LINDERMAN,GARRETT B. , SR., M.D.

Portrait and Biographical Record ~ Pages 810, 813

Kindly submitted by: Shirley Reese Siltala 

            GARRETT B. LINDERMAN, M.D., SR., who was formerly a very prominent businessman of  Bethlehem, was largely interested in coal operations and in banking, besides many very important industries and enterprises of the Lehigh Valley.  Born in Pike County, Pa., October 15, 1829, he was a son of John J. Linderman, of Scotch descent, the latter being a physician and actively engaged in the practice of medicine for over half a century in Pike County.  The mother of our subject was a daughter of Hon. Richard, and granddaughter of Garrett Brodhead (an officer in the War of the Revolution), and a sister of the late United States Senator, Richard Brodhead.

            After receiving an academic education Dr. Linderman of this sketch read medicine with his father and graduated in March, 1851, at the University of New York with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.  He first practiced his profession at Unionville, Orange County, N. Y., there remaining until 1854, when he located in Mauch Chunk, Pa.   In August of that year the cholera carried off most of the leading practitioners of the locality, and Dr. Linderman had the whole field to himself in time, advancing to a leading position among the physicians of that section of the state.  In 1860, his daily rounds and night work having told on his health, he withdrew from his profession, devoting a part of his time to commercial pursuits.

            In 1863 Dr. Linderman became an active partner in the East Sugar Loaf Colliery, worked by Packer, Linderman & Co., and also became a partner in the Room Run Colliery, worked by Douglass, Skeer & Co., taking charge of all the business transacted by the first-named firm.  The coal of these two mines, which reached tide water, was sold by E. A. Packer & Co., until 1867, when the former withdraw and the firm became G. B. Linderman & Co.  Afterward our subject took charge of the sales, as well as managing the mining of the coal, and spent most of his time in New York.  On looking into the matter he ascertained that all the coal found in the Lehigh Valley was being sold by a number of firms without any concerted action, a state of affairs detrimental to all.  Accordingly he devoted himself to the organization of the Lehigh Coal Exchange, of which he was elected President, remaining as such until his death.  In 1868 he organized the banking firm of G. B Linderman & Co., at Mauch Chunk, now the Linderman National Bank, and two years later became a resident of Bethlehem.  In 1872 he organized the Lehigh Valley National Bank of Bethlehem, being elected its President, which post he held until his death.

            Mr. Linderman was one of the Trustees of Lehigh University.  A very progressive and sound business man, he became very wealthy, and was one of the largest anthracite coal operators in the state.  He was a Director in the Lehigh Valley Railroad, held the position of General Manager of the Bethlehem Iron Company, and was interested in many other corporations, and few enterprises were established in this section without his support.  September 28, 1885, he was called from this life, and his death was a great loss to his numerous friends and to those to whom he had ever been kind and ready to lend a helping hand.  In 1856 Mr. Linderman married Lucy, daughter of Judge Asa Packer.  Of this union were born the following children:  Asa and Harry, who both died in infancy; and Sallie, Robert and Garrett.

Submitted by Shirley Reese Siltala