Easton Express Obituary 10.18.1913 Page 5
He Built the Opera House
Edward Able(Should be Abel) Dead After a Hard Battle in the Business World.
Edward Abel, builder of Abel Opera House, and one of the oldest and best known residents of this city, died at 4 o'clock this morning at his home, 436 Ferry street, of a complication of ailments. He had been confined to his bed the past two weeks, but had been in failing health for a lone time.
From a sketch written by Mr. Abel some time ago the following facts are taken: He was born in Forks township, Northampton county, on February 10th, 1831, and was brought up on a farm. At the age of 15 he went to work in a country store, and was employed in a store in South Easton from 1847 to 1849. On March 1st, 1849,Mr. Abel came to Easton and began work as a clerk for Stephen Deshler,in the carpet business, in the basement at the corner of Fourth and Northampton street. The Northampton National Bank building now occupies the site. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Deshler moved his carpet store to 352 Northampton street, and Mr. Abel followed in the business for 47 years.Later he formed a partnership with Jacob Rader, and they continued together for 12 years, until 1864, when Mr. Abel purchased the stock of Mr. Rader in the carpet business.
It was in 1872 that Mr. Abel conceived the idea of building the opera house. The theatre was erected and was opened to the public March 3, 1873. E. L. Davenport, the tragedian, presented "Hamlet" as the first performance. The theatre was conducted by Mr. Abel for four years, until 1877, the year of the great financial panic, when he was forced to abandon the house.
In explanation of his building the theatre, Mr. Abel recently wrote this paragraph: "Public spirit is what led Mr. Edward Abel to build the opera house, so as to give the public a suitable place for the assembling of the people, and for amusements. By so doing Mr. Edward Abel sacrificed his private fortune."
Mr. Abel was a member of Easton Lodge, No. 152, F. and A. M., and of Hugh de Payens Commandery, No. 19, Knights Templar, of this city. In the summer of 1870 Mr. Able equipped 75 sir knights in full Templar, uniform out of his private means, until such time as the sir knights could pay him back. He also instituted a grand promenade assembly and ball in the Easton Fair building.
In 1896 Professor E. A. Courturier, a New York cornetist, came to this city and was appointed leader of the new Triple City Band, of Easton, and Edward Abel, a lover of music, was elected president of the organization.
The subject of this sketch was married to Elizabeth Kindt, of this city, a daughter of Major Charles Kindt, brigade inspector of Pennsylvania. Three daughters were born to the couple, Ida Elizabeth, Jennie Matilda and Carrie Valeria Abel. The late named died in 1881. Ida Elisabeth Abel was married to George W. Rhoad, of South Bethlehem. She died in 1890. Jennie Matilda Abel was married to W. H. Johnson, of Wilson township, and survives with a daughter, Carrie V. A. Johnson.
Mr. Abel was a member of the Reformed Church.
A note to the above article: In 1907 the Jewel Theatre was opened inside the Abel Opera house. It was the largest theatre in the area with over a thousand seats. After a fire in 1924 and another fire in 1926, it was converted into the Embassy Movie Theatre. That closed in May of 1966 and the property was sold to Arthur P. Siegal. He bought it to turn it into a ladies apparel store which became Siegals Department Store at 342-350 Northampton Street.
In 1872, Edward Abel began building the new Abel Opera House on this site. Abel was one of the finest Victorian opera houses of its day, and offered metropolitan style shows, boasted appearances by such famous stars as Ethel and John Barrymore, E. L. Davenport, and Jenny Lind, and later, silent pictures (1897 – Projectoscope), and "The Jewel" movie theatre (1907-1915) which offered vaudeville shows and an early type of talking movie. Following closure due to fire, the building reopened in 1927 as the 1400-seat Embassy Theater.
The last paragraph taken from the following website: http://sigalmuseum.org/sigal-museum-where-history-lives/
He Built the Opera House
Edward Able(Should be Abel) Dead After a Hard Battle in the Business World.
Edward Abel, builder of Abel Opera House, and one of the oldest and best known residents of this city, died at 4 o'clock this morning at his home, 436 Ferry street, of a complication of ailments. He had been confined to his bed the past two weeks, but had been in failing health for a lone time.
From a sketch written by Mr. Abel some time ago the following facts are taken: He was born in Forks township, Northampton county, on February 10th, 1831, and was brought up on a farm. At the age of 15 he went to work in a country store, and was employed in a store in South Easton from 1847 to 1849. On March 1st, 1849,Mr. Abel came to Easton and began work as a clerk for Stephen Deshler,in the carpet business, in the basement at the corner of Fourth and Northampton street. The Northampton National Bank building now occupies the site. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Deshler moved his carpet store to 352 Northampton street, and Mr. Abel followed in the business for 47 years.Later he formed a partnership with Jacob Rader, and they continued together for 12 years, until 1864, when Mr. Abel purchased the stock of Mr. Rader in the carpet business.
It was in 1872 that Mr. Abel conceived the idea of building the opera house. The theatre was erected and was opened to the public March 3, 1873. E. L. Davenport, the tragedian, presented "Hamlet" as the first performance. The theatre was conducted by Mr. Abel for four years, until 1877, the year of the great financial panic, when he was forced to abandon the house.
In explanation of his building the theatre, Mr. Abel recently wrote this paragraph: "Public spirit is what led Mr. Edward Abel to build the opera house, so as to give the public a suitable place for the assembling of the people, and for amusements. By so doing Mr. Edward Abel sacrificed his private fortune."
Mr. Abel was a member of Easton Lodge, No. 152, F. and A. M., and of Hugh de Payens Commandery, No. 19, Knights Templar, of this city. In the summer of 1870 Mr. Able equipped 75 sir knights in full Templar, uniform out of his private means, until such time as the sir knights could pay him back. He also instituted a grand promenade assembly and ball in the Easton Fair building.
In 1896 Professor E. A. Courturier, a New York cornetist, came to this city and was appointed leader of the new Triple City Band, of Easton, and Edward Abel, a lover of music, was elected president of the organization.
The subject of this sketch was married to Elizabeth Kindt, of this city, a daughter of Major Charles Kindt, brigade inspector of Pennsylvania. Three daughters were born to the couple, Ida Elizabeth, Jennie Matilda and Carrie Valeria Abel. The late named died in 1881. Ida Elisabeth Abel was married to George W. Rhoad, of South Bethlehem. She died in 1890. Jennie Matilda Abel was married to W. H. Johnson, of Wilson township, and survives with a daughter, Carrie V. A. Johnson.
Mr. Abel was a member of the Reformed Church.
A note to the above article: In 1907 the Jewel Theatre was opened inside the Abel Opera house. It was the largest theatre in the area with over a thousand seats. After a fire in 1924 and another fire in 1926, it was converted into the Embassy Movie Theatre. That closed in May of 1966 and the property was sold to Arthur P. Siegal. He bought it to turn it into a ladies apparel store which became Siegals Department Store at 342-350 Northampton Street.
In 1872, Edward Abel began building the new Abel Opera House on this site. Abel was one of the finest Victorian opera houses of its day, and offered metropolitan style shows, boasted appearances by such famous stars as Ethel and John Barrymore, E. L. Davenport, and Jenny Lind, and later, silent pictures (1897 – Projectoscope), and "The Jewel" movie theatre (1907-1915) which offered vaudeville shows and an early type of talking movie. Following closure due to fire, the building reopened in 1927 as the 1400-seat Embassy Theater.
The last paragraph taken from the following website: http://sigalmuseum.org/sigal-museum-where-history-lives/
Easton Express Obituary 10.18.1913 Page 5
He Built the Opera House
Edward Able(Should be Abel) Dead After a Hard Battle in the Business World.
Edward Abel, builder of Abel Opera House, and one of the oldest and best known residents of this city, died at 4 o'clock this morning at his home, 436 Ferry street, of a complication of ailments. He had been confined to his bed the past two weeks, but had been in failing health for a lone time.
From a sketch written by Mr. Abel some time ago the following facts are taken: He was born in Forks township, Northampton county, on February 10th, 1831, and was brought up on a farm. At the age of 15 he went to work in a country store, and was employed in a store in South Easton from 1847 to 1849. On March 1st, 1849,Mr. Abel came to Easton and began work as a clerk for Stephen Deshler,in the carpet business, in the basement at the corner of Fourth and Northampton street. The Northampton National Bank building now occupies the site. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Deshler moved his carpet store to 352 Northampton street, and Mr. Abel followed in the business for 47 years.Later he formed a partnership with Jacob Rader, and they continued together for 12 years, until 1864, when Mr. Abel purchased the stock of Mr. Rader in the carpet business.
It was in 1872 that Mr. Abel conceived the idea of building the opera house. The theatre was erected and was opened to the public March 3, 1873. E. L. Davenport, the tragedian, presented "Hamlet" as the first performance. The theatre was conducted by Mr. Abel for four years, until 1877, the year of the great financial panic, when he was forced to abandon the house.
In explanation of his building the theatre, Mr. Abel recently wrote this paragraph: "Public spirit is what led Mr. Edward Abel to build the opera house, so as to give the public a suitable place for the assembling of the people, and for amusements. By so doing Mr. Edward Abel sacrificed his private fortune."
Mr. Abel was a member of Easton Lodge, No. 152, F. and A. M., and of Hugh de Payens Commandery, No. 19, Knights Templar, of this city. In the summer of 1870 Mr. Able equipped 75 sir knights in full Templar, uniform out of his private means, until such time as the sir knights could pay him back. He also instituted a grand promenade assembly and ball in the Easton Fair building.
In 1896 Professor E. A. Courturier, a New York cornetist, came to this city and was appointed leader of the new Triple City Band, of Easton, and Edward Abel, a lover of music, was elected president of the organization.
The subject of this sketch was married to Elizabeth Kindt, of this city, a daughter of Major Charles Kindt, brigade inspector of Pennsylvania. Three daughters were born to the couple, Ida Elizabeth, Jennie Matilda and Carrie Valeria Abel. The late named died in 1881. Ida Elisabeth Abel was married to George W. Rhoad, of South Bethlehem. She died in 1890. Jennie Matilda Abel was married to W. H. Johnson, of Wilson township, and survives with a daughter, Carrie V. A. Johnson.
Mr. Abel was a member of the Reformed Church.
A note to the above article: In 1907 the Jewel Theatre was opened inside the Abel Opera house. It was the largest theatre in the area with over a thousand seats. After a fire in 1924 and another fire in 1926, it was converted into the Embassy Movie Theatre. That closed in May of 1966 and the property was sold to Arthur P. Siegal. He bought it to turn it into a ladies apparel store which became Siegals Department Store at 342-350 Northampton Street.
In 1872, Edward Abel began building the new Abel Opera House on this site. Abel was one of the finest Victorian opera houses of its day, and offered metropolitan style shows, boasted appearances by such famous stars as Ethel and John Barrymore, E. L. Davenport, and Jenny Lind, and later, silent pictures (1897 – Projectoscope), and "The Jewel" movie theatre (1907-1915) which offered vaudeville shows and an early type of talking movie. Following closure due to fire, the building reopened in 1927 as the 1400-seat Embassy Theater.
The last paragraph taken from the following website: http://sigalmuseum.org/sigal-museum-where-history-lives/
He Built the Opera House
Edward Able(Should be Abel) Dead After a Hard Battle in the Business World.
Edward Abel, builder of Abel Opera House, and one of the oldest and best known residents of this city, died at 4 o'clock this morning at his home, 436 Ferry street, of a complication of ailments. He had been confined to his bed the past two weeks, but had been in failing health for a lone time.
From a sketch written by Mr. Abel some time ago the following facts are taken: He was born in Forks township, Northampton county, on February 10th, 1831, and was brought up on a farm. At the age of 15 he went to work in a country store, and was employed in a store in South Easton from 1847 to 1849. On March 1st, 1849,Mr. Abel came to Easton and began work as a clerk for Stephen Deshler,in the carpet business, in the basement at the corner of Fourth and Northampton street. The Northampton National Bank building now occupies the site. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Deshler moved his carpet store to 352 Northampton street, and Mr. Abel followed in the business for 47 years.Later he formed a partnership with Jacob Rader, and they continued together for 12 years, until 1864, when Mr. Abel purchased the stock of Mr. Rader in the carpet business.
It was in 1872 that Mr. Abel conceived the idea of building the opera house. The theatre was erected and was opened to the public March 3, 1873. E. L. Davenport, the tragedian, presented "Hamlet" as the first performance. The theatre was conducted by Mr. Abel for four years, until 1877, the year of the great financial panic, when he was forced to abandon the house.
In explanation of his building the theatre, Mr. Abel recently wrote this paragraph: "Public spirit is what led Mr. Edward Abel to build the opera house, so as to give the public a suitable place for the assembling of the people, and for amusements. By so doing Mr. Edward Abel sacrificed his private fortune."
Mr. Abel was a member of Easton Lodge, No. 152, F. and A. M., and of Hugh de Payens Commandery, No. 19, Knights Templar, of this city. In the summer of 1870 Mr. Able equipped 75 sir knights in full Templar, uniform out of his private means, until such time as the sir knights could pay him back. He also instituted a grand promenade assembly and ball in the Easton Fair building.
In 1896 Professor E. A. Courturier, a New York cornetist, came to this city and was appointed leader of the new Triple City Band, of Easton, and Edward Abel, a lover of music, was elected president of the organization.
The subject of this sketch was married to Elizabeth Kindt, of this city, a daughter of Major Charles Kindt, brigade inspector of Pennsylvania. Three daughters were born to the couple, Ida Elizabeth, Jennie Matilda and Carrie Valeria Abel. The late named died in 1881. Ida Elisabeth Abel was married to George W. Rhoad, of South Bethlehem. She died in 1890. Jennie Matilda Abel was married to W. H. Johnson, of Wilson township, and survives with a daughter, Carrie V. A. Johnson.
Mr. Abel was a member of the Reformed Church.
A note to the above article: In 1907 the Jewel Theatre was opened inside the Abel Opera house. It was the largest theatre in the area with over a thousand seats. After a fire in 1924 and another fire in 1926, it was converted into the Embassy Movie Theatre. That closed in May of 1966 and the property was sold to Arthur P. Siegal. He bought it to turn it into a ladies apparel store which became Siegals Department Store at 342-350 Northampton Street.
In 1872, Edward Abel began building the new Abel Opera House on this site. Abel was one of the finest Victorian opera houses of its day, and offered metropolitan style shows, boasted appearances by such famous stars as Ethel and John Barrymore, E. L. Davenport, and Jenny Lind, and later, silent pictures (1897 – Projectoscope), and "The Jewel" movie theatre (1907-1915) which offered vaudeville shows and an early type of talking movie. Following closure due to fire, the building reopened in 1927 as the 1400-seat Embassy Theater.
The last paragraph taken from the following website: http://sigalmuseum.org/sigal-museum-where-history-lives/
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
