Abel Bayer, son of John A., a successful merchant at Slatington, was born at Millport on 6/1/1858. He was reared on a farm and when 22 years old learned the trade of painter and paper hanger which he followed for a number of years; Then, in 1902, he entered the employ of Edwin Rauch, who was engaged in the hardware business, and continued with him for one year when he and his brother Henry purchased the business and carried it on for five years under the name of Boyer & Bro., then, in 1908, he purchased his brothers interest and since that time he has conducted the business in his own name. He carries in stock a full line of general hardware and has a large patronage, his store being recognized as the leading one in Slatington and vicinity for factory and quarry supplies. Mr. Bayer has come to be prominently identified with all local affairs for the general welfare of the community. He was one of the organizers of the Union Cemetery Association and has served as its president since 1900.

In 1889, Mr. Boyer was married to Maggie Bowman, a daughter of Josiah and Louisa (Berkemeyer) Bowman, of Bowmanstown, and they have five children: Pansy M. (a school teacher for a time at Slatington, but now a teacher in the Masonic Home at Louisville, Kentucky); Mabel E. (milliner at Slalington); Bessie M. (graduate from the Stroudsburg State Normal School, with the Class of 1912); Linda L. (a student at the Normal School mentioned); and Nettie B.( still at home, a pupil in the local public school). Mr. Boyer and his family are actively identified with the St. John's reformed Church at Slatington, which he was served for a number of years as deacon and elder and also as treasurer; and he has also taken much interest in the success of the Sunday-School, and the public school, serving now as a director for the Third Ward of Slatington.