My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. DESHLER, a member of the law firm of Deshler Bros., is regarded as one of the leading attorneys of Allentown, and at the Bar of Lehigh County occupies a prominent and enviable position. He claims Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, as he was born in Northampton County, on the 18th of May, 1840. He is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, David Deshler, who was of German descent, having been one of the heroes of the War for Independence. The family was founded in America during early Colonial days. The maternal grandfather, William Steward, was of Scotch descent. The father of our subject, Edward Deshler, made farming his life work. Having attained to mature years, he married Eliza Steward, and to them were born four children, namely: Dr. C. F., who died in 1884; James B. and William H., who compose the law firm of Deshler Bros.; and Jennie E. The father died in Allentown in 1889, and his wife passed away in the same city in 1862.

The gentleman whose name heads this record spent his early boyhood days in attendance at Freeland College, at Collegeville, Montgomery County, Pa., and later entered Lafayette College, where he continued his studies one year. It was his desire to enter the legal profession, and to this end, when his literary education was completed, he began reading law under Judge Maxwell, of Easton, Pa., where he was admitted to the Bar in 1862. He had made thorough preparations for his life work, and has ever been a close student, so that he is one of the best informed lawyers of the county. Upon his admission to the Bar he at once began practice in Allentown, forming a partnership with his brother, James B. This connection has since continued, and the high reputation which the firm has gained is the result of merit and capability.

In 1870 William H. Deshler led to the marriage altar Miss Clara M. Keiper, of Allentown, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Keiper. They are both members of St. John’s Reformed Church, in which Mr. Deshler has served as Deacon for many years, and are highly respected citizens of the community, occupying an enviable position in the social circles in which they move.

In political views Mr. Deshler is a Republican, and has served as a member of the Common Council for several years. He was also a member of the Board of Control for nine years, and for some time was Secretary of that body. He is now serving as one of the Water Commissioners, and is connected with various business interests in addition to his law practice, being Secretary and Treasurer of the Blue Ridge Powder Company, the works of which are located in Bowman, Carbon County; also Secretary of the Mahoning Foundry Facing Mills, located at Lehighton, Pa. In the upbuilding of the city he has taken a prominent part, having erected five hundred dwellings, nearly all of which he has sold, while the others he rents. He is one of the Trustees of Allentown College for Women, and has been Secretary and financial manager for some years. Ever alive to the best interests of the city, he takes a prominent part in promoting those enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit, and in the upbuilding of the community has aided materially. His work and worth are widely recognized, and justly entitle him to representation in the history of his adopted county.