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 101

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 101
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 101
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 101

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

attained a place among the influential and public- spirited citizens of the Lehigh Valley.

The subject of this sketch was born in North Whitehall Township, April 10, 1864, and is the youngest member of the parental family, consist- ing of three children. His father was Michael Lennon, of whom mention is made in the sketch of his brother, Hon. M. J. Lennon, presented on another page of this volume. James M. was reared in the township of his birth, and in South White- hall Township, whither he removed with his par- ents. His father, after his removal to the latter township, engaged as a contractor in the stone and ore mines. Later he went to Laury's Station, and from there to Hokendauqua, where he and his wife died.

When fourteen years of age James M. Lennon began to learn the art of telegraphy in the office of the Western Union of Catasauqua. After nine months he was given a position in the office of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at Paekerton as operator, and filled that position for five months, when he was transferred to Neseopeck. From there he went to Mt. Carmel. Thenee, five months later, he was transferred to Laury's Station, and finally eame to this city, where he was the first night operator. After serving in that capacity for nine months, he succeeded William H. Mealy as day operator, that gentleman becoming Superintendent of the Mexican National Railroad Company.

In addition to the duties of his position as oper- ator, Mr. Lennon. has also served as chief elerk, and in 1890 was promoted to the responsible posi- tion of passenger and freight agent. Under his charge he has a number of employes, and the suc- eess which has followed his efforts proves that he was fortunate in the selection of an occupation. In politics he is an active member of the Demo- cratic party, which he has represented as a delegate to state and eounty conventions. In religious be- lief he is a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church of Catasauqua, to the support of which he is a lib- eral contributor.

In Allentown, January 21, 1890, occurred the marriage of James M. Lennon and Miss Katherine O'Neill, the daughter of Christopher O'Neill, a prominent merehant and contractor of that city.

Their family consists of three children: James Marshall, Jr., Kathleen and Viola. Mr. Lennon is a stockholder and Director in the Catasauqua Build- ing and Loan Association, and a member of the Phoenix Fire Company. He owns a beautiful resi- dence in Allentown, has a comfortable home in Catasauqua, and is interested in other real-estate matters.

OHN T. BOWER, the popular and efficient manager for Hankins & Co., dealers in gen- eral merchandise at Wind Gap, Northamp- ton County, has filled this position since the 1st of April, 1893, and has had supervision both of the sales and the purchase of stoek. In the es- tablishment are carried dry goods, staple and fancy groceries, ready-made elothing, hardware, glass- ware, crockery, notions, boots and shoes, and such merchandise as may be found in every first-elass general store. In addition to this, they also pur- chase for shipment to city markets farmers' prod- uee, such as butter and eggs, which they exchange for goods.

The manager of this establishment is a native of Northampton County, born October 20, 1864. to the union of William H. and Mary (Raph) Bower, who are at present residing at Edelman's Station, this county. In the public schools of Plainfield Township he laid the foundation of his education, which was afterward supplemented by an attendance of one year at Traeh's Academy, Easton. His studies completed, he was afterward engaged for a number of years as a teacher in the public schools of the township. For some time he taught six months during the fall and winter sea- sons, while during the summer he usually elerked in the mercantile business.

To the questions pertaining to the welfare of the nation and progress of the county Mr. Bower gives thoughtful attention, and his political pref- erences are embodied in the platform of the Re- publiean party. However, he has taken only a quiet part in politics, being satisfied with easting his ballot on election day for the men and measures whiel he esteems the best adapted to the welfare

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of his fellow-citizens. In his social connections he belongs to the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and has passed all the chairs in the lodge at Wind Gap.

On the 30th of August, 1889, occurred the mar- riage of John T. Bower and Miss Emeline, daugh- ter of Peter Miller, of Plainfield Township. One child has been born to bless their union, a son named Floyd. In religious belief they are mem- bers of the Reformed Church in Plainfield, in which they find a broad field for Christian activ- ity. Wordly prosperity and an honorable reputa- tion are his, and his wife shares in the esteem of their neighbors.

H ON. MICHAEL J. LENNON, the present Representative of Lehigh County in the State Legislature, resides in Allentown. He was born at Laury's Station, North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, May 30, 1860, and is the son of Michael Lennon, Sr., whose birth oc- curred in County Clare, Ireland. In his native isle he carried on farm pursuits, which he followed for a few years after coming to America. Later the father of our subject engaged in building rail- roads, and was in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Road for a continuous period of thirty years, or until a short time before his decease, in 1882, when seventy years of age.

Mrs. Catharine Frances (Kenney) Lennon, the mother of our subject, was likewise a native of County Clare, and received her education in the town of Ennis. She was the daughter of Michael Kenney, and was a very talented and accomplished lady, coming of a prominent family in Ireland. She departed this life in Hokendauqua, this coun- ty, in 1885, at the age of sixty-six years. The parents emigrated to America in 1847, landing in Philadelphia. They later made their way to Belle- fonte, Centre County, which place was the home of Pennsylvania's distinguished War Governor, Hon. Andrew Gregg Curtin, whose father is a de-

scendant of the house of Kenney, and therefore related to our subject's mother.

The original of this sketch spent his boyhood days in attendance at the district school, and when a lad of sixteen years commenced to learn the art of telegraphy, under the instruction of W. H. Mealy, operator for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at Catasauqua. Young Lennon was soon proficient in that branch, and occupied at different times positions along the entire line until 1884, when he was made train dispatcher at Bethlehem. He continued to act in that capacity until 1890, when he transferred his connection to the new Schuylkill & Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, running from the main line at Lizard Creek Junc- tion to Pottsville. His connection with the man- agement of this division, continued until his elec- tion to the State Legislature, in the fall of 1892.

Hon. Mr. Lennon was one of the three mem- bers representing Lehigh County, and at the pri- mary election polled the largest vote over eight competitors. He is very popular among the citi- zens of Allentown, and especially well thought of by the railroad men with whom he has been asso- ciated for so many years. In the Legislature he served on the Committee on Education, Public Health and Pensions, and on the former he strongly advocated the bill providing for free books in. the public schools, and assisted in getting it passed. As one of the Committee on Public Health he fa- vored organizing Local Boards of Health for the various boroughs in the commonwealth, which bill was also passed.

Mr. Lennon has always taken an active part in school affairs, and in 1886 was elected a member of the board, which position he held for three years. At the present time he is a member of the Board of School Controllers, with which he lias been con- nected for the same length of time. In 1889 our subject was elected to represent the Sixth Ward in Allentown in the City Council, and on the expi- ration of his term was re-elected, holding the posi- tion until entering upon the duties of his present office. He was an active and progressive member of the Council, and the author of several reforms in the interest of the tax-payers. He was also greatly interested in the establishment of a free public

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hospital for Allentown, and upon his eleetion to the Legislature introduced a bill asking for an ap- propriation for this purpose.

In politics our subjeet is a stanch Demoerat, a member of the Board of Trade and various social and political organizations in the city. He still retains his connection with the Lehigh Valley Railroad as Dispateher of the Pottsville Division, which in itself is evidence of his good business management.

November 26, 1884, Hon. Michael J. Lennon and Miss 'Katie, daughter of John Harkins, were united in marriage, and to them has been granted a family of five children, all daughters, viz .: Catlı- arine Kenney, May Agnes, Gwendolynn, Blanid and Claire. Mr. and Mrs. Lennon are members of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

A BRAHAM N. WOLF, a manufacturer of mill machinery at Allentown, is undoubt- edly the most suceessful man in his line in the eity. He is regarded as a citizen of excep- tional integrity and standing in the financial world and in the publie life of the community. Mr. Wolf was born April 22, 1837, in Northampton County, this state, and is the son of Abraham and Polly (Miltonberger) Wolf, likewise natives of the above county. The father of our subject lived a neighbor to Governor Wolf, and was the represent- ative of a family prominent in the annals of the state. They came originally from Germany, and after loeating in Pennsylvania took an active part in the establishment of the free-school system. The mother of our subject, who lived to the ex- treme age of ninety-two years, died in Northamp- ton County in 1888.

Abraham N., of this sketch, received his educa- tion in the public sehools of his native place, and after completing his studies apprentieed himself to learn the trade of a millwright, working under John Appel, of Easton. At the expiration of his term of service he became foreman in the shops of his former instructor, having under him a large

foree of men. He remained with Mr. Appel for five years, or until the outbreak of the Civil War.

August 19, 1861, Mr. Wolf enlisted in Company B, Forty-seventhi Pennsylvania Infantry, which was one of the first companies to volunteer their services, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. Our subjeet was given charge of the carpenter department of his regiment, and manu- faetured the eoffin in which General Mitchell, who died of yellow fever at Beaufort, S. C., was buried. He was intimately acquainted with that gentleman, and aided in laying him under the sod. Later the company went to Key West, Fla., and engaged in the Red River expedition under General Banks. Mr. Wolf aided in building the dam at Alexandria. Thenee they went to Petersburg, Va., and from L there returned to the Shenandoah Valley, under the command of General Sheridan.

September 19, 1864, our subjeet was honorably diseharged from the army and returned to his home in Allentown. Thence he later went to Leb- anon County, this state, and after a residence there of six years returned to the city and estab- lished his present prosperous business, in which he has been engaged since that time. He is a man of great genius, and has nineteen patents on different kinds of mill machinery. In addition to handling mill machinery he also keeps in his shops every variety of plows and farm machinery, for which he finds a ready market throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Our subjeet is a stoekholder in the Allentown Lock Works, and in 1876 was elected Couneilman of the First Ward, which position he held for eiglit years. In his politieal relations he is a strong Re- publiean, and always takes an active interest in all public affairs which will prove of benefit to the community.

In 1859 Mr. Wolf and Miss Susan A., daughter of Emanuel Trexler, were united in marriage. The parents of Mrs. Wolf were natives of the Lehigh Valley, but were residing in Allentown at the time of her marriage. By her union with our subjeet three children were born: Fairman M., located at Seigfried's Bridge, this county; Abraham L., en- gaged in business in Myerstown, Lebanon County ; and Nora, the wife of Richard Schafer, of Allen-

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town. Mrs. Wolf departed this life January 28, 1893, at her home at the corner of Second and Walnut Streets. In religious affairs our subject is a prominent member of St. John's Lutheran Church.

A LEXANDER WILSON BUTLER, who died in the month of April, 1889, was for many years one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens of Mauch Chunk. He was born in Columbia County, Pa., April 7, 1826, and was the youngest of a large family. While he was still an infant his parents removed to Mauch Chunk. The little mountain town had but few educational advantages, and all the scliool- ing that Mr. Butler ever enjoyed was under the care of an eccentric Irishman named "Jimmy" Nolan, who taught the boys and girls of Mauch Chunk at that time. Some of the most prominent men in the Lehigh Valley, however, were gradu- ates of his establishment.

While hardly more than a boy, our subject be- came a clerk in a store at Maria Furnace, now known as Harrity, in Carbon County. He after- ward became bookkeeper at the Mauch Chunk Foundry store. When the Mauch Chunk Bank was organized in 1855, he was appointed its book- keeper, and held this position until the organiza- tion of the First National Bank of Mauch Chunk, when he was made Cashier. He was subsequently elected Vice-President, which office he held at the time of his death. He was thus closely identified with the banking business in Mauch Chunk for a period of thirty-four years.

Mr. Butler took a prominent part in all that per- tained to the welfare of the community, and was identified with many of its leading enterprises. He was also one of its most liberal and public- spirited citizens. Always greatly interested in the prosperity of Mauch Chunk, and in everything concerning its welfare, it was owing very largely to his energetic efforts that Concert Hall was erected. He made a liberal subscription himself, urged others to contribute, and when the neces-

sary $30,000 was raised, wholly by voluntary sub- scriptions, the responsibility of the erection and furnishing of the building was placed in his hands.

For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. Butler was one of the most prominent and devoted mem- bers of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, and for many years a Vestryman and the Treasurer of the par- ish. His life was ever in harmony with his pro- fession, his entire career being straightforward, just and honorable to the last degree. Of a cheer- ful, social disposition, his courtesy and genial na- ture endeared him to all his neighbors and friends, and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an honorable name and an unblemished character.

In 1849 Mr. Butler married Anna M., daughter of John Richards, an iron master of New Jersey, by whom he had five children, namely: William R .; Harry A .; Elizabeth, wife of Laird H. Bar- ber; Fanny and Mary. Mr. Butler's death was mourned by the entire community and his memory is greatly revered by all who knew him.

F RANKLIN KOEHLER, the subject of the following sketch, can certainly look back upon a busy life and feel that his labors have not been in vain. When success crowns the vic- tor in a struggle reward is duc, and Mr. Koehler receives his reward in the peace and plenty which surround his declining years, and the rest he can now take after the hard fight against adverse cir- cumstances and poverty. During his more active years he was one of the prominent farmers of Whitehall Township, but he is now living retired near the city of Allentown.

Our subject is a native of this county, and was born April 27, 1837, to Samuel and Abba (Schrei- ber) Koehler, also natives of this state. The fa- ther died when our subject was a small boy, and was followed to the better land by his wife, whose decease occurred a few months later. Being thus deprived of the care of his parents, young Frank- lin went to live in the family of Jacob Schreiber, who was at that time residing near Coplay, and there remained for two years. He began when

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very young to make his own way in the world, and was employed in working on other people's farms until eighteen years of age, when he followed the miller's trade, which he had learned, for about four years. At the end of that time he found that farm pursuits were more to his liking, and ac- cordingly purchased property in Whitehall Town- ship, on which he located, and was very success- fully engaged in its cultivation. As might be ex- pected from one who was so early thrown upon his own resources, he was permitted to obtain only a very limited education, and can therefore be very truly called self-made.

Miss Susan Newhard became the wife of our subject in 1856. She became the mother of six children, namely: Emma J., Mary A. (wife of Ly- man Howe), Joseph, William, Robert and Gertrude. Mr. Koehler owns over one hundred and thirty acres of valuable land just outside the city limits of Allentown, which is the result of his arduous work, and here he is spending the declining years of his life.

Mr. Koehler is a member of Zion Reformed Church at Allentown. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and is well known throughout the county where his life has been passed and where he is held in high esteem.

DWARD F. STEWART, a well known citi- zen and retired business man of Easton, and who for a number of years has occu- pied the position of President of the First National Bank of this place, is a native of Northampton County, and was born in Easton, October 19, 1819. Mr. Stewart is of Scotch descent, and his ancestors settled in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in an early day. Thomas Stewart, the grandfather of our subject, in whose honor the village of Stewartsville was named, carried on farming near that place, and at the same time attended to the duties of Associate Judge of the County Court. He was a man of influence and very prominent in the community, taking an active part in all public affairs, and being looked up to as a man of more

than ordinary intelligence. He belonged to the "good old Whig party" in his day, and was loyal and true in all relations of life. He was an ex- emplary . member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was an Elder. He passed away somc years ago and is buried in the cemetery near his old home.

John Stewart, the father of Edward F., was born on the old homestead in New Jersey, and emi- grated to Pennsylvania in an early day, settling in Easton, where he embarked in the mercantile business, in which occupation he continued for a number of years. Later he formned a partnership with Charles Rodenbough, and established a nail and wire mill, and in this enterprise was very suc- cessful. He was also President of the First National Bank of Easton, and was a public-spirited man, closely identified in many ways with the upbuild- ing of the entire community. In politics he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a valued member.

The subject of this sketch was born and reared in Easton, and received a liberal education in his youth. Early entering the business field, for a great many years he was actively engaged in the arduous duties that fall to the lot of cvery business man. For some time now, however, he has been practically retired from active service, althoughi still holding the responsible position of President of the First National Bank of Easton. He is also connected with the Stewart Wirc Company, is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Northamp- ton Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and has been identified with the School Board for over twenty-five years. He was formerly a member of the Board of Trustees of Lafayette College.

Mr. Stewart was united in marriage in 1847 with Miss Margaret K., a daughter of A. D. Runkle, of Easton. This union has been blessed by the birth of two daughters: Laura, the wife of Dr. H. D. Lachenour, of Easton; and Ella, the wife of Rev. Henry M. Baum, a clergyman of the Episco- pal Church. In his political views our subject is a Republican, and well acquainted with the politi- cal questions of the day. He has always taken an active interest in school affairs, and the cause of

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education finds in him a warm friend. By his own well directed efforts, and through the legitimate channels of business, he has achieved success and acquired a competeney, which now enables him to lay aside all care and live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

W ILLIAM B. CLARK, the owner of a fine livery stable in Catasauqua, is also engaged in building and contracting, and is regarded as one of the most successful busi- ness men of the place. He is a native of Catasau- qua, and was born June 11, 1864. His father, John, was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and liis grandfather, John, Sr., was born in the North of Ireland, removing thence to Scotland and coming from there to America. His first and only position in this country was with the Crane Iron Company, of Catasauqua, with whom he remained until his death, having for many years been boss founder.

The father of our subject was educated in Mt. Holly, N. J., after which he accepted a position as engineer in the Crane works, where he was em- ployed at the time of his decease, in 1864, when only thirty years of age. His wife, who prior to her marriage was Carrie Horn, was born in Allen- town, and was a daughter of William Horn, a prom- inent merchant of that city. Mrs. Clark departed this life in Quincy, Pa., and was buried in Allen- town.

William B., the only child of his parents, was educated in the schools of Allentown and Catasau- qua, and afterwards began to work in the boiler shops of Daniel Milton. Later, however, he began traveling on the road in the interest of a drug house, which occupation he carried on for three years. Next we find him engaged in the patent- milk business, in which he was very successful, and he followed that line of work until the man with whom he had a contract to furnish him the milk failed to perform his part of the bargain.

December 12, 1888, Mr. Clark, together with · a Mr. Rober, embarked in the livery business, the

partnership existing until February of the follow- ing year, when Mr. Rober sold his interest to another party. June 8, 1889, Mr. Clark became sole proprietor of the livery, which he has since carried on alonc. He built his present barn, 45x95 fcet in dimensions, and situated on Second Street. He keeps constantly on hand from six to ten teams, has eight single rigs, besides numerous cabs, carri- ages, coupes, etc. The livery is the oldest in the city, having been established some time in the '40s, but has changed hands several times. In his stable Mr. Clark has a bay stallion, "Cecil," sired by "St. Ormand," whosc record is 2:294. It is two years old and is one of the finest animals in the city.

The lady whom our subject married in 1888 was Miss Annie V., daughter of William T. Snyder, an old settler in this locality, and at present engaged with McKee, Fuller & Co. They are the parents of a daughter, Carrie. Socially Mr. Clark is promi- nent in the Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs to the Phoenix Fire Company, and furnishes all the horses when the company is called in case of fires. In politics he is a Republican, and is one of the most enterprising and substantial residents of the city.

ALTER E. COX creditably and satis- factorily fills the important position of Line Agent of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, having charge of the sale of all coal in this department. A member of Fountain Hill Bor- ough Council, he is identified with the progress of the city, and in many ways has shown his interest in the welfare of his townsmen.

John P. Cox, the father of our subject, was born in England, and with his parents set sail for the United States when a youth. On arriving in New York City, they at once proceeded to Susquehanna County, and later the young man located at Mauch Chunk, Carbon County, being there engaged in the coal business with Judge Packer. He had re- ccived a good education as a civil engineer, and was made superintendent and engineer of the Buck Mountain Coal Company at Drifton, with office at

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Rockport, Pa., where he was located for eleven years. Subscquently he became connected with the Lehigh Valley Road, at the time it was being built, and was made Assistant Superintendent of the company. Still later he was Superintendent of the Pennsylvania & New York Canal and Railroad Company, holding the same important position un- til his death, in December, 1870, at Towanda, Pa., of which place he had been a resident for several years. His wife, Mary Sayre, is a sister of Robert H. Sayre, Second Vice President of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and a daughter of William H. Sayre, a native of Bordentown, N. J. The latter located in Mauch Chunk in 1829, and was for many years identified with the Lehigh Valley Coal and Navigation Company. His father, Dr. Francis B. Sayre, was a distinguished physician and prom- inent man in the Quaker City. Mrs. Mary Cox, our subject's mother, who was born in Phila- delphia, is still living and a resident of South Bethlehem. Both she and her husband were Epis- copalians. Their five children are all living, one son, John S., being chief chemist for the Scranton Steel Company.

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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 101

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