Alfred J. Breinig, who died in Allentown on Nov 22, 1912, was born at Breinigsville, August 6, 1838, and with his parents removed to Philadelphia in 1845. He was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, and was graduated from the Central High School, with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1858, at the age of seventeen years. He taught school at Trexlertown, Lehigh County, during the winter of 1867-1868, and in 1867 he came to Allentown, and the following year entered his fathers business, which he conducted successfully until his death, on November 22, 1912. Mr. Breinig managed the business of the Allentown Manufacturing Company from its early beginning until it became a most prosperous concern, whose reputation extends throughout the Middle Atlantic States, where the name of Breinig is most favorably known. During his early residence, in Allentown, he was an active member of St John's Lutheran church, serving the offices of elder and deacon; later he associated himself with the Presbyterian church, of Allentown, in which he was a teacher of the young men's Bible class, but later became the superintendent of the Sunday school and a ruling elder in the church. He was one of the organizers of the Lehigh County Sunday School Association, and was the honored president of this noble association for fifteen consecutive years. About 1875, he organized what was then known as the Allentown Christian Association out of which grew the Allentown Y. M. C. A. He also introduced gospel services in the Lehigh County Jail, as early as 1867, and later at the county almshouse. The religious work in the jail under the able leadership of Mr. Breinig was continued successfully up to his decease and his associates still continue the work inaugurated by him.

The forty-second annual report of the board of prison inspectors of the Lehigh county prison under the caption of "religious work", prints the following: "We should have to consider this annual report incomplete without referring to the very valuable and conscientious labors of the Christian commission, under the inspiration and able direction of Messrs. Alfred J. Breinig and Thomas Weighman, in behalf of the spiritual up building of the inmates. Of the very helpful and highly appreciated features of the mail work, were the inspired sermons, the Bible readings, and the spiritual songs. In many of these services the inmates manifested the greatest interest. To all these Christian workers the Board hereby extends its best thanks for their valuable services, together with the assurance that untold good was accomplished in a quiet, but very earnest way."

Mr. Breinig was one of the organizers of the fist Allentown Board of Trade, becoming its secretary and holding that office some years. While acting as secretary, the Adelaide silk mill was organized through the financial efforts of the Board, and other large industries were brought to Allentown, which materially benefited the city and community. The exemplary life of Mr. Alfred J. Breinig has been an inspiration to many of his fellow men and the permanent good he has accomplished can only be told by Him who keepeth all records. He believed the true measure of a man's life was faithfulness, rather than success, and kindly helpful words and deeds. It is related that one of Mr. Breinig's associate workers in the jail, told an inmate of his (Mr. Breinig's) death, whereupon the inmate replies: "Oh no, Mr. Breinig did not die, he was only taken home to God."

In 1862, Mr. Breinig was united in marriage to Miss Naamah Erdman, a daughter of Isare Erdman, formerly a business man and an exemplary Christian gentleman and temperance worker. Mr. and Mrs. Breinig had two children: Paul E., who is the vice-president of the Allentown Manufacturing Company; Harriet M., who married George ft Witte, formerly a missionary of Brazil, now a resident of Northfleld, Mass.