My Genealogy Hound

DR. CHARLES G. HIRNER, proprietor of the C. G. Hirner Cattle Powder Works in Allentown, is known in every portion of the civilized globe as a great chemist. In the “Past, Present and Future of the City of Allentown,” published under the auspices of the Board of Trade, is found mentioned among the remarkable industries of the city the horse and cattle powder works of Dr. Hirner.

It is now nearly forty years since this friend of the farmer and poultryman introduced his now famous Lehigh Cattle Powder, the greatest blood-purifier yet discovered. The powder at once leaped into general favor in the locality of his home, and has since spread wherever its results have been known. In 1857 he purchased the right to manufacture Duvoy’s Horse and Mule Powder, which he changed to accommodate the climate of this country. The Farmers’ Union Cattle Powder, a compound unequaled for dairy use, in increasing the quality and quantity of milk, butter, flesh and eggs, was a discovery of Dr. Hirner that followed later on. The Dairyman’s Cattle Powder, for general use, and the Union Roach, Rat and Mice Exterminator came next, the latter of which has proved a terror to all such pests; while his Japanese Corn Cure is death to that annoying affliction of the feet.

Dr. Hirner was born at Boeblingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, March 25, 1835, and is the son of M. F. Hirner, also a native of the above place, where he lived, and died in 1877, at the age of seventy-eight years. He came of a very influential family, and daring the greater part of his life was a Councilman,’and took great interest in the municipal affairs of Boeblingen. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rosina Walters, was also a native of Germany, where she departed this life some time in the ‘60s, when in the sixty-seventh year of her age.

Charles G., of this sketch, was given a fine education in German, Latin, French and the classics and after graduation took a course in chemistry, in the laboratory of Bonj & Son, in his native city, studying both practical and theoretical chemistry. Our subject, when only six years of age, entered the gymnasium of Boeblingen, and five years later was elected teacher of athletics for a large class, and continued thus to act until attaining his eighteenth year.

After completing his course of study with Bonj & Son, Mr. Hirner entered the University of Tuebingen, making a specialty of materia medica and chemistry, under the instruction of the late Professors Gmelin and Reuchlin. Our subject possessed great natural ability, and while in school was awarded many prizes for his excellence in scholarship. He completed his course in the University in 1853, and that same year received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, besides passing a splendid examination in chemistry. In the spring of the following year he emigrated to America, landing in Philadelphia, whence he came directly to this city, and connected himself with the establishment of the late Dr. Danousky, with whom he practiced for a short time. After this he practiced medicine for a short time at La Fayette, Ind., but on account of failing health went west to Leavenworth, Kan., and also traveled through other western states, remaining away until January 1, 1856, when he returned to Allentown and began the manufacture of the Lehigh Cattle Powders, in which business he has attained such a wide reputation. He has a large and extensive business, selling the product of his factory throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Tokio (Japan), and various other countries.

The Doctor is President of the Tidoute Headlight Oil Company, located in Warren County, this state. Money-making but not money-loving, Dr. Hirner is a perfect type of those who treat circumstances as a slave, instead of allowing themselves to become enslaved by circumstances.

The marriage of our subject occurred in 1858, when he took to wife Miss Carrie, daughter of the late Joseph Wannamaker, a miller by trade. To them have been born a daughter and son. Nannie married Elmer K. Schultz, of this city; and George B. assists his father in his business. The Doctor has always lead a very active life, and is in the enjoyment of good health. With his estimable wife, he belongs to St. John’s Lutheran Church, and occupies a comfortable residence at No. 725 Linden Street.