John J. Gackenbach, a well-known auctioneer of Lehigh County, resides at Hoffmansville in South Whitehall Township. He was born Feb. 27, 1854. At the age of twenty years he learned the trade of blacksmith but he has not followed it. He engaged in farming as a tenant in 1888 and has followed it for fifteen years. From 1906 to 1910 he was the proprietor of Walberts Hotel; since then he conducts a temperance house at Hoffmansville. During 1911-12 he was the assistant foreman in the construction of the state road from Guthsville to Schnecksville.

Mr. Gackenbach is an auctioneer since 1885, and he has cried more than 1,000 sales. In 1901, he cried thirty-two sales in that many consecutive working days. He has strong lungs and is a fluent speaker. He and family are members of the Lutheran Church and for a period of thirty-two years, Mr. Gackenbach sang bass in the choir at Mickley's Church.

He married on March 11, 1876, Ellen Frankenfield, a daughter of Benehue F., and Magdalena (Scheirer) Frankenfield, who lived and died in South Whitehall. Their children are: Charles T., married to Amanda Schmoyer. They reside in Allentown. They have a son - Paul; J. Claude died in 1909, aged 32 years; Clinton F., who is at home; and Maude C., married to Elias Grim; they live at Mickleys.