My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. EDWARD W. MENNER, one of the faithful employes of the Bethlehem Iron Company, has been connected with that concern since 1866, and at the present time occupies the position of weighmaster. During the civil conflict he was one who wore the blue and fought valiantly in the defense of the Union.

The Captain was born in Easton, Pa., August 23, 1845. His grandfather, George, who was a baker by trade, located in Easton on his arrival in this country. The family name in German is spelled Menier, and in remote days they were of the nobility. Lewis Menner, our subject’s father, was born in Germany, and was only six years old when he went with his parents to Easton. He learned the shoemaker’s trade, and later engaged in brick-laying and plastering. In 1862 he located in Bethlehem as a bookkeeper for the Eagle Hotel, where he remained for some years, but later returned to his trade. He died in this city December 12, 1885, when in his seventy-fourth year. A Democrat in politics, and in religious belief a Lutheran, he was an honorable man and a good citizen. His wife, formerly Mary A. Mazenie, was born in Easton, and her father dying when she was only an infant, her mother afterwards married a Mr. Hull. Mrs. Menner was of Italian descent, and her death occurred in January, 1887, after she had attained her seventieth year. Religiously she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of her three children two are living. Mary L. is the wife of James E. Eaton, Of Stockton, Cal. Matilda, Mrs. Lawrenceson, died at LaGrange, Mo. Capt. E. W. Menner was reared to manhood in Easton, there attending the public schools, where he acquired a good education. Though only sixteen years of age, he enlisted on August 25, 1863, in Company E, Forty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, being mustered in at Harrisburg. In 1862 he was ordered to Key West, and remained there until June, thence being sent to South Carolina. October 22, he took part in the battle of Pocotaligo. In December he was ordered back to Key West, Fla., and later stationed at Ft. Jefferson, in that state, where he remained until October, 1863, when he veteranized and re-enlisted. After a short furlough he returned to his late post, there being on duty until March, 1864, when he was sent to New Orleans on the Red River expedition. His corps was in time to save the Thirteenth at Sabine Cross Roads, and then took part in the battles of Pleasant Hill and the Mississippi campaign. On returning to New Orleans he took steamer to Washington, going to join the army of the Shenandoah, and among the engagements of this campaign in which he participated were those of Berryville, Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, Woodstock, Newmarket, and Cedar Creek. At the last-named battle, which occurred October 19, he was wounded through the left shoulder, when leading his company, he being the only officer at that point. On account of his injuries he was sent to the United States Hospital at York, Pa., and was not able to rejoin his regiment until March, 1865, when they were on guard duty on the railroad near Charlestown, Va. About April 14 Captain Menner went to Brightwood, being in the grand review which took place there in May. He was afterwards sent to Savannah, Ga., thence to Charlestown, S. C., and was finally discharged at Camp Cadwallader, January 10, 1866. He was successfully promoted from the ranks to Corporal on the battlefield of Pleasant Hill, La.; next was made Sergeant at Cedar Creek, then Second Lieutenant, five months later First Lieutenant, and in August, 1865, was commissioned Captain.

March 15, 1866, Captain Menner entered the employ of the Bethlehem Iron Company, at first as hooker on the rolls, and remained in that department until June, 1870, when he took a trip to the West as far as Ft. Dodge, Kan. Returning, he helped to start the first mill of the Illinois Steel and Iron Company at Joliet, Ill., residing there for two years. In 1872 he re-entered the employ of the Bethlehem Iron Company on the rolls, keeping steadily at his post until October, 1878, when for three months he was an employe of the Veree & Mitchell Iron and Steel Works of Philadelphia.

In December, 1878, the Captain took charge of the old mill of the Bethlehem Iron Company, and in April of the following year became identified with the converting department of the steelmill. When, three years after, the lockout occurred, he engaged on repair work, and on the resumption of manufacture went into the railmill, where he was employed for five years. At that time he opened the hearth department of ordnance, having charge of the melting furnaces for one year. Then, on account of his eyes and failing health, July 12, 1889, he was given the post of weighmaster, which he is still holding. Everything going in or coming out of the mills is weighed by the Captain, and the post is considered a responsible one.

Our subject’s residence is located at No. 113 North New Street, and he walks an average of over fourteen miles a day while engaged at his duties; He was married in Spring Mills, Pa., in January, 1878, to Mrs. Emma A. (Maxwell) Tippen, a native of that place, and daughter of John Maxwell, who was born there in 1801, and was engaged in the iron industry. The Captain and wife have one child, Harry Maxwell, and the family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Among the civic societies with which the Captain is identified are the following: Royal Arcanum; Knights of Honor; Packer Castle No. 116, Golden Eagle; Oppomanyhook Tribe No. 203, I. O. R. M.; and J. K. Taylor Post No. 182, G. A. R., in the work of which he is particularly active. At the present time he is Commander of the post, and from the first year of its organization has been a member. He also belongs to the Bethlehem Iron Company Relief Association, and is active in benevolent work. A Republican of the truest stamp, he has the welfare of his party greatly at heart, and is a loyal patriot.