USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Vol. III > Part 25
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Mr. Koch married, September 14, 1898, Carrie E. Miller, formerly of Danville, Montour county, and they are the parents of two children : George Herbert, born Sep- tember 7, 1899; and Jessie Walter, born January 19, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Koch are both extremely popular in the social circles of Allentown. .
Mr. Koch is one of the men who, in what- ever community they are found, vitalize with their superabundant energy and earn- est public spirit all its best interests. The type is a comparatively rare one, but Harry I. Koch furnishes a fine example of it, and it is to be wished that it might be more fre- quently repeated.
KAISER, Charles C.,
Financier, Business Man.
Charles C. Kaiser, president of the Penn Counties Trust Company, Allentown, Penn- sylvania, and treasurer of the Dent Hard- ware Company, is a wide-awake. progres- sive business man. He is of German birth. He was born in Darmstadt, Germany, and
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is a son of George C. C. and Elizabeth (Brown) Kaiser. His father was a manu- facturer in Germany, and emigrated with his family to America.
Charles C. Kaiser is their only child born in the Fatherland who is now living. He was reared in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he acquired his early education, later supplementing it by a course in Baltimore, Maryland. Entering upon his business career, he was employed in a clerical capac- ity until his twentieth year. Subsequently he took charge of a dry goods store in a western State, and in 1888 came to Allen- town, where he was employed as foreman in the Allentown Hardware Company. In 1894 he became interested in the organiza- tion of the Dent Hardware Company, and was chosen its treasurer. The Dent Hard- ware Company has shown remarkable growth, and is now one of the leading in- dustries in Lehigh county, and much credit is due the executive business heads.
The Penn Counties Trust Company, Allentown, was organized in 1911, and the honor of the presidency was bestowed on Mr. Kaiser, who is acknowledged to be a conservative farseeing business man who has contributed his full share to the success, growth and prosperity of the city, and has the confidence of the people. He is also a director in the National Bank of Cata- sauqua.
In 1909, Mr. Kaiser was married to Mrs. Laura M. Wise.
FRIEND, James Wood,
Manufacturer, Financier.
The first real epic in the romance of Pitts- burgh-the imperial era of steel-has car- ried the prestige of American industrial achievement to the remotest ends of the earth and made of the "Iron City" the "World's Anvil." Among the Princes of the Empire of Steel-one of the mightiest that history has ever seen-was the late James Wood Friend, president of the Clin-
ton Iron and Steel Company, and through- out his entire business career an acknowl- edged leader in all movements and interests essential to the growth and prosperity of his native city and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Porter R. Friend, father of James Wood Friend, married Rebekah, daughter of James Wood, who was also the father of two sons-J. Theodore and Charles A. Wood. James Wood was probably the first practical steel and iron worker in Pitts- burgh, and for years operated an immense iron plant at Saw Mill Run. He was the owner of a large tract of land skirting the South Side, and Wood street is named in honor of this noble pioneer. The sons of Mr. Wood were the assistants of their father in business, but after the death of the latter the estate became insolvent and went into bankruptcy.
James Wood Friend, son of Porter R. and Rebekah J. (Wood) Friend, was born November 2, 1845, on Third street, Pitts- burgh. He received his education in public and private schools, and later attended Pittsburgh Academy, which was near where the Court House now stands, and which later became the Western University of Pennsylvania, and now is the University of Pittsburgh. At the age of seventeen, Mr. Friend made his first entrance into the busi- ness world, being employed in his father's iron business, the name of the firm being P. R. Friend & Company. He worked here several years and then went with his grand- father, James Wood, in the iron business. He left this firm after his grandfather's death, when the business was involved ; first, however, with a wisdom beyond his years, assisting his mother to save a portion of the estate. He then purchased the Eagle Roll- ing Mill, at Saw-mill Run, and operated it under the name of J. W. Friend & Com- pany. Associated from his youth up with the leading business men of his native city, Mr. Friend's innate abilities, which were of no common order, expanded in an atmos-
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phere which fostered their rapid develop- ment and his advancement to the command- ing position which, for so many years, he filled with honor in manufacturing and financial circles, is a record of undaunted, persistent effort and stainless, unimpeach- able integrity.
In 1886 the firm of Graff, Bennett & Company, owners of plants on the South- side and at Millvale, became bankrupt, and when the property was sold, Mr. Friend, in association with F. M. Hoffstot, purchased both plants, the South Side plant being known as the Clinton Furnace, situated near the end of the Smithfield street bridge. When Charles T. Schoen invented the pressed steel car, which has revolutionized railroad freight transportation, Mr. Friend, with that intense progressiveness, which was ever one of his salient characteristics, was one of the members of the original cor- poration. In 1900, in connection with Mr. Hoffstot, Mr. Friend purchased the plant, situated at McKee's Rocks. This plant had been founded by Mr. Schoen, and when it changed hands the Pressed Steel Car Com- pany was organized with Mr. Hoffstot as president and Mr. Friend as vice-president. The affairs of this concern thenceforth ab- sorbed the greater portion of Mr. Friend's time and the result of his devotion to them was manifest in the rapid growth and ex- tremely flourishing condition of everything pertaining to the enterprise, which attained to the proportions of one of the giants of the industrial world.
The vigorous, compelling nature of Mr. Friend and his keen, practical mind assured the success of every undertaking to which he gave his vitalizing energy. He was pres- ident and principal owner of the Clinton Iron and Steel Company, president of the People's Coal Company, chief owner of the Monongahela Dredging Company, holder of stock in other concerns and director in the Farmers' Deposit National Bank, the Ger- man National Bank of Allegheny, of which he was also vice-president ; director Pressed
Steel Car Company, First National Bank of Mckees Rocks and Chartiers Trust Company. He was also officer in several cement manufacturing companies and sev- eral land development and real estate com- panies.
In politics Mr. Friend was a Republican, but took no active part in public affairs, and could never be persuaded to become a can- didate for office, preferring to concentrate his energies on his manufacturing and finan- cial interests. As a citizen with exalted ideas of good government and civic virtue he stood in the front rank, and no project which, in his judgment, tended to advance the welfare of Pittsburgh and of Pennsyl- vania lacked his hearty cooperation. Widely but unostentatiously charitable, he was ever ready to respond to any deserving call made upon him. Realizing that he would not pass this way again, he made wise use of his opportunities and his wealth, conform- ing his life to the loftiest standards of recti- tude.
The countenance and bearing of Mr. Friend were indicative of his noble nature, his commanding abilities and his genial dis- position. Few men have been more be- loved and his friends, who were numberless, were to be found in all classes of the com- munity. He was a thirty-second degree Mason, and belonged to the Duquesne, Pittsburgh, Oakmont and Allegheny Coun- try clubs. He was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Friend married, January 4, 1871, Martha Anne McClellan, whose ancestral record is appended to this sketch, and they became the parents of two sons and two daughters: Charles Wood; Theodore W .; Elizabeth, wife of William Howard Parke, and Rebekah, wife of Hay Walker. All these are residents of Pittsburgh. By his marriage Mr. Friend gained the life com- panionship of a charming and congenial woman, one fitted by native refinement, a bright mind and thorough education for her exacting duties as a leader of Pittsburgh
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society, duties which she discharges with the most perfect grace and winning tactful- ness. Withal Mrs. Friend is an accom- plished home-maker, and her gifted hus- band, who was never so happy as at his own fireside, surrounded by the beings he loved best on earth, ever found in her a help- mate truly ideal. Not long before the close of his life Mr. Friend and his family took possession of a beautiful residence on Squir- rel Hill, the building of which had been a source of great interest and pleasure to the one who was destined to be for so short a time its master.
The death of Mr. Friend, which occurred December 26, 1909, deprived Pittsburgh of one of those substantial and aggressive busi- ness men who constitute the bulwark of a city's strength and development. Honor- able in purpose, fearless in conduct, he stood for many years as an able exponent of the spirit of the age in his efforts to ad- vance progress and improvement. His busi- ness transactions were conducted in accord- ance with the highest principles, he fulfilled to the letter every trust committed to him and was generous in his feelings and con- duct toward all.
William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, the famous statesman and "Creator of Modern England" in honor of whom Pittsburgh re- ceived her name, was beloved by the Amer- ican colonies as the champion of their lib- erties; James Wood Friend, one of the "Creators of Modern Pittsburgh," was ven- erated and loved by his native city as an ex- ample of business honor and civic virtue. And now, after he has ceased from earth, his memory is an object of reverence and affection, for his works follow him.
(The Mcclellan Line).
It is thought that all the families in the United States bearing the name of McClel- lan, Mclellan, Maclellan and McClelland are derived from one original stock having its home in the southwestern part of Scot- land. About 1646, during the religious war,
many families of the name removed from Scotland to Ireland, the migration being probably known in Ireland as the "Ulster Plantation," the settlements being made near Belfast and Dungannon. About 1760- 70 numerous families, both from Scotland and Ireland, emigrated to the American colonies, settling in Nova Scotia, New Eng- land, New York, Pennsylvania, and the Carolinas. Theologically, the Mcclellans inclined toward Calvinism. Politically, they were largely Federalist and Whig and are now principally Republican. In Scotland they were loyal to the king, in Ireland they wore the "Orange."
"Laird" McClellan, founder of the Ches- ter county (Pennsylvania) branch of the family. was of Bannagachen, Ireland, and in 1685 was banished to the American colonies on account of the part he had taken in the wars. He was accompanied by three of his children and the family settled in the New Jersey neighborhood, where they re- mained until 1689, when news of a favor- able change in affairs at home caused the "Laird" to resolve to return. On the voy- age he was taken prisoner by the French, but finally arrived at home on the last day of October, 1691. The children remained in America and became the progenitors of the Chester county branch of the family.
Joseph McClellan, great-great-great- grandfather of Mrs. Martha Anne (Mc- Clellan) Friend, married Elizabeth Ewing, and served with the rank of captain in the patriot army of the Revolution. The fol- lowing inscription is on his tombstone in the Octoraro cemetery: "An approved offi- cer of the Revolution, an estimable and highly esteemed citizen and a sincere Chris- tian. In life respected and venerated; in death, lamented."
James, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Ewing) McClellan, married Martha Cald- well. Their son Joseph was born April 28, 1747, in Chester county, and enlisted at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. July 15, 1776, he was appointed lieutenant of a
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company of musketeers, under the command of Captain Abraham Marshall, and was promoted to captain in a battalion com- manded by Colonel Samuel Atlee. He was transferred to the Pennsylvania Line, Ninth Regiment, and on March 22, 1781, to the Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Line, serv- ing until June 13, 1781, when he resigned from a sense of filial duty, his parents being aged and infirm. He participated in the battles of Long Island, Brandywine and Monmouth. On the back of Captain Mc- Clellan's commission is a high testimonial to his merit endorsed by General Anthony Wayne. Captain McClellan married Keziah Parke, born January 24, 1767, and their children were: Anne, born August 15, 1787, died August 19, 1860, married William Hemphill; Martha, born February 7, 1789, married, 1810, Isaac Rogers, and died March 14, 1814; Elizabeth, born 1794, died in 1799; and Joseph Parke, mentioned be- low. Captain Joseph McClellan died Octo- ber 14, 1834, and his widow passed away, July 31, 1842.
Joseph Parke, son of Joseph and Keziah (Parke) McClellan, was born March 19, 1796, and was a farmer, becoming, in the forties, owner of the historic Green Tree Hotel in West Chester. From 1814 to 1816 he was president of the Bank of Chester County, and held the same position from 1817 to 1819. This is now the National Bank of Chester County. Mr. McClellan served as a burgess of West Chester and as sheriff of Chester county. He was a mem- ber of Octoraro Presbyterian Church. He married (first) Sarah Whelan, and (sec- ond) Mary Ellis Miller. Mr. McClellan died February 26, 1861.
James Downing, son of Joseph Parke and Sarah (Whelan) McClellan, married Eliza- beth Litzenberg, and their children were: John ; Sarah Keziah, married James David Ruth ; Christian L .; Joseph Parke; Mary; Martha Anne, mentioned below; Heury ; Ella, who, like Mary, died in early child- hood; Anne Hemphill, married Harry
Friend; Elizabeth Litzenberg, married John W. Betz; and Joseplı.
Martha Anne, daughter of James Down- ing and Elizabeth (Litzenberg) McClellan, was born December 4, 1847, and became the wife of James Wood Friend, as mentioned above.
COOPER, T. S., Breeder of High Grade Cattle.
T. S. Cooper, of Coopersburg, who has gained repute in the agricultural world, being an authority on the breeding and rais- ing of Jersey cattle, is a lineal descendant of one of the oldest families of the Lehigh Valley. In its various generations from the pioneer ancestor down to the present time (1913), the members of the family have been conspicuous in the different walks of life, noted for their many excellent char- acteristics.
William Cooper, the emigrant ancestor, was a native of Dillenberg, Duchy of Nas- sau, Germany, born August 24, 1722, died in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, his remains being interred in the burying ground sur- rounding St. Paul's Church at Upper Sau- con, as were also those of his wife, Gertrude Cooper, born September 12, 1724. They came to the new world in the latter part of the eighteenth century. They were pre- ceded by their son Daniel, of whom further.
Daniel, son of William and Gertrude Cooper, was born at Dillenberg, Duchy of Nassau, Germany, March 31, 1752. He emigrated to this country about 1770, and settled at Goshenhoppen, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He married, No- vember 3, 1775, Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Gery, of Goshenhoppen, and they were the parents of ten children: 1. Jacob, removed to Philadelphia, where he was en- gaged in mercantile pursuits ; having occa- sion to go to New Orleans, lie was taken ill on the ocean, died, and was buried at sea ; he married twice, and had a son by each marriage-Daniel and Jacob. 2. John, died
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in 1847, leaving a daughter, Fayette, who was the wife of Elias Nitrauer. 3. Peter, of whom further. 4. William, removed to Schuylkill county. 5. Charles, died in child- hood. 6. Daniel, married Sarah Ott, and died in April, 1864, leaving several chil- dren. 7. Catherine, married Jacob Seider. 8. Elizabeth, married Abraham Slifer, and removed to Flourtown, Pennsylvania, where she died in 1867. 9. and 10. died in infancy.
Peter, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Gery) Cooper, was born in Goshenhoppen, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 26, 1790, died May 19, 1837. He was the founder of Coopersburg, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and served as deputy sur- veyor-general of Pennsylvania. He mar- ried Susan Buchecker, who bore him four children : 1. Milton, a resident of Coopers- burg. 2. Charles W., became first county superintendent of public schools of Lehigh county, and was cashier and president of the Allentown National Bank. 3. Thomas B., of whom further. 4. Anna Matilda, be- came the wife of Dr. Fred Martin, and died in Bethlehem, leaving two daughters, resi- dents of Philadelphia.
Dr. Thomas B. Cooper, son of Peter and Susan (Buchecker) Cooper, was born in Coopersburg, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and died there, April 4, 1862. He was a prominent physician in Coopersburg, having a large practice. He was active in public affairs, and was a Member of Congress from Bucks and Lehigh counties. He mar- ried Elemania Schantz, and among their children was T. S. Cooper, of whom fur- ther.
T. S. Cooper, son of Dr. Thomas B. and Elemania (Schantz) Cooper, was born at the old Cooper homestead at Coopersburg, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, October 21, 1850. He was reared in his native place, and attended the public schools of Coopers- burg and Philadelphia. During his early life he assisted in the duties of the farm at Coopersburg, thus acquiring a thorough knowledge of farming, and later developed
into one of the most scientific agriculturists in that section of the State, now owning many hundred acres of land. He is widely known throughout the county on account of his successful breeding and raising of Jersey cattle, beginning this line of work when twenty-four years of age. He imports them from the Jersey Isles, often receiving as high as $10,000 per head, and his two sons are associated in business with him. He is frequently called upon to act in the capacity of judge of cattle at State and county exhibits, also in various parts of the United States and in Canada, serving as judge of Jersey cattle at the Canadian Na- tional Exhibition at Toronto. The excel- lent appearance of his property bespeaks a watchful care by one accustomed to that particular work, Mr. Cooper giving his per- sonal supervision to all details. He has attained success by hard and incessant work, perseverance and untiring industry, qual- ities most essential to the end in view. He is fair and upright in all his dealings, and is highly esteemed and holds the confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact, either in business or social life. As can be attested Mr. Cooper's public auction sales of cattle have amounted to over a million and a half dollars, and he claims the proud distinction of having never been sued or having occasion to sue a buyer. It is doubt- ful if any other live stock dealer can lay claim to such honors. He affiliates with the Lutheran church, was burgess of Coopersburg for several years, elected on the Democratic ticket, and is a director of the Allentown National Bank.
Mr. Cooper married, March 25, 1876, Tillie, daughter of James W. Wilson, of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Children : Ralph, Emily, Peter.
SCOTT, James Davis, Business Man, Public Official.
As Recorder of Deeds of Chester county, Mr. Scott has been much in the public eye
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since his announcement of candidacy in 1911. He is a native born son of Chester county, his forbears having been there seated for many years. His father, Edward Scott, now deceased, was a farmer of Lewisville, Chester county, a man of good standing and upright character.
James Davis Scott was born at the Scott homestead at Lewisville, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1864. He attended the public schools of Lewisville and assisted his father at farm labor, but not being enamored with the life of a farmer, he sundered home ties and for a time was engaged in learning the trade of a papermaker with Jessup & Moore, at Wil- mington, Delaware. But this was not a business that particularly appealed to him, and he decided upon another change. He apprenticed himself to a plumbing firm in Wilmington and served the required num- ber of years. He became a skilled work- man, and until 1890 continued work at his trade in Wilmington. He had then reached the age of twenty-six years, and having an expert knowledge of plumbing and heating decided to enter business for himself. He choose Coatesville, Pennsylvania, as a loca- tion, and in 1890 opened a shop there, soon proving the wisdom of his course by the instant demand for a plumber of his ability. His trade increased until his force of ten journeymen is kept busily engaged in the different departments of the business. His reputation for honorable dealing kept pace with the expansion of the business and has never been tarnished by a sacrifice of qual- ity in order to advance temporary gain. He became well and favorably known over a large territory, and when in 1911 he an- nounced himself as a candidate for the office of Recorder of Deeds on the Repub- lican ticket, he was gratified with a favor- able response from the voters, proving their good will and the respect in which he is held. At the ensuing November election he was carried into office by a handsome majority, leading the entire ticket. He en- tered upon the duties of his office, January
I, 1912, and has served to the complete satisfaction of all having business with the recorder's office. Mr. Scott is a member of the Baptist church; the Masonic order ; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Junior Order of American Me- chanics ; and the Knights of Pythias, taking an active interest in all.
He married, in 1891, Hannah Moore, of Coatesville, and has issue: James Davis, died in infancy; and Harold, now deputy recorder of deeds under his father.
KIDD, James Wilson,
Manufacturer, Public Official.
The Kidd family ranks among the oldest settlers of the section of Pennsylvania wherein Lehigh county is located, and prominent among the present representa- tives is James Wilson Kidd, chief burgess of Emaus, who has inherited in marked de- gree the characteristics of his ancestors, namely: energy, enterprise, a resolute will and a determination to succeed, these being chief factors in the success of any under- taking.
Charles Kidd, grandfather of James W. Kidd, was a resident of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, owner of a farm consisting of one hundred and twenty acres devoted to general farming products, and he was also the village blacksmith, from both of which occupations he derived a goodly profit. He married Elizabeth Stuber, who bore him five children: 1. Isabella, married William Ehret ; children : Charles, Amanda, Ellen. 2. Caroline, married Joseph Dech; left no issue. 3. Joseph, married Mary A. Biery, and left no issue. 4. Tilghman, of whom further. 5. Susanna, married Ferdinand Wint ; children: Rufus and Clara.
Tilghman Kidd, father of James W. Kidd, was a native of Schoenersville, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, at that time Lehigh and Northampton counties being one county. He was reared on his father's farm, educated in the common
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schools of the neighborhood, and through- out his active career, which was devoted to farming, lie bore a reputation for integrity and trustworthiness. He married Eliza Bickert, a native of Bethlehem, Pennsyl- vania, who bore him two children: James Wilson, of whom further; Emma M., mar- ried Preston B. Butterwick, and had one child, Stanley.
James Wilson Kidd was born in Upper Saucon township, Lehigh county, Pennsyl- vania, May 27, 1861. He spent his child- hood and youth in the place of his birth, attending the public schools of the neighbor- hood, from which he obtained a practical education. In the spring of the year 1883 he moved to Emaus, Pennsylvania, and there began an apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, and after completing the same worked as a journeyman for a period of five years, then turned his attention to mill work, an occupation he has since followed, in which he has met with signal success. He is progressive and enterprising, conduct- ing his operations along the most improved lines, and henceforth merits the patronage accorded him, which is constantly increas- ing in volume and importance, he occupy- ing a prominent position in business circles. His character as a business man led to his appointment to public office, and in the management of the duties thereof he has displayed the same traits as character- ized his business career. He served a term of four years as councilman, acting as presi- dent of that body during the latter part of the term, and in September, 1912, he was appointed chief burgess of Emaus, succeed- ing D. R. Miller, deceased. In November, 1913, he was elected for a term of four years, beginning January 1, 1914, and dur- ing his tenure of office he has discharged the duties with fidelity and efficiency, con- stantly growing in public estimation. He affiliates with the Lutheran church, is a staunch Democrat in politics, and an en- thusiastic advocate of all measures relating
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