Daniel Seagle and Seagle School of Pottery
Daniel Seagle (1805 to 1867), a resident of Vale, North Carolina in the Catawba River Valley area, founded what has become known as the Seagle school of potters. About a half dozen potters are known to have apprenticed to Daniel, making their pots at his kiln. These apprentices include Daniel’s son, James Franklin “Frank” Seagle (1829 to 1892); Daniel Holly (1811 to 1899); John Goodman, Daniel’s son-in-law (1822 to 1903); and Isaac Lefevers (circa 1831 to 1864). At least one other potter may have been associated with the Seagle school, a potter who is as yet unidentified, but known by his mark, “JCM.”
Daniel Seagle, a German settler, opened his pottery around 1824 and operated it until his death in 1867. At that time, Frank and John took on the management of the pottery, running it until the 1890s.