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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 J. HELFRICH. In compiling an account of the different business enterprises of the county of Lehigh, we desire particularly to call attention to Mr. Helfrich, who resides in South Whitehall Township, and is engaged as a retail milk dealer, having a route in Allentown. Like many of the best citizens of this section, he is a native of the county, his birth having occurred March 13, 1858.

William and Catherine (Heilman) Helfrich, the parents of our subject, were natives of Lehigh County. The father, who was born in 1829, is still living and ranks among the prominent residents of Allentown. During his more active years he was well known in agricultural circles of Whitehall Township, where he owned a good farm and accumulated a handsome property. His wife is a sister of Horace Heilman, a well-to-do farmer of the above township. In his religious belief, William Helfrich is connected with the Evangelical Church; in politics he is a stanch Republican.

Of the five children included in the parental family, only three survive, namely: Tilghman J., Milton E., and Alice R., the widow of the late Benjamin B. Aigmer, a minister of the Evangelical Church. Tilghman J. spent his youthful years on the home farm, and as his father at that time possessed only ordinary means, his early advantages were far less than he desired. However, he realized the value of a good education, and managed to acquire a fair knowledge of the rudimentary branches. Some time afterward he took a course in Blackman’s Business College at Allentown.

Our subject engaged in farm pursuits until the spring of 1880, when he engaged in the milk business. At present he keeps on his place about twenty good cows. In 1885 he married Miss Lillie J., daughter of Edward and Caroline Mertz, of South Whitehall Township. In religious affairs he is a devoted member of the Evangelical Church at Cedarville. He has been a very industrious, hard-working man, and now owns ninety-three acres of land, which he has the satisfaction of knowing is valuable, and desirably located. In politics he votes with the Republican party. He has never sought public preferment, for he has found that his business completely occupies his time and attention, and to enter the political arena would be at the expense of his business interests.

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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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