Parents and 10 siblings listed.
Nathan A. Haas, son of Nathan T. and Eliza (Butz) Haas, was born in Longswamp township, Berks county. He attended the public schools, which was supplemented by a three years’ course at the Kutztown Normal School. When sixteen years of age, he came to Allentown and entered the shoe store of J. L. Farr & Co. When he arrived at majority, he was admitted to the firm the name being changed to Farr, Haas & Co. On the death of J. L. Farr. the business was continued by his son, Harvey Farr and Mr. Haas until 1900. The partnership was then dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Haas having purchased the old Cross Keys hotel property at the corner of Eighth and Hamilton streets, erected thereon a modern five-story store and office building. The lower floor and part of the second, he devoted to the shoe business. In 1900 Mr. Haas admitted his son, Harry, and the firm name was changed to N. A. Haas & Son. On June 13, 1912, Mr. Haas sold this property, and retired from the retail shoe business. Dec. 1. 1912. In the early part of 1913, he and Charles E. Burger and Mr. Haas’ sons, Harry E. and Robert E. formed a corporation under the name off Haas-Berger Co., and began the manufacturing of childrens’ and misses’ shoes at 20 South Hall street, where they employ about 100 people. Mr. Haas is one of the organizers of the Penn County Trust Co., of which he is one of the directors. Soon after the organization of the Allentown Hospital, he was made one of its trustees, serving to 1897, when he resigned. He was a delegate to the Republican state convention at Harrisburg, which nominated McCauley for auditor-general. He is a member of St. John’s Reformed church, which he served as deacon to 1890 and since then is serving as a trustee. When the present building was remodeled in 1911, he was elected president of the building committee.
Mr. Haas was twice married. His first wife being Ellen, daughter of Solomon and Matilda (Hartman) Keck, from, which union was born Harry E. His second wife is Emma R., daughter of John A. and Ellen (Dubbs) Jacoby. who bore him three children: Robert; Ruth, deceased; and Marguerite.