Beyond Steel

Eugene G. Simmers was married to Katherine E. Simmers. After working for Budd Co., Simmers joined Bethlehem Steel 1936 as an inspector in the Lehigh Mills. He participated in the Loop Course, a management development program, and was ultimately promoted to superintendent of heat treatment and forging.

Robert F. Silfies started with Bethlehem Steel in 1917 as a payroll clerk and later advanced to positions such as chief of payroll for the Bethlehem plant, supervisor of Social Security, and tax accountant. Prior to working at Bethlehem Steel he was a schoolteacher. In this interview Silfies discusses life as a schoolteacher prior to World War I, payroll procedures, implementing Social Security and tax withholding, working with the draft board representing the accounting department during World War II, salary increases, the company stock plan, and local sports.

James L. Shearer (ca. 1913-July 29, 1987), born in Milton, Pennsylvania, was married to Ruth Shearer, née McGraw. He served as assistant to the Registrar at Lehigh University from 1939 to 1941 and then worked for Bethlehem Steel from 1941 to 1973, primarily in the Personnel Division.

W . [William] Thomas Shafer, (1914-May 17, 1992), born in Weatherly, Pennsylvania, was the son of Charles and Laura Shafer, née Mitze. He was married to Sarah Shafer, née Pawlawski. Shafer worked for Bethlehem Steel from 1937 to 1971,serving as supervisor of workman's compensation for the Bethlehem plant and administrative assistant to the manager of safety and workmen's compensation. Prior to Bethlehem Steel he worked for the Read & Lovatt silk mill and administered relief programs during the Depression.

Herbert L. Sechler Sr. ( ca. 1910-April 7, 1991), born in Northampton Pennsylvania, was the son of Charles S. and Mabel Mae Catherine Sechler née Andrews. He was first married to Mildred Sechler, née Hardcastle and after her death to Arlene E. Sechler, née Frank. Sechler worked for Bethlehem Steel as a machinist in the forge specialty division from 1928-1974.

Ernst B. Schulz (ca. 1897-April 27, 1985), born in Cleveland, Ohio, was the son of Ernst P. and Agnes Schulz, née Krause. He was married to Catherine Schulz, née Lillie. Schulz was a professor of political science at Lehigh University and was with the school from 1927 to 1966. from 1945-66. In this interview he discusses his education, family, neighborhoods, leisure activities, his writing, and his activities as an advisor to the Bethlehem City Charter Commission.

Walter A. Schrempel (July 9, 1984-May 23, 1982), born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was the son of Emil and Martha Schrempel, née Brinker. He was married to Frances Schrempel, née Kratz. Schrempel operated a coal and ice business from 1912 to 1954 and served as the Director of Civil Defense for the city of Bethlehem during World War I and World War II. In this interview he discusses the operation of his business, performing his civil defense duties, conflicts between the North Side and South Side of Bethlehem, education, neighborhoods, and religious activities.

Michael C. Schrader (ca. 1900-February 23, 1989) graduated from Harvard Law School in 1924 and was a partner in the law firm of Taylor, Schrader & Riskin from 1924 to 1942. He also served as Northampton County first assistant district attorney prior to World War II. During the war Schrader served as deputy civilian defense director for the city of Bethlehem and Superintendent of Plant Protection for Bethlehem Steel.

Ruth Schoenly, née Moyer (b. January 29, 1904), born in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, was the daughter of Katie E. Moyer, née Coleman. She was married to Norman H. Schoenly. His oral history is also included in this collection. In this interview Schoenly discusses the Boyertown Opera House Fire of 1908, her family, childhood activities, education, shopping, religious activities, courting, domestic work, World War II rationing, and life during the Depression.

Nellie Ross started with Bethlehem Steel in 1942 and served as a senior matron during the war. While foremen were responsible for managing women workers' work efforts, matrons were employed to ensure the female workers' health and well-being. In this interview Ross discusses matron training, bomb building processes, facilities provided for women, the hiring process for women, work relationships between workers, matrons, and foremen, work relationships between men and women, conflict resolution, childcare considerations, and the reasons women went to work.

Louis Ropos was born in Austria-Hungary and emigrated from there in 1911. After starting with Bethlehem Steel working in a zinc mill in 1911, he left the company and worked in St. Louis, Indianapolis, and New York. In 1920 he returned to Bethlehem Steel and worked there until he retired in 1962. In this interview he discusses emigrating, boarding in Bethlehem upon arrival, the various shops he worked in, steel-making processes, his views on the union, some detail of jobs held outside of Bethlehem Steel, and the timekeeping process at the plant.

Albert M. Reilly (ca. 1903-October 7, 1990), born in Lower Saucon Township, was the son of William and Carrie Reilly. He was married to Dorothy E. Reilly, née Allio. Reilly worked with Bethlehem Steel from 1921 to 1968 as a crane operator. In this interview he discusses being injured on the job, safety, strikes, working during World War II, working with women during World War II, trapping as a youth, Mexican and Portuguese workers, and his father's work at the Redington fuse plant.

Francis S. Price (ca. 1905-January 24, 1984), born in Earlville, Maryland, was the son of Hamilton and Anna Price, née Spear. He was married to Julia Price, née Gallagher. Price worked for Bethlehem Steel from 1928 to 1970. In his first position he installed safety guards on machinery and then after a short stint in the boiler shop worked as a billet operator for the remainder of his time with the company. In this brief interview he discusses steel-making processes and working with women during World War II.

Simon Pavel emigrated from Austria-Hungary in 1912, initially living in St. Louis and Detroit before coming to Bethlehem. He describes himself as Romanian. He was possibly married to Mary Pavel, née Muntian. After working at the coke works starting in 1913 he came to Bethlehem Steel in 1916. In this interview Pavel describes his life in Austria-Hungary, the process of emigrating, working in St. Louis and Detroit, making artillery at Bethlehem Steel during World War I, wages, retirement, and his family.

Carl F. Ottenberg (ca. 1894-February 1, 1986), born in Berlin, Germany, was the son of the Franz and Ida Ottenberg. He was married to Helen Ottenberg, née Hartman. Ottenberg worked at Bethlehem Steel from 1916 to 1961 and was promoted to foreman during his tenure.

Ceferino L. 'Sticks' Orta (August 26,1901-December 6, 1997), born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, was the son of Pascual and Dolores Orta, née Lozada. He was married Maria Orta, who died in 1994. Orta emigrated from Mexico City and started as a laborer in 1926 with Bethlehem Steel and later became a pickler in Cold-rolled Steel, retiring in 1966. He was president of the Mexican Aztec Society of Bethlehem, a social organization that also provided mutual benefits to its members.

Charles F. 'Curly' Orban (May 12, 1904-September 11, 1984) retired from Bethlehem Steel in 1969 after a 43 year career as a craneman and laborer in the merchant mills. In this interview Orban discusses the various jobs he performed, his father's employment at Bethlehem Steel, safety measures at the plant, his lack of interest in the union, and his family background.

Margaret Mowrer, née Brown (ca. 1906-December 23, 1999), born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, was the daughter of George A. and Elsie Brown, née Morris. She was married to Clifton Elmer Mowrer, Sr., who established Mowrer's Dairy and was a community leader and a member of the Bethlehem City Council.

Irving S. Amrhein was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1895. In this interview he discusses his work for Bethlehem Steel as an assistant foreman during World War I and later service for a short time in the billing department. He describes his entrance into the securities business in 1925, where he initially sold corporate and government bonds to banks in eastern Pennsylvania and later sold a broader range of securities to a wider audience.

Mary Morykon was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and her father emigrated from Ukraine. During World War II she worked as a machine operator at Bethlehem Steel. Prior to this she worked at the R.K. Laris silk mill and subsequent to her position at Bethlehem Steel she worked as a floor lady at a bathing suit factory for 25 years.

Mary F. Moser (ca. 1919-June 25, 2007), born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Holva, née Yenca. She was married to Stephen Moser. Moser worked as a buggy operator transporting artillery shells at Bethlehem Steel during World War II. In this interview she discusses reasons for getting a job at Bethlehem Steel, working conditions, safety issues, relationships with co-workers and management, social activities and surviving the Depression as one of 17 children in her family.

Henri A. Bodder (September 16, 1896-January 7, 1977) was married to Ruth A. Bodder. During World War I he worked for Bethlehem Steel at the Redington fuse plant and later worked as a steel inspector in Bethlehem. In 1921 he started a retailing career and worked for prominent local department stores such as Bush & Bull's and Orr's. He served the community as president of the West Side Republican Club, president of the Advertising Club and as a commissioner on the Bethlehem Housing Authority from 1945-1971.

This is an interview with Lillian Mindlin, a resident of Bethlehem, PA, conducted by Andrew Krause. In this interview, Lilllian discusses numerous topics about her and her family's life in the Lehigh Valley. Some of the topics she discusses are her family history and background, the store her parent's owned and operated (located on the South Side), and where her family would get provisions on the South Side. She also describes the South Side in the 1920s and 1930s, her schooling, religious background, and her husband and their children and grandchildren.

This is an interview with Magdolna Krycias and Joanne Krycias, in Hellertown, PA, conducted by Andrew Krause. In this interview, Magdolna discusses her family history, growing up on a farm in Coalsville and later in Steel City, her education, social gatherings her family attended, the experiences of both her and her husband working for Bethlehem Steel, as well as her time working at Champion.