WILLIAM H. STROH

WILLIAM H. STROH is the owner of the Mauch Chunk Iron Works, and is also engaged in the boot and shoe business in Mauch Chunk.  He is very prominent in commercial circles, and is one of the best known citizens of Carbon County.  He was born in the borough which is still his home, January 9, 1827, and is a son of Abraham Stroh, who was a native of Pennsylvania and also a resident of Mauch Chunk.  He was a millwright by trade and a fine mechanic.  He met with an accident which caused his death in 1830.  In Freemasonry he took a very prominent part.  He wedded Miss Mary Keim, daughter of James Keim, and to them were born five children, Amos, Edward K., Harriet, William H. and Abraham, four of whom are still living.  The mother died in 1855.

The educational privileges which William H. Stroh received were quite limited, for his father died when he was three years of age.  He started out to make his own way in the world unaided at the age of ten years, and for five years was employed in various ways, after which he learned the shoemaker’s trade, and worked at it until 1848.  Embarking at that time in business for himself, he continued for a period of sixteen years, and then sold out to Frank Inkman.  With Gen. Charles Albright, he purchased the Mauch Chunk Iron Works, and received contract work for shot and shell from the Government, continuing at it until 1865.  After the close of the war they started the manufacture of steam engines, steam pumps, duplex steam pumps, jigs, and all kinds of machinery and castings, which are still manufactured at the works.

Gen. Charles Albright died in September, 1881, and since then W.H. Stroh has been the sole proprietor.  In 1877 he again established himself in the shoe business, and continued until 1880, when he admitted his son, William R., to partnership.  They are at the present time manufacturing misses’ and children’s shoes; they also have a wholesale and retail shoe store, and their business has now become one of the leading industries of the town.

In 1850 Mr. Stroh was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Brelsford.  Seven children were born of their union, but three are deceased.  Those living are Julia L., Nettie E., William R., and Abraham L., who is superintendent of the shoe factory.

In politics Mr. Stroh is a stanch Republican, and takes an active interest in the growth and success of the party.  He has served as Burgess for thirteen years, and has held other offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity that have won him high commendation.  He was appointed Associate Judge by Governor Beaver to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. R. Leonard.  He was also a delegate to the National Convention at Minneapolis, Minn., in 1892, which nominated General Harrison to the Presidency.

The best interests of the community have ever found in Mr. Stroh a friend, and he has been prominently identified with many of the leading enterprises which have added materially to the prosperity of the borough.  He was one of the organizers of the Second National Bank, and is one of its Directors.  By his well directed efforts and good management he has accumulated a handsome competency for old age.  A self-made man, he started out in life empty handed, with nothing save a young man’s bright hope of the future and a strong determination to succeed, and has steadily worked his way upward from an humble position to one of affluence.