My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE ENZIAN. The old saying that industry brings its own reward, as surely as does virtue, is proven in the life of the gentleman with whose name we open this sketch. He is the proprietor of a first-class meat market in Mauch Chunk, and in addition to this business superintends the operations of his fine estate in Franklin Township. He began at the bottom round of the ladder of fortune, but has ascended until he is now considered one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of the place.

Mr. Enzian is a native of Saxe-Meiningen, Germany, and was born July 27, 1843, to Henry and Elizabeth Enzian, also natives of Germany. George was reared to man’s estate in the Fatherland, where he acquired a good education in his native tongue, and from his father he learned lessons of economy and industry. The elder Mr. Enzian was the proprietor of a hotel in the Old Country and owned a good farm, which he cultivated with fair success.

In 1866 the subject of this sketch determined to come to America, and boarding a vessel which left Bremen, landed in New York City after a voyage of thirteen days. From the metropolis Mr. Enzian made his way to Louisville, Ky., where he remained only a short time, and later we find him located in Carbon County, this state, as an employe on the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He was thus employed for the following three years, when he began as huckster and butcher, in which latter branch of trade he has been engaged for a quarter of a century. He has been remarkably successful in prosecuting his calling, and as a prominent and influential citizen is widely and favorably known. His sterling worth and strict integrity have won him the confidence and regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

In the year 1867 George Enzian and Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Adam Hoffman, were united in marriage. Adam Hoffman was born in Germany, as was also his daughter, Mrs. Enzian, and lived to a ripe old age, well respected in his community. To our subject and his estimable wife there were born twelve children, six of whom are living: George H., who is proprietor of a store in Lehighton; Elizabeth, the wife of B. D. Hoffman, who is engineer on the Lehigh Valley Railroad; Christina, who married Elmer Walk, a fireman on the above road; Charles, who is learning civil engineering; and Henry and Annie L., who are attending school.

Mr. Enzian is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school, as well as serving in other official capacities in the congregation near his home. In politics he favors Democratic principles, and on that ticket was elected Assessor of Franklin Township. He is a liberal contributor toward all worthy enterprises and aided very materially in the building of two Lutheran churches, St. Matthew’s, at North Weissport, and St. John’s, at Long Run.

Our subject owns a valuable farm in Franklin Township, which he has accumulated entirely by prudent management and well directed efforts. It is a highly improved state, and ranks among the most productive of this section. He also owns three thousand acres of land in Penn Forest Township, on which he is now prospecting for coal. Both Mr. and Mrs. Enzian are intelligent people, and take an active interest in matters of local importance, both of a social and public nature, and wield a decided influence throughout the community and even beyond the vicinity of their home.