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- Biographical sketches of Sunbry, Northumberland County, PA
LUDLEM B. ROCKWELL, patentee and manufacturer of the celebrated Rockwell process for tempering steel, is a native of Wayne county, Pennsylvania, son of William P. and Sarah S. (Bassett) Rockwell, and was born, September 10, 1843. The Rockwells came originally from England, the Bassetts from France, and both families were found among the early American colonists. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and at Waymart learned the trade of blacksmith and wagon maker, at which he was engaged at the outbreak of the Rebellion. In October, 1862, he entered the army, and spent nine months on detahced duty in Philadelphia. Feburary 28, 1864, in New York City, he enlisted in Company F, Fiftieth New York Volunteers, and served until the close of the war in the Army of the Potomac. Leaving the army he returned to Waymart, Pennsylvania, and there for three years worked at blacksmithing. He came to Sunbury in 1872 and for some years followed his trade. In December, 1884, he patented his process for tempering steel, and in 1888 secured letters on his method of moulding steel, and invention whereby he converts refused, worn-out and broken steel tools into the highest grades of knives and other steel and iron-cutting implements. Mr. Rockwell is a member of the G.A.R. and of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1865, to Margaret Thorpe.
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