Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1006

USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 100
USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 100
USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 100

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DWARD J. FOX was for many years one of the most influential members of the Bar of Easton, and his death was a loss to the profession he had so highly honored. By his no- ble life he added lustre to the name he bore, which had already gained prominence both in Ireland and England. There are memorials to Michael Fox, one of his ancestors, in the Church of SS. Peter and Paul, in Northamptonshire, and the eoat-of- arms used by Edward Fox was recognized by the Herald's visitation. Through connection with an insurrection in Ireland against the English Gov- ernment the family was finally dispersed.

The first representative of the family in Amer- ica was Edward Fox, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1752. Some years prior to the Revo- lution he emigrated to America, and settled in Philadelphia, where, in 1780, he married a sister of Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant. He studied law in the office of Samuel Chase, of Maryland, who was afterward appointed by President Washington one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, and in 1783 served as Auditor-General of Pennsylvania. John, a son of Edward Fox, was born in Philadelphia April 26, 1787, and was grad- uated from the University of Pennsylvania. Un- der the preceptorship of Alexander J. Dallas (after- ward Vice-President of the United States) he pur- sued the study of law, and was admitted to the

Bar in 1807. Opening an office in Newtown, then the county seat of Bucks County, he remained there until its removal to Doylestown in 1813. June 6, 1816, he married Margery, daughter of Gilbert Rodman, of Bensalem. The Rodman fam- ily was numbered among the early settlers of the Colonies. John Rodman removed from England to Barbadoes, West Indies, and resided there until his death, in 1686. Gilbert Rodman was disowned by the Quaker congregation of which he was a member for serving as Major in the Second Bucks County Battalion in the Amboy campaign of 1776. His brother William was also disowned by the society for taking the oath of allegianee in 1778. He served under General Laeey in 1781, and commanded a troop of horse in the Fries re- bellion in 1799. He was a member of the State Senate, and was a Member of Congress from 1812 to 1816.

Locating in Doylestown in 1813, John Fox prac- ticed law there until 1830, when he was appointed President Judge of the Bucks and Montgomery District. In 1814 he was made Deputy Attorney for the county by Governor Snyder. A term of court in that year met a few days after the burn- ing of the Capitol at Washington. After the open- ing of the court, Judge Fox arose and said that while the British were devastating the country his place was not in court, but in active service against the enemy. Leaving the court house, he joined a company preparing for the field, and was elected its Lieutenant. A man of superior talents, he was especially prominent in the political eontro- versies of his day, and was one of the best posted men of the state. In 1841 he retired from the Bench and resumed the practice of law, continu- ing thus engaged until death terminated his ca- reer. He passed away at Doylestown April 15, 1849, aged sixty-two.

The subject of this sketch, a son of Judge Fox, was born at Doylestown, September 15, 1824, and at an early age entered Princeton, where he gained a practical literary education. On leaving college he began the study of law with his father, in July, 1841, and the day after attaining his majority was admitted to the Bar. Soon afterward he formed a partnership with his elder brother, Gilbert Rod-

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man, at Norristown, but after a short sojourn there went to Philadelphia. Some time afterward he returned to Doylestown as a partner with his fa- ther, and remained until the death of the latter.

June 5, 1849, Edward J. Fox married Miss Mary C., daughter of James Wilson, of Easton. This lady died November 27, 1871, and on the 16th of January, 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth F., daughter of Hon. James F. Randolph, of New Jersey. In 1846 Mr. Fox was admitted to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the fol- lowing year was admitted to the United States Distriet and Cireuit Courts, and in October, 1875, first presented himself to the Supreme Court of the United States at Washington. In October, 1853, he came to Easton, where for thirty-six years he eondueted a large praetiee. In January, 1882, lie formed a partnership with his son, Edward J. Fox, Jr., which continued until his death.

For a quarter of a century Mr. Fox was eon- eerned in important litigations throughout the eastern part of Pennsylvania and in the eourts of Philadelphia. Some of the eases in which he was counsel were among the most important ever tried in the state, ealling into requisition the ability for which he was so widely known, and bringing him into ever-inereasing fame as a lawyer. His pro- fessional duties engrossed his attention to the ex- elusion of official or public positions. He was never an aspirant for office, although aggressive in the support of the Democratie party. His serviees were always in demand during campaigns, and by his foreible speech and pleasing manner lie won many friends for his party. It is said of him by those who have often listened to his publie ad- dresses that his speech upon great occasions reached the very highest point of spoken eloquence, and his power over his audienees was complete.

Without any impairment of mind or body, Mr. Fox remained to the end the capable attorney and aetive citizen. November 22, 1889, he finished the trial of an important case. In the evening he went to a church supper at Brainerd Presbyterian Church, of which he had been an Elder for more than thirty years. He went in the anticipation of a pleasant evening, and looking forward to a busy morrow. As ever, he was noticeably cheerful and

genial, but while seated, apparently in the midst of pleasant converse with his friends, it was no- tieed that his head had fallen forward on his chest. In a few moments he passed away. Thus quietly, peacefully and calmly terminated the life work of one of Easton's most honored citizens.

From friends throughout the state eamne tributes to the memory of the illustrious dead. On the 25th of November memorial serviees were held by the Northampton County Bar, when the members of the fraternity spoke feelingly and eloquently concerning the eareer of Mr. Fox, and his able and upright character. The following memorial was adopted:

"Be it resolved, as expressive of the sense of tlie Bar of Northamptonf County,

"That in the death of Edward J. Fox, Esq., we have lost a brother of great ability, high charae- ter, and conspieuous attainments in the profession of the law; but our memory will long reeall the eloquence of his lips, our minds still dwell upon his graceful presenee and courteous manner, and our hearts still cherish the recollection of his fidelity to eourts and elients, his ennobling example, his Christian life and his many virtues."

The Lehigh County Bar Association, in conven- tion assembled November 25, passed the following tribute to the memory of Mr. Fox, which expresses the opinion held of his abilities by all who knew him:

"In their professional connection with Mr. Fox, extending over the last thirty-five years, he has always proved himself an honorable and skillful practitioner, a faithful attorney, and an ornament to the profession. Equally distinguished in the eivil and criminal eourts, he easily beeame one of the leaders of the Northampton and Lehigh Bars, which position he steadily and easily maintained. His learning was deep and thorough; his eonduet of a ease unexeeptional; his arguments were log- ieal and eonvineing, and presented with an elo- quenee essentially his own. In trials in court he was an opponent whose courage, industry, learn- ing and skill made him formidable; as a man, and aside from the contest of the forum, he was a warm-hearted and amiable companion, full of agree- able anecdote and witty rejoinder; in manners

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straightforward, easy and eordial, he bound his professional brethren to himself with links of steel. Throughout his career he lived up to the highest professional and moral standard, and his life and work remain a shining exemplar to those who fol- low him in the pursuit of that jealous mistress-the Law."

J OHN W. HORN is one of the oldest and most trusted employes of the Bethlehem Iron Com- pany, and holds the very responsible position of yardınaster. Conseientious and careful in the discharge of his duties, he merits the high re- gard in which he is held by the company, with which he has been identified for several years. He has worked his way up in their employ from the foot of the ladder, as he was formerly only a mill- hand.

Born in Weissport, Carbon County, February 9, 1852, our subject is the son of Herman Horn, a butcher and also a boat-builder by trade. He was afterward engaged in farming in Carbon County, and at Laury's ran a flourmill for five years. Sub- sequently removing to Springtown, in Bucks Coun- ty, he engaged in the milling and lime business until becoming a resident of Bethlehem, about 1869. when he engaged in general merchandising in South Bethlehem, which town he helped greatly to develop. He is now living retired, his resi- denee being in the western part of the eity. Dur- ing the Civil War he was a member of a Pennsyl- vania company of cavalry, in which he served as Captain at first, but resigned; afterward he was made Lieutenant. Though now seventy-eight years of age he is still active. He is a member of Fritz Memorial Church, of which he was one of the or- ganizers, and in which he is now a Trustee. In former years a Whig, he has been identified with the Republican party since its formation. His wife, whose maiden name was Amelia Warner, was born in Mauch Chunk, Carbon County, where her fa- ther settled when he came from England. Mrs. Horn died June 14, 1887. Of her twelve children ten grew to maturity, and nine are now living. The paternal great-grandfather of our subjeet was

a native of Germany, and his son, our subject's grandfather, carried on the business of a buteher and hotelman at Lehighton, Pa.

Until 1862 John W. Horn resided in Carbon County, the home of his boyhood. He then went to Lehigh County, where he learned the miller's trade, and also attended the common sehools. In 1867 he worked for John Sims at Emaus for one year. Thence going to Muskegon, Mich., in 1868, he worked in the lumber business, teaming, ete., for some fifteen months, when he returned to this state, and at Laury's entered the employ of the Lehigh Railroad Company. In 1870 he became a resident of Bethlehem.

For a year after his arrival here Mr. Horn was employed in Schmoek's Coal Yard in South Beth- lehem, after which he became identified with the Bethlehem Iron Company, first as a mill hand, la- ter as an engineer, then as weighmaster for several years, and finally, in 1889, was made yardmaster. This responsible position he fills aeeeptably, about fifty men being under him .in this department. There are about twenty-five miles of tracks in the yards, and eight engines are used for shifting.

The residence of Mr. Horn is located at No. 150 North Street, his home being presided over by his worthy wife, to whom he was married in this city, January 18, 1872. Mrs. Horn, formerly Miss Es- ther M. Ruth, was born at Hamilton Square, Mon- roe County, this state, and is a daughter of the late George Ruth, of Cherry Valley, Monroe Coun- ty. Her grandfather, also George Ruth, was a na- tive of England, and after emigrating to America followed agriculture in Bucks County, Pa. Mrs. Horn's father removed to Monroe County, settling in Hamilton Township, where he engaged in weav- ing. In 1869 he located in Bethlehem, working at his trade" on North Street until shortly before his death in 1881, at the age of seventy-four years. He and his wife were members of the Reformed Church. The latter, a native of Monroe County, is of German deseent, and was in her maidenhood Susan Fenner. She is still living, her home being on North Street, and though eighty-three years of age her health is still good, though she has been blind for ten years. Two of her sons served in the late war. Charles was wounded in the service,

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but recovered. He met his death in the Avondale coal mine disaster. Israel, who was also in the war, is now a resident of Scranton. Mrs. Horn is one of nine children, only five of whom are living. She and her husband have one daughter, Minnie, eight years of age.

Fraternally the original of this sketch is identi- fied with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, of which he is Past Chief; he is also a Past Offieer of the Knights of the Mystie Chain. He belongs to the Knights of Honor, and also to the Bethlehem Iron Company's Relief Association. In politics he is much interested, having been a delegate to coun- ty conventions. He gives his allegiance to the Republican party. With his wife he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and is active in ehureh work, and liberal in the support of all eonneeted with his denomination.

EORGE JOHNSON, proprietor of the Cat- asauqua Steel Works, is the oldest manu- facturer in his line of business in America, and has been very prosperous, being now inde- pendently wealthy. He has worked his way up to the top from the lower rounds of the ladder, hav- ing in boyhood started in the roller mills at Pitts- burg, and in suceession learned every branch of the work, being rapidly promoted on account of marked ability and ambition.

The birthplace of George Johnson is in Derby- shire, England, where huis birth oceurred March 11, 1851. His parents were Henry and Rebecea (Robinson) Johnson. The former was born in Derbyshire, being the son of George Johnson, who was formerly engaged in the eoal business in Shef- field, where he died in 1879. Mrs. Henry Johnson was born in Hastings (a suburb of London), where her uncle was at one time Mayor, and is a daugh- ter of George Robinson, a hotel-keeper. Mrs. Johnson resides in this city with her children, en- joying a peaceful and happy old age. Henry Johnson was reared in Sheffield, and early learned the business of steel and iron work. Later he en-

gaged in business for himself, turning his atten- tion to the manufacture of cold-rolled steel, and in 1861 located in Pittsburg, where he built the steel works for Hussey, Wells & Co. When the Brad- ford Reservoir in England was destroyed in 1860 he lost his property, and landed in the New World without anything, but three years afterward he went baek to his native land and settled his ac- counts. For a number of years he operated the steel mills for Hussey, Wells & Co., of Pittsburg, and then went to Massachusetts, building the steel works for the Whipple File and Steel Manufacturing Company at Ballard Vale, getting it in running order. Thence he went to Croton, N. Y., engag- ing in business for himself in the manufacture of steel and iron by the use of water-power. In 1870 he removed to Napanoch, N. Y., continuing in the same line of trade until going to Haverstraw, where he was connected with the Sampsondale Iron Works. About this time (1876) he engaged in the manufacture of cold-rolled steel, being the first to introduce this process in America, and until 1879 continued successful at that point. In the fall of 1879, coming to Catasauqua, he seeured a good location, the site of the present Catasauqua Steel Works, which he had only fairly started when his death occurred, in December, 1881.

Of the ten children born to Henry and Rebecca Johnson only four are now living, our subject be- ing the only son. Emma is the wife of J. Ruther- ford, of Meriden, Conn .; Mary is the wife of Noah Davis, of this city; and Ellen, Mrs. Dr. Conier, who was a missionary to China, where she was married, is a trained nurse, being a graduate of Bellevue Hospital.

George Johnson of this sketch passed his early years in England, coming to America in 1861. From the age of twelve to fifteen years he was in the Pittsburg Mills, learning the process of rolling, and becoming master of every braneh of that de- partment. At the age of sixteen years he went to Kittanning, where he staid for about nine months. With his father, he went from there to Ballard Vale and remained for three years, learning the steel and iron work in a practical manner. In 1870, going to Boston, he was in the Bay State Rail and Plate Mill for some time, thence going to Readville,

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Mass., where he was an employe of the New Eng- land Iron and Bridge Company. We next find him in Connecticut with the Ætna Nut and Bolt Company, and in 1874 he came to Catasauqua, be- ing employed as a roll-turner for the Catasauqua Manufacturing Company for two years. For a like period of time he was with a firm in Haver- straw, N. Y., after which lie went to Cleveland, Ohio, being in the roller mills for three years. On the expiration of that time returning to this city, our subject was employed with the old firm until about 1879, when he took charge of the Sampson- dale Iron Works of Haverstraw, remaining there until the spring of 1881. On account of his father's sudden death Mr. Johnson was then summoned to this eity, and finally decided to buy out the other heirs and take charge of his father's business, which he has sinee done.

The Catasauqua Steel Works are the oldest of the kind in America, and are located west of the Lehigh River, on five aeres of land adjoining the city. The main building is 36x174 feet, with an addition opening from it of 70x100 feet in dimen- sions. The works are run by steam-power, having four engines, with a capacity of three hundred horse-power. Both the hot and cold rolled steel are manufactured, and the capacity of the mills is often one hundred and fifty to two hundred tons per month, this business having been built up from its former capacity of ten tons a month.

The subject of this sketch was married near Haverstraw, N. Y., April 12, 1876, to Miss Emma L. Brower, a native of Jersey City. Her father, Francis S., was born in Waverly, N. J., and was the son of Barnabas Brower, a native of New York, and of Dutch descent. Mrs. Johnson's father, who was in the employ of the Cunard Steamship Line for many years, later became a contractor in Jersey City, and died in New Haven, Conn., in 1891. His wife, whose death occurred in 1872, was Char- ity, daughter of Abraham Blaubelt, a farmer and tailor at Tappantown, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson became the parents of seven children, four of whom are living: Ernest, George C., Ray L. and Blanche. William H., who was his father's right-hand man, met with a most distressing death at the age of seventeen years and nineteen days, December 19,

1893. While assisting at the rolls in the mill his arm was caught and he was drawn into the mach- inery. This terrible accident was witnessed by his father, who was standing only a short distance away.

The beautiful home of the Johnson family, which is built on a solid roek, was finished in 1889, after over two years had been spent in its construction and in the preparation of the grounds. It is made of brick and finely finished in hardwood, being one of the most desirable homes in the city. Mr. Johnson is an active Republiean, and is a member of the Masonie society. Mrs. Johnson is a faithful member of, and worker in, the Presbyterian Church of this city.

F RANCIS D. RAUB, who is the popular Superintendent of the eity schools of Al- lentown, is a native of this state, liaving been born in Northampton County, September 10, 1850. His parents were Samuel and Mary (Dim- miek ) Raub, natives respectively of Northampton and Bueks Counties. Mrs. Mary Raub was the daughter of David and Anna (Huber) Dimmick, natives of Bucks County.

William Raub, the grandfather of our subjeet, was born in Northampton, which was also the birth- place of his father, Michael Raub. The first rep- resentative of this family to come to America emigrated as early as 1737, and located on a tract of land in Northampton County, this state, which later became the site of the village of Raubs- ville, named in his honor. The father of our sub- ject still has in his possession the deed to the above property, which bears the signature of the Penn heirs.

Francis D. Raub, of this sketch, is one of the three sons and two daughters born to his parents, the otliers being: Martin L., who is farming the old homestead; Anna, now Mrs. Charles Walters, of Northampton County; Sallie O., Mrs. Jacob Hoff- man, of Northampton County; and Benjamin F., a resident of Allentown. In his boyhood our subject was a student in the common schools of his native place, and after attending the Easton High School

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he took a course in a private school at Bethlehem. In 1869 he entered Muhlenberg College at Allen- town, from which institution he was graduated in 1873. Then, having fitted himself to become a teacher, he was engaged in the schools of Phillips- burg, N. J., for two years. Later he was employed in the same capacity in Holland, that state, and in 1876 came to Allentown, where he was first em- ployed as teacher in the secondary school. Soon, however, he was appointed Principal of the high school, and discharged the duties of that responsible position in such a thorough and efficient manner that he was retained for fifteen successive years. In May, 1893, he was elected Superintendent of the schools of Allentown for a term of three years. Ninety-four teachers are employed, and there is an attendance of about forty-five hundred pupils.

The marriage of our subject occurred June 27, 1876, at which time Miss Susan Heil became his wife. Mrs. Raub is the daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Odenwelder) Heil. Mr. and Mrs. Raub have one child, a son, Samuel H. Socially Mr. Raub is a member of Lehigh Lodge No. 83, I. O. O. F., in which he is greatly interested. In religious af- fairs he worships with the Lutheran Congregation, and is one of its most active workers and liberal contributors.

„Į OHN FRANKLIN JOHNSTON, President of the Bethlehem Building and Loan Asso- ciation, and draftsman for the Bethlehem Iron Company, is a member of a family well known in Northampton County. The family his- tory appears in the biographical sketch of his fa- ther, Joseph Johnston, which is presented on an- other page of this volume. A native of Pennsyl- vania, he was born in Phoenixville, Chester Coun- ty, June 6, 1856. In 1868, when a lad of twelve years, he accompanied his parents to Bethlehem and here attended the public schools. At the age of fourteen years he entered the employ of the Beth- lehem Iron Company, where for a time he worked in the machine shop.

Wishing to become familiar with the science of chemistry, Mr. Johnston, in 1873, at the age of

seventeen years, took a special course of study in Lchigh University. In addition to chemistry he also studied mining and milling. Afterward he resumed work for the Bethlehem Iron Company, and for two years was chemist in their laboratory, after which he worked in the machine shop for three years. At the present time he is drafts- man in the machine shop. He has the confidence and esteem of the officers of the company, which he has gained by his proficiency, honesty and the interest he always manifests in the welfare of the concern. Mr. Johnston assisted in designing the monster plant of the Bethlchem Iron Company, one of the buildings of which is a quarter of a mile long and one hundred and fifty-five fect wide.

In the incorporation of the Bethlehem Building and Loan Association Mr. Johnston aided, and is now its President and one of the Board of Direct- ors. In politics he is a Republican and exerts his influence for that party. At present he is serving as a member of the Board of Health. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Royal Arcanum. His marriage occurred in Beth- lehem, September 14, 1881, at which time Miss Celia C. Lack became his wife. She was born in Iowa City, Iowa, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, of whom-four are liv- ing: Martha, Helen, Joseph and Jean. In religious belief she is identified with the Lutheran Church. She is a daughter of J. J. Lack, who is a German by birth and an American by adoption. He emi- grated to this country, and after visiting numerous states finally settled in Bethlehem, where he has since engaged at the trade of a merchant tailor. In that occupation he is considered an expert, and never fails to give satisfaction to his customers.

AMES MARSHALL LENNON, agent for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at Cata- sauqua, is well known among the citizens of Lehigh County, and is especially prominent in railroad circles. In the progress and material development of this section he has taken a keen interest, and being progressive and energetic, has

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Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, Part 100

Author: Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1006

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1006