USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of Carbon County, Pennsylvania; also containing a separate account of the several boroughs and townships in the county, with biographical sketches > Part 40
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Mr. Smitham is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Snyder, Nathan, prominent in the business and in- dustrial affairs of Carbon county, was born at Heidel- berg, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1823. He spent his boyhood on his father's farm, subsequently mas-
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tering the trade of a shoemaker, in addition to that of a carpenter. During his eighteenth year he walked from his home in Heidelberg to Mauch Chunk, where he readily found employment as a carpenter and boat- builder. For some time after locating here it was his custom to return to his home in Lehigh county on foot each Saturday night, in order to spend Sunday with his family, coming back to Mauch Chunk in time to begin work with the other men on Monday morning.
Having by industry and thrift accumulated $800, he allied himself in marriage to Matilda Peters, a daugh- ter of Henry Peters, of East Penn township. Soon after the taking of this step, Mr. Snyder opened a small store, near the Four-Mile House, in Mahoning township.
In 1846 he went to Weissport, where he established a boat yard, which he conducted successfully for more than a quarter of a century. He also purchased and enlarged the tavern known as the Franklin House, of which he became the landlord, and in which he conduct- ed a general store. Disposing of this property after a time he built the nucleus of the large store, situated on the opposite side of the street from the Franklin House, now owned by his son, Milton. He also became the owner of a similar establishment at Coal Dale, Schuylkill county.
After retiring from business as a boat builder, Mr. Snyder, in 1886, established a large planing mill at East Weissport; the supervision of this plant occupied much of his time until 1891, when it was totally de- stroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $60,000, upon which there was no insurance.
He was a lover of nature and the life out-of-doors, and he was the owner of two fine farms in Franklin township.
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HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY.
Mr. Snyder was happy in his domestic relations, and was the father of eight children, as follows: Sarah, wife of George Laury, of Lehighton; Fietta, who mar- ried E. G. Zern, of the same place; Aaron F., now a prosperous business man, of Weissport; Clara, who died in infancy ; Mary, Milton, Emma and Matilda.
Mr. Snyder held pronounced views on political and religious matters, being a staunch Republican, while in his latter years he was a loyal supporter and firm ad- herent of the United Evangelical church. His death occurred on January 11, 1897.
Stemler, Quentin, president of the Citizens' National Bank, of East Mauch Chunk, also successful as a deal- er in grain, feed and livestock, was born at Stemlers- ville, Carbon county, April 19, 1870.
His father was Reuben Stemler, a farmer, while his mother, before her marriage, bore the name of Louisa Smith, both being natives of Carbon county. Their children were Masina, the wife of Lewis Christman, of Weissport; Emma, who is married to Harry Pettit, an electrician at Palmerton; Elmira, wife of Pharon An- drew, of Lehighton; Quentin, James, Charles, Wilson and Oscar.
Having acquired a common school education, Quen- tin was called upon, in his twentieth year, to take the place of his father as the head of the household, the elder Stemler having been removed by death. As the oldest male member of the family he discharged the duty thus devolving upon him with kindness and fidel- ity, and when those who were younger had become self- supporting, he came to East Mauch Chunk, where he conducted a local express business for seven or eight years. Later he went into the cattle business, supply- ing the butchers of the lower end of Carbon county, and handling several car loads of stock weekly. In
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HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY.
addition to this he conducts a large grain and feed store in East Mauch Chunk.
When the Citizens' National Bank, of East Mauch Chunk, was organized, in 1906, he became a stockholder and was chosen as its first president. Owing to the close proximity of the old and well-established banks of Mauch Chunk, just across the river, many doubted the feasibility of establishing this new institution, but Mr. Stemler manifested his confidence in the success of the venture from the start, and results have vindi- cated his judgment. The bank has grown stronger, slowly but steadily, and on July 1, 1910, a dividend of four per cent. on its capital stock was declared, while a substantial amount was added to the surplus fund.
Mr. Stemler was joined in wedlock to Aquilla Beltz, a daughter of David Beltz, one of Franklin township's foremost citizens, November 10, 1892. Harold, their only child, is now an attendant of the schools of East Mauch Chunk.
Mr. Stemler is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Red Men, while being an adherent of the faith of the Reformed church.
Straup, D. O., president of the First National Bank of Palmerton, and an ex-commissioner of Carbon county, is the youngest son of the late Charles Straup, who was the owner of much of the land on which Pal- merton now stands. It was on his farm that Fort Le- high, one of the two frontier forts of Carbon county, was located. The fort was built by the settlers in the latter part of 1755, and served as a haven of safety during the period of hostilities attending the French and Indian War. Its ruins may still be seen, almost immediately in the rear of the banking institution of which Mr. Straup is the head.
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.
Charles Straup was the son of David Straup, a na- tive of Bucks county, who in early life came to Lower Towamensing township. Later he worked in the coal quarry of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company at Summit Hill, but returned to Lower Towamensing and followed the occupation of a farmer.
Charles Straup was born in 1828, and, while still a young man, was married to Julia Ann Snyder, daugh- ter of Daniel Snyder, of Lower Towamensing town- ship. They had four children: Caroline, William, Wesley and David Oliver. The first and last named only survive, Caroline being the wife of Andrew Seem, of Bethlehem. Charles Straup died in 1898.
D. O. Straup was born in Lower Towamensing town- ship, June 15, 1860, attending the district schools until he became eighteen years of age. For fourteen years he rented and operated the farm owned by his father, and when the property was sold to the Palmer Land Company, he engaged in the lumber business, which he still successfully follows, being a dealer in sawed lumber, mine timber and ties.
In 1902 Mr. Straup was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of county commissioner, being re- elected on his record in 1905. Three years later he was again urged to become a candidate for the office by his friends, but was defeated in the election by a slight margin.
He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Palmerton, and has since served as its presi- dent. This is the youngest of the national banks of the county, and has been successful from the start.
Mr. Straup has been twice married, his first wife having been Idella Schaeffer, a daughter of Charles Schaeffer, of Monroe county. The four children of this union were Clayton, Edith, Florence and Allen.
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HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY.
Allen and Clayton died in infancy, while Edith is the wife of Charles Stemler, of East Mauch Chunk, and Florence is married to Robert Reinhart, of Palmerton.
Following the death of his first wife, Mr. Straup wedded Catharine, daughter of William Silfies and his wife Fietta, of Kunkletown, Monroe county. The chil- dren of this marriage are Carrie and Horace Straup. Three other children died in infancy.
Mr. Straup is an enthusiastic automobilist, and is the owner of one of the most beautiful homes in Pal- merton.
In addition to his other business interests he has re- cently established himself as a dealer in flour, feed and grain.
Strohl, Dennis, as his name indicates, is a repre- sentative of one of Carbon county's oldest families, his forefathers having been among the pioneer settlers on the north side of the Blue Ridge, in what is now Carbon county. His farm in Towamensing township is one of the most prosperous and best appointed in the county, manifesting every evidence of thrift and progressiveness.
His grandfather, Nicholas Strohl, was a farmer in Lower Towamensing township. He was thrice mar- ried and became the father of a patriarchial family of thirty children. His death occurred at the advanced age of eighty-four years.
Joel, the father of Dennis Strohl, was a farmer of Towamensing township. In early life he married Sarah Beer, who bore him seventeen children. Upon her death he married Katharine Hahn, with whom he had two children. He died March 10, 1910, being aged eighty-six years.
Dennis Strohl was born May 11, 1858, in Towamen- sing township. He was brought up on his father's
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farm, attending the district schools until he became seventeen years of age. For five or six years he was in partnership with his brother Amos Strohl, engaging in the business of contracting and building. During this period they erected many of the dwellings of the bor- ough of Weatherly. At the age of twenty-three, Mr. Strohl purchased 107 acres of brush land in Towa- mensing township, and by hard labor he carved out of this his present fine farm, upon which he has made many substantial improvements. Fourteen acres of the farm is devoted to a pear orchard, while sixteen acres is given over to apple trees. For a time Mr. Strohl also owned and operated the farm which origin- ally belonged to his father.
He was united in wedlock at the age of twenty-eight to Anna, daughter of William Henning, of Monroe county. Their children are: Calvin H., Homer E., Florence O., Theodore D., Pearl C., Norman C., Edna E. and Dorothy G. Strohl.
Theodore is a graduate of the East Stroudsburg State Normal School, and is now engaged as a teacher.
Calvin, born December 26, 1887, is one of the young- est justices of the peace in Pennsylvania, having been elected to that office when but a year past his majority. He is a product of the Polytechnic Institute, of Gil- berts, Pa., and has taught school for a number of terms. He has served as a member of the Republican county committee, and was a candidate for the office of jury commissioner in 1909, for which he was de- feated, having received a handsome vote, however.
Mr. Strohl and his family are members of the Re- formed church.
Strunk, William F., a native of Hudsondale, at pres- ent living near Coudersport, Potter county, Pa., was born on April 29, 1876.
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HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY.
His father, who bore the name of Herman, was brought to this country from Germany by his parents when a child, in 1849. They crossed the Atlantic in an old-fashioned sailing vessel, which narrowly escaped foundering during the voyage.
When at last she reached the haven of her destina- tion, having been storm-tossed for many months, the rations on board had been reduced to a single barrel of crackers.
The family first located at Phoenixville, Pa., settling permanently in Schuylkill county after a short time. Herman learned the trade of a blacksmith, and while still a young man located at Hudsondale, where he was married to Ellen Walton, and where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a master craftsman, and like the "Village Blacksmith" of whom Longfel- low sang, excelled as a shoer of horses. His death oc- curred in 1906.
W. F. Strunk, who is one of a family of seven chil- dren, was educated in the public schools, and after various employments, learned the art of telegraphy.
Most of his mature life has been spent in the service of the Tide Water Pipe Company, by whom he is now employed.
During 1904 he served as the clerk of the auditors of Carbon county. He is a progressive Republican and is a member of the Reformed church.
Struthers, James Robb, was born in Paisley, Scot- land on August 3, 1815. He was the son of Alexander Wallace and Jean Syme Struthers, and on his maternal side was a collateral descendant of William Wallace, the Scottish chief. His parents emigrated to America in 1819 and settled permanently in Philadelphia. James R., the subject of this sketch, received his sec- ondary education in the Manual Labor Academy of
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Germantown. When this academy moved to Easton and became the nucleus of the first student body of La- fayette College, he accompanied the principal, Dr. Jun- kin, who became the first president of the college, and completed the classical course as a member of the first class graduated from Lafayette, which college after- ward conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts. While in college he was one of the twelve founders of the Franklin Literary Society, a noted society that has since enrolled as members many men of national and international fame. After completing his college course he studied law under the Hon. James Madison Porter, of Easton, Pa., and for a short time taught school in Mauch Chunk. For a time he practiced law in Monroe county, residing at Stroudsburg, but on returning to Mauch Chunk at the time of the organization of Car- bon county, he was elected the first district attorney of the county, serving from 1843-46.
At that time, the Columbia railroad, now part of the Pennsylvania system, was run by state authority and Mr. Struthers was appointed state agent of the road, with headquarters at Philadelphia. In 1844 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania legislature on the Democratic ticket, and was re-elected in 1852 and 1853, ranking as one of the most able and promi- nent members of the assembly. He was county treas- urer of Carbon county from 1849-1851. In 1864 he voted for Abraham Lincoln and incidentally drifted into the Republican party, receiving the honor of a senatorial nomination from his new political relations. Mr. Struthers was a man of unusual culture and brilliancy, ranking as one of the foremost lawyers in the state. He was frequently consulted in cases outside of his territory, represented many cor- porations, and his counsel was marked by a profound
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HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY.
1
and exact knowledge of the law that was often con- firmed by favorable decisions to his clients in the high- er courts. His mind, however, was too active to keep him strictly within his professional traces, and he oc- casionally ventured into other fields besides the law.
He was twice married. His first wife was Ellen Ber- ril Tolan, daughter of Hugh and Hannah MacDonald Tolan, and granddaughter of William MacDonald, born in the highlands of Scotland of that clan which "is by every rule of antiquity, power and numbers, entitled to be spoken of before any others." Mrs. Struthers was a woman of remarkable Christian char- acter, a charter member of the First Presbyterian church of Mauch Chunk, and noted for her strong personality and spiritual qualities. Their children were: Jean Sym, who married Wm. B. Mack; Ellen Tolan, married to Daniel C. Heberling; Elizabeth, Sophia Bixler, married to Henry H. Ashley; Sally Ann (died in infancy) ; Alexander Wallace, married to Mary Louise Cooke; Hannah (died in infancy) ; James R., Jr., married to Mary Kirkhoff; Simon Cameron, married to Lucy Barnes; John Adams, Agnes, Charles Skeer, married to Jeannette Marshall, and William, married to Emma Wilson. Mrs. Struthers died on November 10, 1875, and Mr. Struthers, a few years later, married Margaret Van Dyke, who still survives.
After retiring from active legal practice he settled in Wilkes-Barre, where his sons were prominently en- gaged in business, and died there in May, 1885, seventy years of age. He was buried beside his first wife in the Mauch Chunk cemetery.
Swank, Philip R., well-known in building and loan association circles, and chief clerk in the coal traffic department of the Central Railroad of New Jersey at Mauch Chunk, is a resident of East Mauch Chunk. His
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HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY.
father, Charles W. Swank, had charge of the shipping wharves of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company at East Mauch Chunk and at Coalport for many years. Philip R. Swank was born in Upper Mauch Chunk, March 23, 1860. His mother bore the maiden name of Margaret Andrews.
After leaving the public schools, he pursued a course at the Allentown Business College, where he gradu- ated in 1877, acquiring especial proficiency in penman- ship. He gained his first practical experience in asso- ciation with his father in the flour and feed business. In 1883 he went to Towanda, Pa., to conduct a gro- cery store, returning to his home after two years and entering the service of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. He has filled his present position since 1892.
Mr. Swank was one of the organizers of the Progres- sive Building and Loan Association of East Mauch Chunk, through the agency of which many of the sub- stantial homes of that place and vicinity have been erected. This association now has assets amounting to more than half a million of dollars, and is recog- nized by the Banking Department of Pennsylvania as one of the best conducted associations of its kind in the state, never having lost a dollar since it was started, in 1892. Mr. Swank served as its secretary and treas- urer for eighteen years, still holding the first named office. He also assisted in organizing the Lehigh Val- ley Building and Loan Association of Lehighton, and the Workingmen's Association, of Summit Hill, be- sides installing the systems of a number of similar in- stitutions in the county, and giving his services as an expert accountant.
He is a charter member of the Memorial Presbyter- ian church of East Mauch Chunk, of which he was one
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HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY.
of the founders, acting as an elder and clerk of the ses- sion. On March 21, 1882, he was married to Emma M., daughter of David Snyder, of Millport, Carbon coun- ty. They have two sons, David Lloyd, who is a gradu- ate of Lafayette College, now identified with the Wilkes-Barre Railway Company, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and Charles W. Swank, Jr., a public accountant, of New York.
Taylor, Henry C., of Audenried, was born at Potts- ville, Schuylkill county, on October 29, 1838, the son of Charles W. and Susanna Taylor. A few years sub- sequent to his birth his parents removed to Miners- ville, in the same county, where they resided for more than sixty years.
The subject of this notice was educated in the com- mon schools and at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa. Enlisting in 1862, in the One Hundred and Twenty- Ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, he became quartermaster sergeant of the regiment, serving in that capacity until his command was mustered out of service. In 1868 he was appointed to the position of bookkeeper and paymaster of the Honey Brook Coal Company at Audenried. Later this company was ab- sorbed by the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, with which Mr. Taylor still remains after nearly forty- five years of service.
On October 19, 1892, he was married to Mary K. Koons, of Lehighton.
He is identified with the Grand Army of the Re- public and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Like so many others among his soldier com- rades, he is a loyal Republican, having cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.
Thomas, Albert J., one of the most influential citi- zens of Lansford, where he has for many years been a
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leader in business and financial circles, is the son of John and Jane (Morgan) Thomas, both natives of South Wales, but wedded in America. The father lo- cated in New York City, about 1832, and became a master machinist. Nearly twenty years later the fam- ily came to Old Sugarloaf, Hazleton, Luzerne county, where A. J. Thomas was born on June 8, 1853.
He received scarcely any schooling, and at the age of nine began life as a slate picker on the breaker. Later he was employed inside the mines. At the age of four- teen he came to Summit Hill to work in a store at a salary of seven dollars a month and board. In 1871, he became the manager of a store conducted by John C. Edwards and Anthony Schneider, under the firm name of Schneider and Edwards. This arrangement continued for five years. Lansford was now rapidly expanding, and Mr. Thomas, John C. Edwards and C. C. Edwards opened a general store there under the style and title of J. C. Edwards and Company. C. C. Edwards retired from the firm in 1882, while Mr. Thomas and J. C. Edwards continued as partners until 1898, when the former became sole owner of the busi- ness, still so remaining.
By fair dealing and business acumen Mr. Thomas has made his establishment one of the largest and busi- est in the county. He has been a man of varied inter- ests and great activity, taking a leading part in the development and upbuilding of Lansford and its insti- tutions. He was influential in the establishment of the postoffice in the town, in 1873, while being a prime mover in the organization of the borough, accom- plished a few years later.
When the Slavs began to pour into the coal fields, Mr. Thomas demonstrated his adaptability by early ac- quiring their language, thus facilitating intercourse
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HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY. 1
with the newcomers and gaining their confidence. He became their banker in his community and did a thriv- ing business among them as a steamship agent. He was one of the founders of the First National Bank of Lansford, and has served as its president from the start. This bank now has deposits of over a million dollars.
While he has never sought political honors, he has served as a member of the school board and of town council, also being elected to the office of county audi- tor as a Republican.
On February 9, 1875, he was married to Sarah, daughter of Thomas Walton, of Warsaw, Indiana. They have six surviving children.
Mr. Thomas is a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias, of Lansford. He is the owner of valuable real estate in the town. By reading good books and by self-culture, he has atoned for his lack of early educational advan- tages.
Trezise, Robert A., postmaster of Beaver Meadow, where he also conducts a grocery store, is the son of James and Mary (Stevens) Trezise. Both his parents were natives of Cornwall, England, where the father was during his youth employed as a miner of tin and copper. In 1865 he emigrated to the United States, locating at Stockton, Luzerne county, Pa., and follow- ing the coal mines. It was there that Robert was born on October 8, 1866.
When he was six months old the family removed to Beaver Meadow, where he attended the public schools until his eleventh year. He then entered the mines as a door-tender, becoming a contract miner at the age of sixteen. He and his father sank the first slope at Evans' colliery, near Beaver Meadow. In 1890, Mr.
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Trezise embarked in the grocery business, which he has since followed. In 1909, in association with J. M. Stauffer, under the firm name of Stauffer and Trezise, he operated a colliery at Beaver Brook, Luzerne coun- ty. This partnership was dissolved at the end of a year.
Mr. Trezise is a stockholder and promoter of the Penn Forest Coal Company, recently started and pros- pecting for coal at Penrose's, Banks township. He was the prime mover in the organization of the Beaver Meadow Rural Telephone Company, of which he is the agent, also taking part in the establishment of the People's Savings and Trust Company of Hazleton. He has for a long time been influential in the councils of the Republican party in the county, serving as a com- mitteeman and as delegate to various district confer- ences. In 1905 he was the nominee of his party for the office of register of wills and clerk of the orphans' court, but was defeated. During the following year he was appointed postmaster of Beaver Meadow.
He was married in 1889 to Emma, daughter of John Fry and his wife, Susan, of Beaver Meadow. Their four children are: Alma, Edith, John and Mary. Rob- ert died in infancy.
Mr. Trezise is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Patriotic Order of Sons of America.
Twining, Edgar, whose connection with the financial interests of Mauch Chunk antedated the establishment of the national banking system, and who was until re- cently the cashier of the Mauch Chunk National Bank, was born at Parryville on October 10, 1840. He was the son of Jonathan R. and Susan (Balliet) Twining. His paternal ancestors were Quakers, being numbered among the early settlers of Bucks county, Pa., while
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HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY.
his mother was descended from Paul Balliet, who emi- grated to America from Germany in the year 1738. He located in Lehigh county, where he became a large land owner and the father of a numerous progeny.
Jonathan Twining was the shipping agent of the old Beaver Meadow Coal Company at Parryville. When the freshet of 1841 destroyed the company's improve- ments there, the family removed to East Mauch Chunk, which then became the shipping point. Later the fa- ther became connected with the Hazleton Coal Com- pany at Penn Haven.
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