History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III, Part 48

Author: Heller, William Jacob; American Historical Society, Inc
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Boston ; New York [etc.] : The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 574


USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume III > Part 48


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Mr. Dodson was a man of strong and quick intelligence. He made little show of it, however ; he was a good deal interested in public affairs and especially in the recent issues of political economy, but he was no politician and no talker. If he impressed himself on the world about him, it was not in any of those ways which ordinarily command men's regard and admiration. He was simply a quiet, unobtrusive gentleman of refined tastes


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and habits, a business man of unblemished integrity and reputation, a humble, a devout follower of One Whose name was very seldom on his lips, but Whose precepts were written upon his heart and life. That is absolutely all. . His life said all there was to say, his daily walk was a single utterance of his belief and hope. If there was not something Divine in that existence he ever tried so anxiously to square with duty, in that sweet abiding charity which years of experience could not narrow or make cold, in that gentle courtesy of breeding which was begotten so utterly of his consideration for others, in that keen and happy wit which could always raise the laugh and never left a wound,-if there is nothing of God in this then it matters little indeed that he helped to found a church and gave liberally to it of his means. For us, what he was among the sanctities of the house of God is a precious memory, not because it is a thing by itself, but because it is at one with all his life besides.


Weston Dodson married, April 12, 1859, Jane Elizabeth Craig, and they were the parents of : Mary, married George Reginald Radford; Charles Miner, married Louisa Lake, and has Weston Dodson 2nd, James Lake and Mar- garet ; Jane, married William Radford Coyle, of the United States Navy, and they have a son, William Radford, Jr., and a daughter, Jane Weston Coyle.


TRUMAN MONROE DODSON-Identified throughout his life of seventy-eight years with numerous leading industrial and financial institutions in the Lehigh Valley, Truman Monroe Dodson wrote another chapter of worth and honor in the history of the family of Dodson. He was born in Hunting- ton, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1830, and died at his residence, No. 222 East Market street, April 4, 1908. After completing his youthful studies he obtained his early business experience mainly in West Virginia, whence he came from Wheeling, to Bethlehem, in 1871. He became asso- ciated with his brothers in the firm of Weston Dodson & Company, and at the time of his death was president of the company. He was one of the incor- porators of the Lehigh Valley National Bank of Bethlehem, for many years a director and official, and for several years prior to his death its president. He was a man of high standing in the anthracite coal industry and was long the occupant of honored and respected positions, from which only death removed him. He was one of the charter members of the Trinity Episcopal Church, on Market street, Bethlehem, and from its organization as a parish served continuously as a vestryman.


Mr. Dodson married, January 12, 1887, Katharine Hamlin, daughter of William K. and Caroline Hamlin, of Bethlehem.


CHARLES MILLARD DODSON, youngest of the three Dodson broth- ers, was born in Huntington, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1836, and died February 28, 1917. Because of the limited advantages offered by the public schools in the neighborhood of his home at that time, he was sent, when about fourteen years of age, to Baltimore, Maryland, where he attended the private school known as Newton Academy, conducted by Thomas Lester & Brother on West Baltimore street. Two years afterward he became a student in Luzerne Academy, at Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and after a two years' course became a clerk in the office of William Milnes, a miner and shipper of anthracite coal at Jeanesville, Pennsylvania, later transferring to the shipping office at Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. Subsequently he was in the transportation department of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Wheeling, West Virginia, and after three years in this service he began the study of law in the office of Messrs. Wheeler and Kimball. For a year he continued office work, then, after a course in the Law College at Cleveland, Ohio, he was admitted by the Supreme Court to the Ohio bar. In partner- ship with Judge Wilson C. Lennert he began the practice of his profession in Bucyrus, Ohio, and continued in legal work until 1863, when he joined his brother Weston in anthracite coal operations as Weston Dodson & Brother, with a main office at Bethlehem and branch offices at No. 228 Dock street, Philadelphia, and Old Trinity building, New York. His association


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with the firm continued under its later designation, Weston Dodson & Com- pany, and from 1908 until his death he was its president, his entire member- ship in the firm and his presidency of the corporation covering a period of fifty-four years. He was for many years a director of the Lehigh Valley National Bank, and for several years was president of that well known institution.


Mr. Dodson was interested in many local philanthropic and charitable institutions and was a trustee of St. Luke's Hospital. He was senior warden of Trinity Episcopal church, devoted in his religious duties, a man who con- formed to high personal standards.


Mr. Dodson married, December 26, 1872, Maria Rebecca Craig, born March 3, 1842, and they were the parents of Charles Weston, Truman Monroe and Alan Craig Dodson.


JOHN RONEY, now a veteran railroad man, who from boyhood until the closing of the present year, 1919, has known no other employer than the Lehigh Valley railroad, may review his career with the liveliest satisfaction, for it is one of exceptional honor and usefulness. He is the son of Joseph Roney, born in Baden, Germany, but lost his father at an early age, and was brought to the United States when a lad of nine years, finding a home in Brooklyn, New York, where he attended the public schools. In that city he also learned the baker's trade, and later moved to Easton, Pennsylvania, where he married Sarah Weaver, born in Fremansburg, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, daughter of John and Sarah Weaver, of Easton. Joseph Roney and his wife established their home on the South Side, and there spent their lives, Mr. Roney being employed at his trade. When the war between the States was wagcd he early enlisted as a private in the Twelfth Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, and for four years followed the flag of his adopted country wherever it led. At Gettysburg he was acting as a dispatch bearer in a portion of the battlefield where he was exposed to great danger, and finally did receive a wound which for a time incapacitated him from duty. He took part in many battles and won a good reputation as a brave soldier, receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war. In civil life he


was a quiet, self-respecting citizen, both he and his wife consistent members of the Lutheran church, he a Republican in his party affiliation. He died in Easton, in 1916, aged eighty-two years, his wife, whom he long survived, dying at the age of sixty-seven. Joseph and Sarah (Weaver) Roney were the parents of four children : John, of whom further; Mary, who died unmar- ried ; William E., a minister of the Lutheran church, who died in Danville, Pennsylvania, leaving a widow, Clara (Richards) Roney; and Sarah A., married Robert F. Michael, and resides in Easton.


John Roney, eldest child of Joseph and Sarah (Weaver) Roney, was born in South Easton, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1856, and there has ever made his home. He was educated in the public schools, but at the age of fifteen his school years endcd, and he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley railroad, his first assignment being to a work train, his wages $1.70 daily. A ycar later, in 1872, he left the work train for the round house, there becom- ing an engine wiper and machinist's helper. On May 1, 1874, he was promoted to the left-hand side of the cab, and he rode proudly out of the round house as the duly appointed fireman of Engine No. 24, named Lilliput, the first engine to draw a train over the extension of the Lehigh beyond Easton to Perth Amboy on tidewater. That division was ready for service in June, 1876, and the first time-table issued bore date of June 28 of that year. Mr. Roney did not continue on that division after its opening, but was transferred to Engine No. 12, running between Easton and Wilkes-Barre, that engine bear- ing the name, New Jersey. On October 12, 1879, he was promoted to the right-hand side of the cab, and became one of the engineers of the Lehigh &


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New Jersey division. He continued in active service as engineer until Decem- ber 1, 1898, then was transferred to another branch of the service. His new position was to the responsible post of air-brake instructor and air-brake inspector for the entire Lehigh system, and for ten years he fully met the requirements of his exacting position. On December 1, 1908, he was trans- ferred to the Lehigh & New Jersey division as road foreman of engines. He served in that position until November 1I, 1913, when he received a further promotion in appointment to the post of assistant trainmaster of the same division. His headquarters are at Easton, and there he is rounding out an almost half-century of continuous service. This proud and enviable record, beginning in boyhood and after forty-seven years of honorable service in many capacities still continuing, is one not often duplicated, and entitles the compiler to be regarded in a most favorable light. It bespeaks loyalty and ability of the highest order, trustworthiness and reliability under every circum- stance. He is still well within the age of retirement limit, and further useful- ness to his company will follow until that limit is reached.


When South Easton was yet a borough, Mr. Roney was elected a member of the Borough Council. He cast his first vote for Rutherford B. Hayes for president of the United States, and has ever since been a constant supporter of Republican candidates. He is a member of the Lutheran church, for years was its secretary, and for a few years a deacon. He is a member of Easton Lodge No. 152, Free and Accepted Masons; Columbia Lodge No. 139, Patri- otic Order Sons of America; Easton Lodge, Improved Order of Red Men.


Mr. Roney married, in Easton, Mary C. Roberts, daughter of John B. and Sarah Roberts. The family home at No. 1013 Wilkes-Barre street, South Easton, was built by Mr. Roney in 1877, and has been their continuous resi- dence for forty-one years. Mrs. Roney is also a member of the Lutheran church. They are the parents of four children : Joseph Henry, a machinist's helper in the Lehigh Valley railroad shops; Sarah Ann, wife of John Schaible, of Easton, and the mother of three sons, John, Edward and William Schaible ; Naomi Gertrude, married Reuben Messinger, of Easton, and has children: John, Gladys, Helen, Paul, Evelyn and Clair; Reuben, residing with his parents.


RUSSELL CHARLES SEIBEL-A former manager of Seip's Restau- rant and Café, Mr. Seibel has gained a wide acquaintance and high reputation as a caterer to the public appetite. He is an Easton boy, born and bred there, a graduate of the grammar and high schools. From graduation until April I, 1919, he was connected with the Seip establishment, a period of seventeen years. He is a son of Christian W. Seibel, born in Germany in 1857, who was brought to the United States in infancy. The family settled in Easton where Christian W. Seibel was educated, learned the baker's trade, and has ever since resided. He is engaged in business in Easton as a member of the firm, Seibel & Stofflet, conducting a bakery at No. 635 Northampton street. He married Alice S. Frederick, born at Windgap, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1860, daughter of Samuel Frederick. They are the parents of four children: William, married Helen Knecht, and resides in Easton ; George F., married Margaret Sweeney, also a resident of Easton ; Russell C., of further mention; and Parker C., married Ada Long, and is residing in Easton.


Russell Charles Seibel was born in the Fourth Ward of Easton, Penn- sylvania, January 16, 1884, and has spent his years, thirty-five, in the city of his birth. He passed the grade and high school courses of Easton's public schools, finishing with graduation, class of 1902. Immediately after high school graduation he entered the employ of Seip's Restaurant and Café as bookkeeper, and until Mr. Seip's death, September 1, 1918, he was closely associated with him in business. Mr. Seibel gradually extended his interest


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in the business until every department and its workings were familiar to him. When Mr. Seip reconstructed his entire business and made it a modern grill and restaurant, Mr. Seibel was his trusted adviser, and in a great deal of the management, particularly in the grill room, his ideas prevailed. Since Mr. Seip's death, Mr. Seibel was in full charge of the business as its manag- ing head until April 1, 1919. He was wonderfully qualified for that position, and under his care "Seips" was the leading business of its kind in the city of Easton. In June, 1919, he associated himself with Abels, Easton's lead- ing confectionery and ice-cream merchants. As manager of this concern, Mr. Seibel finds a still wider field for his business powers and activities. Mr. Seibel is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church. He belongs to Dallas Lodge No. 396, Free and Accepted Masons; Easton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Hugh de Payen Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar; and Van- derveer Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.


Mr. Seibel married, July 15, 1907, Minnie H. Case, daughter of Frank Case, of Easton. Their eldest child, Frank Harold, born June 4, 1908, died September 10, 1916. Jane Evelyn was born February 4, 1919.


CALEB H. VALENTINE-James A. Valentine, father of Caleb H. Valentine, of Easton, was born at Hackettstown, New Jersey, and died in Newark, New Jersey, in 1895, aged sixty-seven years. He was a son of Colonel Valentine and his wife, who was a Miss Ray, his father dying when his son James A. was quite young. James A. Valentine was bound out to John S. Robbins, of Bloomsbury, but he ran away, found a home in Bradford, Pennsylvania, and there spent many of the years of his life. He was a stationary engineer by occupation, but possessed considerable mechanical genius, and could take a hand at different trades. James A. Valentine mar- ried Mahala Jackson, born in Deckertown, New Jersey, daughter of Amos or Joel Jackson, three of her brothers being ministers of the gospel connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Valentine died in Jersey City, New Jersey, in September, 1912, aged eighty-four years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Valentine were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had seven children: Alvah, Charles J., Caleb H., Louisa C., Nettie E., Sophia, William S. This review deals with the life of Caleb H., third son.


Caleb H. Valentine was born in Troy, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, December 3, 1853. He was still young when his parents moved to Blooms- burg, New Jersey, and in that section he grew to manhood. His first teacher was a Mr. Wyman, and until moving to Phillipsburg in 1865, he attended the county schools. He spent three years in Phillipsburg schools, the family moving to Belvidere, New Jersey, in 1868. There he attended school one year, finishing his school years in 1869, and at once became his father's regular farm assistant, as he had previously been but a vacation helper only. He continued at the farm until July 24, 1871, then began a three years' apprenticeship at cabinet turning with Thomas F. Uhler, of Belvidere. He continued with Mr. Uhler as apprentice and journeyman until 1881, then began working in a furniture factory owned by the same firm, remaining until 1890. He then entered the employ of the New York Wood Fibre Company, of Belvidere, and was with that company until 1895, when the factory burned. From Belvidere he went to Whippany, Morris county, New Jersey, and started the Whippany Manufacturing Company, installing an entirely new equipment in their plant for the manufacture of fibre ware. After installing the machinery he remained a superintendent of the Whippany plant until December 10, 1898, when the factory was destroyed by fire. He then returned to Belvidere, where his family had remained during his absence in Whippany, and there became an engineer in the electric department of the Warren Wood Working Company. While he was holding that position he invented a new process for the manufacturing of fibre ware, which he pat-


Jos. Reichl


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ented. Later he organized a company for the manufacture of fibre ware' under his patents, erected a factory in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1901, and for two years he was superintendent of that plant. In 1903 he resigned and returned to Easton, and for five years was stationary engineer with the Northampton Portland Cement Company at Stockertown, Northampton county. In 1906 he became electrical engineer at Easton for the Northamp- ton Traction Company, going thence to his present position, janitor and night watchman for the Wilmer & Vincent Theatre Company.


Mr. Valentine married, at Belvidere, New Jersey, July 20, 1878, Minnie H. Exler, born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1858, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Christine (Dott) Exler. Jacob Exler was born in Wittenberg, Germany, and came to the United States when a young man, landing in New Jersey, where he married, his wife also born in Germany. They settled in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and later at Oxford Furnace, New Jersey. He died at the age of sixty-eight years, March 14, 1896. She died aged seventy-nine, January 23, 1910. They were the parents of six children : Minnie H., born in West Chester, March 24, 1858, educated in Oxford Furnace schools, going thence to Belvidere, New Jersey, at the age of seventeen, and there married Caleb H. Valentine; Susan; Mary ; John; Jacob ; Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Valentine are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Mrs. Valentine a member of the church societies. They are the parents of four children : Caleb H., Jr., of Belvidere, New Jersey, married Lizzie Shultz, and has two daughters: Helen E. and Myrtle Shultz ; Minnie Harriet, married Edward Rodenbaugh, of Clinton, New Jersey ; Mahala K., residing with her parents; William S., residing at home, married Vincent Siegfried.


JOSEPH REICHL-Born in Zahling, Austria, February 17, 1871, Mr. Reichl there obtained his education, learned the shoemaker's trade, and passed the first twenty years of his life. He is a son of Andrew Reichl, born in Zahling, November 30, 1831, died there in 1916, a farmer. Andrew Reichl married Julia Pummer, born in Zahling in 1833, died there in 1913, and in addition to Joseph they had the following children: John, now living in Austria ; Frank, deceased ; Theresa, married Andrew Roezcler, and resides in St. Louis, Missouri; Cecelia, married John Franz, of Zahling; Andrew, living in Eldendorf, Austria.


Joseph Reichl, on May 24, 1891, left his native land and sailed for the United States, finally reaching Allentown, Pennsylvania, unaccompanied by any of his family. He obtained employment in the factory of H. Leh & Company, there remaining until January 15, 1900, when he bought a hotel in Allentown called the Business House, and for twelve years he was its owner and proprietor. On April 1, 1912, he opened a grocery store in Allentown, but on September 1, 1913, bought the Oak Hotel, Fourth and Oak streets, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and since April 1, 1914, became its proprietor as well as its owner. The hotel has been greatly improved through remodeling and refurnishing since Mr. Reichl became its proprietor, and is now the best in that section of the city. He is an independent in politics, is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Loyal Order of Moose, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Gilbert Lodge, St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Allen- town, which he served for four years as financial secretary and four years in the church council. For nine years he was treasurer of the German Beneficial Union, also its vice-president and very active in its affairs.


Mr. Reichl married, September 25, 1894, Cecelia Boandl, born in Zahling, Austria. Children: Minnie Olga, born January 3, 1896, residing at home ; William George, born May 22, 1898, a plumber by trade, but now a member of the Bethlehem police force; Margaret Frances, born November 12, 1902, residing at home. Two other children died in infancy.


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DE LANCEY DAVIS-In the long ago, this branch of the Davis family in the United States came from Wales, William Davis, grandfather of De Lancey Davis, of Easton, Pennsylvania, making settlement in Chemung county, New York, where most of his life was passed in farming. He mar- ried Caroline McConnell, and reared a large family, including sons: De Lancey, Hopkins, Stephen, William W., and daughters: Charlotte, Rohamma and Caroline.


(II) William W. Davis, son of William and Caroline (McConnell) Davis, was born at the home farm in Chemung county, New York, and there fol- lowed farming all his life. He married Mary Claire, also born in Chemung county, her parents of Irish ancestry. They were the parents of four children : De Lancey, of further mention; Frank, residing at the Chemung county farm; Edward, an aviator, now inspector of aeroplanes for the Curtis Com- pany at their plant in London, England; and Ellen, residing at home.


(III) De Lancey Davis, son of William W. and Mary (Claire) Davis, was born at Horseheads, Chemung county, New York, August 30, 1882. He obtained a good education in the public schools, and was graduated from the high school of Elmira, New York, with the class of 1899. He at once became an apprentice to the machinist's trade, and for three years served the La France Fire Engine Company of Elmira, in that capacity. His term of apprenticeship completed, he continued with the La France Company from January I, 1902, until November of the same year as a journeyman machinist, then transferred his allegiance to the Erie Railroad Company, going into their shops at Brockwayville, New York, there continuing a machinist for five years. From Brockwayville he went to the Erie shops at Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania; thence to Howells, New York, as foreman of the erecting shops, there remaining six years; thence for one year to Salamanca, New York, in the same capacity; thence to Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, for two years as general roundhouse foreman ; coming to his present position, general roundhouse foreman for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, at Easton, at the end of his term of service with the Erie at Susquehanna. There have been no idle periods in his life since leaving the school room, and he is one of the reliable, substantial men of the railway service upon whose fidelity the public may rely.


Mr. Davis married, in Elmira, New York, April 24, 1907, Anna G. De Lancey, of Elmira, daughter of John J. and Ellen (Quinnel) De Lancey, and they are the parents of five children : A babe, who died unnamed; John W., Delancey (2), Anna, and Charles P.


FRANCIS C. KNOUSS-At Arendtsville, a village of Adams county, Pennsylvania, seven and one-half miles northeast of historic Gettysburg, Francis C. Knouss, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was born and spent his early life. His grandparents came from Germany and settled at Biglerville, Pennsylvania, where their son, David Knouss, was born July 1, 1848. David Knouss was an active farmer for many years of his life and is now living retired from all business cares. He was a soldier, serving for eighteen months in a Pennsylvania regiment, retiring on account of wounds received in battle. He was engaged at the Battle of Bull Run and the battles of the Wilderness, and saw hard service before receiving the wound which incapaci- tated him. He married (first) Sophia Cressler, of Shippensburg, Pennsyl- vania, who died in 1890, leaving her husband and a sister, Mary C., now the wife of Rev. C. Piercc, of Manteo, North Carolina. He married (second) Elizabeth Oyler, of McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1897, and of this union there were no children.


Francis C. Knouss was born at Arendtsville, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1887, and was there educated in the public schools. Upon arriving at suit- able age he apprenticed himself to a Gettysburg tailor and there continued


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until he had mastered his trade. In 1908, being then twenty-one years of age, he came to Bethlehem and there began business as a merchant tailor, meeting with pronounced success from the very beginning. He is now firmly established in business; his patronage is very large and of a very satisfactory character. Mr. Knouss has the leading trade in Bethlehem, and his friends say that he deserves it. He is an independent in politics, a member and deacon of the Lutheran church, member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Union Wheelmen, the Bethlehem and Clover clubs.




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