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Donecker, Edwin A.

EDWIN A. DONECKER, county commissioner and oil merchant, was born in Catasauqua, Pa., the son of Willima J. and Elizabeth (Reinhart) Donecker. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Catasauqua High School with second honors with the calss of 1886. Following a short apprenticeship with Peters, Smith & Co., druggists, at Allentown, he entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at Philadelphia, and was graduated from that institution in 1892. He returned to this city and became associated with the Peters & Smith Co. for several more years. In 1896 Mr. Donecker became a member of the firm of L. H. Yeager & Co., Allentown, continuing with this concern until 1912, when he became owner and successor of the Fuller Oil and Supply Company, one of the old established concerns in the Lehigh Valley. This business he has carried on with marked success.

Mr. Donecker is a steadfast Republican in politics and in the fall of 1915 was elected commissioner of Lehigh County. His administration has been marked by the completion of Lehigh County's new court house and many other notable improvements, and throughout his work as a public official has been unquestioned. His sound judgement in business and civic matters make him an ideal public servant. In 1917 he was appointed by the Public Service Commission as a member of the Bethlehem Bridge Commission.

He is prominently identified with the musical life of Allentown and vicinity. He was one of the organizers of the Lehigh Valley Symphony Orchestra, which he has served as secretary since its organization. He is also prominent in Sunday School and church work, and is a member of St. John's Reformed Church.

Mr. Donecker holds membership in Greenleaf Lodge of Masons; Allen Champter, Royal Arch Masons; Allen Commandery, Knights Templar, and of Rajah Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., at Reading; also the Allentown Lodge of Elks and the Lehigh Valley Motor Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

On May 14, 1896, he married Minnie May Yeager, a daughter of L. H. Yeager, of Allentown.