LAURY, ALEXANDER C. P.

 ALEXANDER C. P. LAURY This representative and well known citizen of Laury’s, Lehigh County, is the Postmaster, ticket and freight agent of the Lehigh Valley Railway Company. He was born in this place January 26, 1849, and is a son of Judge David and Maria (Klein) Laury, also natives of this county. His great-grandfather was a native of Scotland and emigrated thence to America, where he founded that branch of the family to which our subject belongs.

    In 1832 Judge Laury settled in the village which was named in his honor, and here he continued to reside until his death, in 1883, when in the seventy-ninth year of his age. For ten years he served as one of the Associate Judges of Lehigh County, and also represented his district in the Lower House of the State Legislature. During the late war he was appointed Revenue Commissioner. Throughout this section he was esteemed as a man of integrity of action and nobility of heart. In financial matters he was successful, and at his death left a valuable estate to be divided among his children. Pubic spirited and enterprising, he was ever ready to bear such part as he could in the progress of the county. He was active in the religious work, and assisted in the establishment of the Lutheran Church at Laury’s, in which he served in an official capacity. Socially he was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. For a time he filled the position of Major-General of the State Militia for the five counties of Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Pike and Carbon.

            The children who survive of the parental family are: Mary, the wife of Thomas Newhard, of Laury’s; Henry K., who makes his home in Whitehall; Caroline, Mrs. Adam Laubach, of Siegfried’s Bridge, Pa.; Maria K., wife of Peter Nichols, who is foreman in the car shops at Stemton; Josephine P., Mrs. George F. Kimball, of Laury’s; Rebecca S., widow of Joseph L. Bibighaus, and Alexander C. P. The last-named was reared in the village of Laury’s. In 1864 he became assistant to his father, who was the first station agent at this place, and on the death of the latter, in 1883, he assumed full control of the office, which he has since filled. His primary studies were conducted in the common schools, after which he attended Geogory’s Academy, at Allentown. Later he entered the Allentown Military Academy, now known as Muhlenberg College, where he continued his studies, thus obtaining a fine literary education.

            The lady whom Mr. Laury married in 1871 was Miss Mary R., daughter of Thomas Hirst, of Bethlehem. Their home has been blessed by the birth of three daughters, namely: Bessie M., the wife of Samuel R. Thomas; Helen M., who is attending school in Bethlehem, and Marion H. Mr. Laury is a stanch Democrat politically and is a reliable citizen, an intelligent man, and one whose life has won for him the respect of those about him. He is a valued member of the Lutheran Church, in the work of which he takes great interest. Together with his father, he has virtually built up the village of Laury’s, and during his lifelong residence here he has become well known throughout the community, and has a host of warm friends who esteem him highly.

SAMUEL GEISER was born in Northampton County, February 28, 1821, and is the son of John J. and Elizabeth (Bush) Geiser. He is engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, operates a fine tract of land, and perhaps no resident in Lehigh Township has shown a greater degree of enterprise.

            The father of Samuel Geiser was born across the Atlantic, in Switzerland, while his mother is a native of Lehigh County. The former emigrated to America about 1817, locating first in Allen Township, whence he later came to this township, making his home on the tract of land on which our subject is residing at the present time. Here he erected a stone house, and also building a mill, began the manufacture of woolen goods, which business Samuel learned, and which he has followed for many years.

            The subject of this sketch has made his home in Lehigh Township since two years of age. As soon as old enough he received a through training in farm pursuits, and at the same time was taught how to manufacture woolen goods. He secured his education in the common schools, which, although bearing little resemblance to the institutions of learning at the present day, gave him a fair fund of information. His father dying when he was twenty-seven years of age, Mr. Geiser took charge of the factory, which he still carries on in connection with his farming operations. His estate includes fifty acres, which are cultivated in an admirable manner, and yield their owner a fine income. The factory is run by waterpower, and gives employment to three men. The goods manufactured are satinettes, flannels, blankets, stockings, yarns, etc.

            Mr Geiser was married in 1849, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Henry Mack, now deceased, but formerly a native of this county. There was born to them a family of nine children, all of whom are living with one exception, and are named respectively: John H., George; Andrew F., deceased: Sarah, the wife of Dr. Frank Laubach, of Luzerne County, this state; Annie, now Mrs. George Laubach; Amanda, the wife of A. Stetler; Mary, Mrs. Theodore Weitzel; Laura, the wife of William Berger; and Ellen, the wife of Dr. Sipe, of Easton, this state.

            Mr. Geiser has served efficiently as a member of the School Board, and as a man of good habits he is well thought of in the community where he makes his home. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and his influence is used to advance the cause of his party. He has witnessed great changes in the country during the years of his residence here, and has contributed his quota toward brining them about. An active member of the Lutheran Church, he does all he can to extend its good work. He possesses the confidence of his fellowmen, among whom his word is considered as good as his bond.