My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH B. LICHTENWALNER. The record of the life of this gentleman affords a striking illustration of the results of decision of purpose, as well as the influence which an honorable character exerts upon others. Well dowered with stability and firmness, these attributes, together with persistent labor, have been instrumental in bringing about his present prosperous condition. He is a well known agriculturist of South Whitehall Township, where he owns and occupies a farm of two hundred and twenty acres. Like many of the prominent citizens of this county, our subject is native-born, his birth having occurred March 2, 1839. His parents, Solomon and Maria A. (Stetler) Lichtenwalner, were likewise born in Lehigh County, as was also his paternal grandfather, George Lichtenwalner. His father, however, came from Germany, and after making his home in Pennsylvania rented land in Upper Macungie Township, this county, near Fogelsville.

The father of our subject departed this life in 1869, while his good wife survived him many years, passing away in 1886. Their children who still survive are: Jonas, William H, Joseph B., Amanda (the wife of Solomon Kuhns), Solomon, Hiram A. and Lafenas H. Solomon Lichtenwalner was a Republican in politics, and the best interests of the community ever found in him a friend, as he was in sympathy with every movement that tended to promote the general welfare. He was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, in which he held the office of Deacon and Elder at different times.

Joseph B., of this sketch, was reared to manhood in his native county, no event of special importance occurring during his boyhood days. Having acquired a good education, both in the German and English tongues, he began life as a farmer, which vocation he has followed with good success. He was married November 5, 1867, to Miss Ellen A. Moyer, who was born in Weisenburg Township, this county, December 13, 1845. She was the daughter of Jonas and Julia (Baer; Moyer, natives of Lehigh County, while her great-grandfather came from Germany, and was classed among the very early settlers of Lehigh County. Her grandfather, Daniel Moyer, was born in this state, and spent his entire life in Upper Macungie Township, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Moyer were born four children, viz.: Alfred, Frank, Richard and Ellen A.

To our subject and his estimable wife has come a family of three children, of whom Lillie A. married Jacob S. Haines, and they have three children, viz.: Ira J., Willie J. and Eldah M. Harvey F., who is the next in order of birth, married Lillie Saeger, by whom he has one child; and Ida J., is now deceased. Mr. Lichtenwalner commenced life for himself on seventy-eight acres of land, which he managed in such a profitable manner that he was from time to time enabled to enlarge his estate, until now it in eludes two hundred and twenty acres, and is under admirable tillage. He devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock, and has upon his place a fine herd of Jersey and Swiss cattle.

Mr. and Mrs. Lichtenwalner are members in good standing of the Reformed Lutheran Church at Cedarsville, in which body our subject has at different times been Deacon and Elder. During the erection of the new church in 1886, he served efficiently as a member of the building committee. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and the best interests of the community ever find in him a friend, who is ready in the advancement of all enterprises calculated to prove of public good.