My Genealogy Hound

WALTER P. HUBER, who is engaged in the manufacture of building brick in Allentown, as a member of the firm of W. J. Egge & Co., was born at Worman’s Spring, now included in the city of Allentown, Lehigh County, August 22, 1825, and is a son of Peter Huber, who was born in what was then the village of Allentown. By trade he was a saddler, and later engaged in the mercantile business, which he carried on during the greater part of his active life. Conrad Huber, the grandfather of our subject, was also born in what is now Lehigh County, but at that time was a part of Northampton County. He was of German descent, and the family of which he was a representative was early founded in the United States. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Abraham Worman. His daughter, Anna, became the wife of Peter Huber, and to them were born three children, of whom Walter P. was second in order of birth. When he was only two years old his mother died, after which the father married Mary Worman, a sister of his first wife. His death occurred in Allentown in 1884.

No event of special importance occurred during the early boyhood of our subject. He attended school at the Allentown Academy, and at an early age began working in his father’s store. He later clerked in a grain and feed store, thus becoming familiar with business methods. He remained in his father’s employ until twenty-three years of age, and in 1848 he started in business for himself as a dealer in dry goods and groceries. That year the great fire consumed the principal part of the city and our subject sustained a heavy loss, being entirely burnt out. Consequently, in the year 1850 he removed to Wescosville, where he embarked in general merchandising, and for many years was a prominent business man of that place. He had a good store and enjoyed an extensive trade until 1870, when he sold out and returned to Allentown.

Mr. Huber has been twice married. In 1848 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary A. Ritter, who was born and reared in Rittersville, and was a daughter of Charles Ritter. Her death occurred in 1868, and their only child, a daughter of sixteen years, passed away in 1865. In 1869 Mr. Huber was again married, his second union being with Miss Anna R. Egge, a daughter of W. J. Egge. Their home is located at No. 217 North Ninth Street, and is a fine three-story brick residence, richly and tastefully furnished. They are both prominent people of this community, and hold a high position in social circles.

On his return to Allentown in 1870, Mr. Huber was superintendent of a plant engaged in the manufacture of fire-brick. That connection was continued for eleven years, on the expiration of which period he withdrew from that firm and joined W. J. Egge in the manufacture of building brick. Business is now carried on under the firm name of W. J. Egge & Co., and their yards are located at the corner of Tenth and Allen Streets. They have a fine plant, equipped with all the latest improved machinery for doing first-class work, and their annual output is three million brick. They have a large home trade, and also ship quite extensively through the adjoining towns and counties. As the building material which they turn out is of an excellent quality they find a ready sale for the same, and are now enjoying an extensive business.

Mr. Huber exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party and is a stanch advocate of its principles, yet has never sought or desired official preferment, his time and attention being occupied by his business dealings. He has, however, served as a member of the School Board of Allentown for twenty-one years, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend, ever ready to advance its interests. He and his wife are both members of the United Evangelical Church, and he is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of his native county.