My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH J. MOYER, a well known resident of Treichler’s, was formerly conductor on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, running between Easton and Scranton. He was born in Easton, May 5, 1840, and is the son of Joseph J. and Catherine (Sierfass) Mover, the former born in Lehigh County, and the latter a native of New Jersey.

The father of Joseph J., of this sketch, was a miller by occupation, and resided for nearly a quarter of a century in Springtown, N. J., where he followed his trade. He died at Phillipsburg, that state, in 1877. He was an ardent admirer of Democratic principles, and never failed to cast a vote in favor of that party’s candidates. His widow is still living, making her home in Phillipsburg, where she has passed her eightieth birthday. A daughter and three sons are still living: Amos; Elizabeth, now the widow of Samuel Arndt; John Z.; and Joseph J., who was next to the youngest. The youngest was Jacob B., now deceased.

Joseph J. Moyer, the subject of this record, was four years of age when his parents removed to Springtown, where he was reared to mature years. He carried on his primary studies in the public schools of Springtown, and later attended school at Riegelsville, this state. When a young man he learned the miller’s trade from his father, and followed it profitably for several years. In 1865 he accepted the position of conductor for the Lehigh & Susquehanna Railroad Company, running between White Haven and South Wilkes Barre, which was subsequently merged into the Central Railroad of New Jersey. He punched the first ticket on the Lehigh & Susquehanna Road after the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company assumed control of the road. A steam engine of the regulation kind was used, and where they struck the mountain the train was let down about thirteen hundred feet on the grade from Ashley to South Wilkes Barre, a distance of two and one-half miles. The route when Mr. Moyer was made conductor covered about thirty miles, but the road was subsequently built to Scranton and Easton.

Mr. Moyer remained in the company’s employ until the spring of 1893, when he resigned, and located in Treichler’s, where he is living retired. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and is socially connected with Blue Lodge No. 52, F. & A. M., of Phillipsburg, N. J.; belongs to Eagle Chapter No. 30, at the same place, and Commandery No. 45 at Wilkes Barre, and is a member of the Scottish Rites at Bloomsburg — in all of which orders he takes an active part.

The marriage of Joseph J. Moyer with Miss Emma Hartman was celebrated in 1869, or about that date. She was born in Wilkes Barre, and became the mother of a daughter, Kate, who is the wife of P. A. Day, and a son, Samuel E., a veterinary surgeon in Michigan. The wife and mother died in 1873, and Mr. Moyer was married in 1877 to Mary E. Drinkhouse, of Easton. Two children were granted them, Christie M. and Edith R. Mr. Moyer’s present wife, whom he married in August, 1893, was prior to her marriage Rose C. Caston, of Mauch Chunk.