My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN F. WONDERLY is a genial gentleman, whom it is a pleasure to know, and who has many warm personal friends, not only in the city of Allentown, where he resides, but throughout Lehigh County. He is a native of this state, having been born in Bath, Northampton County, November 7, 1835. He is the son of Roney and Eliza (Stout) Wonderly, natives of Northampton. The father was a miller by trade, but followed the occupation of a farmer the greater part of his life. The mother makes her home in Catasauqua. The subject of this sketch received a fair education, and on leaving the temple of learning apprenticed himself to learn the cabinet-maker’s trade at Bath, his native place. In 1858 he came to Allentown, where he followed his trade in the employ of different parties until 1865, when he formed a partnership with his last employer, the firm carrying on business under the style of Sell & Wonderly. They continued thus to operate until 1872, when the connection was severed, and our subject began to do business with Joseph D. Schreiber, the firm being known as Wonderly & Schreiber. In 1879 he disposed of his interest, and in the fall of that year began in the undertaking business at No. 36 North Seventh Street, where he now has a large establishment and keeps a varied stock of caskets, and all the furnishings to be found in the store of a first-class undertaker and embalmer. He directs nearly three hundred funerals annually, and as a man of wide experience commands the respect and confidence of the entire community and surrounding country.

May 13, 1856, Mr. Wonderly of this sketch and Miss Caroline Seigfried were united in marriage. The lady was born in Bath, this state, and is the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Bartholomew) Seigfried, natives of Berks and Northampton Counties, respectively. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children: Victor F., who is engaged in the sale of undertaking goods at Allentown; and Alfred, who died in infancy.

Socially our subject is a Knight Templar, and takes great interest in the workings of the Masonic order. Politically he is a true-blue Republican, and has served efficiently as a member of the School Board. He owns a good residence, pleasantly located at No. 517 Linden Street, where he and his good wife are enjoying the consciousness of years well and profitably spent.