BIO: John B. WETZEL, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  JOHN B. WETZEL, a typical, self-made man, is one of those, who, 
without extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the 
commencement of life, have battled earnestly and energetically, and by 
indomitable courage and integrity achieved both character and fortune. 
By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way 
upward. He is now the proprietor of the Empire Iron Works, located at 
Howard, Centre county.
  Mr. Wetzel is a native of Centre county, born in Hublersburg, March 
1, 1863, and is a son of Tobias B. and Mary (Mitchell) Wetzel, who were 
natives of New Berlin, Union Co., Penn., where they were married and 
remained until 1855, which year witnessed their arrival in Centre 
county. They first located near Hublersburg, whence, in 1865, they 
removed to Millheim, later to Flemington, Clinton county, and are now 
residents of Lock Haven, Penn., where the father is engaged in farming 
and dairying. He is a public-spirited, energetic man, taking a 
prominent part in public affairs, and has held several local offices. 
His political support is given the Republican party, and in religious 
belief he is a Lutheran. Four children constitute his family, namely: 
Howard, a machinist of Lock Haven; Curtin, a well driller of the same 
place; John B., of this sketch; and Emma, wife of Isaac Aullabaugh, who 
is connected with the W. A. Hileman Furniture Co., of Lock Haven.
  Until 1883 our subject remained with his parents, attending school 
and aiding his father in the work of the farm. He also served an ap-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  511

prenticeship to the machinist's trade in the Novelty Iron Works of Lock 
Haven, and after leaving home went to Moshannon, Centre county, where 
in partnership with John McCartney he established the Empire Iron 
Works. At the end of two years he purchased his partner's interest, and 
continued the business alone for a year, when his plant was destroyed 
by fire. He then came to Howard and erected his present iron works, 
which he has since successfully operated, manufacturing plows, building 
engines, and doing general repair work of all kinds. He started out in 
life for himself with a cash capital of but $35, and from this small 
beginning has built up his present extensive business.
  On July 1, 1886, Mr. Wetzel was married to Miss Mary E. Bechdol, and 
to them have been born five children: David and Edward (twins), who 
died in infancy; Mamie L., who also died in infancy; and Harry T. and 
William G. at home. Mrs. Wetzel was born at Marsh Creek, Centre county, 
March 15, 1855, and is a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Thiel) 
Bechdol, natives of Eagleville, Centre county. The father was a farmer 
by occupation, and a member of the Disciple Church, while the mother 
held membership in the German Reformed Church. He died March 4, 1891, 
at the age of seventy-eight years and twenty-six days, and she passed 
away March 13, 1867, at the age of thirty-seven years. In their family 
were seven children, as follows: Lida, who resides on the old 
homestead; Susan, wife of William Wentzel, a blacksmith of Flemington, 
Penn.; Mary E., wife of our subject; Sarah, also residing on the old 
homestead; David, deceased; Emma and Jacob, residing with their sisters 
at the old home; and Edward, deceased.
  Although a young man, Mr. Wetzel has already attained to a measure of 
prosperity that many a one who started out on life's journey before him 
might envy. He has a wide reputation as a most capable workman and an 
upright, reliable business man, progressive and energetic. He was 
reared in the Lutheran faith, but now holds membership in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which he is an active worker. In politics he is 
identified with the Republican party, giving his influence and vote to 
secure the passage of its measures and the election of its candidates.