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 81

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 81
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 81
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 81

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OHN DINAN, who is prominent in local pol- itics, being a stanch supporter of the Demo- cratic party, is a Councilman in Soutli Beth- lehem. He is one of the oldest employes of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and now occupies the position of Supervisor of the Pottsville Division.

A native of County Clare, Ireland, our subject was born in 1833 or 1834, being one of ten children, whose parents were Patrick and Margaret (Dulla- hanty) Dinan. They were both natives of Ireland, and there the father, who during life followed agri- cultural pursuits, departed this life. His wife came to America with her children, and her death oc- curred in South Bethlehem. All but one of her seven sons and three daughters are still living, three of her sons being residents of Bethlehem, and four sons living near Wilkes Barre.

John Dinan, who is next to the eldest of his parents' children, passed his boyhood on his fa-

MORRIS L. KAUFFMAN.

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ther's farm, and when sixteen years of age, in 1850, set sail from Liverpool on the "Isaac Wright," and after six weeks and two days on the Atlantic landed in New York City. He found himself in the New World with only two shillings and six- pence in his pocket, and without friends or ac. quaintances. Going to Jersey City, he obtained employment on the Central Railroad, working in the construction department until the road was finished. Two weeks later he went with a corps of engineers to help locate and aid in the construc- tion of the Belvidere Railroad, and he continued in that line until thic completion of the road. Samuel Logan, a friend, who was employed with the Lehigh Valley Road, then asked him to take charge of the gang of men on tlie section between Bethlehem and Redington. This was April 11, 1856, and taking the place, he continued as fore- man until 1875, when, in March, he was made As- sistant Roadmaster of the Lehigh Division, with headquarters at Laury's, having also in liis charge the supplies of that division. Faithfully remain- ing in that position until June, 1893, Mr. Dinan was then given a similar post at Packerton, which he held for one year. June 1, 1894, he was ap- pointed to his present position as Supervisor of the Pottsville Division of the Lehigh Valley Rail- road, this branch extending from Lizard Creek Junction to Blackwood, and a small line running from Yarke Farm. The headquarters of Mr. Dinan are at Lizard Creek Junction, though he makes his home at No. 230 Third Street, Bethlehem.

In 1855 John Dinan was married in Easton to Miss Julia Mangan, who was born in Ireland, and was brought in infancy to Easton. To our subject and wife have been born eight sons and three daughters: Thomas, who is Postmaster of East Mauch Chunk; James, who is foreman on a gravel train on the Lehigh Valley Road; William, signal foreman; Michael, who is a machinist in the shops of the Bethlehem Iron Company; Eward, attending Lehigh University; Joseph, Raymond and Leo, who are at home; Julia, Mrs. McDaniel, and Annie, Mrs. Govern, both residents of South Bethlehem; and Emily, who is at home.

When the church of the Holy Infancy was erected Mr. Dinan was active in its support, and

to this he and his family belong. For two years he was a member of the South Bethlehem Coun- cil from the Third Ward, and is now Chairman of the Fire Committee, also on the Street and other committees. Many times he has served as a dele- gate to the Democratic county and state conven- tions, and he has also been a member of the Coun- ty Democratic Standing Committee.

M AJ. MORRIS L. KAUFFMAN, wlio is recognized as one of the ablest lawyers of Pennsylvania, is a member of the Bar of Allentown, where for a number of years he has been engaged in legal practice with success. He was born in this city on the 11th of June, 1848, and comes of an old family of the Keystone State. His father, Franklin E. Kauffman, was also a na- tive of Allentown, and for many years engaged in the real-estate business in this place.

The early education of our subject was acquired in the Allentown Academy. Later he was gradu- ated from the Highland Military Academy of Mas- sachusetts, also from the Hudson River Institute and Claverack College of New York. With the desire to make the practice of law his life work, he began fitting himself for the profession in the law office of Hon. Robert E. Wright, Sr., and was ad- mitted to the Bar in Lehigh County on the 4th of April, 1870.

Since then Mr. Kauffman has been engaged con- tinuously in legal practice, and has steadily worked his way upward, until he now occupies an enviable position as an attorney. In former years he also engaged extensively in real-estate dealings, but during the past decade the greater part of his at- tention has been devoted to legal practice. He has aided materially in the growth of new indus- tries, and was one of the original committee sent to Paterson to induce the Phoenix Manufacturing Company to locate its silk mill, the "Adelaide," at Allentown. It was his individual check of $1,- 500 given before any money was subscribed by tlie citizens as a pledge of their good faith that secured the signing of the contract. It was also largely

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through his instrumentality that the Iowa Barb Wire Company and the Allentown Spinning Com- pany located in this city. He is a Director in the Allentown Gas Company, the Allentown Spinning Company, the Bethlehem Silk Company, and for a number of ycars was a Director in the Allentown National Bank.

Among the other enterprises in which Mr. Kauff- man is interested may be mentioned the Allen- town Steam Heating and Power Company, of which he is Treasurer, and the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Company, of which he is trust officer. He was one of the promoters and Directors of the Lehigh Valley Traction Company, and afterward was associated with the parties who were instru- mental in consolidating its rival, the Allentown & Bethlehem Rapid Transit Company, and its under- lying corporations, with the Traction Company. Besides his connection with other business enter- prises, he is Director in the following corporations: Allentown & Lehigh Valley Traction Company, Lehigh Valley Traction Company, Bethlehem & Allentown Street Railway Company, Bethlehem & South Bethlehem Electric Railway Company, Al- lentown Passenger Railway Company, Manhattan Park and Hotel Company, and the Catasauqua & Northern Electric Railway Company.

For many years Mr. Kauffman has been active in the Republican party, and is one of its most in- fluential members in this part of the state. His counsel has frequently been sought by its leaders, and he has done a large amount of work to ad- vance its interests. He is an easy, graceful and logical speaker, and by his strong and cogent rea- soning makes his principles and personality felt, whether it be at the hustings or before a court or jury. He has served as Councilman, but has other- wise refused to accept office. While in Europe, however, he was nominated by the Republican State Committee of 1891 as a delegate to the pro- posed constitutional convention.

In military affairs Mr. Kauffman has also taken considerable interest. He was commissioned by Governor Hoyt as Paymaster and Inspector of the Fourth Regiment, N. G. P., with the rank of Cap- tain. and afterward as Aide-de-Camp to Gen. J. F. Hartranft, Division Commander of the National

Guards of Pennsylvania, with the rank of Major. Socially lic belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fraternity, being a Past Eminent Commander of Allen Commandery No. 20, K. T. He was the second President of the Livingston Club of Allentown, which is one of the finest in the state outside of Philadelphia.

In October, 1875, Mr. Kauffman married Miss Arabelle, daughter of Stephen Balliet, formerly one of the most prominent iron-ore and furnace operators in the Lehigh Valley. The family is de- scended from French Huguenots, who settled in this country prior to the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Kauffman belongs to the Order of the Daughters of the Revolution. By her union with our sub- ject have been born two daughters, Leila M. and Adele B. Mr. Kauffman is certainly a public-spir- ited and progressive citizen, and his efforts have aided not a little in the promotion of the best in- terests of Allentown. He well deserves represen- tation in this volume, and with pleasure we pre- sent to our readers this record of his life.

R PETER STECKEL is one of the progress- ive and prominent business men of Allen_ town, and the interests with which he is connected add greatly to the prosperity and enter- prise of the city. He was born in Catasauqua, Le- high County, Pa .. September 15, 1849, and is a son of Robert Steckel, a native of South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County. The father was a farmer and followed that pursuit during the greater part of his life. In 1874, however, he abandoned agricultural pursuits and removed to Allentown, where he entered the hardware business, with which he was connected for several years as a member of the firm of M. S. Young & Co. His death occurred in September, 1886, in the sixty-third year of his age. He was a successful business man, and as the result of his sagacity and well directed efforts won a handsome competence. He was a prominent cit- izen, and in 1873-74 represented his district in the State Legislature, having been elected on the Dem-

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ocratic ticket. With Zion's Reformed Church he held membership and to its support contributed liberally. He was one of the building committee at the time the present fine house of worship was erected. The best interests of the community ever found in him a friend, and at his death the county lost a valued citizen.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Hannah Frederick. She was also born in South Whitehall Township, and was a daughter of George Frederick, of Catasauqua. A devoted Christian lady, her life was full of good deeds, and all who knew her held her in the highest regard for her sterling worth and many excellences of character. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Peter Steckel, was also born in Lehigh County, and was one of the pioneer settlers of this section of the Keystone State.

Under the parental roof Mr. Steckel of this sketch was reared to manhood, received a good education, and was trained to habits of industry and enter- prise. With the family he came to Allentown, and upon his father's death succeeded to his interest in the hardware business as a member of the firm of M. S. Young & Co. For several years he carried on operations along that linc, and the store re- ceived a liberal patronage, but on the 1st of June, 1893, he sold out. Since that time he has devoted the greater part of his attention to the banking busi- ness and to agricultural interests. He owns a most excellent farm of one hundred and sixty-one acres, under a high state of cultivation, and has it well stocked with a high grade of mules and cattle, making a specialty of the breeding of that stock. Upon his place is a fine barn, a good dwelling, all necessary outbuildings and the other improvements which are found upon a model farm of the nine- teenth century. For the past five years Mr. Steckel has also been a Director in the Allentown National Bank. He is a man of good judgment, whose con- clusions are the result of earnest and careful de- liberation.

In 1874 Mr. Steckel was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca A., daughter of Charles Henneger, of South Whitehall. Their union has been blessed with one daughter, Esther A. Their home is a fine brick residence at No. 239 North Seventh Street,

and in it hospitality reigns supreme. The parents are both members of St. John's Lutheran Church, and in social circles they hold a prominent position. In his political views Mr. Steckel is a stanch Dem- ocrat. He has been a member of the Select Council for the past four years, as representative from the Fifth Ward, and his present term will not expire until 1896. He takes quite an active part in po- litical affairs, and is a worthy exponent of the principles of Democracy. He is a careful business man, and the prosperity which has come to him is largely the reward of his own labors.

A MANDES BOYER, Chief Engineer in charge of the Catasauqua Electric Light and Power Works, is a native of this state, and was born in Bucks County, August 11, 1862. His father, George Boyer, was also a native of Bucks County, and up to 1891 followed his trade of a pattern-maker.

The father of our subject in 1863 located in this place, being engaged by the Crane Iron Company. Later he entered the employ of the Thomas Iron Company in the capacity of pattern-maker, and is now fireman of the Electric Light Works. His wife, Mrs. Aurilla (Wenholt) Boyer, was born in Bucks County, this state, and was the daughter of Thomas Wenholt, a prominent farmer in that lo- cality. The parents are both members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in which they are active mem- ber's.

Of the five children who are still living, Am- andes of this sketch is the eldest. He has spent his entire life in this city, and received his educa- tion in the common and high schools. When a lad of sixteen years he was apprenticed to learn the machinist's trade in the shop of Davies & Thomas. After mastering the trade he continued to work for that firm until September, 1890, when he was called upon to aid in the building of the engines of the Electric Light and Power Company, with whom lie was given the position of Chief Engineer. The shops contain threc engines, with a combined two-hundred-and-forty-horse power,

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and have six dynamos. They manufacture both the arc and incandescent light, and the company in- tend adding two engines which will enable them to erect in the city two thousand more lights.

Mr. Boyer was united in marriage in Allentown, in 1885, with Miss Mary Young, a native of this county. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children: Melinda, who died when two years of age; and Edward G. In religious affairs Mr. Boyer is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in which he held the office of Deacon for three years. With his family he occupies a beau- tiful residence on Mulberry Strect, where they en- tertain a host of warm friends. Politically he is independent, reserving his right to vote for the best man, regardless of party lines. He is a skill- ful machinist, and as a man is genial and courte- ous, and by his straightforward honesty has won the confidence of the people.

UDGE HOWARD J. REEDER is one of the most prominent and worthy citizens of East- on. In political and professional circles he ranks very high, and is one of the most popular gentlemen in this city, on account of his many en- gaging social qualities. He is an active and leading Republican, having served in official capacities with fidelity, and to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Judge Reeder was born in Easton, in December, 1843, and is next to the youngest son of the War Governor, Andrew H. Reeder. The latter was prominently identificd with the side of freedom in Kansas during the troublous times prior to the war, and his history in detail is given in another por- tion of this work. Judge Reeder was reared in this, the city of his birth, and received the advantages of private and higher boarding-schools until 1860. That year he entered the Sophomore class at Princeton College, and in October, 1861, left his studies in the Junior year to devote his services to the cause of liberty. He enlisted in Company A, First United States Infantry, being made Sec- ond Lieutenant, and was sent to the coast of Flor-

ida, and later to Missouri. Under the command of General Pope he took part in the battles of New Madrid and Island No. 10, being wounded at the former place. Returning honc, he resigned in July, 1862, but as soon as he was able re-enlisted, during the invasion of Pennsylvania the same year. He went out as Adjutant of the One Hun- dred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Regiment, and was Captain of Company G. With his command he participated in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, Icading his company at both of those very noted and important engagements, though he was then only a youth of nineteen years. His military service, considering that fact, was val- iant and heroic to a remarkable degree. He was always to be depended upon by his superiors, and manifested great ability, both in the control of his men and in spirited and intelligent manœuvers.

On his return to Easton Judge Reeder began the study of law, taking a course in the Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Mass., graduating in 1865 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was ad- mitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in January, 1867, after which he engaged in practice for about four years, and then became a partner with Gen. Frank Reeder. In the spring of 1881 he was appointed to serve for one year as Judge in several courts of the Third Judicial District, being appointed by Governor Hoyt to fill a vacancy caused by the passing of the bill creating an additional Judge in the Third Judicial District. When his time had expired he returned to his general law practice, in which he was occupied until January, 1885. In the fall of 1884 he was elected to serve as Judge, his duties to begin in April, 1885. This was a splendid victory for the young man, as he was the only Republican elected on the ticket. He received eleven hundred votes, though the Democratic ma- jority was about thirty-five thousand.

In his early manhood Judge Reeder served as a Councilman for twelve or thirteen years, ably ad- vancing the best interests of his fellow-citizens. In 1872 he was appointed by Governor Hartranft on the first Fish Commission of Pennsylvania, and continued to serve on the same for the succeeding ten years, resigning in order to become Judge. It consisted of three members, who did the prelimin-

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ary work and settled and organized the hatcheries in different parts of the state. Judge Reeder was very active in this work, drafted the bills, wrote the reports, and much through his influence the Bill for Appropriations was carried in the Legis- lature. When the state convention met in 1872, in which Governor Hartranft was nominated, Judge Reeder was chairman of the meeting, which was one of the largest cver held in Pennsylvania. In 1876 he was sent as a delegate to the national convention at Cincinnati, where Hayes was nomi- nated, and four years later went to the Chicago National Convention which nominated Garfield.

In this city, in 1867, Judge Reeder married Helen Burke, who was born in this city and here received her education. Mrs. Reeder is a daughter of the late William Burke, who was a native of Easton, and one of the old settlers and well known citizens of the place. A daughter and son have been born to Judge Reeder and his estimable wife, their names in order of birth being Leila and J. Knight. Mrs. Rceder and her family are members of the Episco- pal Church, and move in the best and most cul- tured social circles of the city.

Judge Reeder is a Grand Army man, belonging to Bell Post, of which he was the first Commander, and is now a member of Grand Army Post No. 2, of Philadelphia. In 1871 he was Commander of the Department of Pennsylvania. While serv- ing on the City Council he was President of that organization for several years.

J AMES YOUNG, ex-Sheriff of Northampton County, is a dealer in coal at Easton. He is also interested in the Northampton Hard Coal and Slate Quarries, being President of a com- pany which operates mines in Plainfield Town- ship affording employment to upward of forty men. For thirteen years Mr. Young was a mem- ber of the Council in South Easton, and under President Johnson's administration was Postmaster at that point.

A son of Boyd and Jane (McColm) Young, Mr.

Young was born January 8, 1830, in County An- trim, Ireland. His father, a native of the same county, engaged in farming therc until 1838, which with his wife and five children he came to this country. Settling in South Easton, he rose to the position of foreman in the Steward Iron Company. His death occurred in January, 1881, at the age of eighty years, but his wife departed this life when she was only fifty-seven years of age. In politics Mr. Young was a Democrat, and in religion was connected with the Presbyterian Church. In his family of cight children our subject is the eldest, and the others are as follows: Gamble, William, Sarah, Eliza, Rose, Thomas and John. Rose died in maidenhood, and William and Thomas arc resi- dents of New York City, while the others have their home in South Easton.

James Young received common-school advant- ages in South Easton. He early set to work to make his own livelihood in the nail and wire mills of Steward & Co. He was for some eighteen years thus employed, and in that time gave good sat- isfaction to his superiors. At the end of that time he became proprietor of the Union Hotel of South Easton, which he managed for twenty-one years. In 1877 he was elected Sheriff of North- ampton County, in which capacity he served for three years. In 1881 he went into the coal busi- ness with F. L. Terry, and after a partnership of five years our subject bought out Mr. Terry's in- terest. He has since continued business on his own account, and has a large trade in coal, wood, blast- ing-powder, etc.

In educational affairs Mr. Young has always taken an intelligent part, and for one term served as a member of the School Board and five terins as Councilman. Fraternally he is identified with Easton Lodge No. 152, F. & A. M .; Hugh DePayen Commandery No. 19, K. T., and with Lehighton Lodge No. 44, I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat. In his religious faith he adheres to the Presbyterian denomination, to which his father and grandfather also belonged.

In 1854 Mr. Young married Miss Mary E. Moyer, who bore him three children. William, the eldest, is a clerk in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and is a resident of Crescent,

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Iowa; Edward died at the age of nineteen ycars; and Sarah Jane keeps house for her father. Mrs. Young was called to her final rest in May, 1892, at the age of fifty-six years.

HARLES NICHOLAS MILLER, who is in- timately connected with a number of the most important industries of Bangor, and is also well and favorably known throughout Northampton County, was born in Baltimore, Md., December 2, 1857, and in the city of his birth re- ceived a good education, thereby becoming fitted for the active discharge of his duties as a business man and loyal citizen. Upon leaving school he secured a position as clerk in a grocery store, where he remained for two years. However, he was not satisfied to continue in that place, and, saving his earnings, was soon enabled to engage in business for himself. His first venture was in the feed and flour business, which he conducted for two years.

Mr. Miller dates his connection with railroading from the year 1879, when he sccured a position as time-keeper on the Bangor & Portland Railroad, remaining in that capacity for one year. He was then promoted, becoming General Agent of the road at Bangor. Subsequently he was again promoted, and in the ycar 1886 became General Freight and Passenger Agent of the railroad at this point, in which position he has since been ell- gaged. Meantime he has become interested in other important enterprises that have proved re- munerative to himself and of the highest value to his fellow-citizens. At the present time he is Treasurer of the Slate Belt Electric Railroad from East Bangor to Wind Gap, a distance of ten miles. He is also Secretary of the United States Slate Company of Bangor, and Vice-President of the Merchants' Bank. For some time he has been a stockholder in the American Bangor, Bangor Union and Albion Quarries, the first two located near Bangor, the Albion being in Pen Argyl.

As a Republican, Mr. Miller takes a warm inter- est in political affairs, and, while not an aspirant

for political honors, may nevertheless always be relied upon to discharge his duties as an intelli- gent, liberal and progressive citizen. As School Director he has been instrumental in promoting the standard of scholarship and enhancing the value of the public schools. He is officiating as President of the Republican Club of Bangor, an organization which is especially active during local and national campaigns. All movements for public improvements receive his co-operation and assistance. He is a regular attendant at the serv- iccs of the Lutheran Church and a liberal con- tributor to its support. Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, belonging to Slate Council No. 726.

On the 17th of December, 1885, occurred the marriage of Charles N. Miller and Anna C., daugh- ter of Daniel Brown, of Nazareth, Pa. Three chil- dren bless the home, namely: Lucy B., who was born October 5, 1886; Daniel J., January 27, 1888; and Carl N., October 31, 1893.

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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 81

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