WILLIAM H. WEISS, of Bethlehem, comes of a well-known family of this city, his father having been the late Francis Weiss, a wealthy and enterprising business man, who was identified with the welfare of this community most thoroughly. Mr. Weiss, of this sketch, is popular in social and business circles and is a genial young man, who wins friends wherever he goes.

The birth of our subject occurred at Eckley, Luzerne County, September 17, 1856, and in the place of his nativity his boyhood was passed in attendance at the schools of that locality. In 1870 he came to Bethlehem, becoming a student in the Moravian day school, and afterward for two years attending Rondthaler School. Next he went to Lawrenceville, N. J., where he continued for four years in the academy, and was graduated therefrom in 1876. Returning home, he continued his studies for two years longer, under the tutelage of George Perkins, and thus found himself well equipped with a general and scientific knowledge for the duties of life.

In 1879 William H. Weiss married in this city Miss Mary Louisa, daughter of Amos Lentz, a railroad contractor. The lady was born in Mauch Chunk, and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, William L. The pleasant home of the family is situated at No. 328 Broad Street, and they are members of Trinity Episcopal Church. After his marriage Mr. Weiss engaged in general merchandising at Bihgen, Northampton County, but a year later sold out and conducted a general store on Broad Street in this city. This business he also sold out at the end of a year, then becoming bookkeeper for the Lehigh Manufacturing Company, continuing with that firm until the business was closed up at the time of his father's death. Recently Mr. Weiss retired from active business, as he has an ample income from his investments, and from his share of his father's estate. He is interested in thoroughbred dogs, having owned some very fine animals, and at the present time is the owner of "Sir Tatton," an English setter, believed to be the best specimen of the setter variety to be found in the country. In politics Mr. Weiss is a Republican, and fraternally belongs to the Order of Red Men and the Elks society.