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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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MARTIN LEWIS YOST, M. D., who was born in Salisbury Township, March 20, 1834, is the son of John Yost. The grandfather, Joseph, who was a native of Denmark, emigrated to America early in the history of this century. John Yost was a man of but little education, although he acquired during his long residence in Lehigh County considerable wealth. He was widely known, and served as County Commissioner for several terms, and also held various minor offices. He was a farmer by occupation, and in later years disposed of his interests in that line and retired from active life. He died in 1873, at the age of seventy-six years. His success in life was due entirely to his own industry. At one time during a financial panic which spread over the country, Mr. Yost was a very heavy loser, but, notwithstanding this, his pluck and energy again placed him in the front, and he died a rich man. His wife, the mother of Dr. Yost, was Maria Stuben, who belonged to a prominentand well known family in this part of the country. She bore her husband four boys and five girls, only three of whom are yet living: John J., a wealthy resident of South Bethlehem; Sallie, the widow of Solomon Euroth, also living in South Bethlehem, and Martin L. The father for a period of thirty-one years conducted a distillery, whose product was made under the name of Morten & Yost, and was favorably known the world over.

Dr. Yost was not a recipient of educational advantages in his youth, and the development of his excellent character is due largely to his own efforts. Early in life he chose the vocation of a physician, and his spare moments at home were spent in study with that in view. He was graduated from the Bellevue Medical College of New York City in 1864, though previous to that event he had practiced to a considerable extent in the neighborhood of his nativity. Soon after his graduation he located in Salisbury Township, near Allentown, and began the practice of his profession.

In November, 1862, Dr. Yost was married to Miss Amanda Gable, a native of Lower Milford Township, and a daughter of Willoughby and Eliza (Weeder) Gable. To this union seven children were born: Wilson, Erwin, Martin, Alfred J., Helen E., and two little ones who died in infancy. Alfred J. is a young physician of repute at Allentown, and in 1893, soon after his graduation, was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of Coroner of Lehigh County.

Dr. Yost was a second time married, in 1876, his wife being on this occasion Mrs. Julia Hieman, a daughter of Solomon and Rachel (Ulmer) Hieman, the father being a well known citizen of Alsace, Germany, dying in that country. To this marriage one child has been born, Miss Rachel M., who at the time of this writing is a student of Allentown Female College, where Helen S., her half-sister, is also a student. The Doctor is a gentleman of means, and possesses much real estate in the city and country. His home farm consists of one hundred and fifty acres of fine land, lying near Allentown, upon which are numerous buildings and tenant houses, all of which are of the same marked degree of rural elegance. The home of the family was erected in 1892, and is perhaps the finest dwelling to be found outside the cities of Lehigh County. It is graciously presided over by his estimable wife, whose many friends and acquaintances she always makes welcome to her spacious abode. No expense has been spared in making it a model of elegance, baths, hot air and a large conservatory being some of the many comforts. A portion of the furniture in their home is more than two hundred years old, and was brought to this country by his grandfather from Denmark. In the building of this handsome home the Doctor was his own architect, and superintended its entire construction. He also owns about fifty-two dwellings in South Bethlehem.

Dr. and Mrs. Yost have traveled extensively. He has crossed the Atlantic upon three occasions, and has visited all of the European points of interest. He has in his possession a watch which is beyond doubt the acme of mechanical skill. It was originally made for a royal Duke of Spain, and upon it is engraved the coat of arms of the royal house. The jewels are rubies and diamonds. While abroad the Doctor purchased a number of fine horses and imported them. He has had many adventures with robbers, and but for his courage and presence of mind would undoubtedly have sustained serious loss.

Politically Dr. Yost is a stanch Democrat, and filled with great credit the office of School Director for some time. He has also been given other offices of his township, is now a Director of the Second National Bank of Allentown, and upon matters financial his advice is frequently sought.

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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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