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 115

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 115
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 115
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 115

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OLOMON BOYER, a retired capitalist of Allentown, was born in Lehigh County, October 29, 1816. The great-grandfatlier of our subject, Frederick Boyer (originally spelled Beyer), emigrated to America about 1733. He came from the Palatinate, and was a member of the Reformed Church. He acquired several hun- dred acres of land, and while working in his mead- ow was waylaid and shot by the Indians. He left one son, Henry, who grew to manhood, and mar- ried Margaret Hankey, by whom he had four sons and three daughters. Among his sons was John, who was born December 26, 1781, and in 1802 married Elizabeth Reber, a native of this county, and the daughter of Gerhard Reber. For many years the father of our subjeet was a farmer, and dealt extensively in live stock. After the death of his wife he resided with liis son, Solomon, until his death, February 20, 1874. Many of his chil-

dren died young, only three growing to mature years: Elizabeth, who married Daniel Woodring, and died in February, 1842; Polly, who married Abraham Woodring; and Solomon.

Solomon Boyer passed his boyhood days upon his father's farm, and when only thirteen years of age found employment on the Lehigh Canal, which had just been completed. He was thus occupied for six seasons. In 1842 he established in busi- ness for himself by opening a general store at Unionville, were he also operated as "mine host." Two years later he sold out at that place, and re- moving to Westport, on the Lehighi River, en- gaged in the same line of business, and in addi- tion handled large quantities of coal and lumber.

In 1844 our subject purchased a tract of land along the banks of the river and built a wharf, which enabled him to ship eoal and lumber. Four years later he secured the location of a postoffice at Westport, and had the name of the place changed to Rockdale, by which it is still known. He remained in Rockdale until 1871, and during his residence there conducted large business in- terests. He owned many acres of woodland, from which he cut the timber, selling a great deal of lumber to the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and a great deal for building purposes. He was also interested in a charcoal furnace for six years, and did an immense business in eoal. April 4, of the above year he removed to Allentown, where he began dealing in iron ore, having eleven ore pits, and carrying on the largest business in that line in the county.

In 1869 Mr. Boyer received the contraet to build five miles of traek for the El Paso & Pacific Railroad in Texas, which he completed at the time designated in the contraet, and gave perfect satis- faction. He has been a very important factor in the upbuilding of this city, and among the enter- prises in which he has been engaged is that of the Allentown National Bank, of which hic was one of tlie organizers, and in which he is both a stock- holder and Director at the present time. He is also a Director in the Macungie Iron Company, and holds the same position with the Glen Rolling Mill Company. Mr. Boyer is truly speaking self- made, for what he has of this world's goods has

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been obtained directly through his own efforts, as when he started out in life he had nothing. He received for his first winter's work only thirty-five cents per day.

October 29, 1843, our subjeet and Miss Lucy A., daughter of John Miller, were nnited in marriage. Mr. Miller was born in this county, as was also his wife, who before her marriage was Miss Sally Diebert. To Mr. and Mrs. Boyer were born twelve children, of whom three sons and six daughters are now living, namncly: Flora A., the widow of John Koch; Lucinda, who married John H. Beck, of Treichler's, this state; John P., a resi- dent of Allentown; Lewis F., engaged as a general merchant in Wilkes Barre; William H., a farmer near Mechanicsville; Agnes M., the wife of H. G. Ruhe, of Boston; Ida R., wife of Charles N. Moss, of Philadelphia; Lilly C., the wife of Milton B. Lanbach, of Philadelphia; and Sallie J., at home with her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Boyer are charter members of the German Reformed Church, of which our subject was Treasurer for many years. He was a member of the building committee during the erection of the Salem Reformed Church, which cost $17,000. The family, which is a prominent one in the county, occupies a fine residence at No. 202 North Seventh Street.

UGENE HENRY DICKENSHIED, M. D. This prominent physician and surgeon of Allentown is a native of this county, hav- ing been born in Lower Milford Township, August 5, 1859. He is the son of Dr. John Henry Dick- cnshied, also a native of Lehigh County, who is engaged in the practice of his profession at Plover, this county, where he has a large patronage.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, who was also a physician, bore the name of Charles Frederick Dickenshied, and was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and a surgeon in the War of 1812. He departed this life in November, 1881, at the remarkable age of ninety-eight years. The Dickensbied family in America originally came from Prussia, and on

their arrival in America located in this county, where they were among the first families.

The maiden name of our subjcet's mother was Amanda Steinman. She was the daughter of George Steinman, a prominent lumber merchant at Berger's Station, this state, who died in Bethle- hem in 1873. The wife of Dr. Charles F. Dicken- shied was Annie Catherine Eberhart, a daughter of Henry Eberhart, and a native of this county, in which locality her parents were old pioneers. On this side of the house our subject is able to trace his ancestry back to Eberhart the Noble, who lived in 1265 in Swabia, now Bavaria.

Eugene H., of this sketch, spent his boyhood days in Lower Milford Township, and when far enough advanced in his studies, entered the preparatory department of Muhlenberg College. He remained there until the fall of 1876, when he entered Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, and after a course there of one year became a student . in the University of Pennsylvania, being graduated from the medical department of that institution with the Class of '81.

Dr. Dickenshied after graduating located for the practice of his profession in Lower Milford, and for nine years following carried on business in connection with his father. In June, 1890, he came to Allentown, and opening an office, has since been engaged in a large and successful general practice. Since locating here he has taken several special courses on the treatment of the eye and car, and is considered an expert in treating the diseases of these organs.

In 1881 the Doctor was awarded the first Morbid Anatomy prize which was ever given in America, it being offered at that time in the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Lehigh County Medical Society and of the Lehigh Valley Medical Association. He is also a member of the Board of School Controllers for the city of Allen- town, representing the Seventh Ward, and is now Chairman of the board. In politics he is a true- blue Republican. A prominent Mason, he is Past Master of Lodge No. 469, at Coopersburg, this county.

May 2, 1882, Dr. Dickenshied was united in inarriage with Miss Clara C., daughter of Andrew

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

C. Bryan, formerly a resident of Allentown, but now deceased. To them have been born a son and a daughter: Henry M., now in his ninth year; and Margaret C., a child of seven years. The Doctor and his wife are members of St. John's Reformed Church.

T INSLEY JETER is one of the founders of Fountain Hill, and has been very active in the general improvement of the Bethlehems and vicinity. He is President of the Ryan Slate Company (owners of a quarry), was the projector and former owner of two-thirds of the stock of the Ironton Railroad Company, and is President of the South Bethlehem Improvement Association. One of the active real-estate men of the vicinity, he laid out the greater part of Fountain Hill, and has been very successful in that branch of business. Mr. Jeter was one of the organizers and leading movers in the ercction of the Bishop Thorpe School for Giris, having been a member of the Board of Trustees from its start. He was also one of the earliest to advocate St. Luke's Hospital, having been Chairman of the first committee for obtain- ing subscriptions, and was the first Chairman of the Exccutive Committee. He has always continued to take great interest in the hospital, and is still a member of the Board of Trustees. This institu- tion bears more than a local reputation, as it is considered one of the finest in the state.

The birth of Tinsley Jeter occurred in Amelia County, Va., in 1827, his father being John Tins- ley Jeter, who was born in the same county in 1798. John Jeter, the paternal grandfather, a na- tive of Amelia County, was a planter, and of Eng- lish descent. The family were old and respected citizens of the Old Dominion, and John Jeter .was a Captain in the War of 1812. John Tinsley Jeter also carried on a plantation, and was a merchant at Plainville until 1843, when he removed to Mis- souri. In that state he resided for four years, near Loutre Island, Montgomery County, and thenec went to New Orleans. Subsequently he purchased a plantation on the Mississippi River, opposite Ft. Hudson, and there his death oceurred in 1862. In

religious faith, he was, like his father, a devoted ad- herent of the Baptist denomination. Our subject's mother, formerly Elizabeth Newman, was born in Virginia, where her death occurred.

The boyhood of our subject was passed in Vir- ginia, where he obtained a good education. Later in life he was a student for two years at the Uni- versity of Missouri at Columbia. In the fall of 1847 he went to New Orleans, and in the spring of the following year went to South America, travel- ing there and in the Western States for three years. His object in going to South America was to attend to some business for his father in Venezuela, and this being completed he returned home. In 1851 he conimenced studying law in Philadelphia and was admitted to the Bar, but never engaged in practice, as he became interested in the iron mines in Lehigh County, and made his home until 1860 in Philadelphia, Pa.

It was in 1860 that our subject came to Bethle- liem, and from that time forward hisattention was mainly given to the development of iron mines in the vicinity. He superintended and formed the corporation for the building of the Ironton Rail- road from Ironton to Coplay, a distance of about eight miles. This railroad he continued to operate until 1866, when he sold out to New York parties, and it is now owned by the Thomas Iron Company. In 1888 Mr. Jeter opened the Ryan Slate Quarries, which produce a good quality of roofing slate. The company was incorporated, Mr. Jcter becoming its President.

In Philadelphia, Mr. Jeter was married in 1852 to a native of the city, Mary S., daughter of Thomas S. Richards. The latter was one of the early iron manufacturers of the state, and his death occurred in 1839. His father, Samuel Richards, spent his life in the Quaker City, where he died. The mother of Mrs. Jeter, whose Christian name was Harrict, was a daughter of Gen. Francis Nichols, of Revolution- ary fame, whose home was near Philadelphia. The residence of the Jeter family is beautifully situated on Fountain Hill. They have three children: John T., a graduate of Lehigh University and a mining engineer in Wilkes Barre, Pa .; and Harriet and Mary, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Jeter are members of the Church of the Nativity, one of the landmarks

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of Fountain Hill, in the organization of which our subject was very active, and was one of a commit- tee of three appointed to solicit subscriptions for its erection. The first service of the congregation was held in his own home, and he has in every manner possible forwarded its interests from the start. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, though he has not devoted much time to political affairs, as his time has been fully occupied with his busi- ness investments.

A BRAHAM C. PRINCE is President and General Manager of the Prince Manufact -. uring Company, and is a successful busi- ness man, well informed on general subjects, and an ardent Republican in politics. He was born and reared in Brooklyn, N. Y., and on the pater- nal side is of English descent. Three brothers of the name of Prince came from England in an early day, one settling in Maine, another in New York, and the third in Long Island, and the subject of this narrative is a descendant of the New York branch. His grandfather, Samuel, served in the Revolutionary War, and afterwards became a mer- chant in New York City. In that metropolis the thoroughfare known as Prince Street was named for him, and his home was formerly at the corner of Prince and Broadway Streets, where his death occurred.

Robert Prince, the father of Abraham, was born in Washington County, N. Y., and was reared in New York City. He became a merchant therc, running a large business on Broadway, and deal- ing in carpets and upholstery. Later he remov- ed liis business to Atlantic Street in Brooklyn, but in 1857 he became interested in Pennsylvania, and located in Bethlehem, near Weissport, Carbon Coun- ty, his first intention being to open a slate quarry. Hc had patented a flat slate roof, and being a chem- ist, while near Weissport hc invited the people to bring him samples of ore for analysis, and in that way discovered the particular mineral now uscd in the manufacture of the Prince Metallic Paints. On experimenting and finding its value in the busi-

ness, he bought a large tract of land, and secured a manufactory by buying up the Laury Forge, on Big Creek, which he changed and improved, ercct- ing kilns and furnaces. The business continucd at that place until after his death, when our subject and his brother built the works at Bowman, where they had better facilities. Robert Prince, who was of the Moravian faith, departed this life in 1872, at the age of seventy-one years.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Antoinette Cargill, and her birth occurred in New York City. Her father, Abraham Cargill, was also a native of the Empire State, to which his par- ents removed from Scotland. Hc engaged in run- ning a hardware and stove storc on Water Street, and was very wealthy when he retired. Mrs. Prince, who was rcared in thic Moravian faith, dicd in Brooklyn when her son, our subject, was a lad of twelve years, and of her seven children only four survive.

The birth of Abraham C. Prince occurred in 1844, and lic was mainly reared and educated in Brooklyn. When still quite young he was ap- pointed City Weighmaster in Brooklyn, and in September, 1861, he volunteered in defense of the Union, becoming a member of the First New York Mounted Rifles, which were cquipped by Col. Charles E. Dodge. Going to the front lie took part in the Virginia campaign, the raids around Richmond, and fought with Sheridan, his regiment acting all through the war as an independent regiment. At the close they were with Sheridan when he entered Richmond. Mr. Prince was a Sergeant, and though he had many narrow cscapes, having had bullets shot through his clothes and horses kilicd under him, he escaped un- injured. At Fredericksburg he was detailcd to serve in the Commissary Department, where he remained until mustered out and honorably dis- charged in July, 1865.

Returning to Brooklyn, Mr. Prince engaged in the coal business for two years, and in 1867 remov- ed to Pennsylvania, engaging in the manufacture of concrete building block and hydraulic cement. They erccted a mill at Millport and manufactured cement at Lehigh Gap, on the site of the old Le- high Valley Coal and Navigation Company's lands.

JOHN J. UNANGST.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Afterwards he, in company with his father, proceed- ed to manufacture paints, and after the latter's death, in company with his brother David, lie built the works at Bowman, which have since been much enlarged. There are now three mills, each with a capacity per month of two or three hundred'tons of metallic paints. The company owns and controls about one thousand acres of this mineral land, which contains the only ore of the kind in the United States. When first mined it is a dark blue color, but after being calcined and oxidized turns to a reddish brown, and remains so when manufactured into paint. The plant has fine water-power from the canal, and in calcining wood is used to cn- hance the purity. The products of the company are sent to all points of the United States, also to Europe, South America and other foreign places. Employment is given to from seventy-five to eighty men. In 1878 the firm was incorporated as the Prince Manufacturing Company, with a paid- up capital of $60,000, A. C. Prince being President and General Manager, and David Prince being Secretary and Treasurer. They have a branch store in Maiden Lane, New York City, and have representatives and agencies in most of the in- portant cities of the country. In connection with their mills they have three cooper shops, where all their packages are made.

Since September, 1886, A. C. Prince has made his home in Bethlehem. He was married in 1867, in Brooklyn, to Miss Lizzie F., daughter of Henry Lovejoy, both of whom were born in New Hamp- shire. Mr. Lovejoy was engaged in the electro- typing business in Boston, and was the first to in- troduce the same in New York City, where he succeeded in building up a large business, being in his later years a member of the extensive firm of H. Lovejoy, Son & Co., of No. 117 Vandevanter Street. His death occurred in New York City at the age of eighty-two years and six months. His wife, a native of Maine, was formerly Melinda Wheeler, and her death occurred when in her six- ty-second year. Mrs. Prince was reared to woman- hood in Brooklyn, and has four living children: Alice, Antoinette, Melinda and Florence.

A member of the Grand Army of the Republic, our subject is identified with J. K. Taylor Post of

this city. As a member of the Moravian Church, he is one of the Advisory Financial Board of Pre- siding Elders of the Conference and is Trustee of the theological seminary and college. Always interested in educational affairs, he is on the Board of Directors of the Moravian Parochial School. The Republican party represents his ideas on the subject of protection and general questions, and to it he gives his support. Mr. Prince was for many years a Director of the Second National Bank of Mauch Chunk, Pa., and filled that position until quite recently.

OHN J. UNANGST, a leading merchant and prominent business man of Nazareth, was born in Lower Nazareth Township, Northampton County, November 15, 1832, and is of Ger- man descent. The first representatives of the fam- ily in America werc three brothers, Philip, George Henry and John Unangst, who emigrated from Germany to this country in a very early day and settled in Pennsylvania, John Jacob locating in Williams Township, Philip in Mt. Bethel, and George Henry in Bethlehem Township, Northamp- ton County. The latter was the grandfather of our subject and a farmer by occupation. His fam- . ily consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom are deceased.

Jacob Unangst, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in Bethlehem Township, February 22, 1799, and departed this life February 27, 1876, at the age of seventy-seven years and five days. He died in Bethlehem Township and was buried in the Hicktown Cemetery. December 12, 1819, he married Miss Elizabeth Johnson, and they became the parents of seven children, as fol- lows: Catherine, the wife of Daniel Wagner, who resides near Easton, Pa .; William, a farmer of Moore Township; Susan, Mrs. Robert Fogle, of Bethlehem Township; Jonas, who died in infancy; John J., our subject; Elizabeth, the wife of James W. Woodring, of Bethlehem Township; and Lu- cinda, Mrs. James A. Dech, of Allen Township. The father was a Democrat in politics, and was al-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ways found in the front ranks of that party. In his religious connections he was a consistent mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. In his later years he became very deaf, which affliction disqualified him for the aetive duties of life.

The subject of this sketeh was reared to man- hood in Bethlehem Township, and was educated in the public sehools and in Vanderveer's school. Soon after completing his studies he became a teacher in the schools of his vicinity, and contin- ued in the arduous duties of that profession until he attained the age of twenty-two, when he mar- ried, and with his young wife began keeping hotel. For fifteen years he was the "jolly host" of the Seip's Hotel. While making his home in Seip's he took an active part in polities, and filled several offices of honor and trust. He was elected Treas- urer of the county, and at various times filled most of the local offices of his township. He also served as Committeeman and as a delegate to the county conventions.

In 1869 Mr. Unangst moved to Nazareth and commenced to manufacture farming implements, in which for ten years he eondueted a successful business. Misfortune then befell him, for his fae- tory and all its contents were destroyed by fire, eausing a loss of $30,000. At the time of the fire there was no insurance on the property, and con- sequently everything was lost. Being energetic and a man of good business ability, Mr. Unangst was not discouraged by this catastrophe, but im- mediately embarked in the mercantile business, and in that he has sueeeeded beyond his anticipations. Mareh 1, 1883, the firm title became John J. Un- angst & Son. They are dealers in general mer- ehandise, and carry a stoek valued at about $15,- 000. In addition to his other business interests, he owns and conducts a large farm in Bethlehem Township, which is one of the finest in the county. In 1886 he removed to Bethlehem, where he has since made his residence.

Mr. Unangst was united in marriage January 13, 1855, with Miss Susan C., daughter of Peter Seip, a well known eitizen of Seip's. They became the parents of eight children, as follows: Edna, the wife of George D. Kressler, of West Bethlehem; Eugene P., a druggist of Bethlehem, who married

Carrie Uberoth, of Philadelphia; Edward J., a member of the firm of John J. Unangst & Son, and who married Mary Helms, of Easton; Lizzie, wife of Dr. Wilson Kern, of Upper Nazareth Township; Oliver E., who died in infancy; Jane P., the wife of Walter S. Freeman, a druggist of Phillipsburg, N. J .; Mary S., the wife of Albert E. Duckham, a civil engineer of Pittsburg, Pa .; and Addison, who is connected with the Unangst Furniture and Car- pet Store of Nazareth.

Politieally Mr. Unangst is a Democrat, and has filled several offices of trust. While making his home in Nazareth he served as Burgess of the bor- ough for some time, and also filled the office of School Director. He is an Elder in the Lutheran Church of Bethlehem, and takes an active interest in all church work, also in educational affairs. His business career has been such as to win for him the confidence of his associates, and socially his genial, generous disposition has won for him a host of warm friends.

H ENRY J. SEAMAN, General Manager for the Atlas Cement Company, whose works are located in Whitehall Township, near Coplay, was born in Shasta County, Cal., in 1859. He is a son of Henry J. and Maria Seaman, natives of Bethlehem, and the former of whom is now de- ceased. When about four years of age, our sub- jeet accompanied his parents to Pennsylvania, and received his preliminary education in the schools of Bethlehem, where they located. Later he was graduated from Lehigh University with the Class of '89, and, having taken a special course in that institution, was for several years afterward chem- ist and furnace manager of the Crane Iron Com- pany. Subsequently for three years, he was in the employ of the Carbon Iron and Pipe Company, of which he was General Superintendent, and in 1892 he came to fill his present position as Gen- eral Manager of the Atlas Cement Company.

The eement works in which our subject is em- ployed were incorporated with the following gen- tlemen as offieers: J. R. Maxwell, President; J.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

F. DeNavarro, Vice-President; Alphonzo DeNa- varro, Second Vice-President; and Henry Graves, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. Their main office is in the Central Building, No. 143 Liberty Street, New York City, where they find a ready market for the product of the factory. The company man- ufacture solely a high grade of Portland cement, the daily capacity being six hundred barrels, They employ about one hundred hands in the mill, which is equipped with the best methods of ma- chinery to be found in the market. In the manu- facture of this article they use crude oil for fuel, and rotary cylinders, the latter being covered by a patent controlled by the corporation.

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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 115

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