working in the trade for 63 years. Isaac S. Laubach was the master mason contractor for the Riegel family. He constructed many of their paper mills including their Hughesville, Riegelsville and Warren Glen facilities. His crowning achievement was the restoration and extension of the piers for the Riegelsville Suspension Bridge in 1904. The abutments were damaged and the wooden covered bridge was destroyed by one of the many Delaware River floods. The prestigious firm of John A. Roebling and Sons contracted with Isaac S. Laubach to reconstruct and extend the flood damaged piers to support their steel cable suspension bridge. John A. Roebling designed and built the Brooklyn Bridge. Corporal Isaac S. Laubach prided himself on the fact that he "... never had a job condemned no matter how big or small... and many were big jobs in their day." The abutments he constructed for the Roebling steel suspension bridge project withstood The Great Flood of 1955, as a result of Hurricane Diane. The beautifully crafted stone and masonry piers are still a source of pride for the local citizenry. Corp. Issac S. Laubach enlisted in Co.F., 31st., NJ., Vol., Inf., during the Civil War. He served his nine month enlistment and was mustered out of service as a corporal on June 24, 1863. His unit was not engaged in any action during his tour of duty. In 1888, he purchased the Finesville United Methodist Church at a public auction for $350. The purchase was made for the purpose of preservation. The church was remodeled and he donated the building and the property to the Methodist Society. A solid bronze bell housed within the bell tower of the church bears the inscription: Clinton H. Meneely Bell Co., Troy, NY, A.D. 1882. Isaac S. Laubach had a peach orchard which "produced a very fine grade of fruit." He was among the extensive growers in the region. Peach production was an important industry in the lower Musconetcong River Valley region. In addition, he was a Freeholder (1877-1879) and 1881. About 5 years before he died, Isaac S. Laubach moved to 1013 West Berwick Street in Southside, Easton, PA. He was active and agile until just before his death at home. He was one of the oldest citizens in the City of Easton, PA. He died at the age of 94 years 2 months and eighteen days. The funeral of Isaac S. Laubach was held yesterday afternoon at 1:15 o'clock from his home 1013 Berwick Street and was one of the largest held on the South Side in several years. Mr. Laubach, who was a well known Civil War veteran and also prominent for many years in Reigelsville and vicinity as a mason contractor, had many friends and large numbers of them came to his home yesterday to pay their last respects. The services were held in the Finesville, N.J. M.E. church, which was also filled to capacity. Burial was made in the Bloomsbury cemetery. The pallbearers were Isaac and Wesley Laubach, John and Charles Laubach, William Krause and Charles Flennard, sons and sons-in-law of the deceased. There were many beautiful floral tributes.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 16 2016, 23:46:22 UTC