Bios: Edwin F. Luckenbach, Postmaster of Mauch Chunk 1899-1912: Carbon County

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     EDWIN F. LUCKENBACH
     Postmaster of Mauch Chunk 1899-1912

     Edwin F. Luckenbach was born near Bethlehem, Northampton county, Pa.,
     on October 11, 1842, and for many years he served as the postmaster of
     Mauch Chunk where he was a representative business man, . He was the
     son of Renautus and Catherine (Boyer) Luckenbach. His father, who in
     early life had been a blacksmith, later became a boat builder and
     followed the mercantile career. His mother was a descendant of Isaac
     Boyer, one of the pioneer settlers of Northampton county. Both father
     and mother died during the seventies in Kansas, where they spent their
     declining years. At the age of seventeen E. F. Luckenbach was
     apprenticed to a house, sign and decorative painter, named Anton Goth,
     of Bethlehem. His apprenticeship expired on August 3, 1862. On the same
     day he enlisted in the service of the Union, being enrolled as a
     private in Company C., One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment
     Pennsylvania Volunteers. This regiment was commanded by Colonel Jacob
     G. Frick, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, becoming a part
     of E. B. Tyler's First Brigade of Humphrey's Third Division, Fifth Army
     Corps. Mr. Luckenbach participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and
     Chancellorsville, and on May 18, 1863, at the expiration of his term of
     service, was honorably discharged. In 1864 he located permanently in
     Mauch Chunk, at first devoting his energies to the trade he had
     learned. On January 1, 1871, he established a. stationery, wall paper
     and paint store at No. 61 Broadway; this he successfully managed in
     connection with his other interests during the remainder of his life.
     In 1865 he was married to Miss Mary A. DeRemer, a daughter of Peter and
     Mary M. (Quick) DeRemer. Four children were born to them: Albert H.,
     Hattie L., wife of A. W. Hooke; William F. and Charles E. Mr.
     Luckenbach was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Upper
     Mauch Chunk Water Company in 1872. Being elected as its secretary, he
     continued in that capacity for forty years. In March, 1899, President
     McKinley appointed him as postmaster of Mauch Chunk, the duties of
     which position he discharged with energy and ability until his death,
     which occurred on March 3, 1912. Mr. Luckenbach was at one time a
     member of the town council of Mauch Chunk and served as its secretary.
     He was also a charter member of L. F. Chapman Post, No. 61, Grand Army
     of the Republic, twice serving as its commander, while being identified
     with the Royal Arcanum and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
     As a citizen he was public spirited and progressive, always actively
     cooperating in any movement calculated to promote the welfare of the
     town of his adoption. As a mark of respect to his memory, all business
     was suspended in Mauch Chunk on the day of his funeral.