USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania : containing sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early Scotch-Irish and German settlers. Pt. 1 > Part 86
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KUTZ, WILLIAM C., engineer, was born in Allentown, Lehigh county, l'a., February 6, 1834 ; son of the late Benjamin and Abigail Kutz. David Kutz, the grandfather, was a native of Kingston, Berks county, Pa., and was a farmer. His wife was born in the same place. They reared a family and both lived to old age. Benjamin Kutz, the father, was a native of Berks county. In early life he was a tanner and later engaged in the lumber business and later still was proprietor of a hotel in Cumberland county, which he was conducting at the time of his death in 1849. His wife was a native of Lehigh county. His children are: William C., Sallie A., wife of George Sourbier, of Reading, Pa .; Maggie, wife of William Power, deceased ; she married, secondly, James Keena, also deceased ; Henrietta, wife of Wells Hoyer; John N., Allen, and one child who died in infancy.
William C. attended the publie schools until he was sixteen years of age and at the age of seventeen learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for about six years, and then engaged in railroading. He was married in May, 1853, to Miss Mary A. Allen, daughter of George and Catherine (Raum) Allen, to whom have been born four children, two of whom are living: Alice M., wife of Jacob Kirk; William A .; Jolm, died in 1863, aged six years; Benjamin, died also in 1863, aged two years. In 1852 Mr. Kutz entered the service of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company and worked as a blacksmith for two years, and then took the place of fireman, which he filled six years. when he was promoted to engineer, in which position he has been continuously employed to the present time, with the exception of one year spent in the army. He enlisted in the mil- itary service August 19, 1864, and was dis- charged by special order on November 7, 1864, when he resumed work with the rail- road company. His faithful service has given lini a place among the most highly honored and esteemed employees of the com- pany. Mr. Kutz is a member of Lodge No. 324, F. & A. M., at Mifflintown, with whiel he united thirty-three years ago. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- eopal church. In his political views he is a Republican.
Mrs. Kutz was born July 11, 1835. George Allen, her father, is a native of Dauphin county and by trade a machinist, which he followed until disabled by sickness, with
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which he has suffered for about twenty years. He married Miss Catherine Raum, also a native of Dauphin county. They had fourteen children, five of whom are living : Maria, wife of David Miller; Mary A., Mrs. Kutz; John Y .; Enna, wife of John Dubbs; Virginia, wife of August Miller. Their de- ceased children are : Elizabeth, Cammello, William, Henry, Charles, George, Kate, Louisa, and Rebecca. Her father died in 1889 and the mother in 1887, the former aged seventy-one and the latter seventy-two years, and both were members of the German Reformed church, of Harrisburg. The grand- parents of Mrs. Kutz reared six children : Kate, Sarah, Susillia, Elizabeth, Harry, and Simon, all deceased.
- BICKLEY, WILLIAM H., SR., chief engineer of the Harrisburg Electric Company, was born at Bronton, Morris county, N. J., May 26, 1846. He is a son of Jobn H. and Eliza- beth (Harris) Bickley, both natives of Eng- land ; both came to America in early life. They lived in Massachusetts for many years and later in Pennsylvania, the father being one of the founders of the Pottsville Iron and Steel Works. He died in Elm, Camden county, N. J. The mother still re- sides at Ehn, N. J. They had born to them a family of thirteen children, six of whom survive: Thomas, residing in Reading, Pa .; John, residing in Dover, Morris county, N. J .; William H .; George, residing at Orwigs- burg, Pa .; Miriam, wife of Albert Wood, re- siding at Hammonton, N. J .; and Alice, wife of Walter Wood, residing in Camden, N. J. William H. spent his early life in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Penn- sylvania. He received his education in the public schools of Chelsea, Mass., and Pottsville, Pa. He worked in a rolling- mill at Pottsville and followed the occupa- tion for about seven years. He learned the trade of machinist and worked at this busi- ness more than thirty years. On May 25, 1872, he came to Harrisburg and worked at his trade of machinist in different shops and for himself. For the past three years he has filled his present position. Ile was married at Pottsville, Pa., July 18, 1865, to Virginia Phillips, daughter of William and Ann Phillips. One son has been born to them, William H., a sketch of whom follows in this volume. Mr. Bickley is a member of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F., and
of Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K. of P. In po- litical views he is a Republican. The family attend the Lutheran church.
-BICKLEY, WM. H., JR., of the firm of Harvie & Bickley, proprietors of the Keystone Forge and Machine Works, was born in Pottsville, Pa., October 2, 1866. He is a son of William H. Bickley, Sr., and Virginia (Phillips) Bickley. He came to Harrisburg with his parents when he was seven years old, and was educated in the public schools. Healso took a course in the Harrisburg Basiness College. He learned the machinist business and has been engaged in this business ever since. On August 10, 1893, he commenced business for himself, in connection with John C. Harvie, under the above firm name. He was married at- Harrisburg, October 1, 1890, to Rebecca Gsell, daughter of John and Rebecca Gsell, of Chambersburg. To them have been born two sons: William P. and John H. Mr. Bickley is a member of Cincinnatus Commandery, No. 96, K. of M. In political views he is a Republican. He attends the Lutheran church.
BLYER, ROBERT E., a practical electrician and foreman of the Harrisburg Electrical Company, was born in what is now the bor- ough of Steelton, Dauphin county, Pa. Ile is a son of Robert and Susan (Black) Blyer. His parents removed to Harrisburg about 1866, where they resided until death. Their family consisted of eight children, four of whom are living : Susan, wife of H. B. We- and ; Mary, Agnes, and Robert E. The last named received his education in the public schools of his native township. In 1862 he enlisted in company D, Twentieth regiment. Pennsylvania cavalry, afterwards called the First Provisional cavalry. He served in this regiment for three years, and during this service he participated in many of the most important engagements of the war. In July, 1865, he was mustered out of service at Philadelphia, and returned to his home in Steelton, where he learned the trade of boilermaker, and followed this occupation for five years. He then studied telegraphy with the Western Union and Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Companies. Since ISS6 he has satisfactorily filled the position he now holds.
He is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 59,
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Knights of Pythias; Star of America Com- mandery, No. 113, Knights of Malta; Elec- trical Workers' Union, No. 53; Fireman's Beneficial Association, and Mt. Vernon Hook and Ladder Company.
~ HERTZ, WILLIAM, engineer of the city water department, was born in Susquehanna township, November 14, 1847. He is a son of Henry and Catherine (Stober) Hertz, both natives of Lebanon county and of American ancestry. Both died in Susquehanna town- ship in 1848. He was educated in the public schools of Susquehanna township. After leaving sehool he worked in machine shops until 1876. Since that date he has been in his present position. He is one of the oldest officials in this department of the city ser- vice. His public position he has held for so many years because he has demonstrated his fidelity to duty, his mechanical skill and efficiency and his integrity and social worth.
Mr. Hertz was married in Harrisburg, Sep- tember 28, 1873, to Mary P. Crotzer, daugh- ter of Peter and Rebecca Crotzer, and a na- tive of Lebanon county. Seven children have been born to them, six of whom are living: May, William, Roy, Grace, John H. and Jessie. Hc is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K. of P., and of Robert Tippet Council, No. 736, Jr. O. U. A. M. In political views he is a Republican. His family attend the Baptist church.
WIERMAN, THOMAS T., JR., was born in Bradford county, Pa., November 11, 1850. His father, Thomas Thornburg Wierman, was a native of Manallen township, Adams county, Pa. His mother, Emily V. Piollet, was born at Wysox, Bradford county, Pa., and is still living, a resident of Harrisburg. Thomas 'T., Jr., eame with his parents to Harrisburg in 1858. Here he was reared, and here he received his education in the Harrisburg Academy. He has held con- tinuous residence here with the exception of three years spent in Bedford county, Pa., when he was engaged in the construction of a railroad. His business career, with the above-named exception, has been with the Pennsylvania Canal Company, where he served under his father. At his father's death in 1887 he succeeded him in the charge of the business of the company. Mr. Wierman also sustains other important business associations and responsibilities, being a member of the boards of directors of
the following concerns : Harrisburg National Bank and Bay Shoe Company. He is un- married.
-ENDERS, EDWARD A., was born at Enders, Dauphin county, Pa., May 31, 1858, son of George and Susan (Fetterhoff) Enders. Ile attended school in his native town for a short time each year until he was eighteen, when he devoted himself to active work on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. He was then for a season employed in the mines. Then he found employment at the almshouse, where he was in charge of the insane inmates for four years, and was for one year in the boiler house as engineer. In 1886 he removed to Williamstown, Daut- phin county, and worked in the coal mines three years, after which he returned to bis native town and lived one year with his family. At all these places he was employed as an engineer. In 1890 Mr. Enders re- moved to Harrisburg, and was employed in the same capacity by the Brelsford Packing Company. He has continued to be thus employed to the present time.
Edward A. Enders was married at Car- lisle, Pa., July 30, 1885, to Alice C., daughi- ter of IIarry and Kate Brightbill. They have had seven children, four of whom are living: Harry B., Ruth W., Calder E., and Grace. Their deccased children are: Frank- lin, died May 20, 1SSS, aged seven months and one day ; Annie, died August 19, 1891, aged one month and seven days, and George, died February 26, 1894, aged six months and three days. Mr. Enders is a member of St. John's Castle, No. 17, A. O. K. of M. C. His political views arc Republican.
Mrs. Enders was born in Cumberland county, Pa., October 6, 1865. Her parents were both natives of the same county. Mr. Brightbill spent his early life in dealing in stock, and later was engaged in contracting. His wife was the daughter of John and Rachel (Manott) Kilkey., They had four- teen children, of whom four are living: Alice, Mrs Enders; Edgar; Mary, wife of David Huntzberger, and Franklin. Mr. Brightbill was a Democrat. He died July 25, 1888, aged fifty-eight years. Mrs. Bright- bill survives him and resides at Carlisle, Pa., in good health. Both of the grandparents of Mrs Enders died in Cumberland county. They were farmers by occupation, and had a family of seven children, five of whom are living: Maria, Dollie, Eve, wife of Daniel
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Fisher, deceased, Kate, Amelia. Their de- ceased children were: Emma, died in 1886, aged thirty-three, wife of Shell Ream, and Ilarry, father of Mrs. Enders.
- BASKIN, GEORGE B., electrician and chief engineer of the Harrisburg Electrical Com- pany, was born in Halifax, Dauphin county, Pa., April 3, 1864. He is a son of William and Hannah Amelia (Blaze) Baskin. His parents were well-known and honored resi- dents of Halifax township, where the father was engaged in agricultural pursuits. They had a family of eight children, five of whom are living : Margaret, wife of William Rhen, residing at Steelton, Pa .; Mary, wife of Thomas A. Bates, residing in Onset, Leb- anon county, Pa .; Annie, wife of William Workman, residing at Wesquehoning, Car- bon county, Pa .; George B. and Laura, wife of Philip Garrahan, residing in Knaqua, Schuylkill county, Pa.
George B. lived in Halifax until he was ten years old. His educational advantages were limited. His sueeess in the business of life is due more to his own exertions than to the training and aid of schools. In 1874 he removed to Lykens and began the study of steam engineering. This business has been his life oeeupation. Sinee 1SSS he has filled his present position with the Harris- burg Electric Company, and has proved to be the man for the place. He was married in Wormleysburg, Cumberland county, Pa., July 19, 1890, to Miss Lillie May. Bodmer, daughter of John and Leah Bodmer, of Steelton, Ra. Their union has been blessed with two sons, Harry Edison, who died at the age of four years and six months, and George William. Mr. Baskin is a mem- ber of Herculean Lodge, No. 480, K. of G. E .; Warrior Eagle Tribe, No. 34, I. O. R. M., and Native Brotherhood of Electrical Work- men, No. 53. In politics he is a Republi- ean. He attends the United Brethren church.
-HICKOK, WILLIAM ORVILLE, was born at the residence of his maternal grandfather, Job Lockwood, near Warsaw, Wyoming county, N. Y., October 6, 1815. He was a scion of good English stoek, a descendant of an old and honorable family of Warwick- shire, England. The name has been spelled in various ways, almost as numerous as the possible combination of letters compris- ing it would admit, and this fact indicates
a long family history. Had Mr. Hickok been inclined to boast of his aneestry he could have pointed to illustrious names in his line in this and many preceding generations, whose achievements and rank would have justified an honest family pride. It was his aim rather to prove himself worthy of his ancestors, and to add to the luster of his line by accomplishing something in his own ca- reer worthy the recognition and honor of mankind, and in this laudable ambition he was gratified, as a brief record of his life will show. The first American ancestor of the name was William Hickox, of Farming- ton, Conn., of the seventh generation pre- ceding William O., the date of whose coming to this country cannot be definitely fixed, but is somewhere between 1627 and 1633. In his boyhood Mr. Hiekok displayed the possession of those talents which later gave him suecess and distinction. He met with an accident when five years old by being trampled down in the street in front of his home in Ithaca, N. Y., by a passing horse, the resulting injuries of which were so great that his life was saved only by a difficult surgical operation, and which left him an invalid many years and caused him physical limitations and adversities which he bore through life. His parents removed to Penn- sylvania, but he remained with his maternal grandparents until he was fifteen years old. when he rejoined his family at Lewistown. Pa., where his father was conducting a pop- ular academy and where he pursued a course of studies. It was thought best to put Will- iam O. in training for mercantile pursuits. and with this end in view he entered the employment of James Parker, in whose stores he soon won a reputation for intelli- genee, aptness and trustworthiness. In 1834 his father gave up teaching and embarked in the book publishing business and William O. entered the bindery department as an ap- prentice, but in a short time was promoted on merit to the position of foreman. The work of Mr. Hickok in this country office is of the deepest interest, not only to the prac- tieal meehanie and artisan, who delights in seeing valuable mechanical resulis predneed. but equally also to the philosopher who makes a study of the development of human powers and talents. In boyhood Mr. Hickok had invented and constructed ingenious toys and had shown that he was gifted with remarkable talent in the way of invention and the application of mechanical princi.
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ples. This talent was called into use in the office, when there were rude and imperfect appliances producing incomplete and unsat- isfactory results, of improvements suggested by his fertile brain and executed by his skillful hand, there were many ; and, indeed, through his whole connection with the book business there was a continued exercise of his inventive faculties and an output of prac- tical improved appliances. In 1836 his father removed the business to Chambersburg, Pa., where William O. continued in charge of the mechanical department and kept on im- proving the tools and machinery. Hle re- moved to Harrisburg with his father's family in 1839. His father shortly after retired from business and William O. conducted a book bindery for a time, but losses by fire and other adverse business conditions led him finally to abandon the business. This fail- ure of business plans appeared disastrous, but in reality proved to be the way of his final prosperity by leading him gradually into a field where there was room and occasion for his undeveloped talents. As carly as 1846 be began in a small shop to manufacture bookbinder's specialtics and from this germ bas sprung the magnificent plant of the "Eagle Works," the most extensive and the most complete of the kind in the world. In 1886 the business was incorporated as the Hickok Manufacturing Company, with Mr. Hickok as its first president.
It would be profitable to trace the steps and stops of this development, for it would reveal the history of human genius in its growth and fruitage. The production of a perfect ruling pen, and that which displays still more ability, the production of a ma- chine to make the pen, which is as nearly perfect as any the human brain and hand have ever constructed, are among the achieve- ments of Mr. Hickok, which have given him a world-wide fame and most honorable dis- tinction. The cleverness and completeness of the productions of this factory places them beyond and aboveall competitors and assures the permanent and liberal prosperity of his enterprise. Mr. Hickok had business talent which would have made him successful and conspicuous in any branch of enterprise, but which, coupled with his mechanical genius, enabled him to create an establish- ment which is a landmark in human pro- gress and achievement. His combination of qualities and characteristics account for his distinguished success. Impaired health, ad-
verse business conditions and other unfa- vorable elements often stood in his way, but his disposition to thoroughness, his unswerv- ing devotion to his aim, his careful and painstaking attention to details, his inven- tive genius and his indomitable energy and courage bore him successfully through all hindrances and made him master in the realm in which he wrought. With these masterful elements of power were conjomed the qualities of heart which won for him the confidence and esteem of all who worked with him and under him, and made them all anxious to gratify him by the best ser- viees they could render. In public matters Mr. Hiekok was interested and prominent. The element of prosperity of the community to which his business contributed was no less gratifying to him than his personal success. For six years he was the president of the common council, and willingly gave his ablest services to the public when his fellow- citizens desired them. His death occurred May 25, 1891, in his seventy-sixth year. His loss was felt by the community and all bore grateful tribute to his ability and worth. He was married in Harrisburg, Pa., Septen- ber 10, 1840, to Miss Caroline L. Hutter. Their children were: Mary Alice, Edwin Hutter, William Orville, Jr., Caroline Louisa, widow of Frank R. Schell, and George Herbert.
-BAILEY, CHARLES LUKENS, son of Joseph Bailey and Martha (Lukens) Bailey, was born March 9, 1821, in Chester county, Pa. His paternal ancestors were of English and his maternal ancestors of. Welsh descent. His great-grandfather, Edward Bailey, was a resident of Bucks county and his grandfather, William Bailey, a resident farmer in Phila- delphia county, Pa. His father was born in 1796 and settled in Chester county in 1819, where he carried on farming until 1838, when hc engaged in the iron business at the old Lukens' mill in Coatesville and there manu- factured boiler plate for six years. In 1844 lic removed to Berks county, near Pottstown, and erected on the site of the "Old Forge of the Pine Iron Works, a rolling mill and carried on business alone for a few years and afterwards in connection with his sons under the firm name of Joseph Bailey & Sons, until within a short period, when he retired from active life, leaving his manufacturing inter- ests then in the hands of his son, Joseph I. Bailey. The children of Joseph and Martha
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Bailey were: Charles L., Sarah, Edward, formerly manager of the iron works at Glas- gow, Montgomery county, deceased; Dr. George, of Philadelphia; William L., treas- urer and manager of Thorndale Iron Works; Joseph L., Hannah, and Anne, deceased,
Charles L. Bailey, eldest son, obtained his early education at the Westtown School, Chester county, and for some time thereafter was a elerk in the drug store of Thomas Evans & Co., of Philadelphia. His career in the iron business began in 1838 as a elerk for his father at Coatesville, where he became thoroughly conversant with the details of the business carried on at that place. He re- moved with his parents to Berks county, where he continued his clerkship for five years, and from 1849 to 1852 was a partner with his father in the Pine Iron Works. In August of the latter year Mr Bailey removed to Harrisburg and in connection with Morris Patterson, of Philadelphia, founded the Old Central Iron Works, which he has latterly used as a puddling mill. He continued busi- ness until 1859 when he became interested with the late James McCormick in the Nail Works at Fairview, Cumberland county, re- built the works and carried them on sueeess- fully until 1866, when he retired from the firm, and founded and ereeted the present Chesapeake Nail Works in Harrisburg. Later he associated with him his brother, Dr. George Bailey, under the firm name of Charles L. Bailey & Bro. The business is now carried on by Charles L. Bailey & Co., Artemus Wilhelm being a part owner in the concern.
In 1869 Mr. Bailey removed io Pottstown, and until 1875 was the treasurer and general manager of the Pottstown Iron Company, manufacturing nails, boiler plate and pig iron. Closing out his interest there he re- turned to Harrisburg, and in 1877-78 erected the present Central Iron Works, contiguous to the Chesapeake Nail Works, of which he is president. Mr. Bailey is thoroughly im- bued with the spirit of progress and enter- prise, as his various industrial undertakings attest, and although his mind is largely ab- sorbed in business pursuits, he has not held entirely aloof from duties incumbent upon him as a citizen. He is president of the board of trustees of the Market Square Pres- byterian church, and in 1880 he was ap- pointed by Governor Hoyt a trustee of the Pennsylvania Insane Asylum. He was elected a member of the select council of the
city in 1877, was a member of the State Leg- islature in 1879, and in 1881 he was again elected a member of the seleet council, chosen president, and served as chairman of the finance committee.
Mr. Bailey married, in 1856, Emma B. Doll, daughter of William Doll and Sarah MI. (Elder), of Harrisburg, whose maternal great- grandfather was Rev. John Elder. Their surviving children are: William Elder, a graduate of Yale in the class of 1882: Edward, Jr., a graduate of Yale scientific course in the class of 1881; Charles I. and James B., also graduates of Yale, and Enamna D., wife of Robert E. Speer, of New York.
HILDRUP, WILLIAM THOMAS, formerly treasurer and general manager of the Harris- burg Car Works and its kindred manufac- tories, was born in Middletown, Conn, Feb- ruary 6, 1822, and is the son of Jesse Hil- drup, of Hartford, in the same State. He ob- tained his education in the common sehools of the district, and was an apt and advanced scholar, especially in studies of a mathemati- eal character.
Having learned the carpenter trade, at the age of nineteen years he started out in life, with the sum of twenty-five dollars and a plain set, of carpenter's tools, with such energy, capacity and industry as may be inherent in him, to carve his way in the world. He first proceeded to Cape Vincent, Jefferson county, N. Y., working at house and ship carpenter- ing for a period of two years, after which he went to Worcester, Mass., where he entered Bradley & Rice's ear works as one of their employees. Determining that a business that was worth following was worth mastering. and that though railroading was in its in- fancy, it was bound to be one of the great in- dustries of the country, he set himself to the task of obtaining the highest knowledge of that branch of the business, and was soon noted for industry and skill. He began also a close study of theoretie mechanics, as well as a close application of best practices. Dur- ing nine years' stay in these works, he be- eame thoroughly proficient in every depart- ment. Two years after going to Worcester he married Harriet E., daughter of John B. Esselstyne, of Cape Vincent, N. Y., a daugh- ter of one of the prominent families there, and a niece of the lon. Orville Hungeford, a prominent banker and railroad man of Watertown, N. Y.
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