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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.

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JAMES L. MARSTELLER, attorney-at-law at Allentown. A lifetime spent in pursuing one calling will almost certainly result in substantial success, especially if energy and perseverance are applied, and this maxim is exemplified in the case of Mr. Marsteller, who has given the study of law his chief time and attention.

Samuel A. Marsteller, the father of our subject, was a native of Lehigh County, this state, and during his active career was a prominent iron merchant in Allentown. He departed this life in 1879, at the age of fifty-seven. His father, the grandfather of our subject, also bore the name of Samuel, and was a native of Northampton County. The Marsteller family came originally from Germany, the first representatives having come to this country as early as 1740, and with the Palatines made a settlement in the Keystone State.

Our subject’s mother, who was known in maidenhood as Miss Leah Lazarus, was also a native of this county and is residing at the present time in Allentown. She has attained the age of sixty-three years. Her father, Jacob Lazarus, was a prominent farmer in this locality, and lived to reach his eighty-sixth year.

James L. Marsteller was born September 27, 1849, in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, where he spent his boyhood days and received a good education in the public schools. Later he attended the Allentown Academy for two years, after which he became a student in Muhlenberg College, where he prosecuted his studies vigorously for some time. In 1870 he taught school in Crawford County, Ohio, and after returning home at the end of the year was similarly engaged for one term in Lehigh County.

In 1872 our subject accepted a position with the Central Railroad of New Jersey as shop clerk, being situated first at Mauch Chunk and later at Wilkes Barre. While thus employed he devoted every spare moment to the reading of law, and on the 1st of September, 1877, entered the office of Hon. Edwin Albright as a student at law. September 1, 1879, he was admitted to the Bar in Allentown, which city bas since been the scene of his operations. Mr. Marsteller, who is enterprising and ambitious, has become a power in his profession and takes a high place among the lawyers of this county. He is deeply interested in all matters pertaining to local and national welfare and at all times votes the Republican ticket.

In February, 1887, Mr. Marsteller was elected to represent the Second Ward in the City Council for a term of two years. He has been a delegate to the various conventions of his party, and in social matters is a member of Lochawonk Tribe No. 201, I. O. R. M. He is recognized as a man of extended influence, and one who enjoys the esteem of hosts of friends. He resides at No. 407 North Seventh Street, Allentown.

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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

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