In this second column, I'm speaking to a fine gentlemen Mr. Karl Mickley. His family lineage dates back to 1733. In our last column we wrote about John Jacob Mickley who rescued the "Liberty Bell" in 1777 from the British occupation of Philadelphia. One of the patriots who aided him was Gen. Conrad Kreider most famous Revolutionary soldier of what is now Allen Township.

A few words about Gen. Kreider. He was born on Sept. 7, 1736, and constructed a home "still standing" in the village that bears his name, Kreidersville. Kreider owned a hotel and several grist mills along the Hokendauqua Creek. A friend of Gen. George Washington, he served as wagon master for the county. The general is remembered with Mickley in saving a national symbol. He died at the age of 92 and is buried with his wife at Zion Stone Church Cemetery in Kreidersville.

John J. Mickley was a highly respected citizen of our new country, the United States of America. Surviving the Revolutionary War, he died tragically when he was killed by a falling tree on Sept. 12, 1808. He owned over 800 acres in what is now Whitehall Township.

His son John J. Mickley became part of the family legend. How many youngsters could say at the age of 11, "I rode on a wagon carrying the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to Allentown." Just like his esteemed father, he served in the new United States Army during the "Whiskey Rebellion."

What was the Whiskey Rebellion? In 1791, the new Congress levied a tax on whiskey. The people of Western Pennsylvania resented the excise tax. Whiskey was a cash crop for farmers who used corn, wheat and rye to make whiskey because they had no market for their products. The farmers were burdened with the high cost of transportation. Their crops had to be hauled long distances, so the journey proved unprofitable. Whiskey was a good alternative. Feeling the government was taking away their living, they resisted what they deemed as an unfair tax.

Some militia men were wounded attempting to enforce the unpopular law. Fifteen thousand militia men were called out to enforce the act. The rebellion ended when 200 were arrested. Only one was convicted but he was pardoned by our new president. Ironically, today, the state of Pennsylvania is probably the largest seller of spirits in the world.

John Mickley helped found the Reformed Church in Whitehall, which I think is the present United Church of Christ in the township.

Mickley's son Jacob continued to serve the new nation, enlisting as a private at the age of 18 during the War of 1812. He was a second lieutenant of a cavalry troop during the conflict. At his death, he was one of the last survivors of the 1812 conflict.

Mr. Mickley was especially proud of the family's relationship to the Thomas Iron Company in Hokendauqua. This industry was founded by a native of Wales who came to Catasauqua in 1839. David Thomas, an ironmaster, brought his expertise to the "Iron Borough" and constructed the first blast furnace capable of using a new and plentiful fuel, anthracite coal. Some historians credit Thomas with bringing the industrial age to America.

He organized the Crane Iron Works in Catasauqua which produced 100,000 tons of pig iron annually. Another plant was constructed in Hokendauqua along with company homes and a Presbyterian church. To old-timers, the Thomas Iron Works is but a memory. Today the old site contains few remains from the company's prosperous past.

One of Karl's ancestors, a Civil War veteran, would serve as the company's mining engineer for 33 years.

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In two weeks, I'll be wheeling iron ore and limestone with Edwin Mickley. Bring your wheelbarrow along!