My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN D. WEHR. The life of this gentleman, who makes his home in Washington Township, Lehigh County, furnishes a good lesson to youths who must begin their careers as he did, without means. He now occupies a high position among the agriculturists of this section, and is living with his family in the finest residence in the township.

Our subject is a native of this county, and was born November 8, 1844, to Daniel and Hannah Wehr, also natives of this section and lifelong residents of Washington Township. The grandfather, Michael Wehr, was also born in Lehigh County, while his father was a native of Germany and the founder of that branch of the family in America, of which our subject is a descendant. Daniel Wehr departed this life February 6, 1890, leaving a family of five children, namely: David S.; Leah, now the widow of Eli Deibert; our subject; Synia, the wife of H. Seibert, and Moses. The father had served for many terms as School Director of his township, and was a strong Republican in politics. In religious affairs he was prominently identified with the Reformed Church, with which he has been connected for many years and in which he has always taken a deep interest.

Benjamin D. Wehr, of this sketch, was reared a farm lad, and consequently carried on his studies in the district school. When ready to choose a vocation in life he became an agriculturist, and is now the possessor of a fine estate, including one hundred and forty-eight broad and well tilled acres, which he devotes to general farming. He has his place stocked with a herd of Jersey cattle, and on it will be also found a good grade of horses, sheep, hogs, etc.

The lady to whom our subject was married March 7, 1865, was Miss Mesina Semmel, a native of North Whitehall Township, this county, and the daughter of Benjamin and Catherine Semmel. She was born March 23, 1846, and was the third in order of birth of her parents’ family, including the following-named children: Josiah, Reuben, Mesina, Francis, Henry, Louisa, Oliver and Charles.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wehr there was born a family of three children, of whom Osville B. is the only survivor. He is at present a student in Ursinus College at Collegeville, where he is preparing himself to enter the ministry of the Reformed Church. He was first graduated from the Kutztown Normal, after which he taught several terms of school. Our subject, together with his wife, is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. He is a Republican in politics, on which ticket he was elected Auditor of Washington Township. Mr. Wehr has made for himself and family a pleasant home in this locality, and enjoys the friendship of the best people in the county.