Egypt Church, Egypt, Lehigh, Pa., USA.Egypt Reformed Church records, Egypt, Lehigh, Pa., USA.

This gentleman of advanced age, who at present is the oldest member of the Historical Society of Lehigh County, and of whom also herewith a picture is shown, was born September 2, 1826, in a farmhouse that still stands on the road leading south from Hokendauqua to the village called Mickleys, in South Whitehall Township, this county. His father was Joseph Mickley and his mother was Catharine Miller. John Jacob Mickley, who, in connection with one Frederick Leaser, it is said, brought, during Revolutionary times, the famous and revered Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to Allentown, was his great-great-grandfather.

Mr. Mickley's parents died in 1832 when he was a child, aged six years. He was then taken to the home of his aunt, Christiana Beil, who took him in charge. He began going to school at Mickleys when in his seventh year. Later he went to Egypt, four miles away, to a so-called summer school, where only German was taught. He attended this school only a short time.

Growing into a boy, able to do something, he began to work in a tannery in this city, which was at that time owned by Steckel & Biery.

His grandparents, thinking it best for him to quit working at the tannery, sent him to an uncle named William Miller, a farmer living a short distance away from the present village of Treichlers, in the western end of Northampton County. He lived with his uncle eight months, and then again- returned to the home of his grandparents, with whom he remained until the following spring.

Then again in 1842 he took up the trade of tanning, and worked industriously at it for fifteen years. He then became a tiller of the soil, and in connection with this began the hauling of iron ore to Ironton, this county, for eighteen years, and then drifted into the business of contracting and hauling at Egypt. He was connected for some time with the mammoth Atlas Cement Works at Northampton, Pa., which he helped to erect. This concern gave him the management of horses and teams employed there, which he held until the introduction of improved machinery, when he resigned from his position.

He tells us that in 1839 there were three general stores in Allentown. These were Pretz & Weinsheimer at the southeast corner of Sixth and Hamilton Streets; John Wilson at the southeast corner of Seventh and Hamilton Streets, and Selfridge & Wilson on the north side of Hamilton Street, a few doors above Seventh Street.

There were then four lawyers; a Mr. Runk and a Mr. Gibbons being the gentlemen best known in the community. Policemen were then unknown. A constable having back of him the law, was deemed powerful enough to enforce it when necessary, and to protect the community which was then, one might say, in its infancy. The two physicians then carefully watching the health of the town were Dr. Martin and Dr. Romig.

From a hill near Cementon, with several other people, Mr. Mickley witnessed the terrible conflagration in 1848 which almost destroyed Allentown. He saw in 1838 the erection at Catasauqua of the first blast furnace in the Lehigh Valley, which was built by a Mr. Thomas.

One reading this short sketch of Mr. Mickley must feel that the greater part of his life was devoted to work, real and rather strenuous; and while at it often perhaps wishing for something to do that required less effort and strength. He can at least pride himself with the thought that he helped to make this country great.

At this writing, this venerable gentleman is still in the best of health, and on pleasant days can be seen on Hamilton Street witnessing its many vicissitudes.