USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 171
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194
They turn out all kind of work pertaining to
foundries, but make a specialty in the manufac- ture of cast iron fences.
Since the death of Frank Peter, in 1907, his interests are looked after by his son, Stanley Peter.
They have a capital of $25,000 invested in the business, and employ 21 men.
In 1901, the postoffice, which had been lo- cated at Deibertsville, was removed to this place, and Francis Peter appointed postmaster.
The village contains 13 dwelling houses and has about 50 inhabitants.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
Friedens church, located at Hoffmans, was the first built in the township, having been erected in 1847. It was rebuilt in 1880, and remodeled in 1908. It is built of stone, and the outside is plastered and painted red, resembling brick.
The pastors of the Lutheran congregation have been as follows: Revs. Jeremiah Schindel, William B. Roth, Thomas Steck ( 1859-67), J. H. Renninger (1867-89), J. B. Fox (1889- 1901). Rev. J. H. Longacre is the present pas- tor.
The Reformed congregation has been minis- tered to by the following pastors, viz: Revs. Erasmus Helffrich, Levi K. Derr, William J. Peters, Nevin Neffrich, Augustus Piscator and James O. Oswald, who is the present pastor.
The present officers of the church are: Lu- theran-Elders, William H. Smith and Albert Leiser ; deacons, Henry Leiser, George Wassum, Milton Sleicher and John Hausman. Reformed -Elders, Paul Lentz and Lewis H. Peter ; dea- cons, Edward Rockel, Edgar Miller, Edwin Peter and Lewis Benninger.
The Reformed membership numbers 351, the Lutheran between 185 and 200.
The Methodist Episcopal, located at Slatedale, was begun in 1856, but the structure was not completed until 1858. Owen W. Owens and Stinson Hagaman constituted the building com- mittee. In 1888, under the pastorate of Rev. O. C. Burt, the church was remodeled.
On March 4, 1908, the property was sold to the Shenton Land Co., who needed the same for dumping purposes for their waste material. Out of the grave yard, connected with the church, 188 corpses were removed in the same year. The remains were re-interred into the Evangelical cemetery, located above the village. The work was supervised by Undertaker James A. G. Hunsicker, with a number of assistants, and the expenses incurred were borne by the church.
In 1910, they purchased a lot on Locke street from Thomas H. Shenton, and under the man-
959
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
agement of Rev. F. H. Huth, of Bethlehem, erected a new church at a cost of $4,000. The same was dedicated Dec. 11, 1910. The build- ing committee consisted of Frank E. Shenton, Alvin Weiss and James P. Brady.
The first pastor was Rev. John Jones, and the succeeding ones: Jacob Schlichter, Mc- Gee, Barr, Powers,
Durell, E. Townsend, B. F. Powell, O. C. Burt, Otho Brandt, Thompson,
Dougherty, - Toy, Byers,
Comly, - - Judd, Bassford,
Kerslake and others. The congregation at pres- ent is supplied by Mr. Jackson G. Everett, of Lehighton, a local preacher.
Reformed church. This clause, in 1889, saved the uncompleted church from falling into the hands of commercial men, and converted into a factory. The unfinished church, in 1889, was sold by the sheriff to Keck & Co., Allentown.
From them it was purchased by Lafayette German and Henry Kern who, at a reduced price sold it to a committee of the original or- ganizers. The church was first known as St. Paul's Lutheran and Reformed church, but after its re-purchase, at the suggestion of Wilson Rex, it was named "Holy Trinity" church. Much gratuitous labor was done by the organ- izers in the erection of the building, special men- tion being given to William Steele.
DEVIL'S PULPIT, ON BLUE MOUNTAIN.
The following named persons are the trustees of the church, which are the proper officers: Alvin Weiss, John Thomas, Joseph Bolton, Henry Hartline, Frank E. Shenton, James P. Brady, Henry Thomas, James G. Bolton and Norman Shenton.
The Lutheran and Reformed Church at Slate- dale was organized in 1888 by the following: Rev. J. S. Renninger, H. W. Bloss, Wilson Rex, Peter Ferber, J. H. Snyder, Henry Kern, William B. Krause and William Steele. The original building committee was H. W. Bloss, chairman; J. H. Snyder, secretary; Lafayette German, treasurer; Peter Ferber and Daniel Heintzelman.
Joseph German sold the lot, 100 x 150 feet, for $200.00, with a stipulation in the deed that the ground can only be used for a Lutheran and
At first services were held in the basement, but through the untiring efforts of the Ladies' Aid Society the upper part was finally finished and furnished. The seats were presented by Rev. Nevin Helffrich.
The building is of brick, 40 x 70 feet, with a basement. The cost of the completed church was about $6,400. The ministers were as fol- lows: Lutheran-Rev. J. S. Renninger ( 1888- 89) ; J. B. Fox, 1889-May 1, 1901 (died) ; J. H. Longacre, Jan. 1, 1902. Reformed-Rev. Nevin Helffrich started the mission; Augustus Piscator, April 10, 1903-April 30, 1909; James O. Oswald, March 1, 1910.
The officers of the church are as follows: Lu- theran-Joseph Sensinger and James Rehrig, elders; Hiram Hartline, Tilghman German, Richard Rau and Victor Wertman, deacons. Re-
960
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
formed-Frank Frantz and Menno Krum, el- ders; Edward Frantz, John Reitz, Howard Blose and Ralph Snyder, deacons.
The Reformed have a membership of 247, the Lutheran between 80 and 90.
Evangelical Association .- This denomination has two churches in the township. The first church was built in Slatedale in 1860. It was a stone building, 24 x 30 feet. The congrega- tion having increased, more room was required. In 1881, under the pastorate of the Rev. J. C. Bliem, a new brick church, 34 x 50 feet, was erected. To accommodate the members resid- ing in Franklin, a chapel was built there in 1885.
For further information, see "History of Evan- gelical Church."
St. Peter's Independent Evangelical Church. -This church is located at Emerald and was erected in 1894.
When the Evangelical Association split in 1894, and divided into two factions, the seced- ing faction styling themselves "The United Evangelical Church." The adherents of the se- ceding faction of this place decided to build a church of their own. In October, 1894, thev purchased the ground on which the church is built from Daniel Thomas and at once began operations. The church was dedicated in De- cember of the same year. The building com- mittee comprised the following: Justus Moyer, Peter Kern, Peter Oswald, A. C. Nolf, Oliver Yehl, Lewis Kuntz.
The building is of frame, and, including the lot, cost $3,500. They also have a double dwell- ing connected with the church, in one part of which the pastor resides.
The following named pastors have served the congregation : Revs. I. J. Reitz, D. S. Stauffer, John Woehrle, J. D. Kistler, A. W. Warfle and J. T. Layton.
The church membership is 90.
The following are the present officers: Stew- ards, Jeremiah Oswald, Osville Snyder and John K. Peter; trustees, Jeremiah Oswald, Peter Os- wald, A. C. Nolf, Willard Oswald and Albert J. Sechler.
Greek Catholic .- This church is located at Williamstown. For several years the congrega- tion held services in the school house. In 1909, they purchased the property owned by the Estate of Hugh Parry, and erected on it a frame church building at a cost of $4,500. Their pastor is the Rev. John Olssovsky, who resides at Catasau- qua.
PRIVATE GRAVEYARDS.
At the foot of the Hazel Dell Slate Company's high dump, among several large maple trees, and
a tall pine tree, on the north bank of Trout creek, is a private graveyard of the Kern family, who were the owners of the property. This graveyard was about 260 yards east of the orig- inal dwelling and barn. A number of citizens now living stated that up to 1890 the graveyard was kept in repair, and that fully fifteen graves could be seen, and that six or more of them had grave stones upon which were inscriptions. John J. Paules, of Slatington, recalls that one tomb- stone bore the inscription,
"Maria Kern, died in 1787."
Two broken slate stones remain standing, but the inscriptions are all defaced. Among those buried are: Frederick Kern (son of the pioneer ), "Blind" Nicholas Kern.
Another graveyard was located on the farm now owned by Leon P. Rex. It could be seen until about 1850. Since then the plow-share passes over the site, which is supposed to hold the mortal remains of George Rex and some members of his family. The farm upon which this graveyard was located was originally settled by George Rex, and the land warrant bears date 1739.
SCHOOLS.
The earliest information obtainable concern- ing the schools of the township relates to the year 1812, when a log building was situated where Edward Kern now lives near Lehigh Gap. The teacher was one Moyer, and the medium of education was exclusively German.
Later, about 1815, Dorsey Rudy held school in a log building where the Friedens church now is. In 1818, Moyer had a school where John Bauer now lives, near Rex's school building.
The first English school in the township was doubtless that which was opened by William Kern about 1820 in the old mill which stood in the middle of the road at the end of Trout creek.
The next English school was opened in 1847 at the house of David and Charles Peter by George Rinehart, and was taught at a later period by Cochran Sterling, who received eight dollars per month, and "boarded round." One still later was opened at Blose's mill. The building still re- mains standing.
The course of study was reading, writing, singing, spelling, arithmetic as far as the funda- mental rules, and generally the catechism. The course in reading embraced the A. B. C. book, the Psalter, and the New Testament. Many children whose parents could not afford to pay for their tuition, grew up in ignorance. The records still existing of transactions during those times, show that very few of the women and
961
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
many of the men could not even write their own names.
The school law providing for free education passed the legislature in 1834. Heidelberg, of which Washington was then a part, voted against its acceptance until 1848, when it was finally adopted. On this account they lost the money appropriated towards the maintenance of the schools from 1834 to 1848.
Washington, on becoming a separate town- ship, was divided into seven districts: Friedens, Furnace, Peters, Bachmans, Rexs, and two in union with Heidelberg and Whitehall. It now comprises thirteen districts, three of which con- tain two schools, and two three schools each. The school houses now in use are all good brick struc- tures, about 25 x 35 feet, and cost on an average about one thousand dollars each.
Friedens District .- School was held in the building owned by the church, until 1881, when the present school house was built.
Furnace District .- The first school house was a log building located at Blose's mill, and is still standing. In this building the late William H. Ainey, of Allentown, was one of the teachers. The next was of stone on the site of the present buildings. The first brick building was erected in 1876. A graded school was established in the district in 1895, when an additional build- ing was erected. Since 1908 only one of the schools has been opened.
Rex's District .- The first school house was a log building, and stood where John Bauer now resides. The next was a frame building on land of Jacob Rex. In 1872 a brick building was erected about one-fourth of a mile from the old one. In 1906 a graded school was established, and an addition added to the old building.
Peters District .- The first building stood on the property now owned by Oliver DeLong, and was built of logs.
In 1860, a frame building was erected on the property of David Peter; this was followed by another in 1872. In 1880, the first brick build- ing was erected. In 1899 a graded school was established and an addition added to the old one. Only one of the schools is now being used.
Newhard's District .- For many years school was kept in an old log building about one-half a mile from the present one, on land of Henry Peters. The present school house was built in 1876.
Williamstown District .- The first school house was a frame building, and was built in 1862. The present brick building was built in 1882.
Lehigh Gap District .- There have been three ·school houses in this district. It was the pioneer
pedagogue, Moyer, to whom allusion has al- ready been made, who taught school in 1812. A fairly good frame building succeeded the one in which he taught, and in turn was supplanted by the present brick building, erected in 1882.
Remaley's District .- The school in this dis- trict was an outgrowth of the village of Friedens. The present school house was built in 1870.
Renninger's District .- The present school house, built in 1877, was the first in the district.
Hoffman's District .- The first building was of frame, and in 1879 was sold to Tilghman Raber, who made it into a dwelling house. The present building was erected in the same year, and was located on the opposite corner from where the old building stood.
Newside District .- The present school house, built in 1889, was the first in the district.
Franklin District .- Two brick buildings were erected in 1876. In 1904 these were torn down and a fine two-story brick building was erected on the site. The building contains four class rooms and a basement.
The citizens of Franklin paid for building the cupola and furnished the bell.
It is heated by a hot air furnace, and it sup- plied with water from the Water Supply Com- pany. A fire escape was attached to the build- ing in 1908. The cost of the building was about $7,000.
Slatedale District .- A two-roomed brick building supplanted the frame building in 1882. In 1900 an addition was added to it. Because of the encroachment of the slate quarries, ad- joining the schools, it was found necessary to se- lect another site to accommodate the children. A plot of ground, 150 x 180 feet, was purchased from Lafayette German and Hugh Edwards near the center of the village for the sum of $2,050. In the fall of 1911 the foundation which is of concrete was made, and the building com- pleted in 1912.
It is a two-story brick building, and is one of the finest in the county. It contains four class rooms, a director's room, and a supply room. The basement is divided into apartments, one for the children to use in inclement weather, and the other for the heating apparatus and fuel. The floors of the halls and corridors are con- creted and the stairways, there being two of them, are furnished with slate stone steps. A brick wall, on each side of the corridor, is built from the basement to the cupola. The building has four exits, two on each end. It is heated by the hot air gravity system. It is supplied with water from the water company. A lavatory and a bubble fountain is placed in the hall, for the use of the children. The bell was presented by
962
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Thomas H. Shenton, one of the directors. The cost of the building alone was $10,000.
The township, in 1911, issued bonds to the amount of $13,000, payable within fifteen years, at 372 per cent., which were readily taken at par.
The school term is eight months. The tax rate is six mills. The amount collected for 1912 was $6,907.41. The number of pupils enrolled was 591, and the number of teachers employed 19. The following are the names of the teachers employed during the term of 1912-13, and the schools taught :
I. Friedens, Leda Rex.
2. Newhards, Raymond Hollenbach.
3. Remaley's, Charles Kunkle.
4. Peter's Secondary, Granville Krause.
5. Peter's Primary, Winnie Seip.
6. Hoffman's, Flossie Krause.
7. Newside, George Hoffman.
8. Lehigh Gap, Howard Steckel.
9. Williamstown, Edward Handwerk.
Io. Franklin Grammar, Sidney R. Peter.
II. Franklin Secondary, Harry Yaxtheimer.
12. Franklin Primary, Lizzie Roth.
13. Rex's Secondary, Irwin Kemmerer.
14. Rex's Primary, Lillian Neff.
15. Slatedale Grammar, Henry J. Schaller.
16. Slatedale Secondary, Cora Engle.
17. Slatedale Primary, Ina Kern.
18. Renninger's, Verna German.
19. Furnace, Claude Peters.
The official records of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Lehigh show the following to have been elected school directors :
1850-Daniel Peter, Jonas Hoffman.
1851-Benjamin Levan, Boas Hausman.
1852-John Hausman, Stephen Kern, Peter Roth, Chas. E. Beck, Tilghman Kuntz, Jacob Remaley.
1853-John Fenstermaker, Daniel Hunsicker.
1854-Stephen Kern, Jonas Blose.
1855-Peter Wert, Moses Kuntz.
1856-Daniel Krause, Peter Reber.
1857-Lewis C. Smith, Daniel Wehr.
1858 Henry Peter, William F. Mosser.
1859-Thomas Kuntz, Frederick Eberhard.
1860-Stephen Kern, Monroe Peter.
1861-Stephen Schlosser, Daniel Peter.
1862-George Krause, John C. Hankey.
1863-Edwin Scheckler, David Peter.
1864-Ezra Peter, Henry Hoffman. 1865-Francis Shenton, Thomas Kuntz. 1866-Stephen Schlosser, David Peter. 1867-David Hollenbach, Henry Peter. 1868-Stephen Kern, Christian Snyder. 1869-Francis Shenton, Nathan Peter.
1870-Daniel Peter, William Krause. 1871-
1872-Joseph Hunsicker, Stephen Kern.
1873-Francis Shenton, Nathan M. Kern.
1874-Ezra Peter, Thomas Casey.
1875-David D. George, Emanuel Wehr.
1876-Jacob Krum, Peter Newhard.
1877-Samuel Oswald, Tilghman Kuntz.
1878-David George, George Rex.
1879-Alfred Lentz, Daniel Sauerwine.
1880-David Hollenbach, Emanuel Wehr, Alfred Dorward.
1881-Francis Shenton, David Reber. 1882-Alfred Lentz, Reuben Bittner.
1883-Peter Kern, Emanuel Wehr.
1884-Aaron Handwerk, Lewis B. Geiger.
1885-Alfred Lentz, Reuben Bittner.
1886-Justus Moyer, Peter Kern.
1887-Chas. H. Kistler, Lewis B. Geiger.
1888-Alfred Lentz, David Reber.
1889-Justus Moyer, Peter Kern.
1890-Lewis B. Geiger, Elias Best, Chas. H. Kist- ler. 1891-H. W. Bloss, David Reber.
1892-Justus Moyer, Alvin Semmel.
1893-Alfred Lentz, Francis A. Peter.
1894-H. W. Bloss, David Reber.
1895-Oliver A. Krum, Henry F. Hollenbach.
1896-James A. German, Francis A. Peter.
1897-David Reber, H. W. Bloss.
1898-Lewis A. Dorward, Alvin P. Semmel.
1899-Francis A. Peter, James A. German.
1900-H. W. Bloss, David Reber.
1901-Lewis A. Dorward, Nathaniel H. Smith. 1902-Francis A. Peter, William W. Morris. 1903-H. W. Bloss, David Reber.
1904-Lewis A. Dorward, Nathaniel H. Smith. 1905-Francis A. Peter, James P. Brady. 1906-Henry F. Hollenbach, R. T. Sowden.
1907-Lewis A. Dorward, William H. Krum. 1908-Francis A. Peter, Benjamin C. Kuhnsman. 1909-Thomas H. Shenton, R. T. Sowden. 1910-Lewis A. Dorward, William H. Krum.
1911-Thomas H. Shenton, 6 yrs .; Lewis A. Dor- ward, 4 yrs .; Francis A. Peter, 4 yrs .; Wil- liam H. Krum, 2 yrs .; Benjamin C. Kuhns- man, 2 yrs.
THE SLATE INTERESTS.
The most important industry in this township after farming is the quarrying of slate. The first quarry opened in what is now Washington township, was opened at Slatedale, in 1848, by George and Nelson Labar. It was purchased by the Locke Slate Co., and for many years was superintended by Francis Shenton, one of the partners. Upon the death of his partners, Mr. Shenton became the sole owner and retained pos- session of the same until his death, when it passed into possession of his son Thomas. In 1904, he sold it to the Shenton Land Co. for the sum of $50,000.
Shenton Land Co .- This company was organ- ized in 1904 by the following named stockhold- ers : A. L. Rice, S. M. Rice, Frank Jacobs, Judge F. M. Trexler, H. H. Misson, Thomas Zell- ner, A. Klotz (Bellaire, Ohio), M. L. Black- burn, M. M. Rice, H. A. Mathieu and J. Wm. Mathieu.
Since the formation of the company, H. H. Misson purchased the interest of Judge F. M. Trexler, and S. M. Rice that of M. L. Black- burn.
963
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
The officers are, A. L. Rice, president, and H. H. Misson, secretary and treasurer.
They purchased the property formerly owned by Thomas H. Shenton for the sum of $50,000. The Provident No. 3, Royal Blue, Manhat- tan, Columbia, Crescent and Thomas H. Shen- ton quarries are located on the property.
Eureka .- This is a limited partnership asso- ciation, organized in 1894, with a capital of $10,000, composed of the following named stock- holders: R. F. Muschlitz, Thomas Zellner, F. A. Kreitz, Morris Hoats, and Reuben Helffrich. The following are the officers: President, Reu- ben Helfrich ; secretary, F. A. Kreitz; treasurer, R. F. Muschlitz. They manufacture roofing slate and slate products in the rough, and employ 90 men.
Blue Valley .- This company was incorporated in 1896, with a capital of $50,000. They worked it until 1910, when they leased it to the follow- ing named parties: F. A. Kreitz, R. F. Musch- litz, S. D. Behler, James G. Rauch, Henry R. Helfrich, L. H. Yeager, Charles W. Yenser and Thomas Johnson, who were incorporated in 1910 with a capital of $20,000. The following are the officers: President, Reuben Helfrich ; secre- tary, Charles C. Bechtel ; treasurer, S. D. Behler ; superintendent, Charles W. Yenser. They em- ploy 66 men.
Slatington Slate Co .- This company was es- tablished in 1852 by Henry Kuntz. It was in- corporated in 1894, with a capital of $25,000. They operate the Mountain quarry and factory, located on the Welshtown branch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and also the Franklin Tunnel quarry at Emerald. The officers are: President, Dr. F. O. Ritter secretary, C. M. Sandt; treas- urer and general manager, S. B. Costenbader. They employ 50 men at the Mountain quarry, and 65 at the Franklin.
Fairview .- This company was established in 1890, and incorporated in 1906, with a capital of $5,000. S. B. Costenbader is the president and treasurer, and Charles D. Thomas, secre- tary. The number of men employed is 35.
Blue Vein Slate Co .- Were incorporated in 1911, with a capital of $20,000. The follow- ing are the officers of the company: A. S. Haines, president and treasurer ; William D. Ritter, vice- president ; J. O. Haines, secretary; John J. Paules, superintendent. Their quarry is located at Slatedale. They manufacture roofing slate, blackboards and school slate, and employ 34 men.
The Provident Slate Co. is operated by A. S. Haines and Martin Koons. They operate a quarry on the Washington vein (No. I), near Emerald, and one (No. 3) at Slatedale, on the
Locke vein. They have a capital of $50,000 in- vested. They employ about 75 men.
Ellis Owens' Sons operate a quarry located at Slatedale, on the property of the Carbon Slate Co. They began operations in 1912, and have a capital of $15,000 invested. They manufac- ture roofing slate, blackboards and school slate, and employ 24 men.
Ellis Owens Slate Co .- This company is com- posed of Ellis Owens and William H. Williams. Their quarry is on the property of Rex and Bitt- ner, near Slatedale. They have a capital of $10,- 000 invested. They manufacture roofing slate and rough blackboards. They employ 24 men.
Lehigh Structural Slate Mfg. Co .- This company was incorporated in 1907, with a cap- ital of $25,000. The officers are: Thomas Bolger, president and manager James Bolger, secretary ; H. H. Misson, treasurer ; J. P. Wiswell, super- intendent ; Albert Rice, Moses Rice, Henry Myers, H. A. Mathieu. They are located at Slatedale, on the property of the Shenton Land Co. They manufacture all kinds of structural products and finished blackboards.
The Thomas H. Shenton Quarry .- This quarry is located at Slatedale. Mr. Shenton be- gan operations in 1899, and has a capital of $50,- 000 invested in the plant. He has one of the largest and best equipped factories in the country for the manufacture of slate electrical supplies, such as switch-boards, panel-boards, linings and switch bases. The products are shipped to all parts of the United States. Besides the specialty of manufacturing electrical products, he also makes roofing slate and blackboards. He em- ploys 55 men.
Columbia .- This company was started by Dr. A. P. Steckel, who began operating in 1876, and continued until his death in 1897. The estate continued in business until 1906, when the pres- ent company was incorporated, with a capital of $25,000. The company comprises the follow- ing members: F. P. Steckel, president; H. B. Stechel, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. Ursula A. Werley, Mrs. Chevis Fronsberger, W. I. Gahris. This company employs 50 men.
Acme Structural Co .- This company is lo- cated at Emerald. They organized in 1912, and comprises the following members: E. D. Os- wald, W. P. Oswald and Charles Moyer. Cap- ital invested, $2,000. They manufacture slate sink-tops and urinals.
Trout Creek Slate Co .- This company works a quarry near Slatedale. William E. Roberts is the owner and manager. He has a capital in- vested of $5,000 and employs 15 men.
Williams & Lentz .- This company is com- posed of William Williams and Julius Lentz.
964
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
They operate a quarry near Emerald, and began operations in 1912. They have a capital invested of $8,000, and employ 12 men.
The Cambridge Slate Co .- This company was incorporated in 1898, with a capital of $20,000. They operate a quarry about two miles north- west of Slatington. They manufacture roofing slate and blackboards in the rough. The officers are: President, D. R. James; secretary, W. J. James; treasurer, B. F. James; superintendent, Henry Maxwell, Jr., John R. James, William Wilhelm, Mrs. Henry Maxwell, Mrs. Pierce (Harrisburg). They employ 50 men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.