My Genealogy Hound

COL. SAMUEL D. LEHR, ex-Mayor, and one of the prominent citizens of Allentown, was here born on the 30th of May, 1838, and is a representative of one of the honored early families of the community. His grandfather, Peter Lehr, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was of German descent. He served his country in the War of 1812, together with his four brothers. Joseph Lehr, the father of our subject, was born in Allentown in 1809. By trade he was a lock and gun smith, and followed that business during the greater part of his life. He married Miss Louisa Newhard, daughter of Peter Newhard. She was born in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, and died June 12, 1862, in Allentown. Mr. Lehr passed away in this city in 1864.

Under the parental roof Samuel D. Lehr spent the days of his boyhood, and in its public schools acquired his literary education. He then began his business career as assistant civil engineer with Dr. Jesse Samuels and G. A. Aschbach, with whom he continued for some time. He was afterward in partnership with Richard R. Emery, the business being carried on under the firm name of Lehr & Emery. The partnership was continued for four years, when Mr. Emery died, and Mr. Lehr became sole proprietor of the business, which he conducted alone up to June 16, 1893, at which time he admitted to partnership J. Howard Martz. This partnership continued until April 1, 1894, when A. W. Leh was taken into the firm as architect, the firm then being styled Lehr, Leh & Martz, architects and civil engineers. Besides the office at Allentown they have a branch office at South Bethlehem.

During the late war Mr. Lehr manifested his loyalty to the Government by enlisting in the Union service in 1862. He was made Captain of Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, and at once went to the South, where he saw some hard service. A year later he was mustered out, and on his return home he was appointed Recruiting Agent, being commissioned by Governor Curtin. He did faithful service in this capacity, in fact he has ever been true to the public and private trusts reposed in him. In 1869 he organized Company B, which is now part of the Fourth Regiment of the National Guards of Pennsylvania, and was mustered in as its Captain. He commanded the company for a period of sixteen years, and in the mean time was elected Major of the Fourth Regiment. In 1885 he was elected Colonel of the regiment, and served in that position for five years. He has only two superiors in years of continued service among the Pennsylvania National Guards. In 1890 his term expired and he was placed upon the list of retired officers. His record as a commander is one of which he may be proud, and he has always had tbe confidence and high regard of his subordinates and the esteem of his equals in the service.

In 1865 Colonel Lehr married Miss Elizabeth S. Engleman, daughter of Louis Engleman, a farmer of this county. They have one daughter, Cora M., now the wife of Arnon P. Miller, of Allentown. In his political views Mr. Lehr is a Democrat, and in 1890 was elected on that ticket Mayor of Allentown, which position he filled for three years with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. During the last twenty years he has served as City Engineer, and in this work has given entire satisfaction, a fact which is shown by his long continuance in office. He is one of the best known citizens of this place, and the leading interests of this community, especially those calculated to advance the public welfare, receive his hearty support and cooperation.