My Genealogy Hound

JOHN W. SEPP, who is engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, and is also an Alderman of Allentown, claims Germany as the land of his birth. He was born in Hesse-Darmstdat, on the 6th of January, 1847, and is a son of Adam and Catherine (Brown) Sepp. In the autumn of 1847 his parents bade adieu to the Fatherland, and, with their family, crossed the Atlantic to America. They landed in New York City, and thence made their way to Philadelphia, Pa., where the father engaged in carriage-making for a time. He was very successful in his undertakings, and worked his way upward to a position of affluence. He died at his summer home in Hammonton, N. J. His widow is still living, and is a resident of Philadelphia.

The subject of this sketch is the youngest of a family of four children, three sons and a daughter, of whom three are yet living. His education was acquired in the public schools of Philadelphia, and when his school life was ended he learned the trade of painting and paper-hanging, which he continued until 1872. He then began clerking in the stationery store of John W. Ochs, in whose employ he remained for five years. In 1877 he turned his attention to the real-estate and insurance business, which he has followed up to the present time. He represents a number of leading American and English insurance companies, and is meeting with good success in this undertaking.

In 1864 Mr. Sepp was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Storch, of Allentown, daughter of Peter Storch. In 1877 he was elected Alderman of the city from the Fifth Ward, and has served in that position continuously since, covering a period of eighteen consecutive years. This fact certainly indicates his fidelity to duty and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow-townsmen. In politics he is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles.

Besides the interests already mentioned, Mr. Sepp has been connected with various other business concerns. He is a member of the firm of Richard H. Krall & Co., of Allentown, Mr. Krall being the husband of his only daughter, Margaret F. Mr. Sepp is also Secretary of and a stockholder in the Central Market Company of Allentown. He is connected with the Lehigh Liberty Fire Company, which was organized in 1869, and became its first President. He is a member of the Liberty Beneficial Association, and of the Lehigh Sangerbundt. Socially he belongs to Lehigh Lodge No. 83, I. O. O. F., is also a member of Livingston Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and St. Mary Commandery, being Captain on the brigade staff of the latter. He is Chairman of the Hanover Toboggan Company, Limited, and the Laury Toboggan Company, Limited. A prominent citizen, widely and favorably known, he has the confidence and warm regard of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.