My Genealogy Hound

J. LEWIS HARLEMAN is a well known merchant of Packerton, Carbon County, and from a very humble beginning has built up a large trade and an enviable reputation for fair dealings and reliable goods. It is only eight years since he started his business in this place, and he has met with phenomenal success in this enterprise. In his well appointed store he keeps a full line of groceries, boots and shoes, clothing, and such lines of merchandise as are usually found in a first-class general mercantile establishment.

The parents of our subject are Edwin and Susan (Dodson) Harleman, who are both natives of this county, and who came from old and honored families of this vicinity. At the present time they are residents of Weatherly. The birth of our subject occurred in this county June 27, 1862, in the village of Weatherly, where his boyhood was passed. When thirteen years old he began clerking in a merchant’s store, and remained in his employ for four years, learning in this time much about the business. At the end of that time he went to Bethlehem, Pa., and was for six months engaged in learning telegraphy. After he had mastered that calling, he came to Packerton, and was for some years employed as an operator in the office of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, most of this time being in the forwarding department.

In 1887 Mr. Harleman embarked in his present occupation, and has since devoted his energies to the extension of his trade and the upbuilding of his business. The store which he first occupied was only 16x24 feet in dimensions, and his capital, which he invested in a small stock of supplies, then comprised only about $700. Since that time the store has been enlarged twice, and he keeps on hand goods valued at about $7,000. The store building is three stories in height, and in order to meet the demands of his trade the proprietor employs four clerks and one delivery man; two wagons and teams are kept running much of the time. In this establishment may be found nearly all of the principal necessities of life, and it is a great convenience to his customers to be enabled to purchase all of their supplies at one place.

Fraternally Mr. Harleman is a member of the Masonic order, affiliating with the lodge at Mauch Chunk, and is a Knight of Pythias, being identified with the lodge of this place. In politics he deposits his ballot in favor of Republican nominees and the principles outlined by that party. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian, and is a member of the Packerton Church of that denomination. He has relied upon his own industry and natural ability since he was a lad of thirteen years, and is truly a self-made man. He has succeeded far beyond his expectations, and is numbered among the enterprising young commercial men of Carbon County.

In 1884 was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Miss Lizzie Koons, of Weatherly, and three children have graced their union, namely: Edwin, Lizzie and Morris. Mrs. Harieman was born in Weatherly, received a good education, and is a lady of refinement and culture.