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 12
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 12
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 12
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W ILLIAM F. DE LONG. No one is more universally esteemed in this county than he whose name appears at the head of this sketch. He is agent for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at Rockdale, where he is also the owner of the Rockdale Hotel and Post- master of the place. Notwithstanding the promi- nent position which he holds among the citizens of his township, he is one of the most unostenta- tious of men, and is very popular, justly meriting the high esteem in which he is held.
The subject of this sketch is a native of this county, and was born November 30, 1845. He is a son of Solomon and Sally De Long, the latter of whom is deceased. The former, who resides in Allentown, has passed his threescore years and ten. Grandfather De Long was an old resident of Lowhill Township, while his father was promi- nently identificd with the upbuilding of North Whitehall Township.
William F., of this sketch, lived with his parents
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until seventeen years of age, when he began rail- roading, and filled his position in such a satisfac- tory manner that he was soon promoted to be assistant agent at Rockdale. In 1883, when his brother, A. W., who was agent at this place, moved to Allentown, he was appointed to fill the vacancy. In 1868 he established the Rockdale Hotel, which he has carried on in connection with his other in- terests. For several years prior to being appointed Postmaster, he was assistant to that official. In 1883, however, he was made head of the postoffice, and is still the incumbent of that position.
In his political beliefs Mr. De Long is a sup- porter of Republican principles. Through good business ability, enterprise, perseverance and well directed efforts he has become a prosperous citizen, and may truly be called a self-made man.
William F. De Long and Miss Jane A. Newhard were united in marriage in 1868. Of the two chil- dren born to them, only one, Minnie, is living. Clement died when nine months old. In addition to the enterprises which we have already mentioned in which our subject is engaged, he has been inter- ested for many years in the coal, flour and feed business, and has handled each year nearly one thousand tons of coal.
ILLOUGHBY K. KISTLER, M. D., is one of the leading physicians of Le- high County and is located at Germans- ville, where he has been engaged in practice since 1871. He is a native of this county and was born November 1, 1846, to Jacob M. and Lydia (Kist- ler) Kistler, also natives of this county, residing during their life in Kistler's Valley. George Kist- ler, who is the founder of that branch of the fam- ily to whichi our subject belongs, is said to have located in what is now known as Montgomery County as early as 1745.
The original of this sketch was reared on the
farın in Kistler's Valley, which was in the posses- sion of the family for many generations, and is now owned by his brother, Charles K. Willoughby K. attended the public schools of Lynn Township until a lad of fifteen years, when he entered the academy at Quakertown, and later the Lewisburg Academy in Union County, this state. The knowl- edge gained therein was supplemented by a course at the Allentown Seminary and the normal school at Kutztown. Young Kistler then taught five terms of school, when the opportunity presented itself for him to carry out his long cherished plan of becoming a physician. With this end in view he read medicine with Dr. F. C. Seiberling, an emi- nent physician of Lynnville, Pa., and in the fall of 1868 entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York City, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1870.
When looking around for a suitable location Dr. Kistler made settlement in Pennsville, Carbon County, where he practiced for a year. He then came to Germansville, soon secured a lucrative patronage and has resided here ever since. He stands very high in professional circles and is con- nected with the Lchigh County Medical Society. In politics he is a stanch adherent of Republican principles and a strong advocate of public schools.
Dr. W. K. Kistler and Miss Emma C. Seiberling, a native of this county, were united in marriage in 1871. The lady is the daughter of Squire Joshua Seiberling, now deceased, but formerly a resident of Seiberlingville, which place was named in honor of his family. To the Doctor and his estimable wife there have been born two children. Clinton J. is now a student in the medical depart- ment of the Pennsylvania University, being a mem- ber of the Class of '95. Prior to entering this institu- tion he was graduated from the Kutztown Normal School. He taught school for two terms before entering the medical school. Minnie M., the daugh- ter, is likewise a graduate of the State Normal School of Kutztown and is at present engaged in teaching in the public schools of Slatington.
Socially our subject is identified with Central Lodge No. 636, I. O. O. F., at Pleasant Corners, in which order he is Past Grand. As a private citi- zen the Doctor is highly esteemed for his public
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spirit, personal example and interest in all that is beneficial to his members of the community and the county at large. The Doetor and his family are members of the Lutheran wing of the Heidel- berg Church.
ILLIAM J. HUMPHREY, M. D. Cher- ryville is not without her share of members of the learned professions, who are a erodit to the pursuit they have chosen and to the town itself. Among those who have taken up the ealling of medical practitioner is Dr. Humphrey, who devotes himself assiduously to his praetiee and to those investigations which will enhanee his professional knowledge and skill. He is a native of the above place and was born Marel 25, 1850.
The parents of Dr. William J. Humphrey were Dr. Charles H. and Elizabeth (Stanton) Humphrey, both natives of Northampton County. The father was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and one of the most eminent physicians in this re- gion. He was born in the Irish settlement, and read medieine under the instruction of the late Dr. Edward Humphrey. During the war he was Examining Surgeon for the Eighth Congressional Distriet, and he praetieed medicine for over sixty years. He was a devoted member of the Presby- terian Church, and aided in many ways to spread the Gospel in his community. He departed this life at his home in Cherryville, June 3, 1893, when in the eighty-sixth year of his age, leaving four sons and two dauglite:s, namely: William J., the subjeet of this sketeh; Charles E., a physician of prominence in Bethlehem; Thomas, who was a student in Princeton College during the late war, and offering his services to his eountry, eontraeted an illness from which he died at his home in 1867; Robert, also a physician, living in Milligan, Neb .; Mary E., who married John N. Hinkson, and is
living in Chester, this state; and Sarah J., who makes her home in Baltimore, Md.
Dr. William J. Humphrey received his primary education in the common schools of Cherryville, and later attended Diekinson Seminary, at Will- iamsport, Pa. Then, deeiding to follow in the footsteps of his honored father, he began the study of medicine in 1870, and afterward entered the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in the Class of '72. He immediately took up the prae- tiee of his profession in this place, where he has been located ever since.
Dr. Humphrey was married in October, 1875, to Miss Ellen S., daughter of Erwin Mushlitz, a resi- dent of Bethlehem. To their union have been born six children: Thomas S., who is now attend- ing leeturcs at the University of Pennsylvania; Robert, Charles H., Harold H., Annie and Hattie. In social affairs the Doetor is a Mason of high standing, belonging to the lodge in Slatington. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Chureli, in the faith of which he was trained by his parents. In polities he never fails to vote for Republiean candidates, believing that party to be in the right. He is well established in repuation as a physician and surgeon, and is recognized as among the able practitioners of the county.
H ON. JACOB B. KEMERER, Burgess and practicing attorney, is engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, being a member of the firm of Woller & Kemerer, the largest and most extensive real-estate firm in Beth- lehem. He is a native of Center Valley, Lehiglı County, his father being Benjamin Kemerer, a merehant by oeeupation, who removed to Phila- delphia with his family when his son was quite young. The family eame from Germany, our sub- jeet's grandfather, Jacob, being one of the early settlers of this region. Our subjeet's father was a merehant at Center Valley, then removed to Free- mansburg, and was engaged in transportation on
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the Lehigh Canal, in boat building and in manu- facturing rope.
Benjamin Kemerer became a resident of Phila- delphia in 1848, where he became a member of the firm of Rex, Kemerer & Co., one of the leading stores in the city at that time, and continued to do business until 1858. He then went to New York City, where he was engaged in merchandis- ing on commission, and also in the transportation line. His death occurred in Philadelphia in 1882, when he was sixty-six years of age. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and was a Re- publican in politics. His wife, Mary (Bachman) Kemerer, was born in Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, and came of a good family of that district. Mrs. Kemercr died in 1867, leaving three children, of whom Sarah died in Philadelphia; our subject is next in order of birth, and Albert H., a member of the firm of Dickie & Co., is engaged in the real-estate business in Pittsburg.
The birth of J. B. Keinerer occurred December 21, 1844, and his education was mainly acquired in the public and high schools of Philadelphia, from the latter of which he graduated in 1861. He then came to Bethlehem, where he pursued a course of legal studies with U. J. Wenner, and in 1876 he was admitted to the Bar. Prior to this he had been engaged for three or four years with the firm of H. B. Claflin & Co., the largest wholesale house in New York. Since being admitted to the Bar, Mr. Kemerer has continued in active practice at his present location, and has been very successful. In 1887 he formed a partnership with Clarence A. Wolle in the real-estate and fire insurance bus- iness, and has made a specialty of commercial law and the cxamination of records. With others he projected and laid out the west side addition to West Bethlehem, a tract of fifty or sixty acres, and has done much for the town in which he dwells. Moreover, he laid out forty acres of North Bethle- hem, and it is mainly due to this firm that the Bos- ton capitalists who control the excellent electric railway system connecting Allentown, Catasau- qua, Bethlehem and South Bethlehem, were in- duced to invest their money there.
As a Democrat, Mr. Kemerer has done a good service to his party, and in 1889 his prominence led
to his clection as Burgess of Bethlehem, to which office he was re-elected the following two years. From 1880 to 1889 he represented the Third Ward in the City Council, and for the last two years was President of the same. He served on the High- way or Street and Water Supply Committees, and was Chairman of the Street, Police and Law Com- mittees. Under his influence, and during the last year he served in the Council, maeadamizing was begun on Main Street, and later other improvements were introduced. At the present time he is a member of the State Central Democratic Committee from Northampton County. At the spring election of 1894, Mr. Kemerer was again elected to the office of Chief Burgess for a term of three years.
In this city, in 1865, J. B. Kemerer married Miss Amanda J. Seem, daughter of Joseph Secm, who was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Kemerer was born near Bethlehem, and by her marriage has be- come the mother of one son, Albert G., who is en- gaged in business with his father in the insurance department. The residence of the family is lo- cated on North Main Street, and both Mr. Kemerer and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
HARLES H. KISTLER follows the com- bined occupations of farmer and wagon- maker, and has a good estate located in Washington Township, Lehigh County. He also has a wagon shop on his place and has been en- gaged in that business here since 1877. Mr. Kist- ler is a native of Lehigh County, having been born in Lynn Township November 23, 1850, to Josiah and Caroline Kistler, also natives of the above township.
The death of our subject's father occurred when he was a lad of eleven years. Three years previ- ous to this, however, his parents being in limited circumstances, he was taken into the home of his uncle, with whom he remained until reaching his fifteenth ycar. At this time he returned to the
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home farm and superintended its operation for his widowed mother. She was the mother of a large family of children, of whom five survive, those besides our subject being, Wilson, who resides in Allentown; Lewis H., who lives in Kansas; Mary, the wife of Daniel Tyson, who makes her home in Lchigh County; and Henry H., wlio is also a resi- dent of Kansas.
Charles H. Kistler began the trade of a wagon- maker one year prior to attaining his majority, in the meantime prosecuting his studies in the schools of that period. He learned his trade at Claussville, where he worked for two years, and subsequently entered the employ of P. A. Semmel, of Slating- ton, whence he later came to his present stand. Mr. Kistler is the owner of seventy-three acres of land, which he devotes to general farming and has improved in a very able manner.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary C. Anthony was celebrated in 1873. The lady was born in this county, and by her union with Mr. Kistler has become the mother of seven children, viz .: Howard H., George E., Florence J., Mabel C., Sallie C., Willie W., and Charles, deceased. Our subject has always been greatly interested in edu- cational affairs and for six years served as a mem- ber of the Board. He is a Republican in politics and takes an active part in local affairs. The Lu- theran Churchi finds in him one of its most de- voted and consistent members, he having been connected with that denomination for many years. Mr. Kistler is a truly self-made man and one much liked throughout his community for his sterling worth and integrity.
A MANDES C. NOLF. This gentleman may truly be called a self-made man, as will be seen by the perusal of his history. He is now serving as Justice of the Peace of Franklin, where by reason of his intelligence, sterling char- acter and reliable citizenship he ranks among the
well-to-do business men of the placc. He is Sec- retary of the Sun Slate Company, and was born in Northampton County, this state, December 17, 1853.
John and Susannah (Heckman) Nolf, the par- ents of our subject, were likewise natives of the above county, but the latter is now deceased. Our subject was reared to man's estate in his native place, and assisted his father in cultivating tlie home farm until lie reached his majority. In the Incantime he carried on his studies in the public schools, and subsequently became a student at the Weaversville Academy. After being graduated from that institution, he spent the following nine years teaching school in Washington Township, his first charge having been at Slatedale. He after- ward taught for a time in Williamston, and for seven years was a tutor in the public schools of Franklin.
When engaging in a business life, Mr. Nolf be- came bookkeeper and office manager for the Sun Slate Company, and so successful was he in all that he did that in 1891 he was taken into the firm, with which he has since been connected. The President of the company is Justice Moyer, wlio formerly served as its Treasurer, but is now its manager. In 1876 Mr. Nolf was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of Tilghman Kuntz, of Franklin. Their union has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, who bears tlie name of Goldie.
In politics our subject gives allegiance to the Republican party. He has never sought office, but at the solicitation of his fellow-citizens he has filled tlie responsible position of Justice of the Peace since 1884, of which office he is the present incumbent. He is a prominent member of the United Evangelical Church, which body he serves as President of the Board of Trustees at Slating- ton. He has always been greatly interested in Sunday-school work, and has been the efficient Superintendent of the school for many years.
. Mr. Nolf thoroughly identifies himself with whatever will best promote the highest interests of this county, and he is numbered among its most loyal citizens. Socially he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Slatington,
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and is now serving as District Deputy Grand Mas- ter of that order in this county. He is also con- nected with the Order of Red Men at Slatington, and with the Knights of Malta.
**
ILLIAM S. KUHNS, a hardware mer- chant and dealer in plumbers' supplies of Lehighton, is numbered among the native sons of the Keystone State, and is a repre- sentative of one of the early families of Carbon County. He was born on a farm in this county, on the 17th of August, 1856, and is a son of David and Mary (Seiger) Kuhns. The father was an agriculturist and owned and operated a farm in Carbon County, upon which he spent his entire life. He was called to his final rest in 1864, and his wife also died on the old homestead. This worthy couple were the parents of twelve chil- dren, seven sons and five daughters.
The member of the family in whom our readers are most interested is the well known hardware merchant of Lehighton, William S. Kuhns. In the usual manner of farmer lads he was reared to man- hood, spending the winter months in attendance at the district schools of the neighborhood, while in the summer season he aided in the labors of the fields. Early in life he became familiar with farm work in all its departments. In order to acquire a better education he also attended school in Weiss- port and Lchighton. He made his home upon the farm until he had attained his majority, when, not wishing to follow the occupation to which he was reared, he left home and began learning the trade of a tinsmith with his brother, B. A. Kuhns, who was carrying on a store in Schuylkill County. When he had mastered the business he worked as journeyman for several years. In 1882 he em- barked in business on his own account in Lehigh- ton, beginning operations on a small scale as a hardware merchant. His stock at first was quite limited, but he enlarged his facilities to meet the growing demand, until he now has a fine store,
well equipped with everything found in his line. He has also added a stock of furnaces, and in 1894 put in all kinds of plumbing supplies.
On the 21st of October, 1877, Mr. Kuhns was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Rhodes, a daughter of Reuben Rhodes, of Lehighton, and their union has been blessed with a family of nine children. The parents are both members of the Evangelical Association, and take a commendable interest in church and benevolent work. Their home is a pleasant residence, and its hospitable doors are ever open for the reception of their many friends.
Mr. Kulins is a practical workman in all the de- partments of his business, and as he thoroughly understands the goods in which he deals, he can order to good advantage and place upon the mar- ket his stock at reasonable prices. He has the con- fidence of the public, and well deserves the same.
RANK P. SHARKEY is the efficient and popular Postmaster of Mauch Chunk, and - his able administration of the affairs of the office lias won him the high commendation of all concerned. He is also an attorney-at-law, and although a young man, has won at the Bar a prominence which might well be envied by many an older practitioner.
Mr. Sharkey was born in the city which is still his home, on the 27th of March, 1859, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine (O'Ncil) Sharkey, both of whom were of Irish descent. For many years the father was a merchant at Mauch Chunk, and was recognized as one of its prominent and pro- gressive business men. The greater part of his life was here passed, and his death occurred in this city in 1870. His wife still survives him, and is now living in Mauch Chunk. They were the parents of a family of eight children.
Frank P. Sharkey, whose name heads this record, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home, no event of special importance oc-
1
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curring during his early youth. In the publie schools he acquired a good English education, which served as a foundation for the knowledge which he afterward gained. He subsequently went abroad, pursuing his studies in Carlow, Ireland, and in the London University, where he remained for five years. On the expiration of that period he returned to the United States and began the study of law under the preceptorship of Hon. Al- len Craig, one of the best known legal practition- ers in the state, now serving as Judge of the Forty- third Judicial District. Thus his time was em- ployed until April, 1887, when he was admitted to the Bar, and at onee opened an office and began general law practice in his own interest.
Mr. Sharkey takes quite an active interest in loeal and state politics, and is a stanch supporter of the men and measures of the Democraey, hav- ing voted with that party since attaining huis ma- jority. He was appointed County Solicitor in 1891, and filled that position during the sueceed- ing three years in a eapable and faithful manner. In December, 1893, he was appointed Postmaster of Mauch Chunk by President Cleveland, and is now diseliarging the duties of that offiee with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constitu- ents. He is a wide-awake and enterprising young man, whose exeellent ability destines him to rapid advancement, either in polities or at the Bar, whieli- cver line of work he decides to follow.
J ULIUS A. REMMEL is the well known, popu- lar and efficient Postmaster of Mauch Chunk, and in this position has served for the past fifteen years, discharging his duties with a prompt- ness and fidelity that have won him high eommen- dation and led to his long retention in office. He is a native of the city which is still his home, for
his birth here occurred on the 8th of January, 1850. His parents are Nicholas and Charlotte (Howard) Remmel. `The father was a pattern- maker by tradc, and followed that oceupation during the greater part of his life, thereby support- ing himself and family. He was ealled to the home beyond in .January, 1893, and in his death the community lost one of its worthy eitizens. His wife still survives him, and is yet living in Mauch Chunk.
No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of Julius A. Remmel. He was quietly reared in his parents' home, and in the public schools of Mauch Chunk acquired a good English education which fitted liim for the prac- tical duties of life. During his younger years lie was variously employed, following any occupation whereby he might earn an honest living. For a time lie engaged in elerking, being thus employed in the dry-goods store of J. W. Heberling & Co., with which he continued his connection for several years. Later he secured a position, and served as mail messenger on the road for a term of three months, and was then offered employment in the Postoffice of Mauch Chunk, serving as Assistant Postmaster. The duties of that office he faithfully performed until 1888, when he was appointed Postmaster under the administration of Benjamin Harrison, then President of the United States.
Mr. Remmel was married in 1884, the lady of his choice being Miss Josephine V. Babcoek, a well known resident of Mauch Chunk, and a daughter of Charles Babcock. They became the parents of one son, William L., but he died in early life.
In his political views, Mr. Remmel is a Repub- liean, and always supports the men and measures of that party. He is a warm advocate of its prin- eiples, and does all in his power to aid in its growth and insure its suecess. Socially, he is con- nected with the Royal Arcanum, and is a member of Carbon Lodge No. 242, F. & A. M. As a citizen he is wide-awake and progressive, and his support is given to those enterprises which he be- lieves will prove of publie benefit. His long con- nection with the Postoffice has made him familiar with the general public, and his pleasant and affa- ble manner and the many excellences of his char-
WESTON DODSON.
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acter have gained him the high regard of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. Both he and his wife have many friends in the community.
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