Charles H. Kistler follows combined occupations of
farmer and wagon maker, and has a good estate located in
Washington Township, Lehigh County. He also has a wagon shop on
his place and has been engaged in that business since 1877. Mr.
Kistler is a native of Lehigh County, having been born in Lynn
Township November 23, 1850 to Josiah and Caroline Kistler, also
natives of the above township.
The death of our subject’s father occurred when he was
a lad of eleven years. Three years previous to this, however, his
parents being in limited circumstances, he was taken into the home
of his uncle, with whom he remained until reaching his fifteenth
year. At this time he returned to the home farm and superintended
its operation for his widowed mother. She was the mother of a
large family of children, of whom five survive, those besides our
subject being, Wilson, who resides in Allentown; Lewis H., who
lives in Kansas; Mary, the wife of Daniel Tyson, who makes her
home in Lehigh County; and Henry H., who is also a resident of
Kansas.
Charles H. Kistler began the trade of a wagon maker
one year prior to attaining his majority, in the meantime
prosecuting his studies in the schools of that period. He learned
his trade at Claussville, where he worked for two years, and
subsequently entered the employ of P.A. Semmel, of Slatington,
whence he later came to his present stand. Mr. Kistler is the
owner of seventy-three acres of land, which he devotes to general
farming and has improved in a very able manner.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary C. Anthony
was celebrated in 1873. The lady was born in this county, and by
her union with Mr. Kistler has become the mother of seven
children, viz.: Howard H., George E., Florence J., Mabel C.,
Sallie C., Willie W., and Charles, deceased. Our subject has
always been greatly interested in educational affairs and for six
years served as a member of the Board. He is Republican in
politics and takes an active part in local affairs. The Lutheran
church finds in him one of its most devoted and consistent
members, he having been connected with that denomination for many
years. Mr. Kistler is a truly self-made man and one much liked
throughout his community for his sterling worth and integrity.
Source: Portrait and
Biographical Record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties,
Pennsylvania. Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and
Representative Citizens of the Counties, Together with Biographies
and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States. Chicago,
Chapman Publishing Co., 1894