My Genealogy Hound

TIMOTHY LUCKENBACH. The business interests of the Bethlehems have been greatly promoted by the energy and executive ability of those who, having spent their entire lives in this portion of the state, are thoroughly acquainted with their resources and identified with the development of their material interests. Such a one is the gentleman of whom we now write. His position is among the foremost citizens of West Bethlehem, and, though now retired from the active cares of a business career, he still maintains a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Adam Luckenbach, emigrated to this country from Germany, and in an early day made settlement in Bethlehem. For a time he carried on farm pursuits, but for some years before his death he was the keeper of a tower bridge. The father of our subject, Joseph, was born in Lehigh County, and followed the occupation of a farmer, his home for some years being upon a farm in Salisbury Township. His declining years were spent in Bethlehem, where his death occurred in his sixty-seventh year. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Salian Keifer, died in 1842. They had three children, of whom the youngest is deceased.

In Emaus, Lehigh County, Timothy Luckenbach was born July 15, 1824. He was reared upon the home farm in Salisbury Township until about eleven years of age, when he accompanied the family to Bethlehem. Here he attended the public schools. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to learn the cabinet-maker’s trade, at which he worked for some time. Later he added carpentry to his other trade. In 1850 he opened a shop on Main Street, where he was engaged as contractor and builder, and also manufactured furniture, which he sold at retail. In 1867 he transferred his attention to the mercantile business, opening a store on Main Street, which he conducted fifteen years. He then retired from active business, and is now passing his time in the enjoyment of a competence, surrounded by every comfort in his beautiful home at the corner of Broad and Terrace Streets.

Mr. Luckenbach and Miss Angeline Line were united in marriage at Emaus in 1850. Mrs. Luckenbach was born in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, and is the daughter of Samuel Line, who was engaged in the tailoring business. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Luckenbach was blessed by the birth of a daughter, Ellen L. In religious belief our subject and his wife hold membership in the Moravian Church in Bethlehem, in which he has served as Deacon for a number of years. Politically he is a Republican, and always supports the candidates of that party.