My Genealogy Hound

JACOB D. METZGER, the well known Supervisor of Highways of Bethlehem Township, Northampton County, is well and favorably known in this locality, where he has been a resident and prominent citizen for several years. His birth occurred in Easton, this county, Septemtember 17, 1846, his parents being Joseph and Sallie (Bauer) Metzger, also natives of this county. They are still residents of Bethlehem, and are both over seventy-five years of age. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Christian Metzger, was a native of Germany, and was the father of seven children. He removed to this country at an early day, settling in Northampton County, where he brought up his children to lives of usefulness.

Joseph Metzger, father of Jacob D., passed his boyhood days in an uneventful manner, and early learned the carpenter’s trade. To this branch of business he has devoted most of his life, for many years following the trade in Palmer Township. He has made a success of his business enterprises, having brought to bear upon his work the inherited qualities of strict attention to business and faithfulness in the performance of all details pertaining thereto. It is many years since he cast in his lot with the residents of Bethlehem, with the welfare of which he has ever been prominently identified.

Jacob D. is one of four children, the others being John Q., Joseph F., and Emma E., the wife of William Campbell. These children were reared to manhood and womanhood in this county, receiving as good educations as the public schools of Palmer Township afforded in that day. Our subject ever made the best of his opportunities, and having been an extensive reader has become well posted on general topics of information. When eighteen years of age he embarked in business for himself, and for about nineteen years he carried on a successful milk route in Bethlehem. Of late years he has been engaged in general farming, and in this line he has also met with good success.

In Bethlehem, October 12, 1867, when just past his twenty-first year, Mr. Metzger celebrated his marriage with Miss Mary C. Engler, and to this union has been born a family of three children, two of whom are still living, George F. and Herbert J.

The community, recognizing his capability and general fidelity, have several times called upon Mr. Metzger to fill important positions in the gift of the people. In 1889 he was elected Supervisor of Highways of Bethlehem Township, to which position he has been re-elected every year since. At the present time he is serving as Treasurer of Bethlehem Grange, P. of H., and he also occupies a similar official capacity with the Altoona Cemetery Association. He is one of the Directors of the Bethlehem Fair and Driving Park Association, and is a stockholder of the Northampton Hedge Company; he is also a stockholder and director of the Northampton French Coach Horse Breeders’ Association. In a social way he is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men in Bethlehem, of which he is a member in good standing. He has for many years served as a Deacon in St. Thomas’ Union Lutheran Reformed Church at Altoona. In his political belief he is a Democrat, as that party best expresses his views and convictions of what is best for the people at large. In all movements looking toward the elevation of society and the progress of mankind he endeavors to do his part, and is a worthy citizen in the best sense of the word. Upright and honorable in all his dealings with his fellow-men, he has won their entire respect and confidence, and has proved eminently worthy of the honors that they have bestowed upon him.