My Genealogy Hound

JAMES B. TWEEDLE, M. D., an experienced physician and skilful surgeon of Weatherly, is a native of New Jersey, and was born in Paterson June 30, 1837. He is of English descent; his parents, John B. and Mary (Winter) Tweedle, were born in that country and emigrated to the United States in 1830. They located first in New York City, where they resided a short time, but soon moved to Paterson, N. J., where they made their home for a few years. From there they went to Beaver Meadows, Carbon County, where they located permanently, and there Mr. Tweedle was called to the home beyond. He was a tailor by trade, and worked at that occupation and as shipping clerk in the mines at Beaver Meadows. His family consisted of six children, five sons and one daughter: Richard, Thomas, James B. (our subject), William, Samuel and Sarah, the wife of Paul Wear, of Beaver Meadows. The father was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Richard, Thomas and our subject are veterans of the Civil War.

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Beaver Meadows, attending the public schools of that place, and later studied medicine under Dr. John B. Longshore. In his youth he worked about the mines, driving mules and running stationary engines, etc., until he met with an accident which caused him to abandon that occupation. He taught school for four years, and at the same time read medicine with Dr. Longshore, a prominent physician of Beaver Meadows. About this time the Civil War broke out, and “Uncle Sam” called for volunteers. The Doctor was one of the first to respond to the call and enlisted June 12, 1861, in Company A, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, under Col. John W. Geary. The regiment was formed at Camp Coleman, near Philadelphia, and was sent to Sandy Hook, Md. The first engagement that Dr. Tweedle participated in was at Bolivar Heights. After being in the service for a few months, the Doctor was made Hospital Steward and Acting Assistant Surgeon under Dr. H. Ernest Goodman, remaining in that capacity until July 20, 1864. At Antietam and Gettysburg he was the only medical officer with the regiment in the field. The principal battles in which the Doctor took an active part were those of Point of Rocks, Berlin, Ball’s Bluff, Leesburg, Upperville, Ashby Gap, Middleburg, White Plains, Warrenstown, Ft. Royal, Manassas, Culpeper, Cedar Creek, Cedar Mountain, second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Dumfries, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. After the last named battle, our subject, with Dr. Goodman, established the general hospital at Gettysburg, and then followed Lee until transferred to the Army of the Southwest under General Hooker, when he took part in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Ringgold. He was then given charge of the hospital at Bridgeport, Tenn., and from there was sent to Chattanooga, where he was honorably discharged.

On his return to the north, our subject entered the medical department of Columbia College, New York, and was graduated from that institution in March, 1865. He is a general practitioner, and is considered one of the best in the county. At present he is Secretary and Treasurer of the County Medical Society, of which he is an honored member. He is also a member of the Lehigh Valley Medical Association, a member of the National Railroad Association, and for thirty years has served as Surgeon for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company.

Dr. Tweedle takes a leading part in all of the industrial enterprises of Weatherly, and was instrumental in starting the silk mill of that place, the largest of its kind in the world. He has also been identified with the novelty works, planing mill, water company, fire association, building and loan association, and is Director of the First National Bank of Hazleton. November 14, 1865, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary A., daughter of J. W. Leadenham, of Weatherly. Mr. and Mrs. Tweedle became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living: Carrie, the wife of Fleming Bowden, of Jacksonville, Fla.; Ernest, Fannie, James, Joseph, Robert and Austin. The three eldest are graduates of the high school of Weatherly.

Socially our subject is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, American Mechanics, Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, Consistory, Scottish Rites, thirty-second degree, Col. James Miller Post No. 271, G. A. R.; Knights of Malta, Knights of Pythias, and the Red Men. He is a charter member of all these orders, and also of the Druids. He is a stanch Republican in politics, always taking an active part in the councils of that party, and in all civil affairs. He has served as School Director for a number of years, has held the office of Justice of the Peace five years, and was pension agent for sixteen years.