My Genealogy Hound

HON. JOSEPH LAUBACH. The first account of the Laubach family begins with the emigration to America, from the Palatinate, Germany, of Christian, Reinhardt and Marguerite Laubach, who embarked at Rotterdam on board the sailing-vessel “Queen Elizabeth,” Alexander Hope master, and landed at Philadelphia, Pa., September 16, 1738. Reinhardt Laubach settled in Lower Saucon Township soon after his arrival, and from him the entire Laubach family is descended. Peter Laubach, his eldest son, moved from Lower Saucon Township, probably prior to 1755, and settled near Kreidersville, Pa., many Indians being then in that vicinity. He died about 1818, at the age of eighty-four years and was buried at Zion’s Union Church, near Kreidersville, Pa. His family consisted of two sons and three daughters. His son Peter married a Miss Stedler, and, moving to Columbia County, died in 1860.

Adam, the second son, and grandson of the pioneer forefather, Reinhardt Laubach, bought the old homestead at Kreidersville, where he resided until his death in 1847. Besides owning a fine farm he toiled daily in his blacksmith shop. He married Margaret Newhard, of Lehigh County, in 1788. His children were Peter, who was born in 1789, and died in 1857; Susanna, who was born in April, 1791, and died in August, 1826; Elizabeth, born in 1793; Polly, in 1795; Adam, in 1797; Catherine, in 1799; Rebecca, in 1801; Lydia, in 1803; John, in 1805; William, in 1808; and Joseph in April, 1810.

Joseph Laubach spent the first nineteen years of his life on his father’s farm. The ensuing year was spent in attendance at Easton Academy. When he was twenty years old he entered the employ of J. and M. Butz, millers and dealers in dry goods and groceries. In 1839 he established a business for himself at Laubachsville, Pa., where he dealt in general merchandise, coal, etc. He continued in business in this place thirty-one years during which time he was Postmaster and Captain of Volunteers for eleven years. In 1840 he was elected Auditor, in which capacity he served three years. During the years 1848 and 1849 he served as State Representative, and in 1855 was elected State Senator for the term of three years. In 1861 he was elected one of the Associate Judges of Northampton County, Pa., and served fifteen years, being returned for three successive terms. He now holds the position of President of the Northampton County Savings Bank, President of the Lehigh Valley Iron Works, and President of the Allentown College for Women.

In June, 1862, Judge Laubach was a heavy loser by the flood, his store being inundated to a depth of seven feet. The gristmill, of which he was part owner, was also flooded, and several hundred barrels of flour were carried away, many of which were found floating more than eighty miles from the mill. His house, though flooded, withstood the terrific torrents, which left large logs in the parlor. It was a refuge for about fifteen persons. His barn, stock and outbuildings were carried away, and his total loss was not less than $12,000. Notwithstanding this heavy drain upon his resources he was one of the most liberal in rendering assistance and consolation to his fellow-sufferers.

The nomination of Judge Laubach to the Senate was unanimous, and although serving in a term noted for its bribery and corruption, he had the proud satisfaction of retiring from his official duties with his name untarnished by the faintest breath of suspicion from either political party. The endorsement of his official acts and the encomiums showered upon him by papers of his own district are tributes that will live long after he has passed away. Upon his departure from the Bench his farewell speech, recalling old speeches, and associates of the Bench and Bar, many of whom have now passed away, was listened to with deep emotion, and called forth responses from many of his associates, who witnessed his retirement from the Bench with feelings of deep regret. He has never been a seeker for political preferment, but, quiet and unassuming in his manners, he owes his place in the confidence and affections of the people solely to his strict integrity, his benevolence, courtesy and kindness.

Judge Laubach has two daughters, one the wife of Dr. Hornbeck, and the other the wife of the only son of Congressman Klotz. His eldest brother, Peter, was also a very wealthy and influential man. At the time of his death, in 1857, he was one of the largest real-estate men and wealthiest philanthropists in Northampton County, his name being a synonym for wealth. His sons were Joseph, John, Samuel, Reuben, Peter, Adam and Thomas, all of whom became prominent in the mercantile world.