My Genealogy Hound

HENRY D. MICHLER, M. D., a prominent physician engaged in the practice of his profession at Easton, is also chief surgeon of the hospital in this city. He was born here January 9, 1856, and is the son of Francis Michler, also a native of Easton. The grandfather of Dr. Michler, Peter S. Michler, was born in Nazareth, where also the great-grandfather of our subject first saw the light. The latter, Nathaniel Michler, lived at Jacobsbury, Bushkill Township, Northampton County, during his early life, and in that place served as Justice of the Peace. He later went to Nazareth, and while residing there was a teacher of Latin in Nazareth Hall. Subsequently he was appointed by Governor Snyder Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds for Northampton County, and he was also Clerk of the Orphans’ Court for many years. He was a member of one of the Colleges of Electors for President and Vice-President. He was the son of Bishop John Wolfgang Michler, a native of Herrnhut, Germany, who emigrated to America in 1743. He landed at Savannah, Ga., thence going to Salem, N. C., being one of a band of Moravian missionaries. John Wesley, the father of Methodism in this country, came over in the same ship. Mr. Michler located among the Indians, going to Bethlehem, later to Nazareth and finally to Lebanon, where he died. Peter S. Michler was a merchant in Easton, and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of that place, of which he was President for many years. He was also one of the men interested in developing the coal industries of the Upper Lehigh Valley. He departed this life while residing in Easton. His wife was a descendant of John Hart, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

The father of our subject was finely educated, being a graduate of the law department of Yale University. After completing his profession he located for practice in Elaston, but later he abandoned the practice of law and engaged in the coal business, carrying on a large trade until retiring in 1865. He now makes his home in this city, where he has a comfortable residence and is surrounded by a host of warm friends. Francis Michler had three brothers who fought in the late war, the first serving as a General, the second as Surgeon of a division, and the youngest as Captain of his company in the cavalry service.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Julia Lachenour. She was a native of Easton, and the daughter of Dr. Daniel Lachenour, who was born in Salem, N. C. Her father was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and was one of the most prominent physicians in Easton, where his decease occurred in 1875. The parental family included six children, of whom our subject was the eldest. He was educated first in the private schools of his native city, after which, in 1872, he entered Lafayette College, from which he was graduated in 1876 with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, and three years later the degree of Master of Science was conferred upon him. While in college the Doctor was a member of the Theta Delta Chi.

On completing his literary education Dr. Michler began reading medicine in the office of his uncle and grandfather, and in 1878 entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the Class of ‘81. He at once located in Easton and practiced with his uncle until the death of the latter, in 1893, since which time he has carried on the business alone. He makes a specialty of surgery, and stands very high in the profession. He was instrumental in securing the location of a hospital in this city, in which he served on the first medical staff. In May, 1893, the Doctor was appointed chief surgeon of the institution, and in 1889, by the appointment of President Harrison, was made a member of the Board of Pension Examiners, on which he served until 1893, when his term expired.

Dr. Michler was married in this city, in 1890, to Miss Emily, daughter of Jacob Heath, a prominent business man of South Easton. He belongs to numerous social organizations, among them being Dallas Lodge No. 396, F. & A. M., and Easton Chapter; Hugh de Payen’s Commandery No. 19; and Lulu Temple of the Mystic Shrine in Philadelphia. He takes a great interest in medical associations, and stands high in the Easton Medical Society and the H. C. Wood Medical Society of Philadelphia. In religious affairs the Doctor is a devoted member of Trinity Episcopal Church, in which he is Vestryman. In politics he never fails to cast a vote for Republican candidates, and is classed among the most public-spirited citizens of Easton.