My Genealogy Hound

EDGAR J. LUMLEY, senior member of the firm of Lumley & Schuon, dealers in ice, coal and wood, has his office at the corner of Third and Linden Streets in Allentown. He was born in this city, September 12, 1858, and is the son of Howard Lumley, a native of Otsego County, N. Y., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. The latter is now living in this city, where he holds the position of Commissioner of Highways, and is engaged in paving the various streets. He is the son of John Lumley, a native of England, who came to the United States and located in Cherry Valley, in the above county in New York, where he carried on farm pursuits.

The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Mary M. Albright. She was born in this county, and was the daughter of Jacob Albright, one of the largest contractors and builders in this county. The Albright family is of German ancestry: When only three years of age, our subject was taken by his parents to Otsego County, N. Y., where he attended the common schools, and remained until the age of eleven, when the family returned to Allentown. He completed his education in the public schools in this city, after which he took a course in the Allentown Business College.

Our subject began his business career by embarking in the manufacture of soap and candles, which he carried on in partnership with his father, under the name of Lumley & Son. This connection lasted until 1887, when Edgar J. disposed of his interest, and in May of that year accepted the position of shipping clerk in the freight department of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, which he held until September, 1889. On the 16th of that month he became manager of Charles H. Schimpf’s ice business, and in March, 1890, formed a partnership with Messrs. Schimpf and Schuon, in the business of handling ice, coal and wood. Mr. Schimpf’s interest being withdrawn, the firm is now known by its present title. The firm have a large ice-house, stored with natural ice, and in connection with retailing ice they handle quantities of coal and wood, selling about thirty thousand tons of coal per year.

In politics Mr. Lumley is a strong Republican, and in 1881 he was elected on that ticket to the Common Council, representing the First Ward. He has been elected three times successively, and has thus served the public in that capacity for five years. In 1886 he was elected to the Select Council, of which position he is still the incumbent. Although he has been in the Council for a period of thirteen years, he can truthfully say that he has never missed a meeting, and has at all times given his support, to measures calculated for the public good. Socially our subject belongs to Lodge No. 383, I. O. O. F.; Lochawonk Tribe No. 201, Red Men of America; Washington Chamber No. 18, O. K. of F.; and the Local Haymakers’ Association. He is an active member of the Allentown Fire Company, of which he has been Treasurer for the past four years.

In September, 1881, Mr. Lumley was married to Miss Emma, daughter of ex-Mayor Herman Schuon. The latter was born in Germany, and on emigrating to America in 1846 located in Allentown, where he is still residing, together with his good wife, who prior to her marriage was Matilda Schimpf. Our subject and his wife have an adopted daughter, Florence Henrietta Deck, who is attending school.