My Genealogy Hound

JAMES E. SOLT is well known and honored by the people of Northampton County as one of its most enterprising citizens. He is at present living in Lehigh Township, where he has a valuable estate, bearing the very best of improvements and stocked with a goodly amount of animals.

Our subject was born in Lehigh County, July 20, 1839, and is the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Huber) Solt, natives of this county. The family is an old and highly respected one in this locality, and the maternal grandfather of Mr. Solt was a soldier in the Markeshook War. Adam Solt was by trade a tailor, which business he followed during his earlier years, but at the time of his decease was engaged in farm pursuits.

Our subject has five brothers and sisters who survive, namely: Sarah, the wife of George Snyder; David; Samuel; Mary, now Mrs. Franklin Sowers; and Violetta, the wife of Amandes Cole. James E. remained in his native county until a lad of eleven years, at which time his parents removed to this county, making their home in Lehigh Township. Here he was reared to man’s estate on his father’s farm, and, like other boys of that period, attended the district schools, where he acquired a fair knowledge of the common branches.

During the late war Mr. Solt enlisted, in 1862, joining Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry. With his regiment he was sent to the front, and for four and one-half months was on duty, mostly in Virginia. At the expiration of that time, his health being greatly impaired, he received his honorable discharge, and, returning home, has resided in this county since. He is the proprietor of one hundred and four acres of well tilled land, which he cultivates in an admirable manner. Mr. Solt is a fine type of the self-made man, as from comparative poverty he has risen to a position of affluence and prominence in the community.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Elennora Becker took place May 25, 1846, and by their union have been born seven children, only one of whom is deceased. Those living are Elvin, William, Mary, John, Zenas and Frank. Our subject has always taken great interest in the free schools, and for three years has rendered valuable service on the board. In religious affairs he belongs to the Lutheran Church, which he is serving as Elder, and has been Trustee and Deacon. He is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, in favor of every measure to improve society and elevate the community. In politics Mr. Solt always votes with the Democratic party, and is connected with Fuller Post No. 378, at Catasauqua.

Mrs. Solt is the daughter of William and Mary (Heistand) Becker, natives of Northampton County, who reared a large family, of whom the following survive: Ansonetta, the wife of Thomas Bachman; Jacob, who makes his home in Linn County, Ill.; and Thomas, engaged in the lumber business in Ogle County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Becker were members of the Stone Reformed Church, and people highly respected in their community.