My Genealogy Hound

DANIEL OLEWINE, a retired leather manufacturer of Lehighton, was born on the 13th of April, 1815, in Carbon County, Pa., and comes of a family of German origin. His grandfather, Andrew Olewine, was a native of Germany, and emigrating to America, took up his residence in Northampton County, Pa., where was born George Olewine, the father of our subject. The latter was a farmer by occupation, and followed that pursuit throughout his entire life. Having arrived at years of maturity, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Erdinan, daughter of Henry Erdman. Their union was blessed with a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, but only two are now living.

The member of the family in whom our readers are most interested is Daniel Olewine, one of the leading and influential citizens of his native county. In the usual manner of farmer lads, the days of his boyhood and youth were passed, but not wishing to follow agricultural pursuits as a life work, he learned the trade of a tanner and currier under the direction of Thomas Snyder. On completing his apprenticeship, he traveled through New York and New Jersey for several years as a journeyman, after which he located in Mauch Chunk and entered the employ of the firm of Packer & Ripple, tanners and manufacturers of shoes, with whom he continued his connection for ten years. In 1856 he came to Lehighton and engaged in the manufacture of leather, doing a good business. His trade constantly increased from the beginning until it had assumed extensive proportions. He employed twelve men, and sent his goods to various states throughout the Union. He built up a large and lucrative business, which he continued until 1873, when his tannery was destroyed by fire. He then sold his plant to B. J. Kuntz, who is now operating the same.

Mr. Olewine has been engaged in other business enterprises. He was for some years interested in the foundry business in Weissport, being associated with Miner Bros., under the firm name of Olewine & Miners. They were largely engaged in making castings for the Domestic Sewing Machine Company of Newark, N. J., the daily output being more than one hundred. He was for several years a Director of the Second National Bank of Mauch Chunk, aided in organizing the First National Bank of Lehighton, was its first President, and is still one of its stockholders.

In 1850 Mr. Olewine was united in marriage with Miss Esther Coll, a daughter of Joseph Coll, of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, and to them were born three children: Susan, now the wife of W. H. Koch, of Lehighton; Clara, wife of F. Pierce Lentz, of Lehighton; and Daniel I., who is engaged in clerking. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, take an active part in church work, and for some years Mr. Olewine has served as one of the officers. Their home is a pleasant brick residence, richly and tastefully furnished, adorned with works of art, and supplied with a fine library which indicates the cultured and refined tastes of the inmates of the household. Mr. Olewine has met with most excellent success, but it is not phenomenal, being the result of close attention to the details of his business, earnest application and well directed efforts.