Posted on 07 July 2021 at 12:01

In this sixth column, we continue to share memories of Ms. Leona Sabia, a descendant of Heinrich Kohl, a former farmer and War of Independence veteran who resided north of Kreidersville.

While employed at Vultee Aircraft in Allentown, she met a colleague, Thomas Sabia, who lived in Coplay. He walked from Coplay every week to visit Leona. Tom didn’t have a car. They dated for five years.

One day, with a smile on her face, Leona said, “Tom, if you don’t buy a car, I won’t go out with you anymore.”

Well, he bought a car and the wedding bells rang on September 28, 1948. The wedding took place in Tom’s hometown of Hazleton.

When Vultee closed its doors at the end of the war, the married couple moved to Penn Dixie Road in Nazareth. Mr. Sabia was fortunate to be hired by Penn Dixie Cement Company.

Leona recalls, “We moved into a corporate townhouse. The rent was $ 15 per month. We later moved into a two-story company house. The rent was $ 30 per month.

Leona and Thomas had three children, Lila, Thomas Jr. and Timothy.

Lila said, “I attended and graduated from Nazareth High School.”

His brother Timothy was a student of our loyal photographer, Larry Oberly, who taught in Nazareth for 35 years.

Mr. Sabia was a furnace burner at the Penn Dixie Plant No. 5. He worked there for 20 years.

The historic company closed all of its factories, so Thomas was once again unemployed. His last job would be at Kraemer Textiles in Nazareth.

The family returned to Stagecoach Road in Kreidersville. Lila’s other brother, Thomas, is said to have graduated from Northampton High School in 1979.

Leona would receive a $ 200 pension from Penn Dixie for her years of service at the factory.

Sadly, he died on August 29, 2006. He was buried in Stone Church United Church of Christ.

Leona will spend many years working in the clothing industry. Pensions were extremely low for garment workers. She received $ 100 per month for her many years of service. A hard worker, Leona’s last job was at Burger King in Northampton when she was 76.

Lila spent many years as a cashier in several stores. She worked at Redner’s Warehouse Markets for 18 years. His brother Thomas worked at Kraemer Textiles. He died on June 7, 1987, at the age of 35.

Lila’s brothers, Timothy, are the fifth generation to reside on the Stagecoach Road farm. He worked for Dunbar Armored / Brinks for 30 years. He married former JoAnne Hager in Lehighton.

We thank Lila and her mother for their kind cooperation. This writer called her many times for more information. We wish the family good health and thank Larry Oberly for all his patience and wonderful photographs.

The Sabia are proud of their heritage. Their family dates back to colonial America and the founding of our nation.

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We will have a surprise in two weeks. Join us!

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Lila, Thomas Jr. and Timothy Sabia are the children of Leona and Thomas Sabia.

The Stagecoach Road farm was home to generations of the Vogel and Sabia families.

Timothy Sabia and his wife, JoAnne, are the fifth generation to live on the family farm on Stagecoach Road.