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Pennsylvania Trails History and Genealogy

Mealey, W. J.

PROF. W. J. MEALEY, dancing master and owner of the “Auditorium,” is recognized as one of the leading exponents of the art of dancing in this section. Born in Philadelphia, he came to Allentown as a boy and was educated in the public schools. His career as a dancing master started in 1888, when he opened a studio in Charleston, W. Va., continuing there for a year and then going to Covington, Ky. After another year in the South he returned to Allentown and opened a dancing school and studio in the hall on the surface floor of the Lehigh Valley Railroad station. He at once met with success and in 1910, his business having outgrown his quarters, and realizing the need of a large auditorium for Allentown, he built the “Auditorium” at 423 Hamilton Street. This structure, although only one story in height, can accommodate several thousand people and has been the scene of many big social events. It is rated as one of the most modern and largest auditoriums of its kind in eastern Pennsylvania. He is a member of Jordan Lodge of Masons and the Clover Club. In 1905 he married Grace, daughter of Francis Reilly, of South Bethlehem.