My Genealogy Hound

ALFRED BEIDLEMAN. It is a pleasure to the biographer to head this sketch with the name of a man who is in every sense worthy of the distinction afforded by honorable mention among the distinguished citizens of South Bethlehem, where he is engaged as one of the largest contractors and builders in this section. He is also part owner of Calypso Island, which is devoted to the use of the public for picnics.

Our subject was born in Lehigh County, January 16, 1852, and is the son of Ephraim Beidleman, also a native of the above county, and the descendant of one of three brothers who emigrated from Germany in 1774, one locating in New York, and the other two making their home in this state. The father of our subject was a plumber by trade, which business he carried on in his native township until his decease in 1853, when in the thirty-fourth year of his age. His wife, Mrs. Sarah (Falk) Beidleman, was a native of Lehigh County and the daughter of George Falk, a farmer. The wife and mother is deceased, passing away in 1869, firm in the faith of the First Reformed Church.

Alfred, of this sketch, was the youngest in the parental family of four children, one of whom is deceased. He remained in his native place until thirteen years of age, in the mean time attending the common schools. In 1867, however, he went to Hillsdale County, Mich., and for the four years following was in the employ of farmers in the vicinity during the summer, and attended school in the winter months.

In 1870 Mr. Beidleman returned to this state, and, locating in Bethlehem, apprenticed himself to learn the carpenter’s trade under Josiah R. Wilt In 1879 he began in business for himself, and has since carried on a profitable trade as contractor and builder, being the prime mover in the erection of many of the fine business blocks and elegant residences of the city. He is also the owner of considerable real estate, and is the proprietor of fifteen residences in different parts of the city which he sells at reasonable prices.

The original of this sketch was married in Allentown, in 1876, to Miss Margaret Kohl, who was born in Allen Township, Northampton County. Their union was blessed by the birth of a son, Harry H. The family occupy a beautiful dwelling at No. 301 West Fourth Street, and are classed among the best residents in the city. Socially our subject is a prominent Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias. In religious affairs he is actively identified with the Reformed Church. He is a strong Democrat in politics, and takes great interest in the affairs of his party.

As before stated, Mr. Beidleman has an interest in Calypso Island, his partner being G. W. Mack. The place is surrounded by the Lehigh River, and the owners have sixty rowboats, which they let for the pleasure of the people.