Edgar J. Lumley    

EDGAR J. LUMLEY, one of Allentown’s truly public-spirited and representative citizens, was born September 12, 1858, at 156 Hamilton Street, where he now resides. He is the son of Howard and Mary M. (Albright) Lumley. He was graduated from the public and high schools of the city, and from the Allentown Business College, in 1875. He began his business career as a soap and candle manufacturer, as a member of the firm of Lumley & Earle. A year later, the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Lumley continued the business until 1890, when he engaged in the coal and ice business, which he has continued in a most successful manner to the present day. He is also a manufacturer of silk ribbons, with the plant located at the corner of Second and Hamilton Streets.

Since his majority, Mr. Lumley has been actively identified with civic and public matters. He served seven years each in the common and select branches of city council, and for five years served as alderman of the First Ward. He was also a member of the county Republican executive committee, and for one year was chairman of the city committee.

For a period of years, Mr. Lumley was president of the Allentown Chamber of Commerce, and during his administration a free library, Associated Charities, Playground Association, and other civic enterprises were formed in Allentown.

He is a conservative and successful business man, and his sound judgment and honest endeavors have been an asset to Allentown for many years. He is an able presiding officer and his versatility in entertaining either by prepared or impromptu speeches has always been most acceptable in the many social and business functions in which he has been the leading participant.

Mr. Lumley is an active worker in St. John’s Lutheran Church. Socially he has attained great prominence. Ho is a thirty-second degree Free Mason, a Shriner, an Elk, and an Odd Fellow. Aside from these affiliations, he is a member of the K. of M. C.; 0. K. of F.; F. 0. of E.; Loyal Order of Moose; Foresters of America; Keystone Athletic Association, and the Allen Fire Company of which he has been treasurer for more than a quarter of a century.

He is a director of the Allentown Free Library Association, and the City Board of Charities, and holds membership in the Livingston, Clover, St. Leger and John Hay Republican Clubs; also the Lehigh County Historical Society and the Lehigh County Agricultural Society.

On September 12, 1881, he married Emma L., daughter of former Mayor Herman and Matilda R. (Schimpf) Schuon, of Allentown.

Men of Allentown, Allentown, Pa. by Fred L. Shankweiler, 1917, page 44. View the image of this page on line, Free Trial  More Lehigh County History Books   Search Hundreds of 1880s-1890s Pennsylvania County History Books for biographies and historical information on your ancestors.  View the book page images on line and print them out for your genealogy file!  Free Access to the old history books - plus birth & death records, census images and ALL other records at ancestry.com