My Genealogy Hound

PAUL C. BROADBECK is numbered among the enterprising, progressive and substantial business men of Catasauqua, and is no unimportant factor in advancing its material interests. He is a very successful insurance man, and at present is Assistant Superintendent of the Prudential Life Insurance Company of Newark, N. J., for the Allen town District. He is a native of this city, his birth occurring June 22, 1855.

John C. Broadbeck, the father, is of German birth, and followed the trade of a carpenter in Stuttgart. He crossed the Atlantic prior to his marriage, and his first employment was as rigger in charge of the ore beds of the Crane Iron Company. He was born in 1827, and died in this city in 1881. He was married in the New World to Miss Paulina Frederick, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is still living, at the age of sixty-eight years, making her home in East Catasauqua.

Of the two sons and one daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. John C. Broadbeck, Paul of this sketch was the eldest but one. He was only given limited advantages for securing an education, and at the early age of fourteen years was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade in the shops of the Crane Iron Company. He remained in their employ for five years thereafter, but was finally obliged to quit on account of failing health caused by breathing sulphurous gas. A year later he retired from work for a year, and then, going to Packerton, there carried on his trade, and afterward, on locating in Pittsburg, learned the trade of a cigar manufacturer. From that place he went to Meadville, where he was employed as a cigar merchant for three months, when he returned to Catasauqua and began work in the blacksmith department of the Davies & Thomas Iron Company.

In 1885 Mr. Broadbeck accepted the agency for the Prudential Life Insurance Company, which he now represents as Assistant Superintendent in this district. He is successful in business and enjoys the confidence and sincere esteem of a host of long time friends. Mr. Broadbeck was married in this city, April 22, 1880, to Miss Sarah C., daughter of James Dilcher, a retired baker of Catasauqua. Their home was brightened by the birth of three children, Esther A., Minnie L. and Ralph C., but all are deceased.

The original of this sketch owns six residences in different parts of the city and also deals quite extensively in real estate, which business he has carried on in connection with his insurance agency for the last twelve years. Socially he belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle. The Lutheran Church, which he has represented as Trustee, finds in him a valued member. He is active in Sunday-school work, and has been Treasurer and Assistant Superintendent for the past fifteen years.