A man of decided business genius, strong character and pleasing personality and keenly alive to the responsibilities his position entails, George A. Laubach in business worthily fills the post left vacant by the death of his honored father, and in civic affairs is the loyal, patriotic, progressive citizen, anxious for the welfare of the city with which the Laubach name has so long been connected. He is the eldest son of William and Mary Frances (Horn) Laubach.

George A. Laubach was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1862, his birthplace the present site of Northampton National Bank. He was educated in the public schools of Easton, completing the course with graduation from high school, class of 1879. He then finished a two years' course at Lafayette College, class of 1883. On July 1, 1881, he began his business career in his father's store, starting from the bottom of the ladder and advancing to better positions as he qualified. He grew with the business, and in both buying and selling gained the experience, which was to be his capital in the future. On February 1, 1889, he was admitted as a partner, the firm name then becoming William Laubach & Son. The business grew with each succeeding year, the firm also being increased by the admission of the four younger sons of William Laubach. In 1908 the business was incorporated under the name William Laubach & Sons, with William Laubach, president and general manager; George A. Laubach, secretary and treasurer. After the death of his father, the president, on July 30, 1914, he succeeded to that office, and now as executive head of the company, manages the largest department store in Easton.

In his citizenship, Mr. Laubach stands for that which is in the line of progress, realizing that like a business a community cannot stand still, but must either advance or retrograde. Every civil, industrial and moral movement tending to Easton's benefit has his support, and he can always be relied upon to champion any good cause. He served twice on the guaranty fund of the board of trade, $750,000 being raised during his service for the establishment of new industries in Easton. During the 1915 campaign for the raising of a building fund for the Easton Hospital, he was chairman of the businessmen's teams, and in all the Liberty Bond campaigns he took an active part. He is a director of the Northampton National Bank and a trustee of the board of trade. Quite recently Mr. Laubach celebrated fifty years of attendance and service in the Sunday school of the First Reformed Church, he has long been a member, and is now an elder of that church, and in 1913 was vice-president of the Eastern Synod of the Reformed church. He is a member of Easton Lodge No. 152, Free and Accepted Masons; Easton Cha])ter No. 173, Royal Arch Masons; Pomp Council, No. 20, Royal and Select Masters; Hugh De Payens Commandery, No. 19, Knights Templar; Rajah Temple (Reading), Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Northampton Historical Society; Pennsylvania German Society; Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity; and the Young Men's Christian Association, which he serves as director and treasurer. His clubs are the Pomfret, Northampton County Country, and Rotary.

Mr. Laubach married, February 26, 1891, Laura Louise Grim, of Reading, Pennsylvania, daughter of Jonathan R. and Susan (Kemp) Grim. Mr. and Mrs. Laubach are the parents of two sons and a daughter: George A., Jr., born May 9, 1892, died February 22, 1918; Frances Louise, born June 18, 1894; Donald Grim, born September 1, 1898, was commissioned second lieutenant, U. S. Army, at Plattsburg, September, 1918, and served in the army until mustered out after the signing of the armistice, at Camp Grant, Illinois. The family home is at No. 133 North Second Street, Easton, Pennsylvania.