My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD M. MULHEARN, an attorney-at-law of Mauch Chunk, is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in the town which is still his home, on the 15th of June, 1849. His parents, John and Ann (Sweeney) Mulhearn, were both natives of Ireland. John Mulhearn emigrated to America, and took up his residence in Carbon County, becoming one of its pioneer settlers. All the remainder of his life was passed here, and he was a prominent and representative citizen. He is now deceased, but his widow, the mother of Edward M., is still living, at the age of eighty-seven years, and is yet well preserved.

Mr. Mulhearn, whose name heads this record, was the fourth in order of birth in the family of seven children, five of them sons and two daughters, onty three of whom are now living. The public schools afforded him some educational privileges, but his advantages in that direction were not of the best during his earlier years. From 1861 until 1865 he was engaged during the summers in boating on the canal, attending the public schools through the winter seasons, and in the latter year he entered St. Thomas College, at Villanova, Delaware County, Pa. His literary education being completed, he determined to take up the study of law and make its practice his life work; so with this end in view he entered the law office of Daniel Kalbfus of Mauch Chunk. After two years of thorough and systematic preparation he was admitted to the Bar, on the 20th day of June, 1873, and at once opened an office and began practice.

In 1881 Mr. Mulhearn was elected District Attorney on the Republican ticket for the county of Carbon, and filled that office for two terms of three years each, or for six years in all. At the first election he received a majority of eight hundred and fifty-four; but so well did he discharge the duties of the office that in 1889 he was elected a member of the Legislature by a majority of five hundred and served for one term. He was appointed Solicitor of the Common Council of the borough of Mauch Chunk, and again discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity which won him high commendation. He takes a very active interest in political affairs, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party.

Mr. Mulhearn was married on the 1st of November, 1881, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary A. Behrendt, a daughter of John Behrendt. The lady was called to her final rest on the 28th of February, 1891, and left two children to mourn her loss, a son and a daughter, John B. and Mary D. She was a most estimable lady, possessed of many excellent qualities, and all who knew her held her in high regard. She held membership with the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Mulhearn is now successfully engaged in the practice of law in Mauch Chunk. He has been called, either as defendant or prosecutor, in many of the most important cases on the docket in Carbon County. He always labors in the interest of his clients, and therefore receives a liberal patronage. His skill and ability, both natural and acquired, have made him a successful attorney, and he now occupies a prominent position at the Carbon County Bar.