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 13

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 13
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 13
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 13

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).

*****

ESTON DODSON, founder of the firm of Weston Dodson & Co., extensive miners and shippers of anthracite coal, was formerly a resident and prominent citi- zen of Bethlehem, with the welfare of which place he was identified for twenty-six years. Though he left a large estate at the time of his death, it was all honestly and honorably ac- quired, for he was a man of the strictest integrity, and made it his rule in life to follow in a prac- tical way the Master's teaching of doing unto others as he would be donc by. By his fellow-cit- izens and those who knew him best, he was held in the highest honor as a man of inflexible truth and noble work.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Samuel Dodson, and his father, whose given name was John, was a well known farmer of Penn Town- ship, in what was formerly Northampton, but which is now comprised within the limits of Carbon Coun- ty. The date of his birth was February 26, 1771, and his mother was Elizabeth ( Rhoades) Dodson. He was the fourth in order of birth and the second son of ten children. After attaining his majority he removed to Huntingdon Township, Luzerne County, where he purchased a farm, which he im- proved and cultivated until his death, May 9, 1859. He was first married in 1796, to Miss Clarissa Har- rison, daughter of Stephen Harrison. This lady died in 1820, leaving eight children to mourn her loss. Her father was formerly a resident of Litch- field County, Conn., and became a prominent farm- er in Luzerne County. For his second wife John Dodson chose Sophronia Monroe, who was a native

of Connecticut, and whose death occurred in 1841. The father was a Justice of the Peace, having been first appointed by the Governor, and later elected for several terms by the people. The Dodson fam- ily is of English descent, three brothers having lo- cated in Pennsylvania in its early history.

Weston Dodson was born April 22, 1824, and grew to manhood on his father's farm in Luzerne County. In early manhood he went to Freemans- burg, where he began his life work. At the age of thirty-five he removed to Bethlehem, where he finished his long and highly prosperous business career.

April 12, 1859, a ceremony was performed that united Weston Dodson and Miss Jane E. Craig, daughter of William Craig, a pioneer of North- ampton County. The result of this union was the birth of three children: Mary R., now Mrs. G. R. Radford, who resides in Philadelphia; and C. Miner and Jane W., the two latter living with their mother.

The large coal mines in which Mr. Dodson was interested are located at Morea and Audenried, Schuylkill and Carbon Counties respectively, and rank among the finest in the state, thousands of tons of coal being daily handled at these points. The villages inhabited by the miners are beautifully situated, and are much better managed than the villages usually allotted to this class of workmen. The residences are substantial, the communities plentifully supplied with pure, wholesome water, and the company has always made it a point, as far as possible, to surround their workmen with favorable and pleasant conditions.

The death of Weston Dodson occurred January 8, 1889, and his funeral was attended by hosts of friends and fellow-townsmen and numbers of prom- inent people from all parts of the country, the ser- vices taking place at the Trinity Episcopal Church, of which he was one of the founders. Among the last words which fell from the lips of our subject was one brief sentence, which deserves to be re- membered by everyone who knew him. Within a few hours of his death, when the dark shadows were closing around him, he said, with a flash of proud consciousness, which gave a most touching pathos to his words: "Every dollar I leave my chil-

152

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dren has been justly earned." The name which he kept untarnished is a truly noble heritage for his children, and his influenee in the community is one which is still felt for good.

OUIS A. SALADE, M. D., A. B., M. A., is one of the leading young physicians and surgeons of Catasauqua, having succeeded in acquiring an extensive and remunerative prac- tice. A public-spirited man, he is always iden- tified with all movements tending to further lo- cal and general interests, and personally is very popular, having hosts of warm friends. A native of Schuylkill County, Pa., the Doctor was born near Tamaqua, June 27, 1864. For several gener- ations his ancestors had followed the medical pro- fession, in which they achieved high honors. He comes of good old Huguenot stock, his great- great-grandfather having fled from the religious perseeution in France, to seek refuge in this land of liberty and free eonscience. Dr. Joseph Salade, our subject's grandfather, was a native of Penn- sylvania, and graduated from the Jefferson Medieal College at Philadelphia. He praeticcd for a time in this state, but later found his field of work in Cireleville, Olio, where he was a practicing. physi- cian until he retired to return to his old home. His death occurred when nearly eighty years of age, in New Ringgold, Pa.

The father of our subjeet, Dr. Edwin S., was born in the Keystone State, his boyhood being passed in Ohio. Like his father before him, he be- came a student in Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and later was in the medieal depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania. After his graduation he settled in Schuylkill County, and in 1872 became a resident of Tamaqua, where lie was in practice until his death in 1884, when he had nearly attained his fiftieth birthday. Religi- ously he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in polities was a Democrat. The wife of Dr. Edwin Salade was before her marriage Enima S. Yaeger, a native of Berks County. Her father, Rev. Gottleib F., was born in Wurtemberg, Ger-

many, in 1797, and received his education at the University of Tubingen. He was ordained as a minister in the Lutheran Church, and on coming to the United States, when about twenty years of age, located in Berks County, where he preached the Gospel for over half a century. He liad the honor of being the oldest minister in his denom- ination in this country at the time of his death, which occurred in his ninetieth year. His wife, formerly Mary Audenried, of Swiss descent, also lived to an extreme old age, licr death occurring when she was ninety-two years of age. The mother of our subject is still living, her home being in Tamaqua, and of her two sons and one daughter Louis A. is the youngest. His brother has passed a way, and the sister, Mamie, is the wife of Dr. R. N. Ramsay, of Birmingham, Ala.

Dr. Louis A. Salade attended the excellent pub- lic and private schools of his birthplace, and in 1880 entered the preparatory department of Frank- lin and Marshall College at Lancaster. In 1881 lie entered the Freshman class of that well known institution, and was active in its literary society, being still a member of the Greek letter fraternity known as the Chi Phi Society. He graduated in 1885 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1890 his Alma Mater conferred upon himn the de- gree of Master of Arts. In the fall of 1885 the young man entered the University of Pennsyl- vania, in the medical department, and graduated three years later with the degree of Doctor of Med- icine. For a time, as his health had been slightly impaired by his arduous studies, the Doetor was in the South, being eonneeted with the Pioneer Min- ing and Manufacturing Company at Thomas, Ala. At the end of two years, having recovered his nor- mal health, lie returned, and in 1890 located in this city to begin his career, which has greatly prospered. The Doctor's residence and office are at the corner of Fourth and Strawberry Streets, a beautiful place, showing the marks of refinement and eulture.

February 26, 1889, Dr. Salade married Miss Blanche T., daughter of J. W. Fuller, whose biog- raphy appears in another portion of this work. Mrs. Salade was born in Philadelphia, and passed her girlhood in this city. She was given the best

153

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of educational advantages, for after completing the public schools of this city she entered Vassar College, and later was a student in the exclusive and renowned Ogontz in Philadelphia. The Doe- tor and his wife have two living children, Lewis A., Jr., and Jeannette. The parents are faithful attendants and members of the Episcopal Church.

Dr. Salade is a member of the Board of Health of Catasauqua, and is in the front ranks of all measures pertaining to sanitation and hygiene. He belongs to the Lehigh County, the Lehigh Val- ley and the State Medical Societies, having aeted as Vice-President of the first-named organization.

R EV. JOHN F. POLLOCK, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, is a native of Scotland. He was born in Coatbridge, near Glasgow, January 4, 1846, and is a son of Alexander and Jean (Findlater) Pollock. In 1852 his parents emigrated with their family to the United States, and took up their residence in Blossburg, Tioga County, Pa. In his youth he attended the public schools, where his primary ed- ucation was acquired, and in September, 1867, he entered Lafayette College, where he continued his studies for four years, being graduated from that institution ir. 1871. With the desire to enter the ministry and make its work his profession through life, he then entered the Theological Seminary of Princeton, N. J., and was graduated in 1874, after a three-years course.

After being ordained the gentleman of whom we write entered upon his life work, and accepted a call to the pastorate of tlie Presbyterian Church in Oxford, N. J., where he continued for nine years. During that time he won the love and eon fi- dence not only of his own congregation, but of all the people of the community, and was highly re- spected throughout that vieinity. On account of failing health the charge was resigned in April, 1883, and he traveled for a period of five months in Europe. After he returned he came to Allentown, in response to a call from the First Presbyterian Church of this city. Eleven years have passed since that time, but he has continued as its pastor uninter-

ruptedly. The church under his leadership has grown, and has become one of the leading relig- ious organizations of Allentown.

In 1874 Mr. Polloek was united in marriage withi Miss Lizzie Agnew, a resident of Easton, Pa., and a daughter of John Agnew. She has been a faithful companion and helpmate to her husband, aiding him in his labors and bearing a prominent part in the church work. She, also, is greatly be- loved, for she possesses many excellenees of char- aeter and kindliness of spirit, which have gained her the warm regard of all with whom she has been brought in contaet. She presides with grace over their pleasant and hospitable home, which is located at No. 35 North Fifth Street.

Mr. Pollock is a frequent contributor to various local papers on religious and moral topics. He is a ready writer, and his fluency and precision, added to the deep thoughit given to matters on which he writes, make his articles inueh sought for by the publie. In the pulpit he is a logical speaker, clear and forcible, and the regard of his congregation is shown by his long retention in the pastorate of one church. Among his people he is a courteous, warm-hearted gentleman, who teaches as much by example as by precept.

H ON. ASA PACKER, or Judge Packer, as he was more generally known, was a phil- anthropist, a politician and a business man of the highest order. Few men in this eom- munity have become more widely and favorably known than he, for his name was famous not only in this, but in many adjoining states. To lim is due the honor, to a large extent, of having opened up the riches of the inexhaustible beds of the an- thracite coal regions.

The birth of Judge Packer occurred in Groton, Conn., December 20, 1806, and he departed this life in Philadelphia, May 17, 1879. After receiving common-school advantages he commenced learn- ing the tanner's trade, but in 1822 went to Sus- quehanna County, Pa., where he learned the car- penter's trade with a relative, and he afterward worked at this calling in New York City. Re-

154

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

turning to the Keystone State, however, when the Lehigh Valley Canal was opened in 1823, he estab- lished his home in Mauch Chunk, becoming the owner and master of a boat which carried coal to Philadelphia. He also acquired an interest in other boats, but in 1831 gave up the business in order to carry on a store and boatyard. In 1837 he completed a contract for locks, becoming well known as a contractor in this line. A year later he began to build boats at Pottsville for the transportation of coal to New York by way of the new canal, which soon attracted all the traffic that had before passed through Philadelphia. Judge Packer became extensively engaged in min- ing and the transportation of coal, working the mines of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company and operating new mines at Hazleton.

In 1844 the Judge was elected to the Legisla- ture and secured the creation of the separate county of Carbon, with the county seat at Mauch Chunk. Afterward he filled for five years the post of County Judge, and projected the Lehigh Valley Railroad, for which he secured the necessary sub- scription, and by 1855 had the line completed from Mauch Chunk to Easton, with branches to Hazleton and Mahoning. Subsequently he pro- cured its extension northward to connect with the Erie Railroad, thus giving the anthracite coal region an outlet. He was President of the com- pany and, though financially embarrassed before the completion of the line, shared largely in the profits that afterward accrued to the company, be- coming the richest man of his day in Pennsylvania.

On the Democratic ticket Judge Packer was clected to Congress, and was re-elected as a Free- soil Democrat, serving from December, 1853, to March, 1857. In 1868 he received the votes of the Pennsylvania delegates for the Presidential nomination in the National Democratic Conven- tion. The year following he was a candidate for Governor, and in 1876 he was a Commissioner for the Centennial Exposition. In 1865 Judge Packer gave $500,000, eighty-one hundred and fifteen acres of land, to found Lehigh University at South Bethlehem, for the purpose of affording the young men of the Lehigh Valley advanced technical edu- cation without charge. The scheme of studies

embraces civil, mining and mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, metallurgy and classics. By his last will he secured an endowment of $1,500,000 to the university and one of $500,000 to the library. His daughter, Mrs. Mary (Packer) Cuminings, gave a memorial church, which was dedicated on October 13. 1887, the anniversary of the founding of the university.

ILLIAM H. GRAHAM, an influential citizen of Lehigh County, is a practical iron man, and is at present Superin- tendent of the Catasauqua Manufacturing Com- pany, which is located in Catasauqua. He was born in Buffalo, N. Y., November 24, 1846, and is a son of William Graham, a native of Scotland, where his father, William by name, was born, and follow- ed the trade of a wheelwright. The latter came to America and plied his trade in Buffalo, N. Y., until his decease. In that city the father of our subject also worked for a time, and then removed to Pittsburg, where he lived for many years prior to his decease, which sad event occurred in his sixtieth year. He was one of the substantial resi- dents of his community, and a valued member of the Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Catherine (Stewart) Graham, the mother of our subject, was also born in Scotland. She reared a family of six children, of whom William H. is the eldest. He was reared in Pittsburg, and at- tended the public schools until seventeen years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the trades of pattern-maker, millwright and machinist. After mastering these callings he took up iron-rolling, and on learning it was made night Superintend- ent at Carnegie's Mills in Pittsburg. After being eighteen months in their employ, he transferred his interests to Graff, Bennett & Co., where he was General Superintendent for twelve years.

In 1889 Mr. Graham was offered the position of Superintendent in the Catasauqua Manufacturing Company. Moving here, he took charge of one mill, and in 1893 the supervision of the three mills of the company was placed under his con- trol. He made many necessary changes, putting in

A. W. LERCH.

155

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

new boilers, furnaces, etc., and now the mills, when running at their full capacity, give employment to about nine hundred men. Mr. Graham gives his attention to every detail, and attends to the mixture of irons. Having made this business his occupation since 1863, lic lias a reputation second to nonc in the county.

Miss Lydia Robb became the wife of our subject June 7, 1869. To them has been born one child, who bears the name of Mazie A. Our subject be- longs to St. Jolin's Lodge No. 219, F. & A. M., in Pittsburg, and in politics is a stanch Republican. He is a man of sterling worth and belongs to the Presbyterian Church in this district. He may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out in life empty landed and by his own industrious and enterprising habits has steadily worked his way upward to a position among the substantial citizens of the community.

ON. ABRAHAM W. LERCH. Through his services in the State Legislature for two terms the subject of this sketch lias gained a higli reputation, not only in his own dis- trict, but throughout otlier portions of Pennsyl- vania. He resides in Lehigh Township, North- ampton County, where he manufactures school slates and carries on a general mercantile business. Both as a business man and in public affairs he is efficient, capable and trustworthy, and has de- servedly gained more than ordinary success.

The Lerch family was numbered among thie pio- neers of Northampton County, and the parents of our subject, Adam and Magdalena (Waltman ) Lerch, werc botlı born here. Upon his father's farm in Allen Township, Abraham W. was born October 10, 1814. He remained at home, his time being spent in the manner common to farmer boys, until he attained his fourteenth year, when he went to live with his uncle, Abrahanı Lerchi, a merchant in Lehigh Township, with whom he re- mained until his marriage. In the neighboring public schools lie acquired a fair knowledge of the studies taught in that day. From the time he became an inmate of his uncle's home he aided

him in the managenient of his store, of which he early gained a thorough knowledge.

The marriage of Mr. Lerch took place in March, 1840, at which time Miss Mary, daughter of Elias and Sybilla Klepinger, became his wife. They have had five children, one of whom, Amanda, is deceased. The others are named as follows: Sallie, wife of Lewis Koons and a resident of Carbon County; George H., whose home is in Lehigh Township, Northampton County; James M., also living in this township; and Catherine, wife of Dr. Sieger, of Seigfried's Bridge, this state.

For many years our subject was in partnership with his uncle, whose interest le purchased in 1853, and for some years afterward was sole pro- prietor of the concern. In 1870 he associated him- self with his sons, George H. and James M., the firm name becoming Lerch & Co. They are doing a good business, and have a well stocked estab- lishment, where everything needed in the city or country household can be found. For many years Mr. Lerch engaged extensively in the manufacture of late roofing, but for the past few years has con- fined his attention to the making of school slates, and gives employment in his factory to twenty men.

Mr. Lerch has always been one of the most pop- ular citizens of Lehigh Township. He is promi- nent in politics as a member of the Democratic party. For many years he served as Justice of the Peace, and in 1878 was elected to the State Legis- lature, in which responsible position he served for two terms. He is liberal in his views and in favor of every movement having for its object the im- provement of the county. He is a member of the Reformed Church, in which he has officiated as an Elder, Deacon and Trustee.

UGENE T. WILHELM, M. D. The phy- sicians of South Bethlehem are men who compare favorably with those of any other city in point of learning, as well as in skill and ability as practitioners; and to entitle their suc- cessors to higli rank among their professional brethren of the state, it only remains for them to

156

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sustain the character which has already been given to the profession of this city. Among the busiest, as well as the most successful, of this class of men is Dr. Wilhelm, who is well and favorably known, not only in South Bethlehem, but also throughout Northampton County.

The medical skill possessed by Dr. Wilhelm, while largely developed by thorough training, has been inherited from his father, Dr. Benjamin Wil- helm, a very prominent physician and especially successful as a surgeon. The latter was born in Baden, Germany, and was a graduate of Tubingen, where he received the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. On leaving his native land, he emigrated to America, and settling in South Bethlehem, en- gaged in the practice of medicine and surgery until his death, which occurred in the prime of manhood. In his religious connections he was identified with the Moravian Church. His wife bore the maiden name of Fredericka Paulus, and was born in Bethlehem, Pa., her father having come hither from Germany. She died in 1852, leaving four children, two of whom yet survive.

The subject of this sketch was born in Bethile- hem, February 5, 1849, and was reared to man's estate in this city. His education was obtained at the parochial schools, and he also took a special course at Lehigh University, Dr. Abrain Stout being his preceptor. Subsequently, in 1876, he entered Jefferson Medical College, and was gradu- ated therefrom three years later with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Wilhelm began his practice in South Bethlehem, and has succeeded admirably in his profession. In 1886 he built his residence and office at No. 11 West Fourth Street.

The pleasant home of the Doctor is presided over by his amiable wife, whose maiden name was Eleanor Bemis, and who was born in Boston, Mass., where her marriage to the Doctor was celebrated in 1891. Her father, A. S. Bemis, is a wholesale merchant and prominent business man in "the Hub." One child, whom they have named Pauline, brightens their home.

Dr. Wilhelm is a member of the Board of Health of South Bethlehem, and is Physician for the Chil- dren's Home, and District Physician for South Bethlehem. He is also Examining Physician for

the leading insurance companies of the place: The New York Life, the New York Mutual, the Massa- chusetts Mutual and the Mutual Benefit Society of New York. Fraternally he is connected with the Free and Accepted Masons, with the Royal Arch Masons and the Council. Among the members of the Lehigh Valley and Northampton County Med- ical Associations he is numbered, and it is his en- deavor to keep thoroughly posted in every new discovery relating to his profession. In religious belief the Doctor holds membership with the Mo- ravian Church, the faith of his fathers.

EORGE H. MYERS, President of the First National Bank of Bethlehem, is a stock-

holder and Director in the Bethlehem Iron Company, and is a large coal operator of the Le- high Valley. In addition to the enterprises men- tioned he is interested in several railroads and in a number of the leading manufactories and indus- tries of this region. Since 1865 he has been a res- ident of this place. In conducting his numerous enterprises he has manifested energy and persever- ance, and has brought to bear upon them his ear- nest attention and best efforts.

The subject of this narrative comes from one of the old and respected families of Adams County, Pa., and is of German ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Henry Myers, was born in New Ches- ter, Adams County, and followed the occupations of milling and farming. He lived to a good old age, dying when in his seventy-seventh year, and one of his brothers lived to be over ninety years of age. Jacob A., the father of George H., also a native of the same place as his father, built and owned the Good Intent Woolen Factory, and also a homestead on the Little Bermudian Creek. His mill was run by water-power, and he was reasona- bly successful in that enterprise. His wife, who was born New Year's Day, 1821, is still living, her home being in Bethlehem. In her girlhood she bore the name of Sarah Ann Deardorff. She was born at Deardorff's Mill, near Petersburg, Adams County, Pa., being a daughter of George Deardorff, the original proprietor of the mill, who also oper-

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 13

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