USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 57
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Mr. Davies was numbered among the adopted sons that the little rock-ribbed country of Wales furnished to America. His birth occurred at Llanell, in South Wales, on the 25th of Decem- ber, 1844, and he was reared and educated there, enjoying good school privileges. Early in life his uncle, William Davies, trained him for the sea, and he learned navigation and eventually be- came a captain, commanding the full rigged ship "Loretta." His first voyage was to Calcutta, and subsequently he sailed to the far east, also to the. West Indies, to Madagascar and to Australia. His certificates show that he traveled in all parts. of the world, each time receiving an honorable discharge. In 1867, however, he gave up a sea- faring life, and in the same year was united in marriage to Miss Jane Evans, a daughter of Rees Evans, who was leader of the Bethel church choir. The wedding ceremony was performed by the Rev. Dr. John Rhys Morgan, one of the distinguished men of Wales, at Llanelly, South Wales, which was also the birthplace of Mrs. Davies.
Not long after their marriage the newly wedded couple emigrated to the United States and made their way direct to Lansford, Pennsyl- vania, then known as Ashton. Here Mr. Davies. immediately began contracting, having gained both experience and means as the result of former labor. He took the contract for working colliery No. 9, and was the first man engaged in driving the tunnel for the opening of the colliery No. II, formerly called Dry Hollow. His first eight years were spent in the operation of these two, and in 1876 he took charge of No. 6 colliery, then known as Graball, where he continued until 1888. At that time he was awarded the contract to ex- tinguish the fire that was raging in No. 6 on the east end of the mines, and in 1900 he became master of the fire, having completely extinguised it, but this work was the cause of his death, for during the fighting of the fire so much poison en- tered his system that his health was impaired, and his life was undoubtedly shortened on this ac- count. While operating No. 6 colliery he was in partnership with his brother-in-law, Josiah Will- iams, under the firm name of Williams & Davies.
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This relationship continued for eighteen years, and after the death of Mr. Williams Mr. Davies continued to operate the mine under his own name until he, too, departed this life.
Both men were men of strong character and great influence, and Mr. Williams was one of the pioneer miners of Lansford, and at one time was commissioner of Carbon county, Pennsyl- vania. On the death of W. D. Thomas, in Feb- ruary, 1899, the contract which had formerly been held by him was taken up by Mr. Davies, and as the result thereof he operated colliery No. 8 until his own death. He also became identified with the financial interests of his locality, and was a director of the First National Bank of Lansford.
Socially Mr. Davies was a member of Tama- qua Lodge, No. 238, F. and A. M., and also took the degrees of capitular and chivalric Masonry, belonging to Tamaqua Chapter, No. 177, R. A. M., and Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 177, K. T. He was likewise a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Improved Order of Red Men. He belonged to the Welsh Congregational church, : took a zealous interest in its work, contributed generously to its support, and served as one of its trustees. He had a most comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the Bible, so that he could hold his own in any debate with a theologian.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Davis numbered four children: Mrs. Morgan L. West, who was born in 1868; Josiah W., born July 16, 1871 ; Mrs. David H. Davies, born in 1874; and John R., in 1876. All of the children were born in Lansford, Pennsylvania, and were very liberally educated. The elder son pursued a special course of study in Lafayette College, and for three years was a mem- ber of the Lafayette College Glee Club as a first tenor, this covering the years 1893-4-5. He suc- ceeded to the duties which were so long and cap- ably discharged by the father. In 1899 he was married to Miss M. Charlotte Neifert, of Tama- qua, Pennsylvania, who was born July 19, 1877. John R. Davies was educated at the Kutztown Normal. He was married, April 27; 1899, to Miss Anna M. E. Neifert, who was born July 8,
1874, and is a sister of Mrs. J. W. Davies, Jr. They are the daughters of Mrs. H. A. Weldy, of Tamaqua.
The death of John W. Davies occurred on December 19, 1903. While others were preparing for the Christmas festivities, this family were made sad by the entrance of the death angel. He bore his illness without complaint, and in the calm of the hour at the dawn of day passed peace- fully away. His demise came as a personal loss to many besides his own dear ones, and many were the sympathetic hearts which were touched by the last and most tender tribute paid to his memory :
ยท Farewell, beloved husband! through our tears We now recall the blessings of the years ; The sorrows and the joys that filled our life, The victories achieved thro' storm and strife; It is but meet that we should weep for you, The father and the friend so kind and true; And that the years of love and constancy, Should live forever in the memory.
Farewell, beloved father! sad and sore, We seek for you as in the days of yore; W elisten for the voice we loved to hear, But we are answered by the sigh and tear; That we shall never clasp your hand and greet, But we shall keep your memory fresh and sweet, Throughout the years, and we shall often dwell Upon the name and face we loved so well.
LAURENCE TARLETON, a general con- tractor of Weatherly, was born in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1854, a son of Ber- nard and Adeline (Ratcliff) Tarleton, the former of Irish and the latter of English lineage, but both were born in the state of New York. They removed to Nesquehoning at an early day, and in 1849 Mr. Tarleton started for California, at- tracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast. After a few years, however, he returned to Pennsylvania, having met with some suc- cesses and some failures in his search for the precious metal in the far west. On again estab- lishing his home in this state, he became inter- ested in coal mining and continued in that busi- ness throughout his remaining days. He was a
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most energetic and industrious man. His wife was a member of the Ratcliff family that was established in Nesquehoning as early as 1830, being pioneer settlers of the coal region of Car- bon county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tarleton were born seven children, three of whom are now liv- ing, Thomas and Catherine, who are residents of Nesquehoning ; and Laurence.
In his native town Laurence Tarleton spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and is, in- debted. to the public school system for the edu- cational privileges he enjoyed. He early became connected with mining as a breaker boy, and was advanced step by step until he became one of the regular workers in the mines. He worked indus- triously and lived frugally, and in course of time was enabled to engage in business on his own ac- count. In 1885 he removed to Weatherly, where he purchased the Carbon House, which he con- ducted profitably until 1903. He then retired from the hotel business, but still owns the prop- erty, and is now engaged in general contracting in Weatherly, conducting extensive operations in that line. In this connection he built the tele- phone line between Slatington, Huntsdale and Weatherly, also the line between Hazelton and Wilkes-Barre. He took the contract and erected the substantial wall surrounding the Schwab schoolhouse, and many other important industrial tasks have been executed by him in
a manner which insures him a continuation of a liberal patronage. He is likewise a director of the National Bank of Weath- erly, and was one of its promoters. He was one of the active factors in instituting the movement for an electric street railway connect- ing Hazelton, Weatherly and Mauch Chunk, and, with a clear recognition of business possibilities and the advantages to be derived from the insti- tution of important industries, he has labored un- tiringly for Weatherly's development along such lines. He is a member of the order of Elks, and in religious faith is a Roman Catholic, while his family are connected with the same church.
Mr. Tarleton was married in 1882 to Miss Mary Mooney, a daughter of Peter Mooney, of Nesquehoning, who was born in 1858, and by her
marriage became the mother of seven children, of whom four are yet living : James, a graduate of the Scranton International Correspondence School; William and Frank, twins ; and Laurence Tarleton.
THOMAS KRESSLY is one of the substan- tial citizens of Lansford, where thirty years of his active and useful life have been spent in the erection of houses for the Lehigh Coal and Navi- gation Company, and for private parties as well.
He was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1842, and the ancestral history of the family has been found amid Lehigh county scenes. The family is of German lineage, but both the grand- father and his wife were natives of Lehigh county. They became the parents of three sons, John, Henry and Peter. Of these Peter Kressly, who was born on the old homestead in Lehigh county and pursued his education in the public schools, learned the shoe-maker's trade in his youth and followed it throughout his entire life. He also carried on farming on a limited scale. He mar- ried Miss Margaret Harsel, who was also born in Lehigh county, and their family numbered eight children, but Thomas Kressly is the only one now living. He, too, is indebted to the public-school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed. In early life he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and has always been engaged in building operations. In 1862 he removed from Lehigh to Schuylkill county, locating at Tamaqua, where he remained until 1872. That year wit- nessed his arrival in Lansford, where he engaged in contracting and building. He has devoted twenty years of his active life to contracting and to-day many of the substantial structures of this town and surrounding districts stand as monu- ments to his genius and mechanical skill. While erecting a home for others, he also prepared a pleasant abode for his family, and is to-day the owner of one of the fine residences in Lansford.
In 1874 Mr. Kressly was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Hauser, of Tamaqua, Pennsyl- vania, who was born in 1850. This marriage has been blessed with four children : Edward D., who is a carpenter, wedded Miss Annie Koch, and
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they have become the parents of four children, Clifford, George, Edith and Anna; Peter T., the second son, who is the proprietor of a hotel in Tamaqua, married Anna Trout and they have one son, Thomas W .; William is the leading barber of Lansford; and Lizzie E., who completes the fam- ily, is at home.
Mr. Kressly holds membership with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and his relig- ious faith is that of the Lutheran church, which he joined upon its organization. He was the first president of the first church council held at Lans- ford, and he has occupied the position of trus- tee, and is now an elder of his church. He has been very faithufl to its work and interests, and has put forth every effort in his power to pro- mote its growth and extend its influence.
GEORGE W. HEMMINGER, well known in educational circles of Carbon county as prin- cipal of the high school of Weatherly, was born at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1863, a son of John and Mary (Graham) Hemminger. The father was a native of Cumberland county, Penn- sylvania, a farmer by occupation, and a man of much worth and considerable local influence. He married Miss Graham, who was of Scotch extrac- tion, and their family numbered five children. The parents are both deceased.
Professor Hemminger spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native town, and at- tended the common schools there and at Cham- bersburg, Pennsylvania. His education was con- tinued in the Kutztown State Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1885. Prior to this time, however, he had engaged in teaching in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and following his graduation he followed the same profession in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, where he remained for one year. In 1887 he became the principal of the East Mauch Chunk school, where he remained for six years, and in 1893 he came to his present position, that of principal of the high school of Weatherly. The school building is one of the finest educational structures in the state of Penn- sylvania, and is a gift from Charles M. Schwab, of the great steel corporation, who erected it as a
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monument to the memory of his wife, whose early school days were passed in Weatherly. The cost of the building alone, exclusive of the grounds and improvements, was about sixty-three thousand dollars. It is built of pressed brick, is three stores in height, contains ten recitation rooms, and has an auditorium with a seating ca- pacity of six hundred. It is ninety by ninety feet in dimensions, and crowning the roof is a tower, in which is a Seth Thomas clock of the best con- struction, with a dial six feet in diameter. The building is heated by two large surry steam boil- ers. In the basement are situated the boys' and girls' playrooms, beside lavatories for both sexes, with toilet rooms attached. In every particular the school is a model of perfection. The rooms are finished in quarter-sawed oak, and the ventil- ation of the building is perfect. The grounds are inclosed within a fine brown stone wall, and the entrance is through iron gates of massive propor- tions. There are five hundred and fifty pupils in this school, the high school department number- ing fifty-five students. For eleven years Pro- fessor Hemminger has been in charge of the high school, and is regarded as one of the most popu- lar and competent instructors connected with the public school system of the Lehigh valley.
In the year of his removal to Weatherly, Fro- fessor. Hemminger was united in marriage to Miss Mattie C. Williams, a daughter of Oscar H. and Ella Williams, of Nicholson, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, and they now have one son, Graham L., who was born February 15, 1896. Mr. Hemminger is quite well known in Masonic circles, being a member of Hazelton Lodge, No. 327, F. and A. M., and Hazelton Chapter, No. 277, R. A. M.
J. C. SENDEL, deceased, who for many years was one of the progressive business men of Weatherly, was born in Mahoning township, Car- bon county, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1852.
His boyhood days were spent on the home farm, and his early education was acquired. in the common schools of his native township. Later he entered Palatinate College at Myerstown, Pennsylvania, and was subsequently a student in
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the Allentown Business College. When he had completed his education he taught school for five consecutive years with excellent success. In 1874 he removed to Weatherly, and there entered upon what proved a prosperous business career, and one which contributed to the welfare and progress of the borough, as well as to his indi- vidual success. He became an extensive contrac- tor and builder, and also a well known merchant, dealing in lumber, coal, hardware, farming im- plements and carpenter's supplies. In 1887 he purchased the hardware store of J. J. Kressley, and in connection with its conduct he became the senior member of the firm of Sendel & Rouse, of Lehighton. He was extremely active in the in- dustrial development of his town, and it was through his influence that the Weatherly Electric Light Company was formed. The silk mill was encouraged by his fostering care, and, in fact, his co-operation was counted upon as a factor in the development of almost every important com- mercial or industrial interest of the borough. He was a director of the foundry and machine shop and manager of the company; a director of the Anthracite Building and Loan Association ; and a director of the First National Bank of Weath- erly. In 1899 he purchased the Weatherly roller mills, which were built by George E. Witmer in 1894. This plant has a capacity of twenty barrels of flour per day, is operated by steam power, and is furnished with the latest and most modern roller process. Thus, through the exercise of his industry, unabating energy and business sagacity, he won for himelf an honored name in industrial and commercial circles, and gained the success which is the direct outcome of diligence guided by sound judgment.
In matters relative to the welfare of the bor- ough outside of the direct line of business, he was also active, being largely instrumental in form- ing the fire department, of which he became the chief. He gave his political allegiance to the Republican party, and he was so popular as to gain the support of both parties when chosen for the position of councilman, and filled other posi- tions of trust and responsibility. He was a member of Hazelton Lodge, No. 327, F. and
A. M., and also of the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity, and he belonged to the Lutheran church, of which his family are also members.
In 1877 Mr. Sendel was united in marriage to Miss Vesta Blose, a daughter of Simon and Harriet Blose, of Bowman's, Pennsylvania, and they have become the parents of six children : Robert O., Ario, Hattie, Carrie, Austin and Ken- neth. Since the death of the father the estate has been managed by the eldest son, Robert O., a young man of excellent business ability, execu- tive power and keen discrimination. Mr. Sendel passed away December 6, 1902. His life record forms a history of unwearied industry, and the exercise of native powers crowned by successful accomplishment. He was quick to note oppor- tunity, to shape conditions to his own need, and ever followed closely the methods which not only win success but gain an honored name.
LEONARD PECKITT, the president of the Empire Steel and Iron Company of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, is a native of England. He came to this country in 1882.
His first employment was with the Reading Iron Company, at Reading, Pennsylvania, where he served in the capacity of analytical chemist for seven years. In 1889 he moved to Cata- sauqua, and was there engaged as head chemist, and afterward as superintendent of the Crane Iron Works, holding that position until 1894, when he was elected president of the company, whose general offices were in the city of Phila- delphia. In 1898 Mr. Peckitt was instrumental in organizing the Empire Steel and Iron Com- pany, a New Jersey corporation, which at once purchased two blast furnaces at Reading, Penn- sylvania, one at Tapton and one at Macungie, together with large ore-bearing properties in southern New Jersey. Subsequently the Empire Company also purchased the entire stock of the Crane Iron Company, thus completing the forma- tion of one of the largest independent eastern fur- nace properties. Mr. Peckitt is also president of the Sheffield Coal and Iron Company of Birming- ham, Alabama, of the Stonegap Colliery Com- pany at Norton, Virginia, and of the Wise Ter-
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minal Railroad Company at Glamorgan, Vir- ginia. He is also a director of the Catasauqua National Bank.
MORRIS D. HOOVEN is a member of the firm of Hooven Brothers, merchants of Weath- erly, his partner being Walter A. Hooven. They are the sons of H. Alexander Hooven, and grandsons of Henry Hooven, who was a black- smith by trade and followed that pursuit through- out his entire life in Pennsylvania. He married Margaret Haslet and they became the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, but only one, Mrs. Josiah W. Smith, is now living.
Their son, H. Alexander Hooven, was born at Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania, and became an extensive and prosperous business man of Hazel- ton, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in deal- ing in house furnishing goods. Aside from his business in Hazelton, he was interested with his brothers in a nursery at Burlington, New Jersey, and they were also the owners and publishers of the Commercial Advertiser, of Philadelphia ; and owners of a powder mill at Quakake Valley, Pennsylvania, and of an artificial tooth factory which they conduct at West Philadelphia. Alex- ander Hooven possessed marked business enter- prise and industrial skill, as well as keen fore- sight, and his prominence in commercial and in- dustrial circles was widely acknowledged. In Hazelton, Pennsylvania, he became secretary of the Mercantile Association. He finally removed to Weatherly. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in his life exemplified the teach- ings of the craft. His death occurred in 1890, . and his widow still survives him, and now car- ries on the millinery department of the Hooven Brothers' store. She bore the maiden name of Priscilla S. Davis, and was born in Wales. Her only children are Walter A. and Morris D. Hooven, who constitute the firm of Hooven Brothers.
Walter A. Hooven was born in Weatherly August 5, 1866, and Morris D. Hooven in Hazel- ton, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of December, 1867. Both were educated in Hazleton and Weatherly, the latter named graduating from the high school
of the latter place in 1887. They established their present mercantile enterprise on the 15th of No- vember, 1898. Their store is pleasing and attrac- tive in appearance, the goods being well ar- ranged and carefully selected, and an air of enter- prise and progress pervades the place. Already they have attained very gratifying success. In public affairs and in other walks of life the Hooven Brothers have also been prominent and influential. Morris D. Hcoven is the treasurer of the board of trade of Weatherly, and was the first president of the fire department of Weath- erly, which position he filled with distinc- tion for seven years. He is still con- nected with the department, and at the present writing he is he honorary vice presi- dent of the State Firemen's Association. He was a member of a committee of three representing the school interests in the construction of the Mrs. C. M. Schwab public school building at Weatherly. Walter A. Hooven is a natural mu- sician and has attained more than local note as a composer.
The latter named was united in marriage, Oc- tober 22, 1893, to Miss Susie Cheeseman, a daughter of Peter Cheeseman, and to them have been born four children : Margaret, Ruth, Wal- ter and Elizabeth. On the 6th of June, 1894, oc- curred the marriage of Morris D. Hooven and Miss Laura E. Rouse, a daughter of the Hon. Daniel and Sarah N. Rouse, and they have an interesting little son, Morris D. Hooven, Jr.
GEORGE ORMROD, of Allentown, Pennsyl- vania, has been a promoter of several important business enterprises of coal, iron, and cement that have contributed to the development and sub- stantial upbuilding of the Lehigh Valley, and is today progressive and active in the management of his business affairs, and may well be called one of the Captains of Industries.
He was born July 13, 1839, at Preston, Lan- cashire, England, and when nineteen years of age left Manchester, England, May 17, 1859. for the United States, to visit his uncle, William Donald- son (his mother's brother), who was then pro- prietor of a large anthracite colliery in Tamaqua,
George Armod
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Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Ormrod had one brother and two sisters, children of George and Margaret Ormrod (his brother and one sister are still living in England) and when less than two years old, owing to the death of his father, he was taken to raise by an uncle and aunt, to Manchester, England, and in his early boyhood days attended the Quaker schools and later was educated in the private schools of that city. He also attended the School of Design for Mechanical Engineering, and later worked nearly two years in a railway locomotive erecting shop, just previous to his leaving England for the United States, May 17, 1859.
Mr. Ormrod married in 1861, Permilla John- son, the oldest daughter of John H. and Cather- ine H. Johnson, of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, and soon after joined his father-in-law, Mr. Johnson (formerly of the firm of Radcliff & Johnson, col- liery proprietors at Tamaqua and Beaver Mead- ows, Pennsylvania,) in the operation of an anthra- cite colliery at Tamaqua for several years.
Later Mr. Ormrod, with his father-in-law, Mr. Johnson, and his cousin, John Donaldson, with several others, built in 1865 and 1866 and operated until December, 1879, the Girard Mam- moth Colliery at Raven Run, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Ormrod lived at Raven Run from 1867 to 1877, during the troubles with the Mollie Maguires, and soon after he moved to Philadelphia. Mr. Ormrod was the superintend- ent and a director, and was finally made president of the company, and in 1879 they sold the colliery to the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company.
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