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 92

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 92
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 92
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 92

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

vanced age of threescore years and ten, and makes her home in North Whitchall Township.

To our subject and his wife have been born seven children, viz .: Ervin L., Frank P., William H., Lester M., Marthia E., Howard H. and Stanley J. Hc of whom we write located on his present farm in 1872, and has made this place his home since that time. It comprises forty-eight acres of valuable land, which he cultivates in the best pos- sible manner. He is a strong Democrat in politics, and for three years served as a member of the School Board. The Lutheran Church finds in him one of its most consistent members. He has used his influence, by example and otherwise, to advance the welfare of the community in which he resides, and in all his dealings he lias shown himself to be fearless and straightforward, and has many friends throughout the community.

HARLES M. SAEGER, General Manager of the Coplay Cement Company at Allentown, Pa., is a native of that city, his birth oc- curring August 7, 1856. He is the son of Eli J. and Saralı A. Saeger, the former of whom is de- ceased, and the latter now resides in Florida. The father of our subject was for many years a prominent resident of Allentown, where he was President of tlie Catasauqua National Bank He was always in favor of everything that would benefit liis community, and was for a number of terms a member of the City Council and Justice of the Peace.

Of the parental family the following survive: Emma M., the widow of David O. Saylor, founder of the cement works, and who resides in Allentown; Edgar E., who also resides here; George A., en- gaged in the fruit business in Florida; Charles M .; Walter J., a resident of Allentown; and Arthur E., residing in Florida. The father of these children departed this life in 1889, greatly mourned by a host of old-time friends.

The original of this sketch was reared to man- hood in this county, and received his education in the public and high schools of Allentown. Subsc- quently he studied engineering under G. A. Ash-

baclı, with whom he remained for several years, and in 1878 went to Parryville, Carbon County, where he was given a position as Assistant Super- intendent of the Carbon Iron and Pipe Company. He was in their employ for about seven years, when he assumed his present position as General Manager and Superintendent of the Coplay Cement Company. Their factory is located near the town of Coplay, in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, and was incorporated in 1866 by David O. Saylor.

Mr. Saylor, who was also the first President of the company, was the first to successfully engage in the manufacture of Portland cement. The other officers at that time, in 1875, were Eziah Rehrig, Treasurer, and Adam Woolover, Secretary. They were the pioneer manufacturers of Port- land cement in America, and at the time of their incorporation the output of their factory was about two hundred barrels per day. The capacity of the plant has been increased from time to time, and they now manufacture about five hundred barrels of Portland cement daily, in addition to six hundred barrels of Rosendale cement. A third grade of that article is made by compounding the two ce- ments already mentioned, and which they call the Improved Anchor brand.

The Coplay Cement Company employ about two hundred and seventy-five workmen in their factory, and the plant is well equipped through- out with the best improved machinery, the com- pany being among the most prominent manufactur- ers of their product in the United States. The present officers of the factory are as follows: Jo- seph E. Balliet, President; Charles N. Wagner, Secretary; C. J. Erdman, Treasurer; and Charles M. Saeger, General Manager.

He of whom we write was married in December, 1880, to Miss Sallie A. Hess, a native of Carbon County, this state, and to them has been born a fam- ity of four children: Lewis B., Bessie M., Geoffrey A. and Charles M. Mr. Sacger is active in politics, and never fails to vote for Democratic candidates. Religiously lie is a member of the Swedenborgian Church, in which he is one of its most influential members.

During this year (1894) the cement company expect to make further additions to tlicir already

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large factory, which will enable them to manufac- ture an extra five hundred barrels of Portland ce- ment per day, which will then make them the larg- est producers of that brand in the United States. In 1893 our subject made an extended tour through England, Germany, France and Denmark, in which countries he visited the principal cement plants. of the workings of which he made a study, with the view of gaining scientific knowledge connected with the manufacture of cement.

W ILSON P. KISTLER, M. D., classed among the prominent physicians and skillful surgeons of Allentown, and one who enjoys the esteem and confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact, was born in Kistler Valley, Lynn Township, Lehigh County, October 12, 1843. He comes of a very prominent family in this section, and is the son of Benjamin Kistler, a saddler by occupation, an energetic busi- ness man, and the owner of numcrous farms and other real estate at the time of his death. Ile was also a native of the above county, and died in 1892, when in the eighty-first year of his age.

John Kistler, the grandfather of our subject, claimed Lehigh County as the place of his birth. He was a very wealthy man and the owner of a large establishment for the manufacture of hats in Kistler Valley. The Kistlers emigrated from Ger- many many years ago, and on landing in America somne of the family located in Berks County, and others in Lehigh. They were intelligent people, and very active in church work and in the educa- tional work of the neighborhood. The mother of our subject was prior to her marriage Miss Rebec- ca, daughter of John Peters, a wealthy farmer of this county, who died in 1827. The Peters family came originally from Switzerland and made scttle- ment in that section in a very early day.

Wilson P. spent his boyhood days on the home farm, and when only thirteen years of age began learning the harness-maker's and saddler's trade. He received a common-school education, and after

mastering his trade began teaching a select school in Kepnersville, Schuylkill County. After being thus occupied one winter, he entered Schnecksville Academy, in Lelngh County, when seventeen years of age. Hc carried on his studies there for eleven weeks, and then left to go to Quakerstown, where he became a student in the Bucks County Nor- mal and Classical School, where he spent several years. He also attended the Allentown Sem- inary and the Allentown Academy (Allentown) for a session each. After a year's study at Quak- erstown, Mr. Kistler was engaged to teach in the institution. Later he taught school in Schuyl- kill County, also in Lynnville, Mechanicsville, Weaver's School near New Tripoli, and in numer- ous places in Lehigh County, and for a time in the Steinsville Odd Fellows' Hall taught a select school, composed of the grown-up young men and women in that section of Lehigh and Berks Coun- ties. During his spare time he devoted himself to his medical studies, it being his earnest desire to follow professional life.

In 1863, during the late war, our subject en- listed in Company E, One Hundred and Ninety- fourth Pennsylvania Infantry, commanded by Colonel Nagle, of Schuylkill County. The regi- ment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and our subject was placed as clerk in the office of Brigadier-General, H. H. Lockwood, at Balti- more, Md. In the fall of 1864, his term of serv- ice having expired, our subject entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, in New York City, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1867. His preceptor was Dr. A. S. Miller, of Sac- gersville, Lehigh County.

On receiving lis diploma Dr. Kistler at once lo- cated in Germansville, this county, assuming the practice of Dr. G. H. Scholl, who had removed to Slatington. He conducted a general practice in that place for three years, and then, on account of failing eyesight, turned his practice over to Dr. W. K. Kister (who is still aresident of that place), and entered the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary as a patient, receiving treatment for his eyes under the care of the famous Prof. H. D. Noyes. On re- ' gaining the former strength of his eyes, he again took up his practice, this time at Schnecksville,

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Lehigh County. He was very successful there as a skilled physician, and remained for a period of twelve years. In 1882 we find him located in Allentown. The Doctor, in addition to following his profession, is extensively interested in real estate in the city, owning about one hundred dwellings, which he rents to good advantage; lie also has an interest in a large general merchan- dise establishment.

In May, 1891, Dr. Kistler purchased the Laurel Hill Slate Company's property, consisting of a farm of about sixty acres, on which is located a large slate quarry, well developed and improved, with a mantel factory worth about $50,000. The Doctor at once began working the quarry, making addi- tional improvements to the amount of $30,000, and he now has the satisfaction of knowing that his is one of the most valuable pieces of property in the Lehigh Valley. He has always taken an act- ive part in public improvement, giving liberally of his time and means toward the establishment of enterprises that would prove of benefit to the city and county at large.

Dr. Kistler is in the enjoyment of an extensive practice, and is at present engaged in writing a book, entitled "Medical and Surgical Family Guide in Emergencies." It is intended for use in the home, and for the teacher in instructing pupils, and will be a work of much merit and value. He is also a contributor to medical journals, papers, etc., and, taken all in all, is a very busy man. In poli- tics he is a stanch Republican, and has always taken an active part in county and national affairs. In 1888 he was elected and served for two years as Councilman of the Fifth Ward of Allentown, which district always gives a large Democratic ma- jority, but the Doctor received one hundred votes over his opponent. He is a member of E. B. Young Post No. 87, G. A. R., belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Order of Red Men, United Order American Mechanics, Knights of the Mystic Chain, and Daughters of Liberty, in all of which orders he takes a prominent part.

March 8, 1868, Miss Jane E., daughter of Na- than Clauss, became the wife of our subject, and to them were born a son and two daughters, the lat- ter of whom are deceased. Eugene M., the son,

after graduating from the Allentown High School in the year 1890, took the short summer course at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and in the fall entered Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- lege. From this institution he graduated in the spring of 1893, being awarded the highest honors in a class of one hundred and fifty-seven. He afterward entered a competitive examination with twenty-four others for the appointment to a posi- tion in St. Vincent's Hospital, in New York City, and in this instance, as in the other, was given tlie highest place. He remained at St. Vincent's for eighteen months, the last six months of which were spent as House Surgeon, and graduated from the institution as a practical surgeon. On leaving there he refused an appointment at the New York Lying-in Hospital to accept the position of Resi- dent Physician at the Hackensack General Hospi- tal, at Hackensack, N. J., where he is now stationed. In the afternoons he attends clinics at the Manhat- tan Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City and acts in the capacity of assistant to Professor Paine, the eminent oculist, at this institution.

Of the two daughters born to Dr. Kistler and his wife, Emma E. died when in her seventeenth year; the other died in infancy. The Doctor and his wife and son are members, in good standing, of St. Michael's Lutheran Church.

R ICHARD JACKSON, JR., an enterprising and successful business man of Pen Argyl, and prominently identified with the slate interests of that city, was born February 24, 1848, in Devonshire, England. He is a son of Richard and Susan (Steer) Jackson, also natives of Eng- land. Mr. Jackson's ancestors for a number of generations made their home in Devonshire, liv- ing and dying in their native land. John Jackson, the grandfather of our subject, was a slater in that country, and dicd there in 1865.

The father, Richard Jackson, Sr., emigrated to America in the year 1864, arriving in Quebec on the 30th of July, and from there going immedi- ately to New York, wlience he moved to Chapman

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Quarries. He engaged as an employe of the slate quarries of that place, remaining there eight years. In 1872 he came to Pen Argyl and embarked in the slate business for himself. Two years later, on the 22d of October, 1874, he, in company with his uncle and our subject, leased a slate quarry and immediately began operating the same. At the expiration of the lease the firm name was changed from John Jackson & Co. to the Jackson Slate Company, under which name they continued to operate the lease, and the firm is still known by that name.

Richard and Susan Jackson are the parents of three children: Jolin S., the manager and Superin- tendent of the firm of Stephens, Jackson & Co .; Mary A., widow of John Stephens, formerly of Stephens, Jackson & Co., slate operators; and Rich- ard, our subject. In politics Mr. Jackson is a Re- publican, and always votes for the candidates of that party. He is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The subject of this sketch was reared and edu- cated in Devonshire, England, and at the age of sixteen came to this country with his parents. He had learned the trade of a slater in his native land, and found employment at Chapman Quarries, where he first located on his arrival in the United States. In 1872 he removed to Pen Argyl, and with his father and uncle leased a quarry, and, as stated above, embarked in the slating business un- der the firm name of John Jackson & Co., and from that time until the present he has been identified with the slate interests of Pen Argyl. At present he holds the position of Secretary and Treasurer of the company formed by his father, his uncle and himself. He also holds the same office in the Ste- phens & Jackson Company, and among his other in- terests he is a stockholder and Director of the Naz- areth Electric Light Company, and is interested in the stores run by the Jackson Slate Company and Stephens, Jackson & Co.

Mr. Jackson was united in marriage December 20, 1873, with Miss Caroline, daugliter of Henry and Dinalı Jury, of Pen Argyl, who were natives of England. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson: Richard, Susan, Lily and Dina. The eldest is a student in Pierce's Business College

of Philadelphia, and the others attend the public schools of Pen Argyl.

In politics our subject is a stanch Republican, and is intelligently posted in political affairs. He was elected the first Burgess of the borough of Pen Argyl in 1882, and was instrumental in securing a borough organization. He served as Treasurer of the borough in 1885 and 1886, and in 1894 was re- elected Burgess for three years. The Republican party of Pen Argyl has shown its appreciation of his faithful support by making him a delegate to most of the county conventions, and in 1894 he was the representative to the Republican State Con- vention at Harrisburg.

December 15, 1877, Mr. Jackson sailed for Liver- pool, for the purpose of selling the output of his own quarry, and while there negotiated for the sale of the Pennsylvania Slate Company's property at Pen Argyl, containing about one hundred and ninety-six acres, upon which the above city is lo- cated, and also the quarries, of which there are six in number. Negotiations were closed in March, 1878, and the property was purchased by William Dawburn & Co., one of the largest lumber firms in Liverpool.

T HOMAS H. MULLIGAN. The simple rec- . ord of an honorable life is the best monu-

ment that can be reared to any citizen, and we shall therefore not attempt to enlarge upon the history of the gentleman above named who is proprietor of a hotel in Allentown. He was born in County Donegal, Ireland, September 10, 1845, and was the son of John and Ellen (Terry) Mulligan, also natives of the Emerald Isle. The father of our subject spent his entire life in his native land, where he died in 1880, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife survived him ten years, dying in December, 1890, when in her sev- enty-seventh year.

Thomas Mulligan, of this sketch, passed his boy- hood in Ireland, where he acquired a fair educa- tion, and when reaching his eighteenth year de- cided to try his fortune in America. Crossing the Atlantic in 1863, he landed on American shores

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

some days later, and, making his way directly to this state, began working in the coal mines of Schuylkill County, where he remained for six years, or until compelled to cease his labors in that direction on aceount of an accident in which he lost liis leg.

In 1869 he of whom we write came to Allen- town and opened a hotel, which he has eondueted successfully since that time. He is very prominent in the public life of the city, and is one of the stockholders in tlie Allentown & Bethlehem Rapid Transit Company. In his politieal relations he always votes the Democratic ticket, in which body he is an active worker. He is a member of the Board of Trade, and is one of the organizers and charter members of the Hibernian Fire Com- pany of Allentown. He is extensively interested in business and residence property in the city, and in his career as a man of business has displayed an excellent capacity for the management of affairs with tact, promptness and discretion.

August 8, 1873, Mr. Mulligan was united in marriage with Miss Catherine McCafferty, daughter of Hugh and Kate (Sweeney) McCafferty. The lady was born in Allentown, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of seven children, namely: Emma, John, Mary, Theresa, Catherine, Ellen and Thomas, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Mulligan are members of the Catholic Church. They occupy a beautiful residenee on the corner of Ridge and Allen Streets, and are looked upon as among the most substantial people in the city.

D AVID H. KELLER, M. D., is a graduate of Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, and since 1881 has pursued his prac- tiee in Bangor, Northampton County. Prior to attending the Ohio Medical College he was a student in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania for about a year, and has always kept up his studies and researches in his chosen field of work. He is a member of the County Med- ical, the Lehigh Valley and the American Medical Associations. In the leading civie societies, fra-

ternal and patriotic, he is very prominent and is considered one of the ablest members of his pro- fession in the county.

Dr. Keller was born in Crawford County, Ohio, June 9, 1860, his parents being Eli and Emma (Hoffeditz) Keller. His grandfather, John Henry Keller, a native of Plainfield Township, this county, was a land surveyor, Justiee of the Peace, and at one time Judge of the County Courts. His son, Rev. Eli Keller, was born near Plainfield, North- ampton County, and lives in Zionsville, Lehigh County, this state. The early years of our subject were passed in Ohio, and for a number of years he attended the Bellevue High School. In 1878 he entered Peri Komen Seminary and there remained for a short time, after which lie went to Columbus and entered the Starling Medical College, where lie remained until huis graduation. Sinee choosing this locality in which to practice he has built up a large practice, both in Bangor and the surround- ing country. He is physician for the following- named companies: the Bangor Union Siate, the North Bangor Slate, Bangor Excelsior, Bangor Southern, Bangor Superior, American Bangor, Ban- gor Royal and the New York Slate Quarries.

For a period of six years Dr. Keller served as Sehool Director, and has been a member of the Board of Health for two years and consulting phy- sieian for the County Almshouse. He holds mem- bership with Bangor Lodge No. 520, F. & A. M .; Bangor Chapter No. 374, R. A. M .; Hugh De Payen Commandery No. 19, of Easton; and Lulu Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Philadelphia. He likewise holds membership with Prosperity Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Bangor, and also belongs to the orders of Knights of Malta, Red Men, Knights of Pythias, Aneient Order of American Mechanics, Knights of Honor, Royal Arcanum and Patriotie Order Sons of America. Though he has been solicited by his friends to appear as a candidate for Bur- gess, he has at all times declined political office, thoughi he is a good Republican. He is a stock- holder and Director in the North Bangor Slate Company, and also in the First National Bank of this place.

December 21, 1883, Dr. Keller married Miss Kate S., daughter of John Hersh, of East Greenville,

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Pa., and they have two children, Florence Ger- trude, born July 4, 1884, and Irene Adele, No- vember 25, 1888. Dr. Keller is a member of St. John's Reformed Church, to which his wife also belongs.

ILLIAM L. ESTES, M. D., Director and Physician and Surgeon in Chief of St. Luke's Hospital of South Bethle- hem, is well known in the ranks of his profession in this state. He was born November 28, 1855, in Brownsville, Tenn., being a son of Albert M. Estes. His grandfather removed from Virginia to western Tennessee with his family, and was there an extensive planter.

Albert M. Estes was only a yonth when he re- moved with his father to Tennessee, where lie re- ceived a college education. He became the owner of a plantation near the Big Hatchie River. He died about the close of the war, in his sixty-sixth year. He was a Captain of militia, and was a Whig in poli- tics. His wife, Marcia Burton Owen, was a daughter of Dr. William Owen, who was born in Virginia, and whose wife was Margaret Burton. He was a practicing physician near Richmond, where he died, his family afterward removing to western Tennes- see. One of his sons, Prof. Thomas Owen, was a well known educator in western Tennessee. Our subject's mother died in that state in 1880, when about seventy years of age.

Dr. Estes was reared in the South, and was edu- cated in Brownsville Academy for Boys, and in Bethel College at Russellville, Ky., which he entered in 1869. In 1871, on account of ill health, he was obliged to leave college, but later completed the course, receiving the degree of Master of Arts. In 1875 he entered the University of Virginia at Char- lottesville, graduating therefrom two years later with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Next lie went to New York City, and after completing the course in the University of New York was gradu- ated in 1878 from the institution with the ad eun- dem degree of M. D. For the three succeeding years the Doctor practiced in Mt. Sinai Hospital in that city, during the last year being chief of

the staff. From May until October, 1881, he was engaged in regular practice in the metropolis, lis office being on East Seventy-ninth Street.

In November, 1881, Dr. Estes came to St. Luke's Hospital, being first Superintendent and Physician and Surgeon in Chief. Since 1891 he has been Directing Physician and Surgeon in Chief, his spec- ialty being surgery. Since 1887 he has given lectures on physiology and hygiene at Lehigh Uni- versity, and he is frequently called into consulta- tion by neighboring surgeons in difficult cases. The hospital was started in 1873, being then lo- cated in the heart of South Bethlehem, but three years later it was removed to its present place in the old water-cure building, surrounded by twenty- five acres of ground. In 1879, on the death of Judge Packer, he left an endowment, with the pro- vision that the Lehigh Valley Railroad employes be treated gratis. This helped to support the in- stitution, and since 1881, when the first new pavil- ion was opened, it has steadily increased in use- fulness. In 1885 a training-school for nurses was started.

The new administration building was completed in 1888, and two years later tlie children's pavil- ion became a feature of the hospital. From 1881 until 1891 two thousand six hundred and forty- one patients were treated, and ten thousand seven hundred and ninety-four have received assistance in the . dispensary department; and during ten years one hundred and thirty-three thousand eight hundred and five have been cared for at the hos- pital, the expense being $157,854.50. The hospital now has some sixty-two beds, and is treating in the dispensary about two thousand people a year. Non-sectarian, it also draws no line at race or poverty, treating poor people from the whole val- ley. The office is in the administration building, and Dr. Estes gives his personal attention to all departments. Chief Surgcon for the Lehigh Val- ley Railroad, he belongs to the National Railroad Surgeons' Association, in which he takes an active part; to the American Medical Association, the State Medical Association and the National Acad- emy of Medicine, and has besides been President of the Lehigh Valley and County Medical Associa- tions. The Doctor is a contributor to various med-

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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 92

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