THOMAS LAUJBACH is a native son of Northampton County, and a successful businessman of Bethlehem. He is a member of the City Council at the present time, and has frequently served in public offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He comes from a family who are well known in this portion of the country for commercial ability, and for distinction in many of the walks of life.

Thomas Laubach is one of nine children, and was reared to farm duties, at the same time receiving the common-school advantages of the day. He lived at home until his father's death, in the year 1857, and the year previous to that had taken charge of the place. In the year 1856 he was married, and after that event lived for a time in Lehigh County, on the Saeger farm, but in 1860 he sold it and located on a portion of the old homestead, where he followed farming and ran a mill during the war. He continued as an agriculturist, operating a farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres, until 1886, when he removed to Bethlehem, with the intention of living a retired life, but was forced again into business, as he was obliged to take a crockery store on the settlement of a claim. He still owns his farm, which he has leased.

The china and crockery store just referred to, which is now carried on by our subject, is 18 x 96 feet in dimensions, and is finely located on Main Street. A well selected stock of goods in this line is here kept constant on hand, and the trade is steadily increasing. The home of the family is at No. 318 Market Street, and their many friends are always made welcome at this hospitable residence. For three years, dating from 1876, Mr. Laubach was Auditor of Allen Township, and since 1890 has served as a member of the Borough Council from the First Ward in Bethlehem, being honored by the largest majority ever received by Republicans elected from that ward. He is an ardent supporter of the principles and nominees of the party, and is in every way a promoter of the best interests of the community in which he dwells. In religion he is a member of Christ's Reformed Church, to which his family also belongs.