In this third column I am speaking to Mr. Karl Mickley on his family's relationship to Hokendauqua's most famous industrial memory, the Thomas Iron Company. The new industry flourished on both banks of the Lehigh River after David Thomas constructed the first blast furnace in Catasauqua, using anthracite to produce iron.

Karl's great grandfather was Edwin Mickley, a very interesting gentleman.

Edwin was born in Whitehall Township on April 20, 1830. He remained on the family homestead until 16 years of age. After attending local schools, his father sent him to Wyoming Seminary in Kingston to prepare Edwin for a rewarding future.

Young Mickley was hired by the Crane Iron Company in Catasauqua and progressed to becoming an expert machinist. When the clouds of war hung over the American landscape, the young machinist enlisted in the Union Army. He was commissioned a first lieutenant of Company B 38 Pennsylvania Militia by Governor Andrew G. Curtain.

The regiment was sent to the front and, after its return, was sent to Pottsville to enforce the draft. There was considerable resistance to the draft in the eastern coal fields where 2,500 armed men were organized. Union troops were sent into the area and by a strong display of force the draft was generally carried and in the disaffected areas.

After this action, the unit was honorably mustered out of the service. After the war, he was a member of the Lt. Geo. W. Fuller No. 378 GAR Grand Army of the Republic.

On his return he built the first engine used by the Pennsylvania & Lehigh Zinc Company at Friedensville. Do my older readers remember the New Jersey Zinc plant in Palmerton which later operated the famous mine?

Mr. Mickley's vast experience brought him to the Thomas Iron Company in Hokendauqua, where he was the firm's mining engineer for 33 years.

A prominent member of the community, Mr. Mickley was president of the Hokendauqua Independent School District – which today is part of the Whitehall-Coplay School District – for 20 years. He was a director and chief promotor of the Ironton Railroad which conveyed needed raw materials to the Thomas Iron Works. Edwin was also a dedicated member of the Hokendauqua Presbyterian Church.

The Mickley farms were well respected for their dairy herd and progressive farming methods. To promote agriculture, Mr. Mickley organized the first Farmer's Club of Lehigh County. He died on June 25, 1898.

Driving through Whitehall Township today, few reminders of the Mickley farms remain. The farmland today is occupied by Whitehall-Coplay schools and numerous commercial enterprises.

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In two weeks, I'll be sharing information with you from the book "The Liberty Bell in Allentown."