Jonas Biery was born January 28,1804, and received his education in the "neighborhood schools" at Biery's Port. He found employment in the various enterprises of his father until his marriage to Salome Kiechel, daughter of John Kiechel, where he went into business on his own account, for a time operating a lumber yard. He was one of the executors of his father's estate, the settlement of which took up much of his time. Like his father, Frederick Biery, he was a man of energy and enterprise. In 1849 he laid out Second Street into lots as far as his property extended, which was rapidly built up. He was the owner of the great limestone quarry operated by Frederick Eberhard, under lease for many years, on the site of which a great part of the establishment of the Davies & Thomas Company later stood. At a small royalty per ton, the quarry yielded him $40,000. He was one of the organizers of the Catasauqua and Fogelsville Railroad, and also one of the founders of the First National Bank of Catasauqua, which was organized September 9, 1857, as a "State Bank." He was one of its first directors, and remained on the board until his death in 1878. He was elected a school director of Hanover Township in 1841, and in 1844.

He was among the first officials elected on the incorporation of Catasauqua into a borough. He, with Morgan Emanuel, were chosen as Street Commissioners, a position to which he was reelected for many years.

Jonas Biery, though of an austere nature, was one of the kindliest of men, and generous to a degree. His readiness to oblige friends with financial aid cost him many thousands of dollars. He was an honorable man, a worthy son of his father, a good citizen, who had a deep contempt for self-seekers. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and a Republican in politics. During the war he was an ardent supporter of the government. He died on the 23rd of November, 1878, mourned by all who knew his worth as a friend and as a citizen.

He was the father of eight children.

Mary, who married Peter Laux.

Adeline, who married Henry F. Beck

Rebecca, who married Augustus H. Gilbert.

Edward

Walter

Frank

Salome, who died young.

William, a soldier of the Civil War.

Frederick E. Laux, a great-grandson, a son of Charles B. Laux, was a non-commissioned officer in the famous Ninth Infantry, U. S. Regular Army, and took part with his regiment in the Battle of San Juan, in Cuba, during the Spanish-American War. He went to the Phillipine Islands, where he served until his discharge. His regiment also went to Peking, China.