My Genealogy Hound

PETER A. FRITCHMAN is general agent for the Girard Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia, and Secretary of and solicitor for the Freemansburg Building and Loan Association. He is a Justice of the Peace and Conveyancer, and deals extensively in real estate. In civic society he holds high rank, and in political circles as well is favorably known in Freemansburg, which is his home.

Mr. Fritchman is a native of this borough, where his birth occurred November 3, 1838. His father, William Fritchman, was also a native of Northampton County, while his grandfather was born in this county. His great-grandfather was born in the Fatherland, having emigrated to America previous to the Revolutionary War, becoming one of the early settlers in the northern portion of Northampton County. The father of our subject assisted in building the Lehigh Canal, and was afterward made a Supervisor of the same. The wife of William Fritchman was in her maidenhood Christanna Ehrhart, and her birth also occurred in this county.

Peter A. Fritchman was educated in the Freemansburg public schools and in the high school at Bethlehem. On the completion of his studies he taught school tor one year, and was only about sixteen years of age when he engaged in the mercantile business on a small scale in this borough. Year by year his trade increased and he succeeded in building up a good business. This in time became so large that he was obliged to secure more extensive quarters, and in 1869 he retired from that business. Later he superintended the building of the Northampton County Prison, and also the erection of two bridges (one at Broad Street, Bethlehem, and one at Coplay) for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. For a time he was engaged in cutting rock, etc., to make way for the the double track of the Central Railroad of New Jersey.

In 1875 Mr. Fritchman was elected Justice of the Peace, and has served as such up to the present time, nearly twenty years. For a period extending over four years he was Auditor of Northampton County, the duties of which responsible position he discharged to the satisfaction of all. For six years he faithfully served as a Councilman, and for nine years has been one of the School Directors. In April, 1894, he resigned from his arduous position as Secretary of the Town Council, in which capacity he had acted for a period of twenty-one years. Foremost in all public enterprises, he has been a prominent and important factor in the welfare and activity of Freemansburg, having aided greatly in its upbuilding.

Fraternally Mr. Fritchman has long been interested in secret societies and holds membership with a number. He belongs to Huldah Lodge No. 364, K. of P., of Freemansburg, and was one of the principal organizers of the lodge in 1872, and since that was effected has been its representative to the Grand Lodge of the state. Since 1859 he has been a member of Cradle of Liberty Council No. 124, O. U. A. M., of this place. He is also a charter member of Washington Camp No. 429, P. O. S. of A., and a charter member of Star Castle No. 108, Knights of the Golden Eagle. In politics he votes with the Democratic party, and religiously is a member of the Lutheran Church.

In May, 1857, was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Miss Hannah A. Apple, daughter of ex-Judge Apple, of Bucks County, Pa., who is now deceased. By their union were born two children, one of whom is deceased; the other is W. Bion, who resides with his parents, and is Postmaster of this town. Mr. Fritchman is a self-made man, having had to make his own way in the world from early years. He always esteems it a privilege to assist by his influence, and in all other possible ways, to promote the general welfare, and has the good of his fellow-townsmen and borough greatly at heart. When serving in public capacities he was always faithful and true to all trusts reposed in him, and is greatly esteemed by those who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance.