My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

HENRY W. MOHR, father of Wilson K., and the Chairman of the Board of City Assessors of Allentown, was born in Lehigh County, Pa., March 26, 1843. His father, Daniel B., and grandfather, Christopher, were also natives of Lehigh County, where settlement was made by the great-grandfather, who came hither from England. The father and grandfather spent their entire lives in the county named, where they died, the former at the age of eighty-six, and the latter when eighty-one. Both were farmers by occupation.

Our subject’s mother was Maria, daughter of Philip Haas, both natives of Lehigh County, where she died in 1860, at the age of seventy-six years. The Haas family originated in Germany, whence our subject’s great-grandfather emigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania. Henry W. was reared in the locality of his birth, and after completing the studies of the common schools entered Allentown Academy, where he prosecuted his readings until sixteen years of age. He then secured a situation as clerk, which he followed for nine years. Meantime he was economical, and, prudently saving his earnings, was enabled, at the age of twenty-five, to embark in a general mercantile business, forming a partnership with Mr. Lichtenwalner, which lasted for thirteen years. For two years after severing his connection with this firm he was not actively engaged in business, and then for two years, 1878-79, acted as superintendent of the Grange Store.

On the Democratic ticket Mr. Mohr was elected Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, and served in that capacity for three years. On the death of his successor he was chosen to complete the unexpired term, which he did. In the spring of 1890 he was City Assessor for a term of three years, and filled the position of Chairman of the board. So efficient was be in the discharge of his duties that he won the commendation of the people, who in the spring of 1893 re-elected him to this office, which he still holds, being the present Chairman of the board. He is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Allentown. In 1880, upon that ticket, he was elected to represent the Eighth Ward in the Common Council for a term of two years, but at the expiration of one year resigned to accept the position of Clerk of the Orphans’ Court.

As a Knight of Pythias Mr. Mohr has attained prominence throughout the state. He is a member of Greenleaf Lodge No. 257, which he has represented in the Grand Lodge of the state for the past sixteen years. Since 1885 he has been a member of the Supreme Lodge of the World. For six years he has been Sir Knight Commander of Lehigh Division No. 9, Uniformed Rank, K. of P. In 1885 he was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment, Uniformed Rank of Pennsylvania, and the following year was appointed by Maj.-Gen. J. F. Carnahan, of Illinois, as a member of his first staff, with the rank of Colonel, which position he resigned one year later. For eighteen years he was District Deputy Grand Chancellor of Lehigh County, in which responsible position he displayed the possession of superior ability and judgment.

While it is with the Knights of Pythias that Mr. Mohr has been more intimately associated, he has also maintained an interest in, and connection with, other orders. A charter member of Vienna Lodge No. 847, I. O. O. F., he has for the past sixteen years been its Treasurer, and for three years served as its representative to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He is a charter member of Red Hawk Tribe No. 55, I. O. R. M., of which he has been Chief since its organization in 1888. A Democrat in political matters, he takes an active part in local, county, state and national politics.

In 1862 Mr. Mohr was united in marriage with Miss Ellen E. Stahr, a native of Allentown, and daughter of James Stahr, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Lehigh County. There have been born unto them one son and one daughter, of whom the former, Wilson K., is the only survivor. Mr. and Mrs. Mohr reside at No. 126 South Eighth Street. They are prominent in social circles and active in the work of Zion’s Reformed Church, to which they belong.

* * * *

This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Lehigh County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Biographies

View a historic 1911 map of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

View family biographies for other states and counties

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.