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 83

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 83
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 83
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 83

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Under the parental roof Edward Young of this sketch was reared to manhood. After attending the public schools, he further pursued liis studies in Muhlenberg College until 1885, when he was seven- teen years old. From his father and grandfather he inherited considerable property, and became one of the extensive dealers in hardware in Allentown. He now owns a large interest in the store which is carried on under the firm name of M. S. Young & Co., the partners in the business being Reuben P. Steckel, E. M. Young and Wilson P. Ludwig. Their store is one hundred ten feet deep, twenty- five feet in width, with a wing 60x66 feet, and it is four stories high with a basement. Employment is furnished to nine salesmen, and they do an ex- tensive business, which is steadily increasing.

On the 27th of January, 1891, Mr. Young was united in marriage with Miss Kate R. Anewalt, daughter of S. B. Anewalt, Vice-President of the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Company. The young couple are well known in this com- munity and are leaders in social circles.

Mr. Young seems to have inherited the excellent business qualities which made his father and grand- father successful in their dealings, and although lie

JACOB SEIP.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

inherited a considerable property he does not con- sider that it releases him from eare and labor. In fact, he is an industrious and enterprising man, who earefully looks after his business interests, and the success of the firm is due in no small measure to his efforts. He is a popular, genial gentleman, well liked by all classes, and Allentown numbers him among its best citizens.

J ACOB SEIP, a leading citizen of Palmer Town- ship residing in Seipsville, is a member of a family that has been long and honorably con- neeted with the history of Northampton County. He is a descendant of good old Revolu- tionary stock, his great-grandfather Seip having enlisted in the Colonial army and endured all the sufferings and privations that befell the heroes of that conflict. Born in this county, February 23, 1823, he is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Schnabel) Seip, also natives of Northampton County. His paternal grandfather, also born here, was the son of a German, who, crossing the Atlantic, founded the family in America. In Northampton County, where he at once settled, he became a very promi- nent citizen, and the village of Seipsville was named in his honor. The well known Seip's Hotel was built by him in 1780, and is now in the hands of the fifth generation.

After attending the schools of Palmer Township for some time, our subject bceame a student in the city schools of Easton, and the education there ob- tained has been sinee extended by systematie read- ing upon historical and current topics of interest. Agriculture has been his life occupation, though at various times he has been interested in other lines of activity. For several years he conducted the Seip's Hotel, in which he met with fair suecess.

The first marriage of Mr. Seip united him with Miss Annie M. Edelman, who bore him four ehil- dren, namely: Peter H .; Einma E., wife of Peter J. Hess; John J. and Sarah M., wife of Oscar E. Bower. For his second wife he married Miss Ella E. Frank- enfield, and their union has been blessed by the

birth of two daughters, Carrie S. and Lula E. Mrs. Seip and her daughters are intelligent, amiable and hospitable, and their pleasant home is one of the most popular in the neighborhood.

In addition to his substantial and eoveniently arranged residence in Seipsville, Mr. Seip is the owner of a traet of one hundred and thirty aeres of well improved land, the value of which has been increased by modern improvements. While in the main he has been Democratie in his opinions, he is inclined to be independent, and in local matters easts his ballot for the candidate whom he deems best qualified for office, irrespective of politieal ties. Interested in educational matters, he has served as School Director of the township. Frequently he has been called upon to serve as a member of the jury. His life has been honorable and upright, and he deserves the success he has gained.

J AMES B. MORE, who combines the duties of Justice of the Peace with those of a fire-in- surance and conveyaneing business, has held the former position for a period of twenty-five years, and is one of the best known men in this portion of the county. Mr. More was born in Lower Saucon Township, November 9, 1837, and is the son of James and Mary (Boehm) More.

The paternal ancestors of our subject originally came from England, and located in Berks County, this state, where the grandfather, Thomas More, was born July 8, 1776. The latter, who was a miller by trade, was a Democrat in polities and a devoted member of the Reformed Church. He married Miss Anna Elizabeth Gcager, who was born September 11, 1775, and died May 20, 1814. By their union were born six children, three sons and three daughters. Thomas More died March 13, 1851.

James More, the father of our subject, was born in Macungie Township (at that time in Northamp- ton County), February 1, 1802. He was trained by his father to the business of a miller, which he followed with fair success in different places until

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his decease, in December, 1875, in Lower Saucon Township. He married Mary, daughter of Anthony and Catharine (Geissinger) Boehm, of the above place, their marriage being celebrated October 16, 1821. By their union there were born six chil- dren, bearing the respective names of Charles, Thomas, Peter, William, Elizabeth and James. All but the eldest are living and comfortably situated. James More was a Democrat in politics and an act- ive church worker, holding membership with the Reformed Church. He died December 25, 1875. His wife, who was born in Lower Saucon Town- ship, Northampton County, January 14, 1802, died October 1, 1868. Both parents are buried in the graveyard of Christ Union Church, of Lower Saucon.

After spending his boyhood days on his father's farm our subject went to Bethlehem and completed his education in the excellent schools of that place. He is a member of the Democratic party, and has always been popular in political circles. In 1868 he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, which position he has continued to hold in different localities since that time, a period of nearly twenty-six years. Beside his long service in the above position, he served ten years as Post- master, three years as Deputy Coroner, was twice elected School Director and three times Assessor. He is well posted regarding the history of this section of country and its wonderful development, and proud of his connection with those who have aided in making it so flourishing a locality. His intelligence, good citizenship and fine character en- title him to the esteem of his acquaintances, and his friends are many and sincere.

James B. More and Miss Emma M., daughter of Michael and Catherine Meyers, were married May 1, 1862. The son and two daughters who have been born to them are: Victor Vincent, who married Sophie Weber; Minnie M., now the wife of Albert B. Febr, of South Bethlehem; and Mabel May, who married John J. McAndress, also a resident of the above place.

Mr. More is greatly interested in historical and biographical works, and has many volumes devoted to this kind of reading in his library. He is a member of the Reformed Church. The wife of

our subject is of German and French descent, the first of the name emigrating from the Fatherland many generations ago and locating in Bucks County. Her grandfather Meyers, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, during the later ycars of his life was a resident of Northampton County, where his death occurred. The father of Mrs. More was born in Bucks County, whence he was taken by his parents to Northampton County. He was by trade a carpenter, but during the greater part of his life was engaged in farming and merchandising. On entering the field of pol- itics he was successively Constable, Justice of the Peace, County Registrar, and finally was elected to the State Legislature. He departed this life in Bethlehem Township in February, 1863. He was the father of nine children, of whom those living are Angeline, Saloma, Clarissa, Oliver, Horatio and Emma M., the latter now Mrs. More.

D AVID WHITE. Among the numerous manufacturers in Easton is this gentle- man, who has been for several years con- . ducting a plant which during the busy season affords employment to twenty-three or more per- sons. This factory, which is located at what is known as "Hay's Place," is utilized for the manu- facture of shirts and overalls, which find a ready sale, not only in the local towns, but in the sur- rounding country.

The parents of our subject were William J. and Eleanor J. (Hoey) White, who were of Scotch- Irish descent. The father of the former, whose Christian name was David, was a native of Scot- land, but for a few years resided in County An- trim, Ireland. Later in life he set sail for Amer- ica, and became a resident of Canada. He had two children, William J. and David. The former, our subject's father, was born in County An- trim, and there engaged in farming. After his marriage, or about 1846, he came to the United States with his wife and two children. The voy- age consumed fourteen weeks, as the trip was one

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of adventure, many storms being encountered, which greatly retarded their course. The family located at Newburg, N. Y., on the Hudson River, and there continued to make their home for many years. Subsequently William J. White located in Easton, where he turned his attention to soap man- ufacture. To himself and wife were born ten children, whose names are as follows: Mrs. Mary A. McKee, Mrs. Maggie Rumsey, Mrs. Ellen J. Lugor, David, William John (deceased), James T., Rebeeea (deceased), Mrs. Fannie Johnston, John F. and Mrs. Elizabeth Brewster. William J. White was affiliated with the Republican party, and in his religious belief was a Presbyterian.

David White, whose name heads this article, was born February 25, 1852, at Newburg, N. Y. In that picturesque little city his early years were passed, his time being spent in acquiring an edu- cation in the public schools. When sixteen years of age he entered a store in Newburg as clerk, and served in that eapacity and for the same employer for the period of five years. Afterward he clerked for a firm at Flushing, L. I. In 1870 he eame to Easton, where he launched into the produce busi- ness, being employed by Joseph F. Crater, witlı whom he remained for six years. For a similar length of time he was a traveling salesman for the wholesale dry-goods firm of Jacob Hay & Son. We next find him traveling for Samuel S. Lesher, a shirt manufacturer of this city. After a year spent on the road selling that gentleman's goods, Mr. White, in 1887, becaine a partner in the busi- ness. The firm name was changed to the Standard Manufacturing Company. Three years followed in which they built up a good trade, and every- thing gave promise of larger opportunities. Mr. Lesher died in 1890, and our subject soon after- ward started in business for himself, as a manu- facturer of shirts and overalls. In 1892 the busi- ness was removed to its present location, and year by year the merits of the work turned out by this factory are becoming known.

Socially Mr. White is a member of the Hepta- sophs. He has been a member of the Select Coun- cil of Easton, and has taken much interest in the suceess of the Republican party, to which be ad- heres. A man of upright and sterling principles,

he gives of his means to worthy enterprises and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

August 15, 1871, Mr. White married Miss Izora Yates, daughter of Philip M. Mettler, of this city. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White. Two died in infancy, but the others are still living at home. In the order of their birth they are as follows: Edith A., Anna B., Zoe May, Mar- garet Boyer, Kathlene B. and Francis J. David C. and Elizabeth V. died in infaney.

OSIAH R. WILT is one of the foremost con- tractors of South Bethlehem, having won that position by the ercditable class of work which he executes. Examples of lis skill are to be seen on every hand, for he has erected many of the principal buildings in this place, among others the Webster School, built in 1889; the Slavic Roman Cathiolie Church, erected in 1890; and the residences of C. P. Hoffman, Will- iam Lauer, J. H. Heckman, R. W. Davenport, E. H. Packers and others, all handsomely designed and well finished. In addition to this he has donc considerable in his line in Bethlehem and sur- rounding towns. As a citizen and veteran of the late war lie is most highly esteemed, and shows himself devoted to the best interests of the com- munity, where he has resided at intervals since 1867.

The birth of our subjeet oceurred in Lehigh County, near Emaus, that event occurring Janu- ary 10, 1842. The history of the family in this country is traced as far back as our subject's great- great-grandfather, who was born in Germany, and in his young manhood came to America. Being without means, both he and the lady whom he afterward married were obliged to work hard, his time being passed in working for a miller, while his wife engaged in housekeeping. Afterward they married and became the parents of three sons, and still later removed to Maryland, where they reared their family. One of the grandehildren, Joseph, the grandfather of our subject. was a farmer by

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occupation, and in the War of 1812 held the rank of Major. Later he was in charge of the militia. He was an active politician and a prominent man. His father, who died at the age of ninety-six, was also a patriot, having served in the War of the Revolution under Washington.

Reuben Wilt, who became the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, and was noted for having a remarkable memory. IIis active life was passed on his farin near Emaus, Lehigh Coun- ty, where he was the owner of a good farm. His wife, whose maiden name was Romig, was the daughter of a farmer of Lehigh County.

The boyhood of Josiah Wilt was passed on his father's farm, and wlien seventeen years of age he left home and moved to Centre Valley, in this county, where he was apprenticed as a carpenter, serving his time. December 9, 1861, on the call for three-years volunteers, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment, Second Pennsylvania Artillery, being mustered in at Phil- adelphia, and for eighteen months thereafter acted as a guard at Washington. He then went to the front, and was in the hottest part of the battle at Petersburg. Later he was detailed to serve in the commissary department as an assistant, and finally received his discharge, December 9, 1863, in Virginia. Returning home, he engaged in work- ing at his trade at Whiteball and Hazleton, in the fall of 1866 locating in South Bethlehem. Af- ter remaining here for two years, he went to Philadelphia, but a year later returned to South Bethlehem, where he engaged in contracting with- ont intermission until 1876. In that year, with his family, he went to Williams County, Ohio, where he turned his attention to cabinet-making and undertaking for the succeeding seven years.

In 1882 Mr. Wilt once more returned to South Bethlehem, for three years being Superintendent of J. S. Allam's building operations. In 1889 hc again entered the contracting and building busi- ness for himself, and now employs from twenty to twenty-five skilled workmen. Having departed from the old set styles of architecture, his work shows originality and beauty of construction. His own pleasant home, which was recently erected, is at No. 317 Packer Avenue, and his office is at No.

319 Packer Avenue, while his workshop is on Chestnut, above Broad Street.

In Allentown, in 1864, Mr. Wilt married Miss Amanda Beidleman, a native of Lehigh County, and to them have been born six children, four of whom are living: Annie, Mrs. Prof. Weikert, of LasCruces, N. Mex .; Della, who is bookkeeper for her father, and resides at home; Mamie, who is now in New Mexico; and Katie, at home.

Mr. Wilt has served for two terins as Council- man from the Second Ward, and during his first service was Chairman of the Building Committee. At the present time he is on five or six commit- tees of city improvement. Socially he is Past Officer of the Knights of Malta, belongs to Oldham Post, G. A. R., and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum and Knights of Heptasophs. Prominent in church work, he is Treasurer of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, and for years has been Superintendent of the Sunday- school-indeed, he was the originator of the Sun- day-school in the Lutheran denomination. In politics he votes for Democratic nominees.

OWARD DRAKE, senior member of the firin of J. Drake's Sons & Co., of Easton, was born in this city in 1849, being a son of John and Margaret (Stewart) Drake. The fam- ily is of Scotch-Irish descent, and has been identi- fied with the history of Northampton County since 1835. His grandfather, Samuel Drake, followed the occupation of an agriculturist in his native county (Warren) in New Jersey. John Drake was the fourth in a family of eleven children, and was born in Warren County, where he grew to man- hood upon a farm. He married Margaret, a daugh- ter of Samuel Stewart, and shortly afterward aban- doned agricultural pursuits and took up his resi- dence in Broadway, N. J.

About the year 1835 Mr. Drake went West, with the intention of investing in land. He passed through Chicago, then an insignificant village, presenting so few inducements to a speculator that,

EDWIN MICKLEY.

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though the site of the Palmer House could have been purchased for $400, he concluded to seek a better location. He embarked in the lumber busi- ness in Wisconsin, but soon returned East and sent his two brothers to take charge of his interests in that state. Associated with a Mr. Hulick, he oper- ated a store in Townsbury, Warren County, N. J. About 1835 he came to Easton, where he and Mr. Huliek started a wholesale and retail general store. This was later supplanted by an exclusive jobbing house at Fourth and Northampton Streets. In 1840 he secured the services of Abram Heller as bookkeeper, and that gentleman continued with him until his death in 1880. In 1857 Samnel Drake was admitted to the partnership, and the firm became Drake, Hulick & Co. Upon the death of Mr. Huliek in 1872 the title was changed to J. Drake, Son & Co., and continued as such until the death of the senior partner, April 28, 1873. From that time until 1877 the business was conducted under the name of J. Drake's Son & Co., when Howard Drake beeame a member of the firm, since which the title has been J. Drake's Sons & Co.

The Drake Building, which is now devoted ex- elusively to wholesale purposes, is a large four- story structure, situated at the corner of Third and Pine Streets. It has a frontage of sixty feet and a depth of one hundred and ninety feet. The store occupies a space 190x22 feet in dimensions, three stories besides basement, and is one of the best equipped buildings in the city. In addition to the management of this large business, the father of our subject was a Direetor in the Farmers' and Me- chanics' Bank (now the First National), in the establishment of which he was a prime factor. He was also a Director in the Northampton Fire Insur- ance Company and the Easton and the Lehigh Water Companies. In the organization of the Thomas Iron Company he largely aided, and re- mained one of its Directors until his death. He was a Director of the Carbon Iron Company at Parryville, and was interested in many other en- terprises.

In politics John Drake was a Republican, de- voted to the welfare of his party and intensely inter- ested in civic and publie affairs. During and prior to the Rebellion he was a strong Abolitionist, and

always advocated the cause of the Union. Prior to the organization of the Republican party he af- filiated with the Whigs. He was one of the most prominent eitizens and successful industrial men of Easton, and his death was greatly mourned. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian and a sup- porter of that denomination. Of his eleven chil- dren, all of whom attianed years of maturity, five arc living, namely: Catherine S .; Ellen, widow of William B. Semple and a resident of Easton; Thomas S., a retired citizen of this eity; Howard; and Emily D. Wood, wife of J. W. Wood.

DWIN MICKLEY, who is one of the prom- inent and representative eitizens of Lehigh County, is descended from a family well known throughout the United States. He was born in the above county April 20, 1830, and is the son of Jacob and Anna (Kern) Mickley. The name was originally spelled Michelet, and was changed in the ship's list, of Colonial records, to Muckli, later to the present form of Miekley.

Jean Jacques Michelet, son of Louis and Susane (Mangeot) Michelet, was born in Zweibrucken, Alsaee-Lorraine, in 1697. He took passage on the ship "Hope" April 6, 1733, and arrived in Phila- delphia August 28, 1733. He had left his native country on account of religious persecution, and after making his home with a relative in Berks County for a time, he came to this seetion and pur- chased land in North Whitehall Township, the deed to which was given by John Penn. A part of this property is now owned by the Thomas Iron Company, and other portions by Franklin P. Miek- ley, of Balliettsville, this eounty.

After residing on the farmn for about two years, Jean J. Mickley located a short distance north of Egypt, where he made his home until his decease, August 18, 1769. Six years previous to his death occurred the celebrated Indian raid in Lehigh Val- ley, historically known as the Whitehall Indian raid, in which a number of persons were killed, two of his children, a son and daughter, among

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them. He married Miss Elizabeth Barbara Burk- halter, and to them were born seven children: J. Jacob, J. Martin, J. Peter, J. Henry, Barbara, Mag- dalena and Susanne.

The eldest son, John Jacob Miekley, 2d, was born in this county December 17, 1737. He married Miss Susanne Miller, and they became the parents of ten children: John J., Christian, Peter, Henry, Jo- seph, Daniel, Sarah, Anna, Catherine M. and Mag- dalena. John Jacob Miekley served in the Revo- lutionary War as a member of Capt. Benjamin Weiser's Company, which was one of the first to go to the front. After serving in the army for a time, he returned home. November 11, 1776, he was made a member of the general committee of observation at Easton, this state, the duty of which was to assist the army in every way possible. He served as a member of this body until the close of the war, and was very prominent and influential in all its workings.

In September, 1777, by order of the Executive Council, the bells on the State House, Christ and St. Peter's Churches (eleven in all), were removed from Philadelphia to Allentown by way of Beth- lehem, as the Quaker City was threatened by an invasion from the British. John Jacob Mickley was delegated to superintend the removal of the bells. which were brought hither in Conrad Kreid- er's Wagon Brigade, numbering five hundred and fifty wagons. This great number was necessary on account of the removal of much valuable property from Philadelphia to a safer place. The State House bell (now better known as the Liberty bell) had to be reloaded at Bethlehem, on account of the wagon breaking down. It was brought safely to Allentown, where it was concealed beneath the floor of the Zion Reformed Church, and remained there until the latter part of 1778, when it was re- turned to its original position in Philadelphia.

September 12, 1808, John Jacob Miekley was killed by a tree falling upon him. He was the proprietor of nearly eight hundred acres of land in what is now Whitehall Township, a portion of which is owned by the subject of this sketeh and is termed Oezakow. The other three tracts which he purchased were known as Springfield, Pond Brook and Mt. Pleasant. Five hundred and fifty

acres of the original purchase are still in the pos- session of different members of the family.

The eldest son of this gentleman, who also bore the name of John Jacob Mickley, 3d, was born in Whitehall Township, this county, April 13, 1766 and departed this life April 1, 1857. He married Eva Catherine Schreiber, and to them were born five children: Mary M., Jacob, Sarah, Anna and Joseph. At the age of eleven years Mr. Mickley rode on the wagon bearing the Liberty bell from Philadelphia to Allentown. During the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 he served as a soldier. He was one of the founders of the Reformed Church, generally known as Miekley's Chureli, in White- hall 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 83

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