My Genealogy Hound

DAVID W. W. FOLLWEILER, M. D. For a period covering almost a quarter of a century this gentleman has engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Lynnport. He is a native of Lehigh County, having been born in Lynn Township, December 27, 1841, to the union of David and Catherine (Wannamaker) Follweiler. The family was first represented in America by Bernhard Follweiler, a native of Switzerland, who emigrated thence to this country during the eighteenth century and made settlement in Lynn Township, Lehigh County, adjoining the site of the present village of Lynnport. He was one of the first settlers of his locality, and assisted in the development of the resources of the township and county. Among other enterprises with which he was connected may be mentioned the first church at Jacksonville, in the erection of which he aided.

The maternal grandfather of David Follweiler, who bore the family name of Leaser, was at Philadelphia, Pa., with his wagon during the War of 1812 when the British threatened to capture the liberty bell and confiscate other property. His wagon, it is said, was selected for the purpose of hauling the bell to Allentown for safety. With that precious load he drove as far as Bethlehem, when one of the wagon wheels broke and another wagon then bore the bell to Allentown. Several of our subject’s ancestors participated in the Wars of the Revolution and of 1812, and the family has always been most loyal to our Government.

When a young man David Follweiler served as Captain of a militia. For thirty years he officiated as Justice of the Peace. As Director for the Poor for Lehigh County, he assisted in selecting the present site of the county almshouse. He was a life-long resident of Lynn Township, where his death occurred in 1889. In religious belief he was a member of the Reformed Church. Of his children eleven survive, namely: Mrs. Glase and Edward, residents of Lynnport; Mrs. Hiskey, whose home is in Allentown, Pa.; Mrs. Samuel Lutz, of Lynn Township; Mrs. C. M. Bloom, living in Lynnport; Mrs. Louis Miller, of Allentown; Mrs. M. F. Waidelich, residing at Steinsville; Dr. David W. W., of Lynnport; Mrs. W. Bachmon, of Slatington; Mrs. Lutz and Mrs. C. M. Dormblaser, both living in Allentown.

In the township where he was born, the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood, receiving a good education in the schools of the county. Early in life he conceived the idea of becoming a physician, and in order to assist in the culmination of his ambition he taught school several terms. During the summer vacations he read medicine with Dr. D. D. S. Shade, of Steinsville. and in 1868 entered Bellevue Medical College, of New York City, from which he was graduated in 1870. Returning to Lynnport, he opened an office and commenced the practice of his profession. Later he went back to the medical college and took a special course in general medical practice. It has ever been his aim to keep in touch with the advances made in medicine and surgery, and to this end he avails himself of every opportunity for extending his field of professional information. He has been successful, and in addition to his home owns one hundred and twenty-four acres of valuable land.

September 7, 1873, Dr. Follweiler married Mary J., daughter of Elias Hartman, formerly of Lynnport, but now deceased. Two children grace this union, Robert D. E. and Clara L. The family is connected with the Reformed Church of Lynnport. As a citizen the Doctor is especially interested in educational matters, and has been School Director of Lynn Township. Socially he is a member of Blue Mountain Lodge No. 249, I. O. O. F., at Steinsville, in which he is now officiating as Master, and of which his father was a charter member. All progressive movements receive his hearty support, and his sympathy may always be relied upon in the promotion of public-spirited measures.