Samuel .J. Kistler was born Nov. 24, 1819, in Lynn township, Lehigh Co., about three-quarters of a mile west of Lynnville. His father, a farmer by occupation, had two large farms in Kistler's Valley.

He spent his early life with his parents on the farm, and received his education at the common schools at Lvnnville. After attaining the age of twenty, he moved to Jacksonville, and served as clerk in the store of John Hermany, who soon afterwards established another store in Lizard Creek Valley, West Penn township, Schuylkill Co., which was managed by the now Hon. Z. H. Long, of Lehighton, Pa., and at times given in charge of Samuel J. Kistler. Hon. Daniel H. Creitz was at that time also employed by Mr. Hermany, and the three, after having completed their work, spent the time in study. Samuel J. Kistler, becoming desirous of acquiring further education, left Jacksonville in the fall of 1841, and, with Henry Rodly (a New York huckster), rode in a. heavy four-horse huckster-wagon to Bound Brook, N. J., no railroad having at that time been constructed between Easton and Bound Brook, the latter being the terminus of the railroad.

He attended the academy for one winter, and in the spring of 1842 returned to Lehigh County, entering the employ of Miller & Saeger, at Saegersville, as clerk. He served as such until the spring of 1844, and then removed to Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Pa., where he became clerk in the store of Elias Wertman, and remained two years. During the latter part of this period the store was removed to Rohrsburg, Columbia Co., Mr. Kistler remaining with him until the spring of 1846, when he again returned to Saegersville, Pa., Miller & Saeger having dissolved partnership, and Peter Miller becoming the proprietor of the store, under whom he served as clerk until 1859, and then became sole proprietor, continuing thus until 1870.

In 1848 he was elected justice of the peace, and, with the exception of several short intervals, has since that date held the office. The intervals occurred during his period of service in the State Legislature and while under the appointment as associate judge. During the entire time from 1848, in connection with his business, he was actively employed as justice of the peace, and served under appointments of the court as auditor, surveyor, executor, administrator in settling estates, etc. He was also identified with the general business of the county. In 1854 he. was elected to the office of county auditor, and served as such for the term of three years. In 1859 he was
elected from Lehigh and Carbon Counties to the Legislature of Pennsylvania, serving during the term of 1860.

His first Presidential vote was cast for Henry Clay, at Bloomsburg, in 1844. He was frequently elected as a delegate to the State conventions, and was at the convention held in Chicago in 1860, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for President. He was also at the convention in Philadelphia when Gen. Grant was nominated for his second term. Mr. Kistler has been treasurer of the school board of Heidelberg Township since the introduction of the free-school system, and assisted in the organization of the schools of the township while meeting great opposition.

He is one of the original directors of the Farmers' Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Pennsylvania, and also one of the original directors of the National Bank of Slatington, Pa., as also president of the Saegersville Slate-Quarrying and Manufacturing Company.

Tic was married to Matilda Miller, a daughter of he before-mentioned Peter Miller, in 1849, to whom were born a daughter, Mary Magdalena, and a son, Samuel J. Kistler, Jr. He is a Lutheran, and a member of the Heidelberg Church, near Saegersville.