HON. OLIVER E. LEH, former member of the State Legislature and a prosperous businessman of this county, residing at Egypt, was born in North Whitehall township, Lehigh County, June 28, 1858, son of Samuel and Flora (Peter) Leh. He attended the common schools of his district and the State Normal School at Kutzton. At the age of 14 years he began to earn his own livelihood by working in the iron ore beds, and from 1881 to 1885, inclusive, he was employed on the L. V. R. R. Afterward he secured a position with the Saylor Cement Works, at Coplay, and later he was employed for four years by the Lehigh Portland Cement Company. In 1886 he entered the employ of the American Cement Company at Egypt, and was with them only a short time when he was promoted to the position of foreman in the manufacturing department, which place he filled until 1901, and since 1889 he also had charge of the company's 300 acre farm in connection with his other duties.

In the year 1901, he engaged in the quarrying of limestone, carting and hauling of the stones for the cement company on a contract basis, and he continued the supervision of the 300-acre farm for the company until in 1911. Since the latter date he is connected with the firm of Leh & Peters, dealers in coal, wood, crushed stone, etc. at Egypt. He was connected with the firm of E. E. Long & Co., also at Egypt, for seven years.

He is the president of the Redington Stone Quarry Corporation, and is the owner and proprietor of the Lehigh Poultry Farm, at Egypt, which he established in 1909. He keeps as many as 4,000 chickens, which are all white leghorns of the best breed. His entire egg product is sold to the Hotel Allen, at Allentown.

Mr. Leh and wife are members of the Reformed church at Egypt. Socially he has membership in the following lodges: Porter Lodge, No. 284. F. &. A. M.; Catasauqua Chapter. No. 278, Royal Arch Masons; Allen Commandery. Knights Templar. No. 20; Caldwell Consistory 32d deg, of Bloomsburg, and the Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading; the B. P. O. E., No. 130; the F. O. E.; Gzeenleaf Lodge, No. 257, Knights of Pythias, and the Improved Order of Red Men, No. 55, all of Allentown. He was president of the Catasauqua Club; is a member of the Livingston Club and Clover Club, of Allentown, the Washington Club, of Egypt, and the McKinley Republican Club, of Bethlehem.

He was elected as a Republican to the State Legislature for two terms in 1909 to 1911; was postmaster of Egypt for twenty years; committeeman of Whitehall township for twenty years, and township commissioner for four years.

In 1899 he erected his fine residence on the main street of Egypt.

On July 4, 1878, he married Rosina Troxell, daughter of Paul and Mary (Schneck) Troxell. Their five children are: Harvey S.; Minnie J.. married Samuel Lazarus; Alfred H-; George P. and Robert J.