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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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TILGHMAN G. HELFRICH is President and Superintendent of the Allentown Manufacturing Company, formerly known as the Lehigh Valley Chemical Agricultural Works, located in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County. He is a native of this county, and was born August 10, 1842, being a son of Reuben and Mary M. (Yundt) Helfrich. The family originated in Germany, whence his great-grandfather emigrated to the United States at an early period in its history, making his home in Pennsylvania.

The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in Lehigh County and received a good education in the public schools. August 1, 1867, in connection with A. J. Breinig, he organized the Lehigh Valley Agricultural Works, which were started on a small scale. From that beginning the works have been built up, and additions have been made to the business from time to time, until there is now an extensive plant. The partnership continued for a number of years, until 1877, when it was merged into the present stock company, known as the Allentown Manufacturing Company.

The products of the factory are fertilizers and all kinds of paint. Employment is furnished to about ten men in the shops, and a traveling salesman represents the company on the road. They do a business amounting to about $60,000 per year, and have one of the largest concerns in this line of work in the state. Mr. Helfrich has been practically identified with the business since it was started, and has done much toward bringing it to its present state of perfection. The plant is fitted out with the latest improved machinery, and is included among the important industries of the county.

By his union with Miss Elmira Worman, Mr. Helfrich has become the father of four children: Emma J., Alfred R., John L. and Mary R. Mr. Helfrich is the owner of fifty-two acres of farming, land in Whitehall Township, to which he gives his personal attention in addition to his other duties. For three years he has served as a School Director, and in politics always votes with the Republican party. He has been honorable and upright in all his dealings, and has thus gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and thoroughly identifies himself with all moral and public measures of his community which commend themselves to his excellent judgment.

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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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