PERCIVAL S. FENSTERMACHER, son of Phaon, member of the state board of agriculture, chairman of the Lehigh county farmers' institutes, noted scientific agriculturist, banker, and representative citizen, resides in Allentown, Pa. He was born at Dubuque, Iowa, July 9, 1857, and when less than two years old his parents removed to Lehigh County, Pa. The public schools of Allentown afforded Mr. Fenstermacher his early mental training, and later this was supplemented by a course in the Allentown Business College. For three years he kept the books for Fenstermacher Brothers, wholesale produce dealers, in Philadelphia, after which he became a clerk for four years with Milton J. Kreamer, in the old corner store, Seventh and Hamilton streets, Allentown. He was bookkeeper for Ruhe Brothers, in Allentown. In 1882 he was married to Agnes Kern, daughter of Edwin and Eliza (Gross) Kern, of Kernsvifle, Pa. Mr. Fenstemacher was compelled, owing to failing health to seek outdoor employment, and moved upon the Seider's homestead, which belonged to his mother. This farm he cultivated along scientific lines for twenty years. It is situated in Upper Saucon township, which district Mr. Fenstermacher served with marked ability as school director and later justice of the peace, for nearly ten years, resigning the office in 1903, when he moved into his residence at No. 214 North Eighth street Allentown, Pa.

He still carries on extensively general scientific farming, and he was one of the pioneers to engage in commercial orcharding. He is the general manager of the Trexler orchards, consisting Of 20,000 fruit trees, principally peaches and apples, which produce the most perfect fruit grown in the entire state. This has won for him a national reputation as a pomologist and scientific agriculturist.

Mr. Fenstermacher was one of the organizers of the Merchants' National Bank, Allentown, and served as a director of that institution until the organization of the Allentown Trust Company, in which movement he likewise participated and became a member of the board of directors, a position he still holds.

Politically his affiliations are with the Republican party. At different times he has taken an active interest in party matters. He was delegate to various conventions, notably the famous QuayHastings contest for state chairman in 1896.

Mr. Fenstermacher and his family are members of the Lutheran church. He has been active in church and Sunday school work all his lifetime. The following are the names of his children: Lloyd S., of Spirit Lake, Idaho; Vinnie H., the wife of Dr. Otto C. Reiche; Anna, deceased. She was a public school teacher in New Jersey; Robert P., is a salesman for the Lehigh Portland Cement Company; Harry K., a state-road inspector of Pennsylvania; Adella A.; Evylin M.; Theodore R.; Alma C.; and Samuel S.