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Albert Lee Iseman
ALBERT LEE ISEMAN, business man of Freeport, was born Sept. 11, 1868,
in Armstrong county, a son of Andrew and Mary Ann (Grinder) Iseman, The
founders of the Iseman and Grinder families came from Germany to the United
States at an early day, settling in the Eastern States.Andrew Iseman was born July 14, 1818, and his wife was born April 4, 1825.
He was a highly respected man during his useful life, which was terminated in
1906, his wife following him to the grave, Nov. 30, 1911. There were seven
children in their family, five of whom are still living, and Albert Lee Iseman
is the youngest of them all. The father was a consistent member of the
Lutheran Church and for two different terms represented the local denomination
in the assembly. Politically he was a Democrat.Albert Lee Iseman attended school until he was sixteen years old, and has
since regretted that his father’s financial affairs necessitated his leaving
at that time. But he has added to his store of knowledge by reading and
observation. Until he was twenty years old he remained at home, but being
ambitious he felt that he could accomplish more away from the family circle.
He secured a position as tool dresser in the oil fields of Pennsylvania, at
one dollar per day. Because of his fidelity he was promoted to be a driller,
working in this capacity for four years. Having saved money enough to buy
himself a drilling outfit he undertook the drilling of oil and gas wells by
contract, which he found difficult to obtain on account of having no friends
or acquaintances in that line of business to whom he could apply for help,
having to rely solely on himself. By years of determination and hard work, and
after numerous disappointments, he worked himself up to be in touch with some
of the largest gas companies of the Pittsburgh district.After following this line for a few years he became one of the organizers
of the Cumberland Gas Company, which was organized in 1899, and has been and
continues to be a success. Then in the year 1903 he was also one of the
promoters of the Beckett, Iseman Oil & Gas Company, and also the heaviest
stockholder, the company still doing an active business at the present time in
different states. In 1908 the demands on his time and energy were so heavy
that he was either compelled to dispose of his drilling or contracting end of
the work, or take a partner, and he chose the latter course, forming an
association with his brother J. H. Iseman, the drilling business being done
under the name of A. L. & J. H. Iseman, which firm continues to exist at
the present time. Mr. Iseman became a stockholder of the Freeport Telephone
Company when it was organized, later becoming a director, and he is still an
active member of the board. This company, in addition to local wires, has long
distance connections and has lines all over the country.The same natural ability that enables to poor lad of twenty to develop into
the prosperous business man of today makes it possibly for Mr. Iseman to
promote and carry to success completion undertakings of great magnitude. A
number of enterprises of Freeport and contiguous territory which have been
successful may be credited to his example and assistance. He has always been
progressive relative to home improvements.In October, 1907, Mr. Iseman organized and had chartered the Ben Franklin
Coal Company, chartered in Pennsylvania, capitalized at $200,000; this company
is now operating two mines, and after adding proper equipment will have a
daily tonnage of from 1, 000 to 1,5000 tons. Mr. Iseman owns fifty per cent of
the stock of this company. In April, 1912, Mr. Iseman, in company with three
others, organized the Ben Franklin Coal Company of West Virginia, chartered in
West Virginia at $250,000, which has a bright future.Source: Pages 631-632, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and
Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed October 2001 by Lynn Beatty for the Armstrong County Beers Project
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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