LEWIS SEMMEL, son of Benjamin and Catharine (Moser) Semmel, merchant and banker, was born March 12, 1842, at Neff's. He was educated in the common schools. He became a clerk in the Schnecksville store, for J. and P. Gross, at the age of fifteen years, continuing there for three years. He then clerked for five years at Lehighton for Thomas S. Beck. He was a member of the State defense for ninety days in Co. F., of Mauch Chunk Pa., under Capt. Thomas. Afterward he became a clerk for his father-in-law, Joseph C Wannemacher, at Kreidersville, Pa., for six years, when he was admitted into partnership under the firm name of Wannamacher & Semmel. This firm continued until 1880 at which tinme Mr. Wannemacher died and Mr. Semniel became the sole owner and proprietor, and continued the business until 1892. He then sold out to Edward C. Kern, of Nazareth, Pa. Mr. Semmel then removed to West Bethlehem and engaged in the retail shoe business. About 1893 he purchased a property at 136 Broad Street and later built an addition which he stocked with groceries. Five years later he added dry goods, etc., operating as a department store, in which he employs about twenty persons. It is now the leading store of West Bethlehem. In 1894 he admitted his son Thomas E., under the firm name of L. Semmel & Son. He was one of the organizers of the Bethlehem Trust Company, and served it as a director for the beginning, until shortly before their removal in 1914, when he resigned. He is a director of the First National bank since May, 1912, and the vice president of the firm J. A. Eberts & Co., wholesale grocers, since its organization as a stock company. He is also a director of the West Bethlehem Building and Loan Company for a number of years. In 1912 he erected several houses on Broad Street. In politics he is a Republican, in religion, a Lutheran. At Kreidersville he was a deacon and trustee for years and is now a member of the consistory of Trinity Lutheran church at West Bethlehem since 1897.

Lewis Semmel married in 1864, to Cordelia Wannemnacher, daughter of Joseph K and Maria (Bachman) Wannemacher. Issue: an only son, Thomas E. Semmel, who married Cora Landis, daughter of L. B. Landis, of Allentown. Issue: an only daughter, Beatrice L. Semmel.