My Genealogy Hound

OWEN F. FATZINGER is senior member of the firm of F. W. Wint & Co., who have a planing-mill, and are dealers in lumber and coal. The gentleman whose name heads this article is a leading business man, and is thoroughly acquainted with the lumber trade; he also takes an active part in a number of local industries, and in promoting many works of public improvement. The paternal grandfather, George Fatzinger, was an early settler in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, where he was engaged in carrying on the old homestead, which is still in possession of the family, who have owned it for over one hundred and fifty years, it being only two miles distant from Catasauqua. He was a weaver by trade, and lived to attain a good old age, both he and his wife being buried at Shanesville. He was nearly eighty years of age at the time of his death, and was a devoted Lutheran. Our subject’s father, whose Christian name was Adam, was born in Hanover Township, on the old farm, in 1790, and early learned agricultural pursuits. For a time he managed the homestead of one hundred and twenty-seven acres, and also became the owner of two other good farms. Beginning at the bottom, he steadily progressed, becoming very well-to-do, and using every effort to acquire a fortune. He cleared his land and built a limekiln, where he burned lime for fertilizing his farm, which increased its production fifty-fold. He was a farmer of the most practical kind, and was active until shortly before his death in 1880. His wife, formerly Polly Adams, was born in the same locality, and was of Scotch descent. Her death occurred in 1881, when about eighty-seven years of age, and of their fourteen children who grew to maturity only seven are now living. They were faithful members of the Lutheran Church, and sturdy, industrious people, whose object in life was to promote the welfare of their fellow-citizens, and to rear their children to good and useful lives.

Born March 29, 1840, in Hanover Township, Owen F., of this sketch, is the youngest of his parents’ large family. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and attended the common schools. In 1862 he was a member of a regiment of Pennsylvania militia, being once called into service in Maryland. In 1868 he took charge of the home farm, operating about eighty acres of it, and then turned his attention to the dairy and milk business, supplying many of the inhabitants of Allentown.

In 1873 Mr. Fatzinger bought an interest in the lumber district, and the following year located in Catasauqua, since which time he has been a resident of this city, and active in its commercial enterprises. In 1891, on the death of John Williams, he was elected his successor as Vice-President of the National Bank of Catasauqua. He is also interested and a Director in the Catasauqua Land Company and the Bryden Horseshoe Company. As one of the original members, he helped to found the Unicorn Silk Mills. Being greatly in favor of wetting this industry started in Catasauqua, he volunteered to go to New York to secure it, the result being that the property was leased for ten years, and after that, owing to his influence with New York parties and others, he succeeded in establishing the works. The Directors have now been paid up, and the mills are steadily gaining in trade and reputation for fine goods

The F. W. Wint & Co. lumber business has long been a leading branch of the trade in this locality, and the plant covers some two and a-half acres. For convenience the yard is located near the canal, and equipped with saw and planing mills, where all kinds of dressed and undressed lumber used in various buildings, etc., may be found, as well as sash, doors and blinds. The works are run by steam-power, and have improved mill machinery, where as many as twenty hands are often employed.

In 1868 Mr. Fatzinger was married in Hanover Township to Miss Savilla Wint, daughter of the old pioneer, William Wint, and sister of F. W., of the firm of F. W. Wint & Co. Mr. and Mrs. Fatzinger are members of the Lutheran Church, of which the former is a Trustee. Socially he is connected with Porter Lodge No. 268, F. & A. M.; Catasauqua Chapter, R. A. M.; and Allen Commandery No. 20, K. T. Besides, he belongs to Lulu Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Philadelphia, and with his wife attended the Triennal Conclaves at Denver, Colo., and Washington, D. C. On the question of politics he votes with the Democratic party.