My Genealogy Hound

ADAM LAUBACH. Seigfried’s Bridge, Northampton County, takes its name from its first settler, Colonel Siegfried, a Revolutionary officer, who died in 1794. This town is in the richest valley in Pennsylvania, where only enterprise and industry are known from Mauch Chunk to Easton. In a radius of three miles eight large cement mills give wealth to the business people of Seigfried’s, and in consequence of this mammoth industry the town rolls in prosperity. Foremost as a business man and middle-aged citizen is Adam Laubach, who for forty years has occupied the large mercantile house as a part of his father’s legacy. He was born in Northampton County, November 9, 1827, and is the son of Peter Laubach, Sr., and his estimable wife, Elizabeth (Neligh) Laubach. His paternal great-grandfather, with a brother, and a sister, Marguerite Laubach, sailed from the Palatinate, in Germany, on the ship “Queen Elizabeth,” Capt. Alexander Hope the ship’s master, and landed in Philadelphia September 16, 1738.

Reinhardt Laubach, the brother, settled in Hellertown, Lower Saucon Township, where he now lies buried. From this branch of the family William Laubach, the merchant prince of Easton, the county seat of Northampton County, is descended. The son of Reinhardt Laubach, Peter by name, moved to Kreidersville, Pa., in 1755. From him the vast Laubach family traces its descent The Laubach family is noted for powerful physique, and in the family the occupation of blacksmithing and the mercantile business have been handed down from generation to generation.

As a youth Mr. Laubach attended a public school, and was instructed in the studies that were taught in the early part of the century. At the age of eighteen years he entered the office of his father’s mill at Laubachsville (now Northampton), and assumed the management of this department of the mill. He remained thus engaged until 1858, when he came to Seigfried’s Bridge and established his present business, which he has successfully conducted. From his father he inherited principles of strict honesty and integrity, and, being very philanthropic and public spirited, his influence has been an important factor in the development of the town. Besides conducting a large mercantile business, he has a lumber-yard, coal-yard and sand depot. In addition to this, he is a large real-estate owner, and possessor of a fine farm.

A man of devout character, Mr. Laubach. is a consistent member of St. John’s Reformed Church, which his father helped to build. In politics he is an ardent Republican, and has been Postmaster of the town since 1858. He never aspired to office, but served for fifteen years as School Director, an honored and responsible position. He is the son-in-law of Judge David Laury, of Laury’s Station, whose sketch is elsewhere presented. Further mention is made of Mrs. Laubach’s family history in the sketch of Alexander C. P. Laury, which appears on another page of this volume. The eldest daughter is the wife of G. H. Kleppinger, a prominent wholesale grocer and real-estate owner of Allentown. The eldest son is an energetic merchant and prominent Mason. The third daughter is the wife of a clergyman of the Reformed Church. Two of the family are still unmarried and reside at home, the youngest son, who, like his brother, is an advocate of Freemasonry, assisting his father in the mercantile business.