My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH S. FISHER, District Attorney of Carbon County and a rising young lawyer, who is rapidly making his way toward the front rank at the Bar of Carbon County, was born in this county in the mountain town of Summit Hill, overlooking Lansford, April 14, 1854. His parents were Patrick F. and Susanna (Conaghan) Fisher. Both were natives of Ireland, and during their childhood crossed the Atlantic to America. For many years the father engaged in mining. Both parents are now deceased, and were buried in Summit Hill Cemetery.

The subject of this sketch is the eldest in a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom six are yet living. He spent the greater part of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity, but lived for five years in Knox County, Mo., whither he went with his parents. He then returned and took up his residence in Summit Hill. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and after mastering the common branches and some of the more advanced studies, he began teaching, which profession he followed for a period of eight years, proving a capable and efficient instructor. Not wishing to make that his life work, however, he determined to enter the legal profession, and began the study of law at Mauch Chunk in the office of Judge Allen Craig, a most eminent jurist. After thorough preparation he was admitted to the Bar, in June, 1885, and at once began practice in Mauch Chunk, where he has since remained. His abilities, both natural and acquired, well fit him for the work which he has undertaken. He is a close student of his profession, and earnest application and untiring labor in the interest of his clients have won him the confidence of all who know him.

Mr. Fisher has been honored with some public offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. In 1888 he was appointed County Solicitor of Carbon County, which position he filled for two years. In 1889 he was elected District Attorney of Carbon County without opposition for a term of three years, and so well did he fill the office, that on the expiration of his first term he was re-elected again without opposition. This certainly is a high testimonial of his personal popularity and of his efficiency, and of the trust reposed in him by his fellow-citizens. Mr. Fisher is now serving as solicitor for a number of school districts, boroughs and townships, and for a number of building and loan associations in Carbon County, among which are the Progressive of East Mauch Chunk, the Homestead of Summit Hill and Summit Hill Building and Loan Association. On questions of state and national importance he supports the principles of the Democracy, but at local elections votes independently, supporting the man whom he thinks best qualified for the office.