My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM J. EGGE, Sr., of the firm of William J. Egge & Co., brick manufacturers of Allentown, is one of the most progressive citizens of the place, and is so well known in the community that he needs no special introduction to our readers. He was born in Lehigh County, this state, January 13, 1820, and is the son of Jacob Egge, who was born in Berks County and died when eighty-six years of age. The ancestry is traced back to Germany, and the first representative of the family in this country located in the Keystone State in an early day.

Mrs. Sarah (Bush) Egge, the mother of our subject, was bora in Berks County, Pa., and departed this life when in her forty-seventh year. William J., of this sketch, passed his boyhood in his native place, where he received a fair education. His parents being in limited circumstances, he was compelled at the age of fourteen years to earn his own livelihood, and first obtained employment in a brickyard. On reaching his twenty-fifth year he began the manufacture of brick in Allentown on his own account, which business he is successfully carrying on at the present time. He is a man of untiring energy, and his success in life has been the result of his industry and perseverance. As a Republican, Mr. Egge has been inseparably associated with the political affairs of his township and county for a number of years. He served as President of the School Board for ten years. He was also President of the Board of Control for several terms, and is ever ready to lend a helping hand in the promotion of public enterprises.

In October, 1843, William J. Egge and Miss Matilda Sherer, of Lehigh County, were united in marriage. The lady was the daughter of Adam and Rebecca Sherer, and departed this life in August, 1893. Of her family of seven children five are living, namely: Charles H., who is pastor of the Liberty Street Evangelical Church in Allentown; Ann, Mrs. W. P. Huber; William J., Jr., who is engaged in the hardware business in Allentown; Matilda, the wife of Thomas E. Butz, of this city; and Mary Ann, who married John Isamoyer. Thomas and George are deceased.

The family residence, which is one of the most pleasant in Allentown, is situated at No. 602 North Ninth Street, and is the center of attraction to numerous friends. Mr. Egge is one of the old and honored citizens of Lehigh County, and has accomplished much good in his life. When quite young he became a member of the Evangelical Church, in which he has always been active. He is especially interested in Sunday-school work, and has been Superintendent for a number of years. About 1855 he was ordained to preach in the Evangelical Church. At that time there were very few ministers in this part of the state, there being only two preachers within a circuit of about one hundred miles. Through the week Mr. Egge would work at his business, and on Sunday would often preach three times, walking a distance of eighteen miles in order to meet his appointments. Since that time he has preached more or less, filling vacancies whenever desired. His influence has always been in the direction of the advancement and betterment of the human race, spiritually and morally.