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 94

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 94
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 94
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 94

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well conducted. Father McEnroe is active in all the various branches of church work, and is great- ly interested in the cause of temperanee. The Temperance Sodality Society, one of the aetive church organizations, has a membership of four hundred and fifty girls. The Reverend Father direets the Emerald Society of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and his work as a minister has been marked by great suceess and enthusiasm.

M ILTON H. KOEHLER. Among the na- tive sons of Northampton County is this representative and well known citizen of Hanover Township. He is the owner of a well equipped and cultivated farm, comprising one hun- dred and forty acres. The date of Mr. Koehler's birth is January 20, 1849, his parents being Con- rad and Julia A. (Fuehs) Koehler. The family came to Pennsylvania from Germany many years ago, and has been prominent factors in the upbuilding of this and adjoining counties. Gabriel Koehler, the great-grandfather of our subject, was one of three brothers who left the Fatherland, and to him be- longs the honor of founding the branch of the family so numerous in this county. Conrad Koeh- ler, whose death occurred in the year 1870, devoted his entire life to the pursuit of agriculture. Of his family only the following are yet living: Maria, who is the wife of John Ernst, and Milton H. The father was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, and an industrious and upright man in every particular. His home was for many years on the very farm where our subject now resides. He was well known throughout the surrounding coun- try, where he numbered many friends, and his death was felt to be a severe loss to the community in which he dwelt. His widow, who has reached the ripe old age of seventy-five years, is still living, making her home with our subjeet.

The opportunities of Mr. Koehler in an educa- tional line were somewhat limited, though he at- tended the district schools more or less during his boyhood. He is mainly self cducated, but has made

the most of his facilities, and has therefore become well informed on all general and practical matters. His father instructed him in both the theory and practice of agriculture, and when quite young he engaged in general farm work. The farm which he now owns and cultivates is well improved and is one of the valuable ones of the township. In his business ventures he has met with a good meas- ure of success, and being industrious and capable, is steadily reaping a good income.

Believing that it was not good for man to be alone, Mr. Koehler was joined in marriage with Sarah A. Lereh, November 7, 1871. The lady was born November 7, 1847, in Palmer Township, being a daughter of Amandus and Ellevina M. (Gold) Lereh. The former comes of an old and respected family of Northampton County, where his birth occurred. The mother was born in Bush- kill Township, of the same county. They became the parents of seven children, all of whom sur- vive. Emma is the wife of George M. Warner; Mrs. Koehler is next in order of birth; Eramanda is the wife of Thomas Wartman; Priscilla became the wife of Adam Grabwohl; Mary is now Mrs. Alfred Koehler; Levin is a resident of Bethlehem; and Edna is the wife of Henry Ehrgott.

In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Koehler are de- voted members of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, respectively. In politics the former sup- ports the Democracy, believing that that party best embodies the great questions of the hour. He is in favor of supporting everything which will be for the good of the community, and in his official capacities has carried out to the best of his ability his well founded convictions of what is best to achieve this objeet. For a number of years he served as a School Director of Hanover Township, and has always been found on the side of good schools and educated teachers. In 1880 the re- sponsible position of United States Census Enu- merator of Northampton County, which embraces Hanover Township, was eonferred upon him, and the manner in which he performed the duties per- taining thereto won him the commendation of all. For one year our subject occupied the respon- sible position of Mercantile Appraiser of North- ampton County, in which he acquitted himself

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well. In a social way Mr. Kochler is identified with Bethlehem Grange No. 504, of which be is Past Master, and is also a member of the Knights of Malta of Bethlehem. In addition to the orders already named, he is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men of South Bethlehem.

J OHN J. SCHADT, ex-Treasurer of Lehigh County, and a representative citizen of Al- lentown, was born in Whitehall on the 18th of May, 1838. His grandfather, John Schadt, was born in this state, but was of German descent. His father, Henry Schadt, was born in North White- hall, and was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit throughout his entire life. He mar- ried Polly Knauss, a native of South Whitehall, and a daughter of Jonas Knauss, who was also of German lincage. They became the parents of four sons and five daughters, and seven of the family are yet living. The father died in 1869, and the mother, who survived him twenty years, passed away in 1889.

Mr. Schadt of this sketch remained upon the home farm until seventeen years of age and at- tended school in Whitehall. With his brother he learned the trade of blacksmithing. On the deatlı of his employer he returned to the old homestead, but afterward worked in a rolling-mill, filling the position of foreman. In 1874 he opened a black- smith shop in Allentown, and has carried on busi- ness continuously since with good success, build- ing up a fine trade, which yields to him a good incomc.

In 1872 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schadt and Miss Ann A. Burger, a native of Allen- town, and a daughter of Stephen Burger. Seven children were born of their union, as follows: Alice, wife of Wilson Jacoby; Harvey, a cigar man- ufacturer; Minnic, wife of Henry Landis; and Hes- ter, Anna M., Edward J. and Robert, who are still with their parents.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Schadt is a stanchi Democrat, and warmly advocates the principles of

his party. He has been honored with a number of local offices. In 1892 he was elected to the posi- tion of County Treasurer, which he creditably filled. The best interests of the community have ever found in him a friend, and he is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, who gives his hearty sup- port and co-operation to all those enterprises which are calculated to prove of public benefit and to promote the general welfare. He and his wife hold membership with the Salem Church, and are highly respected people, who have many warm friends throughout the community. They have a pleasant home at No. 618 Linden Street, and their household is the abode of hospitality. Mr. Schadt may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out in life empty-handed, and by overcoming the obstacles and difficulties in his path by industry and determined efforts, he has steadily worked his way upward, and is now the possessor of a com- fortable competency. His career has been an hon- orable and upright che, and his example is worthy of emulation.

OHN B. MEIXELL is Cashier of the South Bethlehem National Bank, and is a business man of marked and unusual ability. A self- made man, he lias been the architect of his own fortune, having risen step by step to a posi- tion of prosperity and influence in thic community. The family to which he belongs is one of marked financial ability, and his brother, H. J., is Cashier of the National Iron Bank of Pottstown, Secretary and Treasurer of the Security Company, and President of the Farmers' National Bank of Eph- rata, Pa.

On the paternal side our subject's grandfather, who died in the prime of life, was of German dc- scent. The father, Henry Meixell, was born in New Holland, and was a merchant tailor in Man- heim, in which business he continued until his death in 1887. His wife, Martha Beard, was born near Mt. Hope, and is of Scotch ancestry. Her fa-

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ther, John Beard, was a collier in that locality. Mrs. Meixell is still living in Manheim. J. B. is one of a family comprising four sons and four daughters, five of whom survive. William B., a brother, is bookkeeper for the firm of Teagley & Son.

Until eighteen years of age J. B. Meixell re- mained at school at Manheim, when he was ap- pointed assistant agent on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad at that point, and later was agent at New Providence, Pa. Tracing his history further, we next find him a manager of a store at Dayton, Ohio, next a clerk in the Eplirata National Bank, then collector for the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad at Dayton, afterward foreign voucher clerk for the same road at Cincinnati, and solicitor and collector for the Durist Milling Com- pany at Dayton. During this time he was also for a year engaged in mining in Denver, Colo. When the South Bethlehem National Bank was organized, he was selected as its Teller, this being in 1889. In 1890 the Lehigh Valley Cold Storage Company was started here, and he is the Secretary and Treasurer of this great concern, which has a capital of $135,000, can manufacture from thirty to thirty-five tons of ice every twenty-four hours, and has a capacity of sixty thousand crates of eggs, besides muchi room for other stores. This concern is one of the very best in the United States, and is built on the most improved modern plans.

The South Bethlehem National Bank, which was founded in 1889, witli a capital stock of $50.000, has been very successful in the financial world. They are erecting a new bank building of pressed brick, three stories in height, with a frontage of forty feet on Third Street, it being on the corner of Birch. The upper portion is to be used for offi- ces, and the building when completed will be one of the substantial business blocks of the place.

In 1884 John B. Meixell was married in Dayton to Miss Nettie Meyers, a lady of superior educa- tion and culture. Our subject is a Mason of the Thirty-second Degree, belonging to the consistory at Bloomsbury. In politics he is active in the ranks of the Republican party. In his connection with the banking institution he personally looks

after every detail of its operation, and as he is practical as well as accommodating in his relations with the public, the bank stands on a firm and se- cure basis, every possible courtesy being extended to patrons.

EWIS W. MOYER, M. D., a well known physician of East Mauch Chunk, has for some years resided iu this place. He was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., in 1864, and is a son of Jacob S. and Eliza (Knittlc) Moyer. His father followed the occupation of farming. Under the parental roof the Doctor was reared to man- hood, and his early life was spent in farm work and in attendance at the public schools of the neighborhood, where he acquired his primary edu- cation. At the age of sixteen he embarked in teaching school, which profession he followed for four ycars, after which he determined to further add to his knowledge by study in the normal school in Kutztown, Pa. This plan he carried out and afterward resumed teaching, but subse- quently became a telegraph operator on the Phila- delphia & Reading Railroad. Wishing to enter the medical profession, he began study in the office of Dr. B. F. Salade, of New Ringgold, Schuylkill County, under whose instruction he continued his studics for some time.

Later Dr. Moyer entered the University of Mary- land at Baltimore, and was graduated from that institution in the Class of '87. He at once com- menced practice in Barnesville, Pa., where lie spent about a year, when he came to East Mauch Chunk. Since 1888 he has been a resident of this place. For some years he was engaged in general prac- tice, but for the past two years has made a spc- cialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. To prepare himself for this line of treatment the Doctor took a special course in the Philadelphia Polyclinic.

In 1882 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Moyer and Miss Sue Sorber, a daughter of George Sorber, of McKeansburg, Schuylkill County. They are the parents of two children, Ireue May and Raymond S. Hle and his estimable wife liave many

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friends in this community, and hold an enviable position in the circles of society in which they move. The Doctor is President of the Carbon County Medical Society, and also belongs to the Lehigh Valley Medical Association and to the State Medical Association of Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the Board of Censors of the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, Pa. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows' society of East Mauch Chunk, and is a member of the United States Board of Pension Examiners of Carbon County. He is a man of deep research, well versed in his profession, and in the line of his special practice he is an expert, possessing a skill and ability which have placed him in the front rank among his professional brethren.

H ENRY K. HARTZELL, M. D., President of the Hartzell Concentrating Company, and a leading business man of Allentown, was born in Bucks County, Pa., on the 6th of May, 1840, and is a son of Philip G. Hartzell, who was also a native of Bucks County, and was a farmer by occupation. The grandfather, Philip Hartzell, was of German descent. The mother of our sub- ject, who borc the maiden name of Elizabeth Kerr, was born in Bucks County, and was a daughter of Henry Kerr, who was of Scotch and Irish descent. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hartzell were born eight chil- dren, seven of whom are yet living, three being residents of Allentown.

When our subject was a lad of ten years his fa- ther died, and he went to live with an uncle in Montgomery County, Pa., where he attended the common schools and acquired his literary educa- tion. He then began reading medicine with Dr. C. Williams, of Tylersport, Pa., and later entered Jef- ferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1863. He commenced prac- tice in Goodville, where lie continued for seven years, when he came to Allentown and opened an office. Subsequently lie formed a partnership with P. Albright and J. F. Kline, under the firm name

of P. Albright & Co., private bankers. They did a successful business and subsequently merged into the Girard Savings Bank, which ceased operations in 1873.

Mr. Hartzell afterward became interested in the iron mines of Lehigh and Berks Counties, and owns a considerable interest in magnetic iron-orc mines. This investment has proved a profitable one and yields him a good income. He formed a partnership with Thomas A. Edison, and for two and one-half years they experimented and suc- ceeded in putting into successful operation a process for separating iron-ore by electricity. The Hartzell Concentrating Company was then or- ganized, [and Dr. Hartzell was made its Presi- dent. In the spring of 1893 this was made a stock company under the laws of the state, and the following gentlemen are now the officers of the Hartzell Concentrating Company: H. K. Hart- zell, President; and W. S. Pilling, Secretary and Treasurer. The works of the company are located in the Rittenhouse Gap in the mountain, and a superior quality of magnetic ore is mined. The company use all of the latest and best improved machinery for separating and concentrating the ore, and furnishi employment to about two hun- dred men. They have two large Corliss stationary engines of two-hundred-and-fifty-horse power each, besides smaller engines, and about three hundred tons of ore are turned out daily. This is one of the leading enterprises of the city.

In 1879 Dr. Hartzell was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Martin, a daughter of Dr. T. H. Martin, one of the highly respected citizens of Le- high County, and to them were born two children, Helen M. and Harry Kerr. Their home is an cle- gant brick residence, built in modern style of arch- itecture, supplied with all conveniences and taste- fully and richly furnished. It is located at the northeast corner of Eighth and Walnut Streets.

In political sentiment, Dr. Hartzell is a pro- nounced Democrat, but has never been an office- seeker, preferring to devoted his entire time and attention to his business interests. Besides his in- terest in the mines he is connected with other en- terprises, being a Director of the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safety Deposit Company, and also of

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the Allentown Hardware Works. He is a man of most excellent business ability, sagacious and far- siglited, and by close attention to details and well directed efforts, he has become one of the rep- resentative business men of this part of Pennsyl- vania.

EORGE H. WOLLE, a very popular and enterprising young business man of Beth- lehem, is a praetieal and advanced elec- trical engineer, being Superintendent of the Beth- lehem Electric Light Company. He is a son of Augustus Wolle, now deceased, who was a former capitalist and active business man of this eity. His history appears in another part of this work.

The birth of George H. Wolle occurred Decem- ber 3, 1864, in Bethlehem, and he is next to the youngest in his father's family, which comprised ten children. His education was obtained in the Moravian Parochial School and in Swartz's Acad- emy. On the completion of his primary studies he entered the Ulrich Preparatory School, and aft- erward was enrolled as a pupil in Lehigh Uni- versity. When sixteen years of age he was ap- prenticed as a machinist, and later went to Den- nison, Ohio, where he was employed in the Pan Handle shops for the three succeeding years. For two years thereafter he was employed for short periods in Chicago, Omaha and Denver. In the spring of 1886 he returned to Bethlehem, and en- tered Lehigh University that fall, where he pursued a course of electrical engineering, from which he graduated in 1887. Going to New York, he was then employed with the New York Accumulator Company, being Superintendent of the construc- tion works, and remaining with them for nearly two years. During this time he traveled in Penn- sylvania and New York, putting up plants for the company. Next he was with the Ft. Wayne Elec- tric Company as Superintendent of Construction, his field of work being in the West, and much of the time he was in Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, besides Canada and New York.

In 1891 Mr. Wolle returned to Bethlehem, tak- ing charge and being made Superintendent of the

Bethlehem Electric Company, the works of which are situated on Vineyard Street, in West Bethle- hem. This eoneern has been greatly inereased of late years, and they now have over forty miles of wire in the three Bethlehems and in Fountain Hill. The systems used are the Thomson Arc Light and the Westinghouse-Allen Incandescent. The plant has a five-hundred-horse power engine and boilers, and keeps running nearly five thousand ineandes- cent and one hundred and eighty-four arc lights.

In Galena, Ill., George H. Wolle was married, in 1890, to Miss Lena Clauer, who was born, reared and educated in that city. Her death occurred in Bethlehem in 1891. Mr. Wolle is fraternally a member of Elk Lodge, of this city, and religiously is identified with the Moravian Church.

D. W. BOWER. This name will be at once recognized by our readers as that of a prominent business man of Catasauqua and a member of a family long represented in Penn- sylvania. Full information eoneerning his parent- age and ancestral history may be gleaned from the biographical sketeli of his father, Hon. George Bower, presented on another page of this volume.

The next to the eldest in a family of ten ehil- dren, the subject of this sketeh was born in Lehigh- ton, Carbon County, Pa., January 17, 1856. Brought by his parents to Catasauqua at the age of three years, he was reared to manhood in this place, and has here made his permanent home. After graduating from the high school in 1873, he was appenticed to learn the butcher's trade under the tutelage of his father. He soon gained a thorough knowledge of the details of the business, and in 1878 purchased the shop of his father. At that time they had no markets in the city, the meat be- ing delivered by wagons from the slaughter-house.

An arrangement so inconvenient as this could not be continued permanently, and it was not long before Mr. Bower, with the energy which is one of his chief characteristics, established two markets in

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the city. In 1887 he opened the market at No. 129 Bridge Street, and three years later embarked in the same business at No. 209 Front Street. These enterprises are conducted in a systematic manner, that commends itself to the general public and proves remunerative to the proprietor. He also runs four wagons out from Catasauqua, selling meats in the country. The slaughter-house, on the corner of Canal and Mulberry Streets, was burned down August 2, 1893, but was rebuilt immediately on the same site.

In the conduct of his business Mr. Bower intro- duces the most modern and approved methods. He gives his personal supervision to the purchase of stock, and has in connection with his market a cold- storage house with a large capacity. He manufac- tures sausage, packs pork and beef for his own use, and renders tallow by steam, all the cooking being done in the same way. His business is by far the most extensive in Catasauqua, and requires the as- sistance of several employes. In addition to this enterprise lie is a Director of the Bower Slate and Pencil Quarry Company, of which his father is President.

At Catasauqua, September 30, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bower to Miss Elizabetli Bradley, who was born in Scotland, but was reared in the family of Mr. and Mrs. George Bower. Four chil- dren have been born of this union: Charles Alex- ander; Helen A., who died at the age of one year; Leonard G. and Ruth E. Socially Mr. Bower is a Knight Templar Mason and is Past Master of his lodge, also a member of Allen Commandery and the Mystic Shrine at Philadelphia. The Knights of Honor number him among their members. In 1876 he joined the Phoenix Fire Company, of which he was formerly Assistant Director and is now a mem- ber. Politically he is a Democrat. In religious belief he is identified with Holy Trinity English- Lutheran Church, of which he is a Trustee.

Mr. Bower's carcer in life marks him as a forci- ble, energetic man, shrewd and far-secing, and one who understands well how to conduct his business to the best advantage. These traits have placed him among the solid men of Catasauqua and Le- high County. He is well endowed mentally and physically, is a man of commanding appearance,

and possesses a ready wit and good conversational ability. Iu manners he is genial and frank, and his pleasant personality has gained him many warm friends among an extensive acquaintance throughout the county.

ILLIAM H. DUNBAR, who represents the business interests of Johnson ville, Northampton County, is a native of this county, born May 26, 1839. His parents, William and Eve C. (Jones) Dunbar, were like- wise born here, and the family was one of the ear- liest established in this section of the state. The founder was our subject's great-grandfather, who settled here at a very early day.

The subject of this sketch was reared in John- son ville, receiving a good education in the district schools. At the age of twenty-three he began to work at the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for thirty-three years, retiring from the business in September, 1894. At this time he embarked in the coal and wood business, having purchased the in- terest of Hon. M. G. Stier, of Jolinsonville. As a business man he is progressive, energetic and in- dustrious, and deserves tlie success with which he is meeting in his enterprises.

For nine years Mr. Dunbar served as Constable of Upper Mt. Bethel Township, and for seven years officiated as Assessor. He also acted as Judge and Inspector of Elections, and is influential in public affairs. His political preferences arc with the Democratic party, and he is prominent in its ranks. During the late war he enlisted, September 22, 1862, becoming a member of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, assigned to the Army of the Potomac. Among the many engagements in which, with his regiment, he took part was the battle of Chancellorsville, where he was wounded, having his collar bone and shoulder blade broken and also receiving a fract- ure of the right hand. He remained in the hos- pital from May 4 until July 22, and was discharg- ed from the service on the 24th of July, 1863. On

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his return home he resumed the pursuits of civie life, which had been temporarily interrupted.

The union of Mr. Dunbar and Mary E., daugh- ter of the late Daniel Beck, of Upper Mt. Bethel Township, resulted in the birth of five children, namely: Josiah L .; Isabella; Moses; Mary F., wife of Andrew B. Handlong; and Maggie C. Socially he is identified with Albert Jones Post No. 383, G. A. R., at Bangor, of which for the past nine years he has been Commander. He is a man who enjoys the fullest confidence of the people, and by his integrity and uprightness has gained the regard of all with whom he has had business or social re- lations.

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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 94

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