PORTRAIT AND
BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 204
Portrait and Biographical Record ~ Pages 204
Kindly submitted:
Nancy Tweedie
GEORGE W. BACHMAN, a
representative and well known businessman of
Freemansburg, has been in the
mercantile trade in this place since 1881. He carries a stock
of general merchandise, consisting of dry goods, boots and
shoes, groceries, crockery and hardware, and by his upright
manner and honest dealing has gained the respect of the
community in which he lives. Mr. Bachman is a native of
Northampton County, and was born September 24, 1851,
being the son of Aaron and Eliza (Laubach)
Bachman, natives of Northampton County, but both now deceased.
The Bachman family were early
settlers in the Lehigh Valley, and well known in the vicinity.
Aaron Bachman was for many years a well known canal-boat builder
and was a member of the firm of G. & A. Bachman. At different
times he filled all the local offices of his township, and also
served as County Commissioner for years. His birth occurred
April 14, 1808, and he departed this life June 16, 1886. His
wife, the mother of our subject, was born December 9, 1815, and
passed to the land beyond January 6, 1880.
Of the children comprising the
parental family the following survive: Alfred, a resident of
Bethlehem; Peter S., who is also making his home
in that city; Sylvester A., residing in Philadelphia; Allen H.,
a farmer in this county; Harvey L., living in South Bethlehem;
Mary, the wife of M.J. Hess, of this county; Annie, the wife of
Hon. R.K. Bachman of Bucks County, this state;
Aravesta M., now Mrs. Clyde Miller,
of Birmingham, Ala.; and George W., our subject. Peter S. has
been a fmember
of the State Assembly of Pennsylvania, and is a popular man of
the county.
Our subject was reared in
Northampton County, attending the public schools
of his native place, and also the private schools of Bethlehem.
When sixteen years of age he began learning telegraphy in the
Lehigh Valley Depot at Freemansburg,
and subsequently became station
agent at this place, serving as such for five years. After
resigning his position as station agent, he became identified
with the mercantile business, forming a partnership with R.K.
Bachman & Bro. At the expiration of a twelvemonth the
connection was dissolved, and our subject became sole proprietor
of the store, and in this avocation has become very successful.
October 14, 1874,
occurred the marriage of Mr. Bachman
to Miss Mary E. Freeman, and of their marriage five children
have been born. They are: Estella M., Jennie F., Laura E.,
Ralph S., and Roland A. Mrs. Bachman is a daughter of Dr. G.W.
Freeman, a prominent physician of this city. Mr. Bachman is
serving as School Director of the borough and is the present
School Treasurer of his district. He is also the Secretary of
the South Bethlehem National Bank, and one of the Directors and
ranks among the most prominent men of the vicinity on account of
his public spirit and enterprise. In politics he is a Democrat
and an ardent supporter of the principles of that party. He and
his estimable wife are active members of the Lutheran Church, of
which he is an Elder and the Financial Secretary.
