My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL HARLEMAN, the proficient and faithful train dispatcher, and assistant train master of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, at Weatherly, is a native of Carbon County, and was born in Millport April 17, 1829. He is of German descent, his remote ancestors having come from Germany in a very early day, but for several generations the Harlemans have made their home in Pennsylvania. Grandfather Harleman was a native of Chester County, Pa., and a farmer by occupation. He was a very prominent man in the community in which he lived, serving in many of the local offices. He was elected Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he served for a number of years, being a terror to the evil doers, but was honored and respected by all. He died at an advanced age, and is buried in Carbon County.

The father of our subject was born in Chester County; he followed the occupation of farmer, and also that of shoemaker, which trade he learned in his youth. In politics he was a Republican, and held the office of Justice of the Peace for a number of years to the satisfaction of all. Isaac Harleman, our subject’s father, chose for his wife Catherine Seigenfus, and to them were born seven children, namely: John and Maria, deceased; Thomas; Samuel, our subject; Edward; Susannah, and William, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Harleman were exemplary members of the Presbyterian Church, and are buried in the Weatherly Cemetery.

Samuel Harleman, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools, and was only nine years of age when his parents left Millport and went to live in Penn Haven, where they remained for several years. In 1846 our subject came to Weatherly, being employed as brakeman on a coal train, and about 1852 his parents removed hither. He kept this position for eighteen months and then became fireman; at the expiration of one year he was promoted to the position of engineer, in which capacity he remained until 1864. He was then made train dispatcher for this division of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and in 1891 was also made assistant train master. Mr. Harleman is interested in the silk mill, and is one of the Trustees of the enterprise. He is a Director of the water company, and has held that office in the Weatherly Building and Loan Association. He was also at one time a Director in the Second National Bank of Mauch Chunk.

In 1850 Mr. Harleman was united in marriage to Miss Susan, a daughter of George Setzer, of Monroe County, Pa. To them were born five children, four of whom are living. Charles met with an accident which caused his death; Ada M. is the wife of D. A. Meldwin, of New York; George M. is train master of the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Bethlehem, Pa.; Mary A. is Mrs. Thomas Dunn, of Weatherly, and Lizzie is the wife of O. F. Lenhardt, of Norristown, Pa. Our subject is a stanch Republican in politics, and is the present Treasurer of Weatherly. He served as School Director for thirty years, and was elected County Commissioner in 1872 for a term of three years, being re-elected in 1883 for a like term. He is also Director of the Poor for the middle coal district, comprising parts of Luzerne and Carbon Counties. Fraternally our subject is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

During the Civil War Mr. Harleman was a member of the emergency corps of Pennsylvania, under Col. Robert Klotz. He was always found at his post and never faltered in the path of duty, no matter how dangerous. The remembrance of his devotion to the Federal cause is a precious legacy with which to endow his children, a bequest more enduring than houses or land.