GEORGE H. MYERS, President of the First National Bank of Bethlehem, is a stockholder and Director in the Bethlehem Iron Company, and is a large coal operator of the Lehigh Valley. In addition to the enterprises mentioned he is interested in several railroads and in a number of the leading manufactories and industries of this region. Since 1865 he has been a resident of this place. In conducting his numerous enterprises he has manifested energy and perseverance, and has brought to bear upon them his earnest attention and best efforts.

Until twelve years of age our subject continued to reside on his father's farm, where his birth occurred August 26, 1843. In 1855 his father became associated with his brother-in-law, John B. McCreary, in coal-mining, and removed to Tremont, Schuylkill County, Pa., where the family resided for one year and then removed to Audenried, Carbon County, where the mines known as the Honey Brook were situated. At that place young Myers clerked in the firm's store and attended school. In August, 1860, he entered Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, and was a student there for nearly four years; he then entered Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he took the full commercial course. Returning home in the spring of 1865, on his father's death in September of that year, in the fifty-first year of his age, he succeeded him as a Director in the Honey Brook Coal Company, in which the senior Mr. Myers had had an interest. At this time, in the fall of 1865, commenced the active career of G. H. Myers, and he remained in the coal company until its valuable plant was sold to the Central Railroad of New Jersey. Though the young man had scarcely more than reached his majority, the management of his father's large estate was entrusted to him. He soon became much interested in coalmines, and in 1868 the firm of A. L. Mumper & Co. was organized, and was soon considered one of the leading coal firms in the Lehigh region. Ten years having expired and the senior partner having died, the firm name was changed to Thomas John & Co., and again in 1880, on Mr. John's demise, the firm name was altered to George H. Myers & Co. To-day Mr. Myers is considered one of the leading business men of the Lehigh, Schuylkill and Wyoming Valleys, being interested in industrial enterprises located there. Having for many years been before the public as a man of energy and ability, and one who was ever active in the promotion of industries and improvements, Mr. Myers was in 1877 elected Councilman of the borough of Bethlehem, serving until 1880, when he was made Burgess. In his official capacities he has shown the same convictions of right and honor that he has always manifested in his private affairs, and nothing can swerve him from the path of duty. In 1882, after earnest solicitation from his friends, he allowed his name to go before the county convention as a candidate for State Senator, and though he was announced late in the day he received a flattering vote in the convention and then withdrew, joining his forces to those of J. S. Hess, thus nominating him on the fourth ballot. In January 1874, Mr. Myers became a Director in the First National Bank of Bethlehem, and six years later was chosen its President, which position he has filled ever since. The firm of George H. Myers & Co. sold their interest in the Spring Brook Colliery in May 1892, but our subject still remains in the business in connection with other collieries, being Treasurer of the Mid-Valley Coal Company, Secretary and Treasurer of the Alton Coal Company, and a Director in the Silver Brook Coal Company. He is Vice-President of the Ponupo Mining and Transportation Company, a Cuban enterprise, and is Secretary and Treasurer of the Pioneer Mining and Manufacturing Company of Thomas, Ala., besides being a Director in the Allentown & Bethlehem Rapid Transit Company.

Mr. Myers is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having attained the Thirty-second Degree. He is a member of the lodge and chapter of Bethlehem, Hugh DePayens Commandery, K. T., and of Bloomsbury Consistory. He is also an Elder and active member in Grace Lutheran Church.