Henry J. Gackenbach, son of Joseph, was born Feb. 28, 1855. He removed to Allentown in 1884 from Chapman station where he had followed a clerical pursuit. He was deputy recorder from 1884 to 1887 under J. C. Rupp, his brother-inlaw, and in the latter year he was nominated and elected to the office of recorder of deeds of Lehigh County, serving the office for three years. From 1890 to 1895, he was engaged in the grocery business at 1005 Hamilton Street and afterward he was engaged in the wholesale green grocer business at Allentown. After M. W. Ritter became the recorder of deeds he became a clerk and afterward his deputy. At the close of Ritter's term of office Mr. Gackenbach again engaged in the green grocer business until he was elected to the office of city assessor. He resides at 34 North Tenth Street since 1887. He is an official member of the vestry of St. Michaels Lutheran church.

He married in 1876 Mary E. Rupp, daughter of Hon. Herman and Julia (Haas) Rupp. Their children are Blanche, married to W. H. Bitting, a clerk in the postoffice at Bethlehem; Mame; Stealla (m. Charles H. Hartung) of Allentown; Joseph R., married to Nancy Jones. He is employed with Gomery Brothers, at Allentown.