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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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ROBERT YOTTER, a prominent business man and leading merchant of Freemansburg, Northampton County, Pa., is one of America’s own sons, having been born and reared in the state of Pennsylvania. His birth occurred October 20, 1859, in the home of his parents, at Freemansburg. The latter, Irvin and Caroline (Kromar) Yotter, were also natives of Northampton County. Irvin YoUer was a son of John and Sarah Yotter, pioneers of the Lehigh Valley. They came to this county in an early day, when there were very few inhabitants in the section where the town of Freemansburg now stands. The beautiful little village had no existence, its site being a wild uncultivated territory. In his youth and early manhood, Irvin Yotter was a boatman on the Lehigh Canal, owning and running a boat for many years. He afterward became engaged in mercantile pursuits, and for over twenty years was one of the leading business men of Freemansburg. He held several offices of trust at different times, having served as Councilman, Assessor and Tax Collector. He was a Republican in politics, and was well known and highly respected in his locality. He departed this life April 1, 1892. Of his children, the subject of this sketch alone survives.

Robert Yotter received a common-school education in the public schools of his childhood’s home, and when quite young spent several years on the canal with his father, assisting him in the arduous duties of the life of a boatman. When Mr. Yotter gave up that occupation and embarked in his mercantile career, Robert became head clerk and his father’s right hand man. Always courteous and attentive, he gained the respect and confidence of their many customers, and held a high position in social circles. At the death of his father, our subject became sole proprietor of the store, and at the present time is doing a profitable and successful business. He carries a line of general merchandise, consisting of groceries, all kinds of feed, and a complete stock of canal supplies, such as are used by boatmen in their occupation. He has served as Auditor and Tax Collector of the borough of Freemansburg, and at present is a member of the Board of Health.

Fraternally our subject is associated with the Masonic order at Bethlehem. A stanch Republican in politics, he is well posted on the issues of the day, and is deeply interested in local and national affairs. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and is actively engaged in all good work and benevolent enterprises of the community. He is widely known as a business man of ability and sterling integrity, and commands the esteem of his fellow-citizens, with whom he is identified in every public enterprise of importance.

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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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