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Pennsylvania Trails History and Genealogy

Klingler, Martin

MARTIN KLINGLER, postmaster of Allentown and leader of the famous Allentown Band, was born in Heckhingen, Gross-Hertzogthum, Baden, Germany, July 5, 1858. He is a son of Wendeling and Antonia (Bengel) Klingler. He came to this country at the age of eight years. At the age of twelve, he took up the study of music on the piano, and commenced to play a brass instrument in his father’s band, composed of twenty-five men. Following the death of his father in 1872, Mr. Klingler came to Allentown, where he has since resided and taken an active interest in the city’s welfare. Shortly after coming to this city, he secured a position in an organ factory, and two years later became a member of the City Band. A year later, he joined the Allentown Band and in 1880 was made leader. Under his excellent guidance, the band baa developed into one of the highest efficiency and is one of the best known musical organizations in the United States. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1887 was elected clerk of the orphans’ court of Lehigh County. He was made chairman of his party from 1900 to 1904, and was elected a member of the common council of the Tenth Ward in 1910. He was the national delegate from Lehigh County to the Democratic National Convention at Baltimore, and is a strong supporter of President Wilson, who in June, 1914, appointed him postmaster of Allentown. Mr. Klingler is an able official and a conservative and much esteemed citizen. In 1881 he married Louisa Bickel, daughter of Edward and Caroline Bickel, natives of Baden, Germany.