My Genealogy Hound

H. O. WILLIAMSON, a contractor and builder in Bethlehem, is an able and reliable business man, who has made a success of his trade, and who has acquired a comfortable fortune by reason of his perseverance and industrious habits. He is a self-made man, having had to make his own way in the world from early years, and being thorough in the fulfilment of his contract, and honorable in his methods, he has always made friends of his customers.

H. O. Williamson is of English descent, as his paternal great-grandfather, Hugh, was a native of England, who removed to America, settling in Moore Township in the last century. There he followed agricultural pursuits, and lived to attain a good old age, his death occurring when he was in his ninety-ninth year. The grandfather, John Williamson, whose birth occurred in Moore Township, was also a farmer, and lived to reach his seventy-fifth year. The father of our subject, William II., born in Moore Township, like his ancestors engaged in farming in that locality on attaining manhood, but later removed to Lower Nazareth, where he was a resident for twelve years, and now is engaged in farming in Hanover Township, being sixty-four years of age. His wife, Mary Ann, is a daughter of Conrad Elberts, who was in early years a farmer, and later became a merchant at Newton. The Elberts family is of German descent, and Mrs. Williamson is a member of the Lutheran Church, while her husband is identified with the Reformed Church. To them were born four children, two of whom are living.

Like the two generations preceding him, H. O. Williamson is a native of Moore Township, born in the year 1858, and his boyhood was partly passed in Lower Nazareth. His education was obtained in the district school at Hecktown and in Trach’s Academy in Easton, Pa. His attention was given to agricultural pursuits until he had reached his twenty-fifth year, when he began to work at the carpenter’s trade. It was in the year 1882 that he came to Bethlehem, and for four years after his arrival here he worked for M. H. Yeagle. Subsequently, in company with Frank Yeagle, he engaged in contracting for a year, when their connection was dissolved. Mr. Williamson succeeded to his partner’s interest, which he had purchased, and for three years succeeding he had as his co-partner W. E. Renner. In 1892 that gentleman retired from the firm, Mr. Williamson buying his share and carrying on the business alone up to the present time. He furnishes estimates on all kinds of building, and attends to repairing or remodeling of any description. Many of the best residences and public buildings of the place have been put up by him in all three of the Bethlehems. Among these we mention a few: that of Dawson Lawrence on Fountain Hill, of C. O. Clemmons and C. F. Brown in Bethlehem, McGowen’s Hotel and the home of Harry Dillen. For himself he has built several residences, two of these being on Linden Street. His office and residence are at present located at the corner of Linden and Union Streets. During the busy season he furnishes employment to from fifteen to twenty men. Besides his regular business he has money invested in a hardware store on Third Street in Bethlehem.

In Shoenersville in 1881 occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Mary L. Ache, whose birth occurred in this city. To this worthy couple five children were born, all but one of whom are living, their names being as follows: Clara, Harvey, Elmer and Emma. Fraternally our subject is a member of the Eoyal Arcanum, and in politics he supports the Democracy. With his wife and family he attends Christ Reformed Church, in the work of which he is active.