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 114

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 114
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 114
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 114

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).

where his brother Adam was a stock cominission merchant. In 1877 he went to Fairville, where he first beeame identified with the hotel business, and the following year, going to Reading, took charge of the Market House, which he carried on success- fully for four years. It was in 1882 that he came to South Bethlehem, buying the old Lehigh Valley Hotel, which he proceeded to modernize and greatly improve in every respect. He has the honor of having been one of the originators, and is now one of the stockholders, of the Mountain Water Com- pany. A good business man, Mr. Dietrich looks after all the details connected with his hotel and makes it a point to promote the comfort of his guests in every way. Among his fellow-towns- men he is highly regarded, for he has the happy faculty of making friends of one and all.

In Lancaster County Mr. Dietrich was married to Miss Sarah Rockafield, a native of that county and daughter of a well-to-do farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich became the parents of three children, who are living. The eldest of these, Barton W., is engaged in business with his father; Harry A. R., whose reeord appears elsewhere in this volume, is an expert machinist and practical steam-fitter, en- gaged in business for himself; and Mary, who com- pletes the family, resides at lione.

OHN J. MITMAN. This well-to-do agrieult- urist of Hanover Township has aceumulated his property by hard work, and now owns sixty-five acres of land, which he has embel- lished with first-class improvements and buildings of a substantial character. Mr. Mitman was born in Northampton County, this state, February 21, 1839, of which loeality his parents, Isaac and Car- oline (Stever) Mitman, were also natives.

John Mitman, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Bucks County, this state, and was an old resident of Northampton County. His father, who came from Germany, was the founder of the family in the United States. Isaac Mitman was a life-long resident of Northampton County, and reared a large family of children, of whom twelve

928

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

survive. They are: John J., William, Louisa, Eliz- abeth, Frank, Isaac, Catherine, George, Carolina, Annie, Rebecca and Daniel. Although leading a very busy life, the elder Mr. Mitman yet found time to serve his fellow-townsmen in public posi- tions, and as a prominent citizen held many offices of responsibility and trust.

John J., of this sketch, passed the first twenty- eight years of his life in his native county, and when a young man learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a period of nine years. Since coming to Lehigh County, however, he has turned his attention to farm pursuits, and has also been engaged in buying and shipping stock on quite an extensive scale. He has likewise been engaged in the wholesale and retail milk business, having a paying route in Bethlehem.

For the first few years after coming here Mr. Mitman rented land in Hanover Township, and when ready to purchase a home of his own bought his present farm, which, as before stated, comprises sixty-five well improved acres. This has been the result of his own unaided efforts. His career has been marked by the strictest honor and integrity, and his example is well worthy of emulation.

When ready to establish a home of his own our subject was married to Miss Emina J. Ott, who was born in Bucks County, this state. Their union lias resulted in the birth of the following children: Ella, the wife of Jacob Hankey; Fieta, now Mrs. George Winch; Pauline, the wife of Harry Lilly; Clara, who married Allen Stump; Minnie, the wife of Charles Johnson; and William, Ammon, Annie, Jolin, Milton and Charles.

Politically Mr. Mitman gives his support to the principles of the Democratic party. He has never been active in his partisanship, and has never been an office-seeker, although at various times he has served in the minor township offices. For nine years he was Director in his school district, for six years was Auditor of Hanover Township, and held the position of Supervisor'for three years. In his religious belief lie is a Lutheran, and is an act- ive worker in all religious and benevolent enter- prises. He holds the office of Trustee in the con- gregation at Shoenersville, and has also been an Elder and Deacon. Socially he is an Odd Fellow,

belonging to the order at Hellertown, and a mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum at Bethlehem. Mr. Mitman has ever borne his part in the work of public advancement and improvement, and this volume would be incomplete without the record of his life.

T HOMAS T. MARTIN, M. D., a well known physician, who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Allentown, was born in this city on the 10th of September, 1857, and is a son of Dr. Tilgliman H. Martin, wlio was one of the prominent physicians of Allentown for a period of more than forty years. The Mar- tin family has been a family of physicians, and has won considerable prominence in the profes- sion. The father of our subject was a conspicuous figure in the history of this place for nearly half a century. His father, Jacob Martin, was a native of tlie Keystone State, and was of German descent. The great-grandfather was also a resident of Allen- town for a number of ycars. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Kra- mer, and was a daughter of Daniel Kramer, one of the early settlers of Lehigh County. Dr. T. H. Martin and his wife were both called to their final rest in 1878.

Under the parental roof Thomas T. Martin pass- ed the days of his boyhood. He attended the public schools of his native town, was a student in the high school, and later pursued his studies in the Lehigh University of Betlilchem, Pa. After completing his literary education, he began read- ing medicine under the direction of his father, and later entered the University of Pennsylvania, there attending medical lectures until his graduation from that institution in the Class of '77. He at once entered upon practice in Allentown, but has since taken a post-graduate course of medicine, and also a special course on the ear, nose and throat, the treatment of which he now makes a -

specialty.

In 1880 Dr. Martin was united in marriage with Miss Ebbie, daughter of Jacob Gusinger, of Free- mansburg, Pa. Their union has been blessed with

929

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

two children, a son and a daughter, Blanche G. and T. Harry. Their home is an elegant brick res- idence, richly and tastefully furnished, situated at No. 14 South Seventh Street. It is the abode of hospitality, and the friends of the family are al- ways sure to there receive a warm welcome.

Dr. Martin is now well established in liis pro- fession, and has won an en viable reputation in the work to which so many of his family have devoted their energies. His success is well merited, for it is thie just reward of his skill and ability. The Doctor is a member of the Lehigh Valley Medical Society. In politics he is a supporter of Democra- cy. For a period of four years he served as one of tlic Health Officers of Allentown, and in Octo- ber, 1893, was appointed a member of the Pension Board. The county which has ever been his home recognizes in him one of its leading, pro- gressive, valued and popular citizens.

M ORGAN EMANUEL is a member of the firm of Emanuel & Lewis, who do a large business in powder and mine drills, and lie is also proprietor of the Crystal Hill Dairy, besides making a specialty of breeding fine Holstein cat- tle. A native of Wales, he possesses the business- like ability and sagacity which are usual character- istics of his countrymen, and has long been consid- ered one of the leading business men of Cata- sauqua.

Mr. Emanuel was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, March 18. 1831, being a son of Morgan and Mary (Jenkins) Emanuel. Our subject is the only child living, and came to America three years after his fatlier, in 1847. When a lad of twelve years he went into the mines, continuing there until coming to the United States. Leaving Liverpool on thic sailing-vessel "Columbia," he landed in Philadelphia at the end of five wecks, and thence proceeded by stage to Catasauqua, where he at- tended school for a couple of years. Later he ob- tained employment at the furnace of the Crane Iron Company, and under the instruction of Noalı Davis became a practical blacksmith. In Marclı,

1854, going to Hokendauqua, he assisted in put- ting up the first building at that place, thic present location of the Thomas Iron Works. He was fore- man of the blacksmith department until the com- pletion of that plant, which he went to Carbon County, and for the succeeding year occupied a similar position in the railroad shops of the Lehigh Valley at Weatherly. Subsequently he returned to Catasauqua, engaging in contracting for furnace furnishings, and for a couple of years was agent for the Crane Company's limestone quarries. Mr. Emanuel next opened a quarry of building stone, for the construction of Furnaces Nos. 3 and 4 at Hokendauqua, after which he branched out into the powder business, in the spring of 1861. He had invented and received patents on a blasting powder, the main ingredient of which was Chile saltpetre. The firm of Thomas & Emanuel was organized, and they erected a powder-house in the western part of the city, where they engaged in the manufact- ure of this article for four years. Many improve- ments have since been made, and new patents se- cured by bothi members of the firm, and for years they have had an extensive trade.

In April, 1865, Mr. Emanuel commenced travel- ing as general agent for the Smith & Rand Pow- der Company, of New York, and his journeys took him all over the United States. This com- pany was afterward consolidated, becoming the Laffin & Rand Powder Company, and he is still their representative. In the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad from Cheyenne to Ogden he furnished most of the powder used in blasting. For four years his headquarters and office were in Denver, and he often made long journeys by stage and other means of conveyance to distant west- ern points. He also had the agency for the Rand Drill Company, of New York. Mr. Emanuel was tlic first to introduce dynamite into the Lehigh Valley, and also the first in the introduction of the Magneto, or Leyden jar and electric batteries, for firing fuses. His partnership with William G. Lewis still continues, and they have a local agency here.

At Mauch Chunk, October 9, 1855, Mr. Emanuel was married to Miss Margaret Lewis, who was born in Tredaga, Wales. Her father, Herbert Lewis,

930

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a native of the same country, was a contractor un- til 1848, when he brought his family to America, and on making a settlement at Beaver Meadow be- came connected with the coal mines, later remov- ing to Nesquehoning. in Carbon County. There occurred the death of his wife, who before her marriage was Elizabeth Herring. Mrs. Emanuel is the second of six children, and was a little maiden of eleven ycars on coming to Pennsylvania. Of her five children, three grew to mature years. Mary L., who was born November 18, 1856, grad- uated from the Ladies' Seminary at Pittsfield, Mass., and died about a year later, in 1877, aged only twenty-one years. William H. graduated from the high school of this city, and from the chemistry department of Lafayette College. He is now a resident of Denver, Colo., and the western representative for the Fraser & Chalmers Rand Drill Company, and the Trenton Iron Works. David L., the other surviving child, is engaged in general contracting for furnaces, mines, etc., and is also interested as a partner in the Crystal Hill Dairy.

Mr. Emanuel owns a finc farm of one hundred and four acres in Northampton County, adjoin- ing Catasauqua. This is well improved and is used for the raising of grain and pasture for his sixty- five head of cattle and forty horses and mulcs. From six hundred to one thousand bushels of wheat, besides hay, feed and fodder, are annually raised on this farin, where may be seen fine grades of Holstein cattle. Mr. Emanuel was one of the first to introduce ensilage, having five large silos, with a capacity of two hundred and fifty tons apiece, for storing corn and fodder. The Crystal Hill Dairy is one of the largest in this locality, and the milk from about forty cows is daily placed in glass jars and delivered to customers by two teains; about a thousand quarts of milk per day are also shipped to New York City. From seventy to eighty pounds of butter are manufactured on the farm each day by machinery, which is connected by electric wires to the city electric plant. Mr. Emanuel contemplates putting in an ice machine and cold storage and in other ways further in- proving this model dairy farm, which Catasauqua Creek furnishes with a plentiful supply of running

water. On one portion of the farm there is a large stone quarry, from which the owner supplied ma- terial for the Methodist Episcopal Church. Eman- uel & Son now operate the Crystal Hill Creamery, a large plant located on Second Street.

The residence of our subject is situated on Third Street, between Pine and Bridge Streets, and be- sides this he owns other city property, as well as some mining stock in, the West. He has a fine cabinet of mineral specimens, and is a man who is well posted on general subjects. Frater- nally he is affiliated with the Masonic society, be- ing a Free and Accepted Mason, a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of Allen Commandery No. 20, K. T., besides belonging to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of thiscity. He is an offi- cial member of the First Presbyterian Church, being a Ruling Elder. In politics he is a strong Republi- can, and in matters of public importance is always to be found on the side of progress and advance- ment. In 1863, at the breaking out of the war, Mr. Emanuel enlisted as a member of Company B, Thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Militia, being sent to Gettysburg. On the expiration of his term of service he was mustered out at Reading.

H ON. EDWARD HARVEY, of Allentown, a prominent member of the Lehigh County Bar, and formerly President Judge of the Thirty-first Judicial District of Pennsylvania, was born in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa., January 17, 1844. His father, Dr. George T. Harvey, who was a prominent physician of that place, belonged to one of the oldest families of Bucks County, as did his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Kinsey LaRue.

During his boyhood days our subject attended the public schools of his native town. He was in- troduced to the academic branches of study under the tutelage of Rev. S. A. Andrews, D. D., who had a select school in Doylestown, and when prop- erly qualified he entered the high school of Law- renceville, N. J., where he was prepared for college. In 1860, when in his seventeenth year, he entered

931

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Princeton College, and pursued the regular course until during the Junior year, when he left school to take up the study of law under Hon. George Lear, of Doylestown, an old friend of his father, wlio at that time was the leading member of the Bucks County Bar, and subsequently was Attorney-Gen- eral of Pennsylvania under Governor Hartranft. While reading law, Mr. Harvey gave somc atten- tion to public speaking, availing himself of such opportunities for practice as occasion threw in his way. Although young in years, he was an ardent Democrat, and having closely studied the great political questions of the day was more than or- dinarily qualified to voice his opinions from the rostrum. In 1864, before he had come to man's estate, he made a public speech at Allentown. His reception by the people was so cordial, and his impressions of the place so favorable, that he dc- termined it should be his future home.

Mr. Harvey was admitted to the Bar in Bucks County in 1865, and at the November term, on motion of Hon. S. A. Bridges, was admitted to practice in the courts of Lehigh County. He came to Allentown January 1, 1866, and at once began practice. Applying himself with diligence to the hard and often uncongenial work which generally falls to the lot of a young lawyer, he soon found that his services were in demand in the higher walks of the profession. Here his excellent funda- mental education proved of great value, and, com- bined with natural qualities of a brilliant order, close habits of study and a fluent delivery, made his progress rapid and conspicuous. In a compara- tively brief period he attained to the leading posi- tion at the Lehigh County Bar, and has since easily held that place. He has been retained in nearly all of the principal cases tried in the local courts, and has frequently been called to try cases in the neighboring counties, and also in the federal courts in Philadelphia. Probably no member of the Lehigh County Bar has achieved greater success as a lawyer or enjoys a larger or more remunerative practice. Mr. Harvey has never been an office- seeker. On the contrary he has repeatedly declined the most flattering appointments and nominations, preferring the stcady practice of law. Although frequently urged by his party friends to accept

nomination for office, he has never been a candi- date in an aggressive sense. He was chosen to rep- resent the counties of Lehigh and Carbon in the State Constitutional Convention in 1873, and was a member of the Committee on Corporations.

In March, 1878, when the First National Bank was compelled to suspend through the unexpected failure of William H. Blumer & Co., bankers, Mr. Harvey was chosen its President. His duties were responsible and delicate, as the bank was in liqui- dation, and its assets needed careful handling to insure payment of the debts. The discharge of these duties called for masterly legal ability and financial skill, which were found in Mr. Harvey. In his successful and satisfactory conduct of the bank's affairs he may be said to have scored one of the notable triumphis of his professional life.

On the 14th of January, 1878, Mr. Harvey was appointed President Judge of the Thirty-first Judicial District, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Longaker. This appointment, made by Governor Hartranft, a Republican execu- tive, was certainly a great compliment, and one of the highest evidences possible of the confidence and esteem in which Mr. Harvey is universally held. In the large number of cases which he tried while on the bench, he proved himself the possessor of talents of a high order and a master of the intrica - cies of law. Ile earned the respect of both the Bar and the public, and retired from office with an cn- hanced reputation for probity and learning. Only six of his cases were appealed to the Supreme Court for revision, and there all of his decisions were sustained. In 1878 Judge Harvey was urged to accept an independent nomination for County Judge, but declined. In the following year he was urged by members of the Bar of Berks County to become candidate for Judge in that locality, but refused. In 1882, he was asked by a committee of the Judicial Conferees of Dauphin and Leb- anon Counties to be a candidate for Judge of that district, but declined. In 1886, upon the resig- nation of Hon. George A. Jenks as Assistant Secretary of the Interior, he was summoned to Washington and tendered the position. After careful consideration he declined, on account of his large business interests in Lehigh; on that occa-

932

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sion, as in the previous instances, gracefully ex- pressing his sincere appreciation of the high com- pliment conferred upon him.

Judge Harvey was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1884, and voted for the nomination of Mr. Cleveland, whom he supported in the campaign with conspicuous zeal. Without wishing for official reward, lie has done loyal service for his party, advocating its principles and sustaining its candidates. In local and state party councils his views are sought, and carry with them great weight. Although not a church member, Judge Harvey is an Episcopalian in behef, and carries out in his sympathies and charities the convictions of the Christian faith. He possesses all the agreeable characteristics which make the scholarly and courteous gentleman. Pro- fessionally and officially his life has been most suc- cessful, and his talents and capacity are admitted and respected by men wliose opinions are beyond question. Socially his relations with the conimu- nity in which he has so long resided are of the most charming nature. All the surroundings of his home denote culture, good taste and comfort, without any attempt at ostentation. One of liis most valued treasures is his law library, which contains about three thousand six hundred standard and rare volumes, and is regarded as the largest and most important in eastern Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia.

A DAM BRINKER is Vice-President of the South Bethlehem National Bank, Presi- dent of the Lehigh Valley Cold Storage Company, and for over a quarter of a century has carried on a retail harness establishment. Besides the enterprises mentioned in which he is inter- ested, he is a member of the firm of Brinker & Wagner, dealers in all kinds of building, crossing and flagging stones.

The birth of Adam Brinker occurred in Forks Township, Northampton County, February 3, 1846, and there his father and paternal grandfather, who both bore the Christian name of Jacob, followed

farming. Our subject's father in later life removed to Williams Township, where he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until his death in 1848. He mar- ried Susan Wilhelmn, a native of Easton, who died at the age of sixty-seven years, in 1880. Of their eight children six are living: Jacob, a resident of Jeddo, Pa .; Saralı, Mrs. Knecht, in Plainfield Town- ship; David, of Washington, N. J .; Sabine, Mrs. Gillen, of Danville, Ill .; Joseph, a retired farmer living in Davis, Stephenson County, Ill .; and Adam.

Adam Brinker was reared on a farm in North- ampton County, where he remained until Septem- ber, 1862, then enlisting in Company A, One Hun- dred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, being mustered in at Harrisburg, and sent to join the Army of the Potomac. He did guard duty until lie was taken sick and was obliged to stay for some time in the hospital. On his recovery he went to Washington and Philadelphia, being honorably dis- charged in July, 1863. Afterwards, in September of that year, he went to Washington and entered the Government employ, working in the harness shop, and remaining until 1864. For about a year he carried on the old farm, and April 5, 1865, he commenced working as a harness-maker with Henry Long. In 1867 he located in South Bethlehem, tlien a new town of only about two thousand in- habitants. He started his enterprise on Second Street, and for nineteen years was in business on Third Street, where the Taylor's Son store is now sit- uated. In 1888 he built his fine building at No. 119 East Third Street, with a frontage of twenty-seven feet and eighty-five feet in depth, with three stories and basement. He occupies the basement and first floor and keeps on hand a stock of about $10,000 worth of goods. The workshop is in the rear, and there several men are employed. Though Mr. Brinker's business is mainly in the retail trade, he also does considerable in the wholesale line. He helped to incorporate the South Bethle- hem National Bank, was made a Director, and in 1890 became Vice-President. He assisted in incor- porating the Lehigh Valley Cold Storage Company, which is just completed, and has a capacity of one hundred and sixty carloads of produce and a daily output of thirty tons of ice, and of this concern he is President. In everything relating to the up-

933

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

building of Soutlı Bethlehem he has been very act- ive. For nine years he was Chairman of the Street Committee, and held a similar position on the Fire and Market Committees, also on the Finance and Appropriation Committees. The stone quarries of Brinker & Wagner, which were opened in 1882, are located a half-mile west of the Lehigh Val- ley Depot and are among the finest quarries in the locality.

In this city Mr. Brinker was married in 1867 to Lydia Sloyer, who was born in Mahoning Township, Carbon County, and has become the mother of two children: Martha, Mrs. Sehremple, of South Bethlehem, and Lillie. For two terms Mr. Brinker was a Trustee in the Moravian Church of South Bethlehem, to which he belongs. Socially he is a Knight of Pythias, one of the oldest members of his lodge, of which he has been Treasurer twenty- one years. For some time he was Treasurer of the Knights of Malta lodge and is a member of Wan- eka Tribe No. 183, I. O. R. M .; Knights of the Golden Eagle; and a member of Robert Oldham Post No. 527, G. A. R. In polities he is a sup- porter of the Democratic party.

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.

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 114

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