My Genealogy Hound

FRANKLIN GOLDSMITH. The city of Catasauqua is the home of many energetic and prosperous business men who have won for themselves both fame and fortune, but none merit more praise or are more highly esteemed than he whose history here claims attention. He is one of the most extensive contractors and builders in the city, and has many friends in this locality.

Our subject is a native of this state, and was born in Berks County June 28, 1850. His father. Christian Goldsmith, died when he was an infant, and he was reared to manhood by his mother, who in her maidenhood was known as Maria Herbst. Mrs. Goldsmith was likewise a native of Berks County, and was born in Pike Township. Her father, George Herbst, was also a native of that vicinity, and was a paper manufacturer. He came of an old and respected family, and lived and died in Berks County. His wife, however, is still living, and makes her home in Montgomery County, this state.

Franklin, of this sketch, was the only child of his parents, and grew to mature years in his native county, residing with his mother in the home of his Grandfather Herbst. By him he was trained to farm pursuits, and attended the district school until reaching his fourteenth year, when he began to earn his own money by working out on farms. This he followed for six years, when he apprenticed himself to learn the trade of a carpenter. After mastering this branch of business, he worked for two years with Henry Acker, of Alburtis, and in 1872 obtained a position in the car shops at Fullerton. After being thus employed for two years, he began plying his trade, and going to Mauch Chunk, he remained there until the year 1886. At that time he began contracting and building on his own account, erecting in a twelve-month seventy-five residences. He also built King’s Hotel, in Fullerton, Zion’s Lutheran Reformed Chapel, in this city, and numerous other brick and frame structures. He was also given the contract by a land company to construct forty houses, and during the busy season his work was so extensive that he was obliged to employ as many as one hundred and forty men. He gives his personal supervision to the construction of all buildings, and does more business than all the rest of the contractors and builders together. In 1891 he completed the building of his beautiful fire-proof residence, which is pleasantly located on East Race Street. Besides this he is the proprietor of three dwellings in West Catasauqua, three located in the eastern part of the city, two in Catasauqua proper, and four in North Catasauqua.

In 1874 Franklin Goldsmith and Miss Rebecca Dieter, who was born in Ohio, were united in marriage. The lady was reared to womanhood in Hanover Township, this county, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of the following ten children: George, Mamie, Frank, John, Benton, Stata, Minnie, Harry, Wayne and Clyde. Mr. Goldsmith has been very prosperous, and no man has worked harder in order that he might succeed. He is a stockholder in the Home Building and Loan Association, and during the erection of the Lutheran Church, of which he is a member, was Chairman of the building committee. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and justly ranks among the most prominent men in the county.