My Genealogy Hound

F. P. SEMMEL, a well known citizen of Lehighton, claims Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, for he was born in Unionville, Lehigh County, on the 25th of April, 1847. His grandfather came to America from Germany, and was one of the earliest settlers of North Whitehall, Lehigh County, so that our subject is a representative of one of the pioneer families of this section of the state. He acquired his education in the common schools, and in a private school in Schnecksville, which his father, Joshua Semmel, and other prominent citizens of that village instituted.

After leaving the school room Mr. Semmel began to earn his own livelihood, serving as clerk in various country stores in Lehigh County. He was thus employed until 1864, when he came to Lehighton, Carbon County, and served for two years as Assistant Postmaster. On the expiration of that period he began clerking for Thomas S. Beck, and was afterwards manager and bookkeeper in Joseph Obert’s store, and in a pork packing establishment for several years.

Mr. Semmel was united in marriage with Miss Sallie J. Heberling, daughter of the late Judge Daniel Heberling. He then embarked in business for himself, and was very successful in his undertakings, earning a handsome competency. He was connected with many important enterprises, being interested in the Lehigh Stove & Manufacturing Company, the Lehigh Valley Emery Wheel Company, the Continental Slate Company, and erected some of the largest and finest business houses in Lehighton, but in the financial crisis in 1877 he lost heavily in all his enterprises. He then sold out and was appointed Deputy Sheriff, in which capacity he served during the exciting Molly Maguire times, during which seven men were executed, the duty devolving upon Sheriff J. W. Raudenbush and his deputy.

Mr. Semmel was twice elected Burgess of Lehighton, and at various times was elected to fill other municipal offices. He served as Deputy Prothonotary of Carbon County, and in the various positions which he filled, discharged his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He has lived during all this time in Lehighton, with the exception of three years spent in Mauch Chunk and two years passed in Weatherly. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat, and was nominated as Register and Recorder by the Democratic convention in 1890, but by trickery in his own party, lost the election by a few votes.

Mr. Semmel is now serving as general eastern manager of the Washington National Building & Loan Association of Washington, D. C. His life has been an honorable and uptight one, and he stands high in the community, having the warm regard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.