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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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WILLIAM D. MICKLEY. This name will be at once recognized by our readers as that of the worthy Chief of Police of Allentown. He is a native of this state, and was born in Huntingdon County, July 18, 1850. When a lad of six years he accompanied his parents, Charles and Eliza (Heinbach) Mickley, on their removal to Allentown, where he received a good education in the public schools of the city.

The father of our subject hailed from Lehigh County, and was killed during the late war, in the battle of Pocataligo, S. C., October 22, 1862. He was Captain of Company G, Forty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, which he aided in organizing in Allentown. He was a very prominent figure in public affairs of the city, and previous to the outbreak of the war was engaged in operating a flouring-mill. He was strictly honorable in all his dealings, and was therefore highly regarded by all with whom he had to do. The mother of our subject survived her husband many years and departed this life in Allentown, July 10, 1881.

After leaving the temples of learning William D., of this sketch, apprenticed himself to a blacksmith and carriage-maker, which trades he soon mastered, and followed for a number of years. He has always been very popular with his fellow-townsmen, who, recognizing his superior executive ability, mnde him Chief of Police in April, 1893. He is fully qualified to fill this responsible position, and the noticeable absence of crime in the city speaks well for his efficiency, and that of his ten patrolmen.

Chief Mickley is a member of the National Guards of Pennsylvania. He enlisted as a private, and was successively promoted to the various positions of the company until at present he is Captain of Company D, Fourth Regiment, N. G. of P. The great-grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

In his political relations our subject is a true-blue Republican, being a leader in his party in this vicinity. He is President of the American Fire Department of the city of Allentown, to which position he was appointed November 11, 1893. Socially Chief Mickley is a member of Greenleaf Lodge No. 257, K. of P. and is likewise connected with the order of the Mystic Chain. His reputation as an honest and upright official is well established throughout this vicinity, and he endeavors to take such a part in affairs as will be for the public good.

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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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