My Genealogy Hound

THEODORE M. FREUDENBERGER, of Bethlehem, is engaged in the carpet and upholstering business, and is also a manufacturer of awnings and window shades. His customers are to be found in all parts of the Lehigh Valley, and he has furnished the finest houses in this city and neighboring towns. He is a native of this place, and has always been identified with its history. His father, George F., was born in Germany, where he grew to manhood. On starting out in active life, he concluded to try his fortunes in America, and accordingly crossed the ocean to this country. Coming to Bethlehem, he obtained employment with Philip Goett, acting as his coachman, and later was employed in a general mercantile department store until 1862. For two and one-half years subsequently he engaged in running a farm near Seymour, Jackson County.

On his return to Bethlehem, George F. Freudenberger entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, and afterward was with the Bethlehem Iron Company. His death occurred in 1885, when he had attained the age of sixty-three years. Though reared in the Lutheran faith, he afterward became a Moravian, and adhered to that religion until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Haag, was educated in the Moravian Parochial School of Bethlehem. She was a native of Germany, and accompanied her parents to this country, settling in Emaus, Lehigh County. In her young womanhood she was in the employ of Philip Goett, and it was then that she met her future husband. Though now over seventy-seven years of age, she is still in good health, and is making her home with our subject.

Theodore M. Freudenberger was born February 4, 1854, and is the next to the eldest in a family consisting of four sons and three daughters, five of whom are living. He received his education in the parochial schools, and at the age of fourteen was apprenticed to Gerhard Frick as a general upholsterer. In 1 875 he started in business for himself on South Main Street, and continued in that location, engaged in his trade, for twelve years. At the end of that time, in 1887, he removed to his present location at No. 19 West Broad Street, where he occupies a frontage of thirty-two feet. He has carpeted all the churches but one in this city, the Wyandotte Hotel and Opera House, the Lehigh Valley Building, the Lehigh University in all its departments, and many private buildings in Bethlehem, South Bethlehem and Fountain Hill. His trade also extends to Easton, Allentown, Slatington, Catasauqua, Mauch Chunk, and as far as Washington and adjoining cities. In his employ he keeps a number of assistants, and also does a good retail business in curtains and awnings.

In Bethlehem, in 1879, Mr. Freudenberger married Miss Laura, daughter of John Collins, a contractor and builder in Delaware. She was born in Georgetown, Del., and by her marriage has become the mother of six children, Lewis, Letitia, Fred, Helen, John and Alfred. The home of the family, which is a substantial brick residence, was built in 1883, and is situated at No. 112 Second Avenue, West Bethlehem.

Mr. Freudenberger is a member of the West Bethlehem Building and Loan Association, and was active in the corporation of this place, of which he has been Councilman for two years. He served as Chairman of the Street Committee, which had in charge the grading and macadamizing of the streets in this portion of the town. In politics a Democrat, he takes a commendable interest in public affairs. Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and in religion is identified with the Moravian Church. He is an upright and honorable man and has the regard of his fellow-men.