Charles Wesley Stickler (1891-1975)

Biography
Charles Wesley, born in Philadelphia, PA in 1891 was the second child of John James Stickler and Ellen Clerke. He lived briefly at 1606 Latona Street, Philadelphia but moved to Pottstown, PA, and later to Lansford, PA, where he spent the rest of his childhood.

At sixteen and still in high school, he developed meningitis but recovered sufficiently to finish high school. His hopes to study medicine at college were dashed due to his lengthy recovery from the illness, and he decided to enter the field of business. He acquired the Stickler Shoe Store business from his father during the beginning of WWI but was forced to sell it, which he did and invested in other local businesses.

On 23 October 1912, he married Viola West of Coaldale, PA at the Methodist Church, Lansford PA and they set up housekeeping in Lansford where two of their three children were born. In 1920, the family moved to Hazleton.

Charles had a good background in mine engineering & surveying and advanced through supervisory posts in area mining companies, and eventually passed the examination for the State Mine Inspector Certificate. He assisted his father (now State Mine Inspector) in various duties including preparation of annual reports, map indexing and updating. A good analyst, he carried a mining hand-book in his jacket at all times. Among his accomplishments were patents on various inventions including mine-car design, automatic car dumps, and ventilation accessories.

His hobbies were playing the piano, choir singing, and fishing. He was a devoted father and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Hazleton, and once served as church choir director. Charles died in Hazleton on September 1975 at the age of eighty four.

Contributors
Nathanville