My Genealogy Hound

JOHN A. SEMMEL is one of the leading and well-to-do citizens of East Penn Township, Carbon County. He located upon his present farm in 1891, and since that time has placed the land under good cultivation, and is constantly making substantial improvements upon the place. Until recently he has followed his trade of painter, though he has also given some attention to agriculture. He is considered to be quite an acquisition to the township, and is numbered among its enterprising young farmers.

The parents of our subject were Phaon A. and Maria Semmel. The former is a carriage manufacturer of Slatington, which city has been his home for a number of years. John A. was born March 6, 1860, in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County, and until eleven years old his time was passed on his father’s homestead. At that time, with his parents, he removed to Slatington, and there attained his majority, receiving the main part of his education in that place. When only eight years old he became interested in the painter’s trade, and worked for his father on carriages until nearly of age. His line of work is really very artistic, comprising lettering, sign work scrolls, small landscapes and fine work, such as is used on coaches and omnibuses. This calling he has followed more or less up to the present time, although for the past few years he has devoted his attention mainly to agricultural pursuits, and has also become interested in the mining of ore. The farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres, is a valuable and well cultivated tract, and in return for the care bestowed upon it, yields abundant harvests each year. It was formerly the property of the late John Balliet. For a number of years our subject was clerk in the general store of the latter gentleman at Bowman, Pa.

In 1882 Mr. Semmel was united in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of the late John Balliet, of Slatington, Pa. The young couple have had six children, but only three of the number are living, namely: Violet A., Lee E. and Myrtle. Mrs. Semmel was born in East Penn Township, Carbon County, and received a good education. She is a lady of refinement and many amiable qualities, and is a faithful helpmate to her husband.

In political affairs Mr. Semmel is a Republican, with which party he has been identified since attaining his majority. He warmly supports measures which have as their object the good of society and the upbuilding of the community in which he dwells. In religious belief he is a Lutheran, being a member of the church of that denomination in Slatington.