My Genealogy Hound

HENRY H. DASH, one of the successful and enterprising business men of Bethlehem, carries on a retail cigar business at the corner of Broad and Main Streets. For many years he has taken a leading part in public movements, and was a prime mover in starting the Bethlehem Fair and Driving Park Association. A Republican of the truest stamp, he is greatly interested in the success of the party, though he has never accepted public office.

Born in Hellertown, this county, December 30, 1834, our subject is a son of Henry Desh, a native of Lehigh County. A brother of our subject, George J., a resident of Bethlehem, spells his name Desh, and his sketch may be found elsewhere in this work. H. H., our subject, while living in Philadelphia, found it convenient to spell his name as seen at the head of this biography in order to avoid mistakes, as every one called him Mr. Dash. Among his brothers and sisters now living are Daniel and George J., residents of Bethlehem; Owen H., who is engaged in the hotel business in Philadelphia; Caleb H., who is at the Southwell Mines; and Susan, the wife of Joseph Landers, of this city.

Our subject passed his boyhood in Hellertown, there attending the public schools and later learning the trade of tanning. When nineteen years old, he went to Philadelphia and engaged in the hotel and restaurant business on Second Street, also running the Bath Hotel on Ninth Street. In 1862 he became a member of the Blue Reserves of the Pennsylvania Militia, under Colonel Day, and was present at the defense of Antietam, where he was stationed for seven weeks. In 1866 Mr. Dash returned to Philadelphia, and the following year became a resident of Bethlehem. In 1872 he bought and started a coach line, running from the depots to the principal hotels, and had charge of this business until 1884, when he sold out. Soon after he engaged in the cigar business, in which he is at the present time. The previous year his son had been engaged in this business, our subject having given him a start in this line, and on his death, in 1884, H. H. Dash took charge of the business, which is situated on the corner of Main and Broad Streets. Here may be found the best tobacco and cigars in the trade and general smokers’ supplies, and in connection with the store is a billiard-room, well equipped.

Mr. Dash built this corner, consisting of three stores, 40x99 feet in dimensions. He is also interested in real estate, owning property at Bethlehem Heights, and in company with his brother, George J., laid out an addition there of over ten acres, and now owns over thirty lots. Our subject, as stated above, is one of the organizers of the Bethlehem Fair and Driving Park Association, and is now the Treasurer of the same, which position he has held from its second year. This driving park possesses the best half-mile track in the state, and the grounds cover some thirty acres within the city limits, on which are good buildings.

The marriage of our subject was celebrated in Philadelphia in 1863, his wife being in her girlhood Miss Annie E. James, and a native of Philadelphia. To them were born two children, the elder of whom, William M. S., died in 1884, when only twenty years of age. Laura V. is the wife of F. J. Klineker, of this city. The parents are members of the Moravian Church. Mr. Dash belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, and casts his ballot in support of the Republican party.