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 56

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 56
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 56
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 56

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has built for himself a row of cight residences on Delaware Avenue, and others on Playwell Strect.

In South Bethlehem, in 1893, the marriage of O. H. Jacoby and Miss Annie Moritze was celebrated. The lady is a daughter of Edwin Moritze, a car- penter, and her birth occurred in Salisbury Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby have one child, Ger- trude Elizabeth, who was born July 13, 1894. They have also an adopted daughter, Annie, thir- teen years of age, who is the daughter of our sub- ject's brother.

In 1893, at a special clection on the independent ticket for a short term, Mr. Jacoby was elected Burgess without opposition. In the spring of 1894 he was re-elected on the same ticket for a term of three years. In politics he supports the Democracy, and is active in the ranks of his party. Socially he belongs to Keystone Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Bethlehem; to Amethyst Council No. 846, R. A., of South Bethlehem; and to the Heptasophs, Union Conclave No. 222, at South Bethlehem. In the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church he has served as a Deacon. He is highly respected by all who have any dealings with him, either in a busi- ness or social way.

P ETER J. FRETZ. Among the residents of Lehigh County it is but just to say that Mr. Fretz occupies a conspicuous and hon- orable place, for he has always been honest, indus- trious and enterprising, and as a result has met with more than ordinary success. He was well known in railroad circles as the Station Agent for the Lehigh Valley Railway Company at Fullerton, in addition to which he is also Agent for the United States Express Company.

Unto David and Susan (Bcil) Fretz, natives of Pennsylvania, there was born, on the 1st of April, 1858, in Northampton County, a son, whom they namncd Peter J. He was reared in a village then known as Stemton, now called Northampton, and in its schools received a fair education. At an early age he became self-supporting, and when

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fourteen years old became a clerk in the Lehigh Valley Railroad Station at Coplay, filling that position for nearly seven years. He then went to Laury's Station, Pa., on the Lehigh Valley Rail- road, where he spent several months learning tel- egraphy.

Shortly thereafter Mr. Fretz came to Fullerton, where he was for more than three years employed as clerk in the railroad station, under A. H. Gilbert. In the spring of 1883 he became Station Agent, and has since served in that position. He is an ac- commodating, genial gentleman, and is admirably fitted for his position. June 12, 1883, he married Miss Maggie, daughter of John L. Williams, of Fullerton, and three children bless the union: Susan, John and William H.

Socially Mr. Fretz is a member of the Knights of Malta, belonging to St. Alban's Commandery No. 46, at Allentown. He is a member of the Re- formed Church at Catasauqua, and while his duties are such as to prevent his attendance at religious meetings, he is interested in the cause and a gener- ous contributor to benevolent projects. Asa loyal citizen he keeps posted concerning the issues of the age and supports progressive measures. Polit- ically he is a supporter of Democratic principles, and is now officiating as Justice of the Peace.

G 10

J OHN C. MACK. Among the successful busi- ness men of Lehigh County may be noted the subject of this sketch, who is a resident of Slatington. He is a retired hardware merchant, and in his chosen line of business has gained popularity and affluence. He is a native of the Keystone State, having been born in North- ampton County, April 17, 1840.

The parents of our subject were Ahaha and Elizabeth (Grave) Mack, also natives of the above- named county. The father was a farmer by occu- pation, and both the father and mother died in the year 1851. Thus orphaned at the early age of eleven years, John C. Mack started out in life for himself, and was employed for seven years on a farm. He was then engaged for two and a-half years

in serving an apprenticeship to the tinsmith's trade, which he learned under William Gengc. After having gained a complete knowledge of his trade, he did journeyman work for four years.

On the 8th of August, 1862, Mr. Mack cast in his lot with the Union cause, enlisting in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment, Penn- sylvania Infantry, commanded by Colonel Uh- fud. He was assigned to the Army of the Poto- mac, Third Brigade, Third Division of the Second Army Corps, and served nine months. He partici- pated in the battles of Antietam, September 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, December 13 of the same year; and Chancellorsville, May 3-9, 1863. May 26, 1863, he was mustered out at Harrisburg, Pa. He returned to Mauch Chunk and later removed to Hazleton. May 24, 1864, he came to Slatington and began the tinware and hardware business, and continued to successfully conduct the latter busi- ness until 1891.

Since the year 1891, our subject has lived re- tired, devoting part of his time to his property interests. He was one of the organizers of the rolling mills and carries stock in that company. Politically he is a stanch Republican, unswerving in his devotion to the party's interest, and socially he is a member of Slatington Lodge No. 640, I. O. O. F. He has been a member of the Council for a number of years, and is always prominently con- nected with any enterprise for public improvement.

September 22, 1865, Mr. Mack was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Remaby. She was the daughter of John Remaby, who built the first hotel in Slatington, and who always took an act- ive part in all enterprises calculated to be a ben- efit to the community. His death occurred in Slatington in the year 1862. Her mother who was Laurine Wert before her marriage, was a native of Lehigh County, and died in the year 1890, at the age of sixty-six years. She was the daughter of John C. Wert, who was of Ger- man descent. Mrs. Mack's paternal grandfather was George Remaby, who was a native of Lehigh County, but of English descent. His ancestors came to America and settled in the above county in a very early day.

Mrs. John C. Mack spent her girlhood days in

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Slatington, receiving a common-school education. She is the mother of four children, of whom we make the following mention: Dr. John S., who has a drug store at the corner of Main and Dowell Streets, where lie practices his profession as a physician, is the eldest; James W., who is now employed with Shoemaker & Co., druggists of Allentown, was for- merly a student in the Philadelphia Pharmaceut- ieal College; Charles B. is a school boy; and Min- nie is deeeased. Mr. and Mrs. Mack are members of the German Reformed Church of Slatington, Pa. They can remember the first train of cars that passed through this part of the county. Their home is a hospitable one and their many friends are always cordially weleomed.

J OHN F. STIER. No enterprise of its kind in Northampton County is conducted upon a more extensive scale than that of which Mr. Stier is the efficient manager and owner. Establishing in business at Johnsonville in 1876, he began upon a small scale, investing the $1,800 which he had saved through careful economy. Gradually the trade increased, as the reputation of its proprietor for reliability and honesty became more and more established throughout the country.

A deseription of this establishment will be of interest to the reader: The main storeroom, 26x66 feet in dimensions, contains the postoffice, Mr. Stier having held the position of Postmaster for a number of years. It also contains a full line of dry goods, groeeries, hats and caps, boots and shoes, ready-made elothing, drugs, notions, paints and oils, and all artieles usually found in a first- class country store. The second department is a storeroom, 26x40, directly across from the main building. This is used for the storage of flour and feed and surplus stoek of groceries, hardware, etc. In the same building, on the upper floor, are stored oileloth, wall paper, crockery, glass, earthen and tin ware. In another building are the furniture and household furnishing goods, the size of this structure being about 24x70, with two annexes.

There is also a room for agricultural implements, slate fertilizers and salt, and still another building containing slate, nails, pumps, wire netting, and all kinds of fence and poultry wire. In the sixth building is carried a surplus stoek of stoves, seeds and grain of all kinds. The stock is valued at $30,- 000, and the trade is large, ineluding customers from Johnsonville and a large portion of the sur- rounding country.

In the village where he is now a leading citizen, Mr. Stier was born August 27, 1853, being a son of Hon. Michael G. and Rachel (Brands) Stier, of this place. The father, a native of Fincsville, N. J., in company with grandfather, Jacob Stier, moved to Bucks County, Pa., and thenee, a half-eentury ago, came to Northampton County, settling in Johnsonville. All the male members of the family being potters, they established a pottery, which was operated under the firm name of Jacob Stier & Sons, the latter comprising Michael G., William G. and Philip F. The last-named served as Sheriff of the county, and was a man of prominence, as is also our subject's father, who at one time was a member of tlie Legislature. Now in his sixty-eighth year, he still makes his home in this place, respected by all who know him. For fifty years he has made his home in this community-indeed the plaec has grown up around him. As one who has done mueh hard work and has given valuable aid to the county, lie is deserving of the esteem in which he is held. Politically he is a Democrat, and socially holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at East Bangor, and the Knights of Pythias at Johnsonville. His children were two in number, John F. and Minerva, the latter being the wife of J. S. Andrews, of Hainesburg, N. J.

When a lad of ten years, our subject began to elerk in a store at Johnsonville, and later was for one year similarly employed in Altoona, this state. In 1876 he began in business for himself, having a stoek worth about $5,000, whiel he has gradu- ally inereased to its present value. He marricd Margaret A., daughter of William J. Hess, who lives near Mt. Bethel. Four children have eome to bless their union, namely: Jennie M., Grace M., Gilbert A. and William A. Politically a Demo- erat, he has held a number of local offices. In 1884

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he succeeded his father as Postmaster, which posi- tion he has since held. His life is a busy one, and the successful management of his varied interests requires his closest thought and undivided atten- tion. This he gives, and as a result is financially prospered.

H ORACE BOYD. The village of Coplay contains no industry more widely known throughout this section of the state than the Coplay Iron Works, of which Mr. Boyd has been Superintendent since 1889. The plant con- tains three furnaces, though, except in the very busy seasons, only one is in operation. Employ- ment has been given to seventy men during busy times, but ordinarily the force is not so large. The products of the works have a ready sale and may be found throughout the eastern portions of the United States.

Born in Catasauqua, Pa., August 31, 1862, the subject of this notice is the son of Alexander R. and Mary L. Boyd, natives of the Keystone State. The father was for upward of a quarter of a cen- tury connected with the Crane Iron Company, of Catasauqua, with whom he filled various important and responsible positions. In public affairs he was also influential, and for years served as Treasurer of the borough of Catasauqua. As a stanch advo- cate of the principles of the Republican party, he never failed to cast his ballot for the candidates who were pledged to uphold those principles. His religious connections were with the First Presby- terian Church, in the faith of which he passed away in 1889. His widow still makes her home in Catasauqua. Horace is their only surviving son.

In the public schools of Catasauqua Horace Boyd received a fair education. His business career commenced at the age of seventeen, when he went to Columbia, Pa., and became connected with the Chestnut Hill Iron Ore Company, remaining in the employ of that firm for six years. Thence he went to Hellertown, Pa., where he secured the posi- tion of Superintendent of the blast furnaces of the

Thomas Iron Company, remaining thus engaged until 1889, the date of his arrival in Coplay. The products of the Coplay Iron Works are confined solely to pig iron, and the company is conducting an ever-increasing business, the success of which is largely due to the energy and efficiency of the Superintendent.

October 20, 1887, Mr. Boyd married Miss Emma E., daughter of Joseph Diehl, of Hellertown, Pa. In his political opinions he is a loyal advocate of Republican principles, but is not an aspirant for official honors, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his business affairs. Socially he affil- iates with Porter Lodge No. 284, F. & A. M., at Catasauqua. He is recognized as a progressive and enterprising citizen and enjoys the confidence of all who know him.

LMER B. AMOLE, General Manager of the Lehigh Valley Cold Storage Company, is a practical business man, and is recognized as one of the successful men in that industry in the county. Our subject was born in Chester County, this state, May 28, 1866, and is the son of Jonas Amole, also a native of that place, while his fa- ther, who bore the name of Peter, hailed from Germany. The great-grandfather of our subject after coming to the United States fought as a soldier in the Revolution.

Jonas Amole was a well-to-do tiller of the soil in his native county, and departed this life April 9, 1885, when in the sixty-third year of his age. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and commanded the esteem of his neighbors. His wife, Mrs. Ellen (Bisbring) Amole, lived and died in Chester County, passing from earth in 1876. She became the mother of three children, of whom our subject was the youngest but one. He remained on the home farm until about nineteen years of age, in the mean time carrying on his studies in the public schools. He then taught school for some time, and in this manner earned the money to pay his way through college, attending first

H. THRELKELD-EDWARDS, M. D.

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the West Chester State Normal, and afterward the Ursinus College. The knowledge gained therein was supplemented by a business course at Reading, Pa., after which he was in the employ of different cold-storage companies until April, 1894, when he came to South Bethlehem, and, taking charge of the business as General Manager, opened up the plant, which is one of the finest in thic United States. It is supplied with the latest improve- ments and manufactures its own ice from distilled water. It is 160x80 feet in dimensions, five stories in height, containing large elevators, electric-light plant and finc offices. It is used for the storage of butter and eggs only, having a capacity of two hundred carloads.

Mr. Amole was married in Chester County, in 1891, to Miss Ida Frederick, a native of that place, and the daughter of Benjamin H. and Emily Fred- erick. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and although living here but a short time has made many friends, and is numbered among the shrewd and capable business men of the city.

ERBERT THRELKELD-EDWARDS, M. D., a practicing physician and surgeon, has acquired an enviable reputation in his profession, and is particularly successful in surgery cases. His office is at No. 314 West Fourtli Street, South Bethlehem, and among his patients he numbers many of the best families of the state. His paternal grandmother bore the maiden name of Threlkeld, and as the Doctor is an eldest son, and there were no members of the Threlkeld fam- ily to perpetuate the name, the English law be- stowed the same upon our subject. Several con - turies ago a Norwegian family, our subject's an- cestors, settled in the north of England and be- came owners and proprietors of the village of Threlkeld, which place is still in existencc. The date of their settlement appears to have been about the time of William the Conqueror.

The Doctor's birth occurred in Esher, Surrey County, England, March 30, 1870, his parents be-

ing George Clayton and Jane (Butt) Edwards. The father of the former was a prominent attor- ney-at-law in London, his office being on King William's Street. The paternal ancestors were natives of Wales. George C. Edwards was an architect and surveyor, having been educated in London, and in that city he continued to dwell until 1885, when he brought his family to the United States. Going to California, he located in Los Angeles, and there engaged in the real-estate business. His wife was born at Little Hampton, Sussex, where her father, John E. Butt, was an extensive land-holder.

The education of our subject was gained in his native land. In 1885, with his father, he crossed the Atlantic and became a resident of California. Taking up the study of medicine, he entered the University of Southern California, where for a time he pursucd the classical course, and later for a year and a-half was in the medical department. In 1890, coming to the Keystone State, he enter- ed the University of Pennsylvania, in the fall of that year, and in 1891 was graduated from the medical department. Subsequently he went to England, continuing his theory and practice work in a London hospital, King's College and St. Bar- tholomew's, thus acquiring a more extended fund of information than he could otherwise have ob- tained.

Returning, the Doctor completed his work in the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduat- ed in 1892 with the Degree of Doctor of Medicine. He was next elected to serve as Resident Physician at St. Luke's Hospital, South Bethlehem, his prac- tice being chiefly surgical cases. At the end of nine months he accepted a position as Assistant Demonstrator of Pathology at his Alma Mater, holding the same until the end of the school year, when he resigned. While there he devoted con- siderable time to the study of nose and throat dis- eases, in the treatment of which he is very proti- cient. In the spring of 1893 he decided to locate in South Bethlehem, which has since been his field of work. For a time his office was at the Wyan- dotte Hotel, but afterward was removed to West Fourth Street.

The Doctor is Recording Secretary of the A. M.

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P. O. fraternity of the University of Pennsylvania. In his political affiliations he supports the Repub- lican party. He is a Graduate Fellow of the Stille Medical Society, and has contributed many im- portant articles to different medical journals. In the Northampton Medical Society, the Lehigh Valley and the State Medical Associations he holds membership, and in 1893 was a delegate to the convention of the latter. He is also identified with the University Club of Philadelphia, the Northampton Club of South Bethlehem, and the Beethoven Maennerchior of Bethlehem. In his office there hangs an illuminated coat of arms of the Edwards family on the paternal side, which reads: "The Quartering of the Arms of Rhoderic the Great, King of North and South Wales and Powis Land, direct male ancestor of the Edwards family," through the Edwardses, of Birmingham, Warwick County, England, the motto being, "Justice to All, Favor to None."

HARLES H. COHN. This gentleman is distinguished in the annals of Allentown as Chief of its Fire Department. Born in Jackson, Tenn., he is the son of Henry and Hannah (Henry) Colin, natives of New York. Charles H. spent the first nine years of his life in Tennessee, and in 1863 accompanied his parents on their re- moval to the Keystone State. This was during the war, and the family remained in Philadelphia until the close of hostilities, when they returned to Jackson, Tenn., and there made their home for about four years, when they made their way to Olio, and lived in Cincinnati a twelvemonth.

In 1869 the elder Mr. and Mrs. Cohn, with their family, returned to Pennsylvania, and while resid- ing in the Quaker City our subject learned the trade of a cigar-maker. This he followed until 1871, in the above place, and at the expiration of that time coming to Allentown, continued to work at the occupation until 1883, spending the last three years of that time as foreman in the factory of Felton & Schurman. When leaving the shops,

Mr. Cohn went on the road as traveling salesman for the same company, his route lying through Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania.

Mr. Cohn continued to travel in the interests of the cigar trade for two years, when he abandoned the road and engaged in business for himself, manufacturing a fine grade of cigars. This he carried on very successfully until 1893, in April of which year he was appointed to his present re- sponsible position for three years. He has full control of the various fire departments of the city, and in every way is considered a thoroughly efficient executive. Mr. Cohn was instrumental in securing a chemical engine, costing $1,450. He has full control of the finances, and is also Secretary of the Fire Committee.

August 19, 1893, Mr. Cohn of this sketch and Miss Emma Ritter, of Allentown, were united in marriage. The lady is a daughter of Daniel and Mary Ritter, and was born in 1851. The Repub- lican party finds in Mr. Cohn one of its most prominent and active members. Socially he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Allen Lodge No. 71; is Past Chancellor of Greenleaf Lodge No. 257, K. of P .; is a member of Lochawonk Tribe No. 201, I. O. R. M .; and is connected with the Patriotic Order Sons of America.

ILLIAM D. MICKLEY. This name will be at once recognized by our readers as that of the worthy Chief of Police of Allentown. He is a native of this state, and was born in Huntingdon County, July 18, 1850. When a lad of six years he accompanied his parents, Charles and Eliza (Heinbach) Mickley, on their removal to Allentown, where he received a good education in the public schools of the city.

The father of our subject hailed from Lehigh County, and was killed during the late war, in the battle of Pocataligo, S. C., October 22, 1862. He was Captain of Company G, Forty-seventh Penn- sylvania Infantry, which he aided in organizing in Allentown. He was a very prominent figure

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in public affairs of the city, and previous to the outbreak of the war was engaged in operating a flouring-mill. He was strictly honorable in all his dealings, and was therefore highly regarded by all with whom he had to do. The mother of our subject survived her husband many years and de- parted this life in Allentown, July 10, 1881.

After leaving the temples of learning William D., of this sketch, apprenticed himself to a blacksmith and carriage-maker, which trades he soon mastered, and followed for a number of years. He has always been very popular with his fellow-towns- men, who, recognizing his superior executive ability, made him Chief of Police in April, 1893. He is fully qualified to fill this responsible position, and the noticeable absence of erime in the eity speaks well for his efficiency, and that of his ten patrolmen.

Chief Mickley is a member of the National Guards of Pennsylvania. He enlisted as a private, and was sueeessively promoted to the various posi- tions of the company until at present he is Captain of Company D, Fourth Regiment, N. G. of P. The great-grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

In his political relations our subject is a truc- blue Republican, being a leader in his party in this vicinity. He is President of the American Fire Department of the city of Allentown, to which position he was appointed November 11, 1893. Socially Chief Mickley is a member of Green- leaf Lodge No. 257, K. of P. and is likewise con- neeted with the order of the Mystie Chain. His reputation as an honest and upright official is well established throughout this vieinity, and he en- deavors to take such a part in affairs as will be for the public good.

PHRAIM LONG. This biographical record of Lehigh County would be incomplete if within its pages a sketch of the above- named gentleman should fail to appear. His stand- ing is high among the citizens of Egypt, where he

is living retired, and is deservedly respeeted by those who are favored with his friendship.

Our subject was born in this eounty May 27, 1821, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Heilman) Long, natives also of the Keystone State, the father being born in Northampton Coun- ty and the mother in Lehigh County. When about six years of age our subjeet accompanied his parents on their removal to Sussex County, N. J., where they remained for about fourteen years, and then returned to this section, loeating in Whitehall Township.

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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 56

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