My Genealogy Hound

AUGUSTUS K. LORAH, one of the leading grocers of Pottstown, was born in Amity township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1828. He is the son of Daniel and Hannah (Knabb) Lorah.

Daniel Lorah (father) was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer, and lived in one house all his life. He died there in 1853, at the age of seventy-four years, six months, and twenty-three days. His wife died in 1833, at the age of forty-nine years. They belonged to the Reformed church. His wife was also born in Berks county. They had seven daughters and four sons, two now living: Amanda, wife of David E. Mauger, of Douglasville, Pennsylvania, and Augustus Lorah. George Lorah (grandfather) was also a native of Berks county and a farmer. He was justice of the peace for many years, and died well advanced in life. He was married three times, but had children only by his first wife. They had six children. The founder of the family in this country came from Switzerland. The maternal grandfather Knabb was born in Olie township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, and his name is believed to have been Peter Knabb. He was a farmer and had a large family. He was of German origin.

Augustus K. Lorah was reared on his father’s farm in Berks county, and lived there for forty years. He attended the old- fashioned subscription schools, and finished his education at a preparatory school. He taught school in Berks county for several years. For the next six years he conducted a general merchandise store at Brumfield, and then began farming, sheep raising, and droving, which he continued until 1868, when he removed to Pottstown. For the first eight years of his residence in that borough Mr. Lorah kept the Pottstown Hotel, now called the Merchants’ Hotel. At the same time he carried on a merchant tailoring establishment on the northeast corner of High and York streets, which property he still owns, and where he now conducts a grocery business. For some years he dealt in hardware in Pottstown, and after living retired for a short time he opened the grocery and commission store which he now keeps.

September 23, 1852, Mr. Augustus K. Lorah married Miss Emma Van Reed, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Gilbert) Van Reed. Their children were as follows: 1. Alice Louisa, married Darlington Buckwalter, and they reside in Pottstown. They had two children, both of whom are deceased. 2. Charles Henry, a clerk in his father’s store. 3. Van Reed, a shipping clerk for Orr & Sembower, of Reading. He married Labessa Bechtel (deceased), and they had six children, three now living. Those living are: Gertrude, Louanna, and Ralph Darlington Buckwalter Lorah. Mrs. Emma Louisa Lorah, wife of Augustus K. Lorah, died April 12, 1897, at the age of more than sixty-five years. She was a member of the Reformed church, as is also Mr. Lorah and their children.

Augustus K. Lorah is a Master Mason, and joined the Odd Fellows many years ago. Politically he is a Democrat. He was a member of the borough council for six years, and was borough auditor before that time. In Amity township he was a school director. Mr. Lorah is a conscientious man, gentle in manner, slow to speak, and slow to anger. He is known as a peacemaker and his councils are much appreciated. He has arrived at that time of life when his thoughts are turned to the future rather than to affairs of this earth. Always charitably inclined, with a tender regard for the poor and suffering, he lives to do all the good he can in this world. The lesson of such a life as his should not be lost upon those around him. He is well entitled to the high esteem entertained towards him by his community, and his example is worthy of emulation.