USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume II > Part 28
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
84
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Leibert. Later he was placed in charge of a department of No. I mill, under the late William Stubblebine. In the autumn of 1902, after the death of H. H. Dash, Mr. Connolly purchased the stock and fixtures of the cigar store and poolroom at the corner of Broad and Main streets, which he conducted very successfully until February, 1904, when he sold the business to Frank E. Fenner. He then took a position as salesman with the Bell Telephone Company, being connected with its office at Bethlehem. Here he proved himself so valuable that in July, 1904, he was made the local manager of this office, a post that he held for about three years, during which time he had the satisfaction of seeing the subscribers list increase nearly one hundred per cent. On August 1, 1907, he resigned from the Bell Company to accept a position with the Slate Belt Telegraph and Telephone Company, with offices at Nazareth, Mr. Conrad Miller, the owner of that concern, having sought him with a very tempting offer of a position as manager of the concern. which was at that time known as an independent company ; but in 1909 an arrangement was made between Mr. Connolly's company and the Bell Telephone Company for a traffic agreement, which gave the Slate Belt subscribers Bell service and eliminated the double telephone nuisance. Mr. Miller died in March, 1912, and Mr. Connolly was notified by the executors of his estate that they did not wish to retain the telephone interests, offering him an option on the purchase of the whole concern. This Mr. Connolly accepted, and shortly afterwards purchased the plant, associating himself, in this deal with a few of the prominent business men of the territory. His ability as a manager and executive began to make itself felt in the prosperity of the concern, and it gained a new lease of life, for the property has been since conducted with a high degree of success. Many improvements have been made in the plant and a large extension of the business. The value of the property has greatly increased during his time, and Mr. Connolly is justly regarded as one of the most successful and capable business men of this region. Mr. Connolly has not indeed confined his activities to this particular business, but has many other interests in and about Nazareth which occupy considerable of his attention and time. He is a director of the Northampton County Agricultural Society and takes an active part in the organization and management of the large county fair held under the
auspices of the society each year. He is president of the board of health of Nazareth. He made himself exceedingly active in the war activities during the participation of the United States in the European War, is a member of the Public Safety Committee, all the Liberty Loan committees, and held the responsible post of Food Administrator for Nazareth. He is also a trustee of the Nazareth Hall Military Academy, and manages the grain and dairy farm connected with that institution, and is a director of the Nazareth Young Men's Christian Association. In politics Mr. Connolly is a Republican and has been an ardent follower of the late Theodore Roosevelt for many years.
Albert G. Connolly was united in marriage June 9, 1903. at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with Emily F. Knauss, of that city, a daughter of the late William V. and Maria (Wilhelm) Knauss, old and highly respected residents of Bethlehem, the former being treasurer of the E. P. Wilbur Trust Com- pany of South Bethlehem for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Connolly three children have been born as follows: William A., born February 16, 1907; John S., born October 8, 1909; and Anna, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Connolly and their children are all members of the Moravian church, attending the church of that denomination at Nazareth. Mr. Connolly is prominently associated with all the Masonic bodies of this region.
WILLIAM MALCOLM McKEEN-Son of a soldier of the Union who gave his life that men might be free, Judge McKeen was endowed with a
85
BIOGRAPHICAL
birthright of love of freedom and independence which is strikingly illustrated in his public career. He was elected by the people to the high judicial office he now holds, judge of the Court of Common Pleas, for Northampton county. This right to independence of thought which he claims for himself he as freely grants to others, and takes issue with no man in matters purely personal. As a lawyer he won the respect of his brethren of the profession, and the confidence of a large clientele, while as judge, he has been just and fearless in his decisions, fairly dealing with all having law business to transaet in the court over which he presides. Aside from his professional eminence he has high standing socially, his pleasing personality, his inde- pendence and energy winning him a wealth of personal friends. Not yet at the zenith of life, the future is assured : he can look forward with a great confidence, and can review his past with satisfaction.
This branch of the MeKeen family in Pennsylvania was among the early settlers of Northampton county, coming from the north of Ireland. Judge McKeen is a grandson of Henry McKeen, who for years was a wholesale jeweler of the city of Philadelphia, he coming from Ireland to that city when a young man. Although he always retained his residence in Philadel- phia, he was for many years engaged in cotton manufacturing in South Easton. Judge MeKeen is of Easton birth, son of Lieutenant William M. and Annie L. (Adler) McKeen, both now deceased. William M. McKeen, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died at the youthful age of thirty-three, death resulting from the effects of wounds received in the battle of Shepherds- town. He enlisted in Company K, 118th Regiment, Pennsylvania Voltin- teers (Corn Exchange Regiment), of Philadelphia, August 21, 1862, as lieutenant, saw severe fighting, was wounded in battle, and was honorably discharged from the service March 25, 1863. After the war, Lieutenant MeKeen located in South Easton, and there, in connection with his father, Henry MeKeen, engaged in cotton manufacturing until his death. His memory is perpetuated in Easton by McKeen Post No. 576, Grand Army of the Republic. His wife, Annie L. (Adler) McKeen, also was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of sons and daughters: Jessie L., married Jacob L. Peters, of Philadelphia ; Anna h., married Clar- ence E. Seitz, of Easton, whom she survives; William M. (2), of further mention ; Henry B., of Easton. After the death of Mr. McKeen, Mrs. MeKeen married Abraham S. Knecht, attorney-at-law, of Easton, Penn- sylvania.
William M. McKeen, third child of Lieutenant William M. McKeen, was born in South Easton, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1869. He attended Easton public schools, completed his preparatory education at Trach's Acad- emy, then entered Lafayette College, class of 1888. Ilaving made choice of the law as his profession, he studied under his stepfather, A. S. Knecht, of the Northampton bar, and at Columbia University Law School, New York City. He was admitted to the Northampton bar, October 2, 1893, and cre this work is completed will have finished his quarter of a century of continu- ous professional work in the courts of that county, the stripling lawyer of 1893, the learned judge of 1919. He began his professional career as a law- yer alone, but in January, 1895, he became partner with his former preceptor. A. S. Knecht, under the firm name, Knecht & McKeen, that association continuing until the death of the senior partner, January 27, 1908. This connection was of the greatest benefit to the young man, Mr. Knecht repay- ing richly in experience and wisdom for the youthful energy and enthusiasm the younger man brought into the partnership. Just prior to his partner's death, Mr. McKeen had been elected district attorney, an office which he assumed in January, 1908, and held for four years. He then returned to private practice in Easton, so continuing until the campaign of 1915, when he entered the lists as a candidate for judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
86
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
He was not sponsored by either of the leading parties of the county, but made the race running upon a purely independent, non-partisan tieket. He was awarded the verdiet of the polls and took his seat upon the county bench on the first Monday of January, 1916. His political preferences are Democratic, but his independence is strongly marked, and he is in no sense a political judge. He is learned in the law, just and upright, his one con- sideration being that justice shall be meted out in its proper proportions to all offenders and litigants. He is a member of a number of social and fra- ternal organizations, and greatly enjoys the social side of life as exemplified in fraternity and club. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to the cause of the public good, and in a broad-minded, publie-spirited way aids in all good causes.
Judge McKeen married, January 7, 1899, Catherine D. (Tice) Kutz, widow of John Kutz and mother of Natalie C. Kutz, who became Judge MeKeen's legally adopted daughter, and is the wife of Dean B. Hale, of Akron, Ohio.
WILLIAM E. CHURCHMAN-In July, 1911, there was added to Easton's already splendid list of educational institutions another school for training young men and for special branches of work, a school which dur- ing the years that have sinee passed has fully justified its creation and more than met the expectations of its founders, William E. Churchman and Russell E. Eckert, owners, principal and vice-principal of Churchman Busi- ness College. The college is unique in one particular at least in that the proprietors are teachers, superintending the various departments, but also going regularly to their classes. The advantage in that is the coming in contact with each student and becoming familiar with the problems of each. This is a practical way of training a worker for practical work, and that is the great educational idea now prevailing in all schools.
William E. Churchman, son of Charles and Mary E. (Moore) Church- man, was born in Cecil county, Maryland, May 16, 1881. His father is now a resident of Wilmington, Delaware, but Mrs. Churchman is deceased. After courses in the county publie schools and North East High School, the young man was a student at St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland, for a time, then began a course of business college training which fully equipped him for his future career as an educator along special lines. He is a graduate of Goldey Commercial College, Wilmington, Delaware, and Wilmington Business School, finishing in 1900. He taught in the last-named institution for one year. In 1901 he accepted a position with the Easton School of Busi- ness as head of the department of shorthand, and from that year dates his Easton residence. For seven years he continued with the Easton School of Business as department manager, then in 1908 was appointed manager of the school. He continued the managing head of the institution until July, 1911, when in association with Russell E. Eckert he founded Churchman Business College, which has enjoyed a prosperous career during the seven years of its existence.
The college was located in Easton's best and finest fireproof building, the Northampton National Bank building, occupying commodious quarters on the third floor. April 1, 1919, the college removed to the corner of Fourth and Pine streets, where they have commodious quarters occupying two floors, with all modern facilities, etc. The college is open the entire year, and from September until March a night school is in session three nights in each week. The faculty consists of Mr. Churehman and Mr. Eekert with eight assistants, all teachers of many years' experience. The courses are commercial, business administration, stenographic, secretarial and Eng- lish, all well balanced, thorough and complete. The college is taxed to capacity and their experiment of a summer school, Easton's first, has proved
87
BIOGRAPHICAL
most successful. An added course, public accounting, is in charge of Mr. Eckert, who for the past seventeen years has practiced public accounting.
Mr. Churchman was one of the organizers of Easton's Rotary Club and its secretary from its inception in February, 1915, until June, 1918. He has taken active part in Easton's "Win the War" movements and is interested in other city movements. He married, September 21, 1906, M. Lettie Reed, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of Charles E. and Claire E. Churchman. The family home is No. 310 North Tenth street, Eastonl.
RUSSELL E. ECKERT-As vice-president of Churchman Business Col- lege and a partner in its ownership and management, Mr. Eckert occupies a position as business man and educator, for which his many years of business experience eminently qualify him. He is, moreover, as is Mr. Churchman, his partner, a teacher in the college in the practical accounting department and has his private work in accounting as well as his college classes. He is a son of Milton E. and Araminta (Nicholas) Eckert, both born in Easton, Pennsylvania, of ancient Pennsylvania family, and both deceased. Mrs. Eckert was a daughter of Captain Joseph Nicholas, of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, a veteran of the Mexican War. Milton E. Eckert spent his life in Easton, a man of industrious habits and upright life. He was a mem- ber of the Baptist church and passed away in 1916, surviving his wife sixteen years.
Russell E. Eckert was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1881, and was educated in the public schools of the city. After completing his studies, he became cashier with the Grand Union Tea Company, at their Easton store, and for three years he held that, his first position in the bnsi- ness world. From that company he passed to the Northampton Portland Cement Company as timekeeper, and from that position received successive promotion until reaching that of chief clerk. He continued with that com- pany for seven years, and during that period gave special study to the science of accounting and finance. For a time after leaving the cement company he was in the accounting department of the Bethlehem Steel Company, but soon resigned to enter the employ of the Zearfoss and Hilliard Lumber Company, serving that company as manager for a term of eighteen months. He had steadily continued his study in expert accounting and finance and had reached a point where he felt justified in announcing himself a public accountant, which he did.
In July, 1911, he made perhaps the most important move of life hitherto, when, in association with William E. Churchman, an experienced business college teacher and manager, they founded Churchman's Business College, each of the owners also taking classes in the studies in which they were specialists. To his seventeen years as an accountant Mr. Eckert now adds seven years as a teacher, and he is but thirty-seven years of age. He is well known as a public accountant, having a number of firms that depend upon him as an expert, and this with his college classes and management fill his time to the full. He is most energetic and untiring, the secret of his success being his determination to succeed.
He has given freely of his energy to the prosecution of the various movements known as war activities, and in the 1917 and 1918 "war drives" in Easton was in charge of the accounts. Ile so systematized the handling of the materials and the supplies for the Easton Chapter of the Red Cross that a saving in time and money was effected, and he serves the chapter as auditing treasurer. He performed a similar service for the War Chest Fund by systematizing and auditing the accounts, assistance which he will con- tinue to render during the period of the war. He is a member of the Northampton County Historical Society, the Pomfret Club, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rotary Club and Arndt's Lutheran Church.
88
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Mr. Eckert married, November 22, 1900, Marie E. Walter, daughter of Enos and Clementine Walter, of Palmer township, Northampton county. They are the parents of a daughter, Margaret A. Eckert. The family home is at No. 710 Brodhead street, Easton.
JOHN MITCHELL TUGGEY-The grandfather of John M. Tuggey, head master of Bethlehem Preparatory School, was David Tuggey, who came from the south of England many years ago and located in the town part of the Province of Quebec. His wife, Elizabeth A. Tuggey, was born in the same section of England and was a true pioncer. They reared a family in the wilds of a new country and thoroughly furnished them for the battle of life. Among their sons was Charles, who founded in the United States the family of which John M. Tuggey is a representative.
Charles Tuggey was born in Canada, and during his active life was a prosperous carriage manufacturer. He is now living a retired life at Con- stable, New York, thoroughly enjoying his evening of life. He is a Demo- crat in politics and one time active in local affairs, always public-spirited and progressive. He married Elizabeth Mitchell, born in Montreal, Canada, of Scotch parentage. Her father, John Mitchell, was born in the Highlands of Scotland; her mother, Janet (Houston) Mitchell, was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tuggey were the parents of three sons: John Mitchell, of further mention; David Charles, a farmer, of Constable, Franklin county, New York; Robert Alexander, a hardware merchant, of Montreal, Canada. They also have a daughter, Elizabeth, wife of George Bruce, a merchant of Constable, New York. Constable lies near the Cana- dian line, and the family is gathered around the old home and their honored parents.
John Mitchell Tuggey was born at Norton's Creek, near Montreal, Canada, February 18, 1878. When he was quite young his parents moved to Franklin county, New York, and in the town of Franklin, he completed high school study. He also was a student at Franklin Academy, in Malone, New York, passing thence to Union University, at Schenectady, New York, whence he was graduated, A.B., class of 1900. The year following gradua- tion he taught at "The Perkiomen School," at Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, and then the two succeeding years was an instructor at "The Gunnery," Washington, Connecticut. From the Gunnery he went to The Thurston School, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, there teaching for five years, then in 1908 became head master at The Boys' Collegiate School in Pittsburgh. For seven years he continued the highly esteemed head of the Collegiate School, then resigned to accept the head mastership of Bethlehem Preparatory School, an institution of much more than local fame, situated in Bethlehem, Penn- sylvania. In 1912 he was awarded the master's degree in the School of Education of the University of Pittsburgh. These years have imparted a wealth of experience and confidence to the young teacher, and from the novice have transformed him, although yet a young man, into the veteran educator. Arguing from the past into the future, there is naught in the coming years but will add to the brightness of the career so auspiciously begun and continued until the present. Professor Tuggey is an Independent in politics, bound by no ties save his own judgment of men and measures; a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, the Rotary Club, the North- ampton Country Club, Bethlehem Club, University Club, and several pro- fessional societies.
He married (first) Florence McGibbon, September 17, 1902, in Con- stable, New York, and they had a son, John Mitchell Tuggey, born June 19, 1903. The first wife died January, 1906. He married (second), December 24, 1908, in Brooklyn, New York, Ellen Noble Farnam, daughter of George W. and Elenor Farnam, of Brooklyn, both parents now deceased, her father
John Mitchell Tuggey
THE EN YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LENIX AND TILDEN FRE NDATIONS B L
89
BIOGRAPHICAL
a prominent business man of Danbury, Connecticut, and New York City, also a veteran of the Civil War. They are the parents of one son.
DAVID WILLIAMSON NEVIN-Ranking high both as professional man and citizen, Mr. Nevin, in addition to his two foll distinction, has been of extraordinary value to his country during the strenuous period from which we are so proudly emerging, as a member of the board in charge of the selection of soldiers to go to the front. His official service to his adopted city has been rendered in Common Council, and, as mayor of Easton, he won the commendation of all lovers of good government, and they so heartily rallied to his support that he enjoys the distinction of having held the mayoralty for a longer period than any other man in the history of the city. His residence in Easton dates from September, 1870, and that date he re- gards as a red letter day in his calendar of life, the city being also a gainer in the opinion of his many friends.
David W. Nevin, son of Samuel Williamson and Harriet ( Balch) Nevin, was born near Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1853. Ilis educa- tion begun in the public school was continued in Tuscarora Academy, Cham- bersburg Academy, and Lafayette College. He entered the last-named insti- tution with the class of 1874. and completed his sophomore year, then was stricken with an illness which, for the time being, terminated his college career. Upon recovery, he was employed in the United States Pension Office at Philadelphia, later returning to Lafayette, whence he was graduated, A.B., class of 1875, and A.M., in 1878. He then pursued courses of legal study under the direction of Edward J. Fox, Sr., and on June 14, 1877, was admitted to the Northampton county bar. Being located in Faston he began practice the same year, becoming so well known professionally that he was made the candidate of the Republican party in 1877 for district attorney. From that year dates his political career, and while his first candidacy was unsuccessful, it in no way lessened his popularity. While he has continued in the practice of his profession all these years, now numbering more than forty, his political activity has brought him so prominently into the public eye that it is in the capacity of a city official that he is best known to his fellow citizens. In 1879 he was elected town clerk of Easton for a term of three years and also secretary of the board of health for five years. In 1886 he was elected from the Second Ward to the Easton Borough Council, and when the city went under the provisions of a city charter in 1887, he was elected to represent the same ward in the first city Common Council. and has the distinction of having been chosen its first president. He repre- sented the Third Ward in 1893, and again in 1897 represented the same ward in Common Council. In 1897 he was appointed deputy prothonotary of Northampton county, and in that office continued until 1900. In 1905 he was elected to represent the Third Ward in Select Council for a term of four years, and in 1911, was elected by his fellow citizens to the highest city office within their gift, and for four years he most satisfactorily served them as their chief executive. In 1915, he was again chosen mayor for another four years, and is at present mayor, his term expiring January, 1920.
Three years of his second term have already passed, and during the seven years which he has held the office of mayor, he has more than met the expectations of his friends as an executive of rare administrative power. This is true also of each of the many responsible offices which he has filled, and it is a source of gratification to him that his efforts to have the city substantially benefit through his tenure of office are so fully appreciated and endorsed by all friends of good government. In addition to his profes- sional work and official duties he has business interests of importance, and to him is due the construction of the first electric railroad, not only in Easton, but the road he there built in 1887 antedated those of either New York or
90
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Philadelphia. He was a director of the Easton National Bank for fourteen years, vice-president, 1915, and acting president from August, 1917, to Octo- ber, 1917, when he resigned all his bank offices. He is secretary-treasurer of the Easton and South Easton Suspension Bridge Company ; secretary-treas- urer of the Lehigh Bridge Company, and the Weygadt Mountain Railroad Company. On June 22, 1917, he was appointed a member of the United States Selective Service Board, and to the duties of that office he has given devoted attention until the end of the war rendered the duties useless. His public service includes much attendance on public gatherings with conse- quent delivering of set speeches and addresses, over two hundred speeches having been delivered during his seven years in the mayoralty. One of these was made upon the presentation of Easton's official flag, and the presenta- tion of a sword to General Payton C. March on May 30, 1918. in behalf of the citizens of Easton, Pennsylvania. He was present on November 19, 1863, and heard President Lincoln deliver his famous Gettysburg specch. He has been a promoter of many worthy movements, and perhaps more than any living man has contributed towards Easton's development. Filled with vim and vigor, he is daunted by no obstacle, and everything he under- takes he finishes.
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.