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Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ALFRED J. G. DUBBS, D. D., a retired minister and one of the honored and prominent citizens of Allentown, has the honor of being a native of the Keystone State. He was born in Berks County on the 8th of June, 1826. His great-grandfather, Jacob Dubbs, was a native of Switzerland and emigrated from that country to America in 1732. He settled in Milford Township, Lehigh County, and the brick house he erected, the first one in the county, is still standing. The brick used in the construction of this building he burned and manufactured on his farm. The ancestors of the family were ironworkers in Switzerland, and engaged in making cutlery, especially swords and all kinds of weapons.

The father of our subject, Rev. Joseph S. Dubbs, D. D., and grandfather, Daniel Dubbs, were both born in Lehigh County, the former on the 16th of October, 1796. For thirty years he was pastor of the Zion Reformed Church in Allentown, where he died in 1877. His wife, Susan, was a native of Berks County, and a daughter of Nicholas Getz,of Cumro Township. She died in North Whitehall, Pa., November 5, 1835, at the age of thirty years. Both parents were consistent Christians, and wherever they went won the love and confidence of all with whom they were brought in contact.

Under the parental roof the subject of this sketch spent his boyhood, and was carefully reared. He first attended the schools of the neighborhood, and later entered Easton Academy. Subsequently he was a student in Marshall College, then located in Mercersburg, Pa., but later removed to Lancaster, Pa., and now known as Franklin and Marshall College. From this institution he was graduated in 1849. Resolving to enter the ministry, he studied theology under his father in order to fit himself for his chosen profession. In the fall of 1851 he was ordained in Zion’s Reformed Church of Allentown, and his father’s assistant in the pastorate at this place. He was afterward pastor of the Reformed Church in Kreidersville, where he continued until 1857, and also supplied the pulpit at Bethlehem for a time. In 1857 he became pastor of the Salisbury charge and continued in that field for nineteen years. In 1876 he started a mission known as the Salem Reformed Church, in Allentown, of which he remained in charge for seventeen years. Finally, on account of failing health, he resigned the pastorate, and was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Richards. Since that time he has lived retired in Allentown.

For fifteen years Dr. Dubbs has been connected with the Keystone Normal School, of Kutztown, Berks County. For many years he has been a member of the School Board of Allentown. Franklin and Marshall College conferred upon him the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Divinity. For the past twenty years he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Allentown National Bank. In politics he has always been a stanch Democrat.

October 18, 1853, Dr. Dubbs was united in marriage with Miss Marie L., daughter of Jacob Schreiber, and a native of Lehigh County. She was a faithful companion to her husband, and ably aided him in his ministerial work until her death, which occurred January 23, 1894. Dr. Dubbs has spent his life well and worthily in the service of the church. Wherever he has gone he has won friends, and his earnestness and untiring labors have made his work successful.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Lehigh County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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