Today, I am speaking to Mr. Terry Reppert of Laurys Station, Lehigh County. Terry was born in Northampton and has a keen interest in local history. His grandmother Florence Kleppinger was a member of a prominent family who operated a flourishing market on Main Street in Northampton many years ago.

The family’s roots can be traced to the Palatinate area of Germany. John George and Margaretta Kleppinger came to America in 1739 in search of a better life. They first settled in Trappe, Montgomery County.

Their first child was baptized at Augustus Lutheran Church, dating back to 1743. It was designed by Henry Muhlenberg. Our first speaker of the House of Representatives was born there; his name was Frederick Muhlenberg.

The family then moved to Christian Springs, which is Nazareth today. Their 1740 home is still standing.

Later, the family purchased 331 acres in Allen Township from William Allen for 400 pounds. Here on the farm, John H. Kleppinger started a prosperous livestock and meat business. A slaughterhouse was constructed. Soon, cattle from the west was delivered by rail to an area that is now West 27th Street in Northampton.

They processed both fresh and smoked meats. Eight horse-drawn wagons served customers in Northampton, Cementon, Coplay, Catasauqua and surrounding areas. This writer actually interviewed an old-timer whose mother purchased meat from one of the wagons.

The business was so prosperous; Mr. Kleppinger opened two meat markets on Main Street in Northampton, one at 1216 Main St., the current Bob’s Flower Shop, and one at 1926 Main St., the present karate studio. They were constructed in 1911 and 1915.

He also constructed his residence across from the market in 1917, today the Carol Simcoe Gallery.

The lower Main Street market closed in 1920 and became (remember the 5 and 10 cent stores?) Gunsberg’s 5 & 10. Mr. Reppert recalls, “My grandfather Howard Reppert Sr. worked at the meat market and did ‘double duty’ as a butcher at the slaughterhouse and a meat cutter at the market.” One of the 12 employees was Charles Moses Schisler, whose brother founded the Schisler Funeral Home.

John J. Kleppinger died in 1937. His son William operated the store until 1939, when the landmark business closed. Mr. Joseph Moore then founded another well-known local business. Do you remember the M&N Medicine Co., with the slogan “Through Service We Grow”?

Terry Reppert, as a youth, spent weekends at the Kleppinger home.

“I ran across the street to see a movie at the Roxy for 25 cents,” he recalls.

Another well-known business was the Allen House, today, the Assante restaurant. The Allen House was constructed in 1872 by John H. Kleppinger, John J.’s father. The hotel was the last stop for the Lehigh Valley Traction Trolley that transported travelers to Allentown. More on Allen House is coming in a future column.

Terry’s father, Howard Reppert Jr., was born on Jan. 1, 1927, on the second floor of the Kleppinger Market. He was delivered by the legendary Dr. Charles Fox, whose brother William served the medical needs of patients in Coplay.

As a young man, he left Northampton High School to join the United States Navy. The year was 1944; Howard was 17 years of age.

He was assigned to CL40, the Light Cruiser U.S.S. Brooklyn, which, with a fleet of ships, rained salvos of fire on the beaches of Anzio in Italy. The young sailor later recalled the invasion and the terrible toll paid by our men to secure the beach and break the German foothold on the city.

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In two weeks, we will look at Laurys Station history. Join us!