USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Catasauqua > A history of Catasauqua in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania > Part 24
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Charles Graffin entered into wedlock with Miss Maria, daughter of Felix Snyder and his wife Lydia, October 31, 1854. This union was blessed with ten children, seven of whom survive: Alvin J., Montelair, N. J .; Robert T., Easton, Pa .; George W., Allentown, Pa .; William F., Germantown, Pa .; Harry E., Cata- sauqua, Pa .; Walter E., Allentown, Pa .; and Samuel S., Catasauqua, Pa. As a member of the M. E. Church, Mr. Graffin is leading in the way of a Right Life."
JOSHUA HUNT. Joshua Hunt was of English descent, his great-grand- father having come from Birmingham, England, at the time when the Penn Colony was established in America, and settled in Chester County, Pa. He married Esther Aston and had among their sons, Samuel, grandfather of the
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THE HISTORY
subject of this biographical sketch. Samuel Hunt was married to Mary Beale and from this union came five sons and three daughters. Thomas, one of this number, was born December 19, 1791, and married Rachel, daughter of William and Elizabeth Evans, of Lancaster County, Pa. They had three children among whom was Joshua, born May 13, 1820, in Chester County, Pa. For the first ten years of his boyhood he lived in the country, and later he lived for six years in Philadelphia. While living here, he attended the Quaker Boarding School at Westtown, Pa.
ITe began his active business career at Harrisburg, Pa., as superintendent of a rolling mill owned by his father. When this property was destroyed by fire, he again went to Philadelphia and obtained employment in the rolling mill operated by his father. Later he came to Catasauqua for the purpose of acquir- ing a knowledge of the operations of an iron furnace. He spent a brief period in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., after which he became assistant superintendent of the Crane Iron Works. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Hunt was made Cap- tain of the Pennsylvania Emergency Militia Co. B. In 1867 he was elected superintendent of the Crane Iron Works and held this position until January 1, 1882.
When he severed his relations with the Crane tron Company, he was pre- sented with a beautiful and elaborate silver service as an expression of appre- ciation for his valiable and efficient services rendered to the company.
Mr. Hunt was identified with the Lehigh Fire Brick Company, Limited, was president of the Catasauqua Gas and Light Company, chairman of the Baker Lime Company, president of the C. & F. Railroad and was connected with the Bryden Horse Shoe Company.
He was married August 13, 1844, to Miss Gwenllian, daughter of David and Elizabeth Thomas. This union was blessed with eleven children. Mrs. Hunt died October 25, 1875. Mr. Hunt was married a second time, May 4, 1880, to Mrs. Hannah L. Mays, daughter of Dr. John Romig, of Allentown. He died July 18, 1886.
In public affairs in his own town Mr. Hunt was prominent and influential and always took an active and helpful interest. He enjoyed to a remarkable degree the respect and confidence of his fellow townsmen. He was a faithful
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and consistent member of the First Presbyterian Church in which he was an Elder for nearly forty years.
DAVID HUNT. David Hunt was the fourth son of Joshua and Gwenllian Thomas Hunt, born in Catasauqua, August 26, 1854, and died February 26, 1898. He descended from prominent families, his father being a son of an emi- nent iron manufacturer, and his mother the favorite daughter of David Thomas, of world-wide fame as an iron master and inventor. In his early years he attended the public schools of town, and spent three years in Swarthmore Col- ยท lege in Chester County and one year in Lafayette College, Easton, Pa. In 1876 he went to Oxmoor Furnace, Alabama, then under the management of James Thomas. In 1878, he joined the Mackey, Scott & Co. expedition to Brazil as a mechanical engineer to construet a railroad along the Madeira River. This en- terprise proved a failure and Mr. Hunt returned to Catasauqua, and, in 1879, entered the employ of the Lehigh Fire Brick Company as manager. Under his supervision the works were remodeled, modern machinery introduced and elec- trie power substituted for that of steam.
He was a member of the Southwark Hose Company from its organization to the time of his death. In political views he was a Republican and was firm in his allegiance to party principles.
Mr. Hunt was married April 7, 1880, at Mobile, Ala., to Miss Anna L. Manning, daughter of Hon. Amos R. Manning, who as for many years Judge of the Supreme Court of Alabama. Seven children blessed this union, three of whom died in childhood. Those living are: Roger, in Arizona; Gwenllian Tho- mas, Martha Manning, and Grace Manning, all of whom live in Bethlehem, Pa.
As a citizen Mr. Hunt was wide-awake and progressive and his support was given to those enterprises which he believed would prove a public benefit. His affable manner and the many excellences of his character gained for him the high regard of all with whom business and social relaitons have brought him in contact.
HERMAN KOSTENBADER. As we contemplate the personality of Her- man Kostenbader, we behold in our mind's eye a polished and cultured gentle-
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man who was real throughout and bore no veneer. He was a native of Wurtem- burg, Germany, being born in Pfullinger, near Stuttgart, April 9, 1842. Ilis parental grandfather, John F., was a paper manufacturer. His father Fred- eriek, was a Restaurateur for some years, after which he became a Forester in the government employ, which office he held until his death which occurred at the age of seventy-five years. His mother was Maria, daughter of Martin Keppler, a butcher by trade. His mother died at the age of thirty-six years, leaving him and two sisters as the fruits of her life. One of the sisters was Mrs. August Kiesele, de- ceased, in Newark, N. J., and the other is Miss Charlotte W. Kostenbader, whose home is with her brother's family at num- ber 131 Front Street.
Mr. Kostenbader attended the public schools of his native town until he was past fourteen years of age. Four years of this time were devoted to sciences and lan- guages, especially Latin, of which he was a master. When but a lad he took passage for America in the "Bavaria," at Havre, under Captain Baily. After a rough voy- age, which lasted for thirty seven days, he landed at New York August 7, 1856. He proceeded at once to Philadelphia where he served an apprenticeship in the brewery HERMAN KOSTENBADER of Schnitzel and Smith. Later he was in the employ of Bergner and Engel, and John Klumpp. In 1860 he went to To- ledo, Ohio, where he wrought at his trade for two years, after which he drifted to Cincinnati, Ohio, and later returned to Philadelphia, Pa. In 1864 he came to Bethlehem, Pa., where he worked for John Schilling for three years. In 1867 he came to Catasauqua where he joined Conrad Schaffer in erecting the Eagle Brewery. Mr. Kostenbader insisted upon making a pure beer and transacting
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a clean business, by which methods he succeeded admirably and made many and lasting friends.
Mr. Kostenbader's first marriage was with Maria, daughter of Peter Wagner, in 1868. Mr. Wagner was the proprietor of a bakery in town. After only four years of happy wedlock, his young wife departed the scenes of this life. In 1874 he entered into matrimony with Miss Matilda Striekler, a native of the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. This union was blessed with ten children, seven of whom survive : Dorothy, wife of Rev. Charles JJ. Gable, Pastor of the Lutheran Church in Melrose Park, Pa., August F., Herman A., Charlotte O., Cecelia M., Marie F., and Helen M., all living in Catasauqua. Mr. Kostenbader was a man of retiring disposition and quiet manners. He was offered a number of publie offices all of which he courteously deelined. He consented to serve as Director in the National Bank of Catasauqua; and, when the Lehigh Bank was founded, he accepted a directorate there. He never declined to serve in an official capacity in his Church. St. Paul's Lutheran Church enrolled him as Trustee in 1897 and felt favored to retain his services until his death. He cheerfully supported his Lord's cause, and his name is written upon many gifts and memorials in his church. He died December 15, 1909, in the 68th year of his life, and his body lies buried in the family plot in Fairview Cemetery. Mrs. Kostenbader followed him into eternity, June 11, 1914.
EDMUND RANDALL. The Editor and Publisher of the Catasauqua Dis- patch for forty-four years. Edmund Randall, is the son of Lawrence H. and Mary Jane (nee Dunlap) Randall and was born in Newville, Cumberland Coun- ty, Pa., September 2, 1844. After his rural schooling he entered the printery of Merklein and Frey, as an apprentiee, in 1861. When a lad of less than 18 years age he enlisted in the army as a private in Company A, 126th Regt., Penna. Vols., and served in the Fifth Corps of the Army of the Potomae.
After Mr. Randall had been honorably discharged and was mustered out of military service, he went to Philadelphia again to engage in his typographical art. Upon the expiration of three years he went to Minneapolis, Minn., where he was compositor for two years. Later he returned to Philadelphia, where he worked for Col. John W. Forney. On the 1st of September, 1870, he opened a
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THE HISTORY
printing house on Front St., Catasauqua, and began the publication of a paper which he called 'The Country Merchant." What was originally but a little more than a business prospectus was soon evolved into a weekly newspaper called the Catasauqua Dispatch.
EDMUND RANDALL
The Catasauqua Dispatch played a long and important role in the life and development of a town of ceaseless activity. It advocated wholesome and pro- gressive measures and often played the part of a terror to evil-doers. When
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the Municipal Water-Works, which the Dispatch so unceasingly urged, had been completed, a unanimous vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Randall by a well attended citizens' meeting held in the Phoenix parlors. On account of failing health he sold the Dispatch and his well equipped outfit, April 5th. 1914, to a firm of young men who do business in the name of the Dispatch Printery.
Mr. Randall is the amiable husband of Maria E. (nee Williams), having been united in marriage by the late Dr. C. E. Earle, in Fullerton, October 9, 1873. Their only child is Miss Allie E. Randall.
In 1889 he was appointed post-master of Catasauqua by President Harrison and served four years and two months. So well did he perform the duties of his office and make improvements to facilitate the distribution of mail matter. that the Postmaster General wrote him a personal letter complimenting him upon his efforts in behalf of the public good.
Mr. Randall was made a Mason in 1868 and, upon locating at Catasauqua. affiliated himself with Porter Lodge, No. 284, F. and A. M., and served the fraternity twenty-seven years as secretary. Upon the institution of Catasauqua R. A. Chapter, No. 278, in 1894, he was elected secretary and continues in that office ever since. He is one of the oldest Past Grands of Catasauqua Lodge, No. 269, I. O. O. F., served as financial reporter of Iron Lodge, No. 1964, K. of H .. until it consolidated with Allen Lodge, No. 1764, and is still holding the office to this date. He was one of the men who was instrumental in reorganizing the Geo. W. Fuller Post, No. 378, G. A. R., and is one of the forty-five survivors of the Post, which at one time numbered two hundred sixty comrades, and is the Senior Past Commander.
DAVID DAVIS. David Davis, the subject of this sketch, was born in Potts- ville, Pa., April 5, 1845. He is a son of Noah and Margaret (Gwynne) Davis. natives of Glamorganshire, Wales, both of whom eame to America in their youth; the former, a blacksmith by trade, settled in Carbondale, Pa., where he lived for several years, working at his trade. Ile then went to Beaver Meadows where he was married. In 1846 he and his family moved to Catasauqua, where he accepted the position of boss blacksmith for the Crane Iron Works.
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Mr. David Davis attended the borough schools to the age of eleven years, when he began to work in the shops of the Crane Iron Company. After four years' ser- vice, January 1. 1860, he entered the office of the company as errand boy. He was after- ward promoted to a clerkship and from that time received various promotions. For a num- ber of years he was chief clerk and January 1. 1892, he was appointed Cashier to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John Wil- liams.
In 1863 Mr. Davis enlisted in the 38th Pennsylvania Infantry and served until the expiration of his period of enlistment. He is a memebr of the Porter Lodge, F. and A. M .: Catasauqua Chapter No. 278, R. A. M .; and Fuller Post No. 378, G. A. R: a member of the Southwark Hose Company of which DAVID DAVIS he was president for thirty years. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church in which he holds the office of trustee.
Politically Mr. Davis always was an enthusiastic advocate of the principles of the Republican party and received high honors at the hands of his party when he was elected in 1905 for a term of three years as Recorder of Deeds of Lehigh County, which has always had a large Democratie plurality. He retained his position with the Crane Iron Company while serving as Recorder. He was eleet- ed a member of the School Board by his fellow citizens in 1874 and was re-elected successively until he had served in this capacity for thirty-seven years. From 1878 to 1911 he was the efficient Secretary of the School Board. Mr. Davis took great interest in the schools and gave his heartiest support to every measure that was caleulated to conserve their best interests.
In 1869 Mr. Davis was married to Miss Annie MeKibbin of Philadelphia. They are the parents of five children : Charles L., Asst. Master Mechanic of the
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Carnegie Steel Company at Rankin, Pa .; Willard of Philadelphia, an employee of the L. V. R. R .; Bessie F., Mabel and Mattie, who are at home.
Mr. Davis always has given his best support to the movements which were ealeulated to promote the various enterprises of the town in which he is one of its esteemed residents. He is no less honored by his fellow townsmen than he is loved in private life.
DANIEL DAVIS. Daniel Davis, son of Noah and Margaret (Gwynne) Davis, was born March 12, 1842, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Catasauqua. Here he attended the public schools and was one of the first students when the Bridge Street Building was opened.
After leaving the town schools he went into the blacksmith shop of the Crane Iron Works. Having a mechanical turn of mind, he soon became an efficient and capable workman. When the Civil War broke out, he was only eighteen years of age, yet he volunteered, and on Au- gust 17, 1861, was mustered into Major Arnold C. Lewis' Company C, 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. At the expiration of three years he re-enlisted and served to the end of the war. He was en- gaged in the battles of Cedar Mountain, An- tietam, and Chancellorsville. In the last battle he was captured and taken to Belle Island at Richmond. After remaining on parole for some months, he rejoined his regi- ment in Tennessee and was with it in the en- gagements around Atlanta and on Sherman's March to the Sea. When he was mustered DANIEL DAVIS ont, July 26, 1865, he had been advanced to the rank of Sergeant.
At the close of the war he went into the railroad business and was appointed
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the first agent of the Central Railroad of New Jersey at Catasauqua. This posi- tion he filled until 1879, when the Thomas Iron Company gave him the superin- tendeney of the Keystone Furnace at Chain Dam. Seven years later the com- pany made him superintendent of the Lock Ridge furnaces, where he was a very successful manager for twenty-three years. In 1909 he retired from this posi- tion and returned to the associations of his earlier days.
Ilis mechanical skill, his bravery on the battle-field, his grasp of business methods in the iron industry, his eivic loyalty, his upright life, and his large heartedness make him a man who stands very prominently in the minds and hearts of those with whom his exceptionally active life has brought him in contact.
Mr. Davis married Miss Gweny Williams of Catasauqua and to them were born seven children: Walter, the oldest son, has a position with the Westing- house Electrical Company at Pittsburgh; Margaret and Mary are at home; George, JJohn, Emma, and Gwenny are deceased.
IIe has been a life long Republican, casting his first ballot on the battlefield for Abraham Lincoln. He is a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua. His membership in Porter Lodge, F. and A. M., 284, dates back to 1867.
DAVID R. WILLIAMS. David R. Williams, the subject of this sketch, was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, May 24, 1843, and died in Catasauqua, Pa., November 10, 1912, his body being interred in Fairview Cemetery.
He received his training in the schools of his native country and came to America in 1864, at the age of twenty-one. Having had a decided taste for me- chanics and railroading, he became a locomotive engineer of great efficiency. He was employed on the C. & F. Railroad and later by the Philadelphia and Reading Company when they leased the C. & F. Railroad. Physical disability compelled him to resign his position after a long period of faithful service.
Mr. Williams was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 269, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church. In his political affiliations he supported the Republican party.
In 1864 he was married to Miss Elizabeth James and the issue of this union
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is one son, Jolm J. Williams, of Catasauqua. Mrs. Williams died October 5. 1900, and her remains rest in Fairview Cemetery. Mr. Williams was an enter- prising, publie spirited and liberal gentleman. He was highly respected by all who had any dealings with him, either in a business or a social way.
GEORGE DAVIES. George Davies was born in the village of Merthyr- Tydvil, Glamorganshire Wales, April 9, 1836. When he was two years of age his mother, Mary (Philips) Dayies, died. Seven years later his father, Daniel Thomas, left his native land and brought his family to New York.
Coming to Catasauqua with his father in 1850, he worked at the trade of moulder for two years and then served an apprenticeship of five years at the machinist's trade in the Crane Iron Company's shop under Hopkin Thomas. In 1861. in company with Thomas Jones, he entered Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and graduated with 7 honors from that Commercial School. In 1863, while at Parryville, he enlisted in Cap- tain James Thomas' Company, Thirty-fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Emergency Volun- teers, and was made a First Sergeant. He marched with his company to Gettysburg. then to Port Richmond. Philadelphia, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service.
Mr. Davies, prior to the war, was em- ployed as Master Mechanie in Belvidere. New Jersey, Camden and Amboy (New Jersey) shops, the Novelty Works, New York City, and at Parryville, Pennsylvania. At the elose of hostilities he returned to the latter place GEORGE DAVIES but, in a short time, took up his residence in Catasauqua. With the exception of about five years (1871 to 1876), when he had charge of the Carbon Iron Works at Parryville, he remained here until his death.
In 1879 his brother-in-law, James Thomas, with whom he had been on terms
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of intimacy from childhood, purchased a one-half interest in the Davies & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop, Catasauqua, and this business relationship con- tinued until the death of Mr. Davies. The two men were devoted companions, the wishes of one being law with the other. The firm was identified with the Wahnetah Silk Company, of which Mr. Thomas was president and Mr. Davies a director. They were also the principal stockholders in the Electric Light and Power Company which was established in 1890. Mr. Davies was a director in the Bethlehem Electric Light and Power Company, established in 1882, and Mr. Thomas was its president. He owned valuable real estate in West Bethlehem, and was a stockholder in the Catasauqua National Bank.
Mr. Davies was identified with the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Porter Lodge. No. 284. He was a staunch adherent to the principles of the Republican party. As a member of the school board, upon which he was serving at the time of death, he was instrumental in promoting the grade of scholarship in the Catasauqua schools. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. in which body he served in the capacity of trustee, steward, and elass-leader. At the time of the ereetion of Grace Church and parsonage, he was a member of the building committee, and was one of the most liberal contributors thereto.
On August 4, 1864, in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, Mr. Davies was united in marriage to Mary A. Evans, who came with her father from Wales. The following children were born to them: John M., who died in 1885; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Harry Graffin of Catasauqua; Rowland T., who lives at the old home in Catasauqua; George, who was for two years Superintendent of the Westchester Lighting Company at White Plains, New York, then was connected with the Davies & Thomas Company's Works and is now serving a responsible position in New York; and two infants who died in Parryville.
Mr. Davies passed away at his late residence, Second and Race Streets, Catasauqua, October 1, 1894. He was a most affectionate husband, a devoted father, a loving brother, a true and excellent citizen, a consistent Christian, a considerate employer, and on all sides are spoken words of praise for the manner in which he acted the part of a true man. His superior is seldom met, and his death was universally regretted.
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JOHN MORRISON was one of our oldest and most esteemed residents. He ranked among those citizens who upheld the public stability and moral and in- tellectual progress of their respective communities. Of a jovial disposition, he was a favorite among his fellow townsmen. He was popular with all classes and highly respected for his genial, humorous and consistent character.
Mr. Morrison was a native of Mauch Chunk, Pa .. where he was educated in the public schools. In 1860 he came to Catasauqua and was employed by the Crane Iron Works as locomotive engineer. Later he was yard master for the same company. Few men had a longer continuous service with the Crane Iron Company than had Mr. Morrison. He was a faithful, reliable and conscientions employee.
In 1861. Mr. Morrison responded to the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers and became a private of Company D .. 9th Pennsylvania Volunteers. under Captain H. C. Hand and served his enlistment in the Patterson campaign from Chambersburg to Martinsburg, Va. In 1863 he was commissioned as sec- ond lieutenant of Company B. 28th Emergency Militia for State service, mus- tered at Harrisburg. July 3, and discharged August 7, 1863, the Rebel invasion having failed at Gettysburg. He was one of the few survivors of Allen Lodge. No. 1764. K. of II., and a comrade of Lieutenant George W. Fuller Post. No. 378. G. A. R. Just a few days before his death he was installed Surgeon of the Post. Mr. Morrison was an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and served several terms as a town councilman, contributing by his influence and support to the advancement of all public affairs.
In 1862, Mr. Morrison became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and continued to be one of the most active, constant, conscientious and faithful members. He served the Church in official capacity for many years.
On December 28, 1864, he was married to Miss Mary Smith, and the issue of this happy union was four children : Mrs. Minnie Morrison, of Catasauqua : William M. Morrison, an electrician residing in Philadelphia : Emily, of Cata- sauqua ; Lily (deceased). In his home Mr. Morriso was idolized. He died January 6, 1914.
VALENTINE W. WEAVER. Valentine W. Weaver was of German de-
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THE HISTORY
seent, his great-grandfather, having emigrated from Germany, settled in Vir- ginia, whenee he moved to Lehigh (then Northampton) County. His son, Valen- tine, was married to a Miss Weygandt and had children, among whom was Charles, the father of Valentine W., who was born January 9, 1826, at Rich- mond, Northampton County. His boyhood days were partly spent in Northun- berland County, where he enjoyed such educational advantages as the country schools of those times afforded. He was a elerk at Berlinsville, Milton, Easton and Catasauqua, all in Pennsylvania. At the age of twenty he became an ap- prentice to the Crane Iron Works, and, having learned the machinist trade, he became an agent of their mining intersts at Catasauqua and vicinity.
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