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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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DAVID ACHENBACH. Few of the residents of Northampton County have gained a higher degree of worldly prosperity than has rewarded the earnest efforts of Mr. Achenbach, and certainly there are none who stand higher in the esteem of the people than does he. His landed possessions aggregate three hundred and sixty-eight acres, of highly improved land, situated in Plainfield Township, where he has passed his entire life. Though not at present actively engaged as an agriculturist, he still maintains a general supervision of his property and looks after his varied and valuable real-estate interests.

In this county our subject was born February 11, 1840, being a son of Jacob and Sabina (Mover) Achenbach, the mother now deceased. The father, who is still living, is in his eighty-sixth year, and is one of the oldest surviving residents of Plainfield Township. The first representative of the family in America was our subject’s paternal great-grandfather, a native of Germany, who sought his fortune in the home of the free. Settling in Pennsylvania, he was proprietor of astoreinEaston when that now thriving borough was but a small hamlet. His son Daniel, our subject’s grandfather, followed the occupation of a farmer throughout his entire life. He now lies buried in the cemetery belonging to the Plainfield Church.

The parental family was large, and eight of its members are now living, namely: Samuel, a resident of this county; Michael, whose home is in Bethlehem, Pa.; David, our subject; William, who is living in Iowa; Joel, a resident of Plainfield Township; Emma, wife of James Both, of Connecticut; Carrie, who married William Foneystuck and lives in Harrisburg, this state; and Peter. Receiving a practical education in the schools of Plainfield Township, our subject was thereby fitted for practical contact with the business world. His occupation from youth has been that of a farmer, and his success in his vocation is richly merited by his industrious efforts.

In 1864 Mr. Achenbach was united in marriage with Miss Sabina Ruth, and they became the parents of seven children, six of whom still survive. They are: Lucinda J., wife of James E. Gum; Edwin J.; Mary, who married William Freeman; Lewis P., Minnie S. and Enos D. The daughter deceased was named Abbie L. The children have received good educations, and are thereby fitted for honorable positions in social and business circles. During his three years’ service as School Director of Plainfield Township, Mr. Achenbach was instrumental in promoting the interests of the schools and in advancing the grade of scholarship.

In his business relations our subject is enterprising and honorable, shows himself to be interested in the improvement of the township, and bears his part in the social pleasures of the intelligent and upright circles. While not displaying any partisanship in politics, he is nevertheless firm in his allegiance to the Democracy. Religiously he is a member of the Reformed Church in Plainfield, to the maintenance of which he is a liberal contributor. He is a Director in the Merchants’ National Bank of Bangor. As a citizen he is progressive, and his large degree of success is well deserved.

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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 Northampton County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Northampton County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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