My Genealogy Hound

SIMON BREINIG. There are few men of the present day more worthy of honorable mention, or whose history affords a better example of what may be accomplished by perseverance and strict integrity, than the subject of this sketch, who is a retired farmer, making his home in Catasauqua. He was born in Mertztown, Berks County, this state, October 29, 1827, and is the son of George Breinig, whose birth occurred in Breinigsville, Berks County.

The grandfather of our subject, who also bore the name of George, was born in the above place, which was named in honor of his father, George Breinig, Sr., who came from Germany and purchased land from William Penn. He was a well-to-do farmer, merchant and proprietor of a hotel, and so prominent was he in public affairs that the town was named in his honor.

The father of our subject was also an agriculturist in Berks County, where he lived until 1832, and then, removing to Northampton County, purchased property which he cultivated until his decease, when eighty-one years of age. He was a good type of the self-made and self-educated man, and religiously was a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife, prior to her marriage, was Miss Polly Wetzel; she was born in Berks County and died many years ago. She was the daughter of Jacob Wetzel, now deceased, who was also a farmer of that locality.

Of the twelve children comprised in the parental family all grew to mature years with one exception, and of the six now living our subject is the third youngest. He was reared on his father’s farm in Allen Township and received his education in the common schools. He remained with his parents, aiding in the support of the family, until reaching his twenty-fourth year, when, in partnership with his brother Jeremiah, he managed the home farm. This connection lasted for eleven years, when our subject purchased the entire estate, comprising two hundred and sixty-eight acres, which are under the most modern methods of improvement. Mr. Breinig has erected thereon a large barn, 45x101 feet in dimensions, and in 1892 he completed a beautiful residence adjacent to the city of Catasauqua, it being his intention to divide the farm. He later sold eighteen acres laid out in building lots, and then removed with his family to a ten-acre farm in Hanover Township, just a quarter of a mile south of Catasauqua.

April 13, 1891, Mr. Breinig purchased his present fine residence in the city, into which he moved that year. He still owns two hundred and fifty acres of land comprised in the home farm and a ten-acre tract in Hanover Township. In February, 1861, the marriage of our subject occurred in Bethlehem, at which time Miss Eliza O., daughter of Joseph C. Dech, became his wife. The lady was born in Nazareth, Northampton County, which was also the birthplace of her father. Her grandfather, Jacob Dech, was a farmer by occupation. The parents of Mrs. Breinig lived retired in Bethlehem several years prior to their decease, the mother dying in 1885, and the father passing away December 18, 1892.

Of the six children included in the parental family those deceased are William H., Benjamin F. and Joseph D. Anna M. is residing in Northampton County, and Emanuel H. makes his home in Bethlehem. Simon Breinig was reared to manhood on his father’s farm and was the recipient of a common-school education. Following in the footsteps of his father, he has always devoted his attention to farming, with the exception of the last few years, when he retired and is now making his home in Catasauqua. His farm is managed by his only son, Joseph S. G. Breinig, who is married and has two children, Sterling Simon G. and John William.

Mr. and Mrs. Breinig of this sketch are members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, in which the former has been Deacon and Trustee. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and as a reliable, steady-going citizen he is looked upon with due respect, and his wife also has many friends.