DASH
Portrait and Biographical Record ~ Pages
Kindly submitted by: Lynn Coyle
HENRY H. DASH, one of the successful and enterprising
business men of Bethlehem, carries on a retail cigar business at
the corner of Broad and Main Streets. For many years he has
taken a leading part in public movements, and was a prime mover
in starting the Bethlehem Fair and Driving Park Association. A
Republican of the truest stamp, he is greatly interested in the
success of the party, though he has never accepted public
office.
Born in Hellertown, this county, December 30, 1834, our
subject is a son of Henry Desh, a native of Lehigh
County. A brother of our subject, George J., a resident of
Bethlehem, spells his name Desh, and his sketch may be
found elsewhere in this work. H. H., our subject, while living
in Philadelphia, found it convenient to spell his name as seen
at the head of this biography in order to avoid mistakes, as
every one called him Mr. Dash. Among his brothers and
sisters now living are Daniel and George J., residents of
Bethlehem; Owen H., who is engaged in the hotel business in
Philadelphia; Caleb H., who is at the Southwell Mines; and
Susan, the wife of Joseph Landers, of this city.
Our subject passed his boyhood in Hellertown, there attending
the public schools and later learning the trade of tanning. When
nineteen years old, he went to Philadelphia and engaged in the
hotel and restaurant business on Second Street, also running the
Bath Hotel on Ninth Street. In 1862 he became a member of the
Blue Reserves of the Pennsylvania Militia, under Colonel Day,
and was present at the defense of Antietam, where he was
stationed for seven weeks. In 1866 Mr. Dash returned to
Philadelphia, and the following year became a resident of
Bethlehem. In 1872 he bought and started a coach line, running
from the depots to the principal hotels, and had charge of this
business until 1884, when he sold out. Soon after he engaged in
the cigar business, in which he is at the present time. The
previous year his son had been engaged in this business, our
subject having given him a start in this line, and on his death,
in 1884, H. H. Dash took charge of the business, which is
situated on the corner of Main and Broad Streets. Here may be
found the best tobacco and cigars in the trade and general
smokers' supplies, and in connection with the store is a
billiard-room, well equipped.
Mr. Dash built this corner, consisting of three
stores, 40x99 feet in dimensions. He is also interested in real
estate, owning property at Bethlehem Heights, and in company
with his brother, George J., laid out an addition there of over
ten acres, and now owns over thirty lots. Our subject, as stated
above, is one of the organizers of the Bethlehem Fair and
Driving Park Association, and is now the Treasurer of the same,
which position he has held from its second year. This driving
park possesses the best half-mile track in the state, and the
grounds cover some thirty acres within the city limits, on which
are good buildings.
The marriage of our subject was celebrated in Philadelphia in
1863, his wife being in her girlhood Miss Annie E. James,
and a native of Philadelphia. To them were born two children,
the elder of whom, William M. S., died in 1884, when only twenty
years of age. Laura V. is the wife of F.J. Klincker, of
this city. The parents are members of the Moravian Church. Mr.
Dash belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, and casts
his ballot in support of the Republican party.
|