My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE B. DEEMER. This name will be recognized by many of our readers as that of a resident of Hellertown who is the proprietor of a large mercantile establishment. Mr. Deemer purchased a stock of goods of F. R. Boyer in 1887, and since that time has carried on a profitable business. The store is 60x24 feet in dimensions, two stories in height, and contains from $5,000 to $6,000 worth of general merchandise.

The birth of our subject occurred in Williams Township, Northampton County, October 6, 1862. He is the son of Richard and Margaret (Laubach) Deemer, and the grandson of Jacob Deemer, who was also a native of the above township, where he owned a large tract of land and was extensively engaged during the active years of his life in farming and stock-raising. The grandfather was a Democrat in politics, and for several terms served in the capacity of County Commissioner. He married Catherine Unangst, and to them were born two sons and two daughters.

Richard Deemer was born on the old homestead in Williams Township, where he also received his schooling, and when attaining mature years was occupied for several terms in teaching in his district. He was active in the political affairs of his vicinity, working with the Democratic party. He was elected County Commissioner in 1888, serving a term of three years, and has also held various other positions of honor and trust. He married Miss Margaret, daughter of Abraham Laubach, of Williams Township, and to them were born four sons and two daughters. Milton S., the eldest, married Emma Fry; Sarah C. is the wife of Irvin Kophn; Amos remains at home and is agent for the Deering Company, of Moline, Ill.; Jacob J. is attending Lafayette College; and Annie B. is also with her parents.

Having attended the public schools up to the age of sixteen years, our subject then began clerking in his uncle’s, Dr. Stephen S. Laubach’s, store, and it was not long before he was given complete charge of the business. In 1885 he had saved a sufficient amount of his earnings to enable him to purchase the store belonging to Mr. Laubach in Williams Township, but he only remained its proprietor for two years, when he saw a better opening in Hellertown. Disposing of his stock of goods, he came hither, and, as before stated, bought the store owned by F. R. Boyer. He does an annual business amounting to about $25,000, and in his establishment will be found a complete line of carefully chosen goods suited to the growing needs of the people of the section over which his trade extends.

August 22, 1885, Mr. Deemer was married to Laura J. Rinker, daughter of Franklin Rinker, of Lower Saucon Township. The two children granted them were Florence E., born May 9, 1886, and Bessie Grace, born March 8, 1894, but who died July 26, 1894. Mr. Deemer takes an intelligent interest in political affairs and always votes with the Democratic party. He was School Director from 1890 to 1893, and in the spring of the following year was elected Burgess, of which office he is still the incumbent. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and in the church near his home holds the office of Trustee. Socially our subject is a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 563 at Hellertown and Zinzendorf Chapter in Bethlehem.