My Genealogy Hound

JACOB MAURER (deceased) was born near Strasbourg, Alsace-Lorraine, June 24, 1805, a son of Jacob L. and Catherine (Deutsch) Maurer. He immigrated to America, in June, 1837, and in September of the same year located in Columbus, Ohio, where he followed the occupation of a gardener and dairyman until 1855. He then settled in McKeesport, and embarked in the tannery business with his son-in-law, W. B. Junker, under firm name of Junker & Co., in which he continued six years, when he retired. Before locating in McKeesport he had purchased the valuable property at corner of Fifth avenue and Walnut street, now owned by his heirs, a fine brick block, two stories high, facing Fifth avenue. After his retirement from business he gave his entire attention to his property interests until his death, which occurred Sept. 17, 1882, when he was seventy-seven years of age. He was married in 1834 to Christina Fischer, who died June 2, 1888. He had three daughters who grew to maturity: Catherine (deceased wife of W. B. Junker), Caroline and Amelia (Mrs. Julius Beiler, of Pittsburgh).

Of these Caroline, who resides in McKeesport, married, Oct. 19, 1865, Louis Brecht, a native of Heidelberg, Germany, by whom she has four children living: Eleanor H., Amelia L., Louis J. and Henry W. Mr. Brecht came to America in 1850, and settled in Pittsburgh, where he finished his education and learned the gilder’s trade. He served three years in the civil war as first lieutenant, participated in twenty-two engagements, and was honorably discharged at expiration of his term of service. For a number of years he was engaged in the picture-frame business in Pittsburgh, and was a successful business man. He died Oct. 16, 1880. He was an attendant of Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, and sang in the choir fourteen years. He was a member of the G. A. R., and was a stanch democrat.