USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume III > Part 1
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA
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A HISTORY
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BY
CLIFTON S. HUNSICKER
Member of the Montgomery County Historical Society; Journalist and Author of Letters of Travel; Ex-President and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Press League of Bucks and Montgomery Counties; Chief of Newspaper Divi- sion of the United States Food Administration in Montgomery County during the World War.
WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
VOLUME III
LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. NEW YORK CHICAGO
1923
Dar. 9-157 M7H93 v. 3 Cop.I
COPYRIGHT, 1923 LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. NEW YORK-CHICAGO
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from University of Pittsburgh Library System
http://www.archive.org/details/montgomerycounty03huns
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BIOGRAPHICAL
PHILIP J. GALLAGHER, the present rector of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, came to his charge here in February, 1921. His parish is a large one and the fund which was recently raised to erect the handsome new church, gives evi- dence of the number and enthusiasm of his parishioners.
Philip J. Gallagher was born at Coledale, Pennsylvania, in June, 1870, his early education being acquired in the public schools of his native town. He afterward went to St. Vincent's College at Beatty, Pennsyl- vania, and from there he entered Mount St. Mary's College, Emmits- burg, Maryland, where he studied for the priesthood, graduating with the degree A. B. in the class of 1893, receiving his A. M. degree in 1895, from Mount St. Mary's Seminary. Father Gallagher was ordanied a priest on June 13, 1897.
The first church to which Father Gallagher was sent was that of St. Kyrans at Heckscherville, Pennsylvania, and from there he went as an assistant priest to St. Patrick's Church at Norristown, Pennsylvania. He next was sent to Philadelphia, serving in the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and later to the Church of the Visitation, also in Philadelphia. In 1907 Father Gallagher was appointed professor of canon law at Mount St. Mary's Seminary at Emmitsburg, Maryland, and continued as such for seven years, remaining there for seven years longer as vice-president and director of the seminary. Then he came to preside over St. Mat- thew's Church in Conshohocken, in 1921.
Interested in various organizations connected with his church work, Father Gallagher is a member of the Knights of Columbus, of which body he is the chaplain. He is also connected with the Catholic Women's Alliance of Conshohocken, as well as presiding officer of the various organizations connected with his church.
JOHN LEITENBERGER has been engaged in business for himself in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, for more than thirty years, first as a blacksmith and wheelwright, specializing in carriage building, and later, since 1917, as proprietor of the Penn Garage, located at the corner of Marshall and Church streets, in Norristown. He deals in commercial truck bodies, and handles "Perfection Springs," and also makes and repairs springs of all kinds to be used for any purpose. In his painting department he does expert work in the painting of automobiles and wagons. He does all kinds of repair work on cars, trucks and wagons, and is agent and service man for U. S. L. Batteries. His plant is the largest of its kind in Montgomery county, requiring the services of six employees in its various departments.
Mr. Leitenberger is of German parentage, his father, Christian F., being a native of Stuttgart, Württemberg, Germany, and his mother, Lavinia (Wocker) Leitenberger, a native of Ulm, Wittenberg, Germany. The parents were married in Norristown, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1850, soon after their arrival in this country, spent the remainder of their lives in that borough, and were buried in Riverside Cemetery. The father
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
was a teamster, honest and industrious, and both were highly esteemed among their associates in Norristown. They were the parents of eight children : Louis, who is a resident of Philadelphia; Annie, who married John Parker of Norristown; Charles, a resident of Philadelphia; Eliza- beth, who married John H. Long, of Philadelphia (the latter now deceased) ; John, of further mention; Mary, who is a graduate nurse, practicing her profession in Norristown; George F., a sketch of whom follows; and Amelia (deceased), who married Howard M. Bate, of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
John Leitenberger was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1866, and received his education in the public schools of Norristown, attending the Cherry street and the Chain street schools. When he was fifteen years of age he learned the blacksmith's trade with John K. Thomas, whose forge and shop were located at the corner of Main and Barbadoes streets in Norristown. For a few years he worked at his trade in the employ of others in Conshohocken and in Philadelphia, but in 1895 he engaged in business for himself, locating in what is known as the Woodstock Mill property on DeKalb street, near the bridge, and, there for twenty-two years, he was engaged in blacksmithing, horse- shoeing and wagon building, specializing in the latter for commercial purposes. He made wagons to order for the large business concerns of Norristown and vicinity, and was known for the excellence of his workmanship. As the years passed the business outgrew its old quarters, and on May 1, 1917, he removed to his present location at the corner of Marshall and Church streets, where he occupies nearly all of a three- story brick building, 60 x 60 feet. In connection with this business he also deals in trucks and has a service station for same.
In addition to his business responsibilities, Mr. Leitenberger has taken an active part in local public affairs. He has given efficient service as a member of the council for nine years, and has served for one year as assessor in the Second Ward. He is a member of Charity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons; of Montgomery Lodge, No. 57, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Norristown Encampment No. 37; of Tecumseh Tribe, No. I, Improved Order of Red Men; Montgomery County Fish and Game Club ; Audubon Society ; Valley Forge Memorial Association of Montgomery County ; Norristown Camp, No. 125, Wood- men of the World; and of Norristown Forest, No. 31, Tall Cedars of Lebanon. His religious affiliation is with Trinity Lutheran Church.
John Leitenberger married, on November II, 1904, Etta L. Fowler, widow of John Fowler, of Burlington, North Carolina, daughter of Leon- ard and Mary Fox. The family residence is at No. 622 DeKalb street, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
GEORGE F. LEITENBERGER-Among the citizens of Norris- town, Pennsylvania, who enjoy a wide acquaintanceship should be men- tioned Mr. Leitenberger, a successful paperhanging contractor, a mem- ber of numerous fraternal and social organizations, and connected by
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marriage with an old historic family-the Pipers, of whom mention is later made.
George F. Leitenberger, son of Christian F. and Lavinia (Wocker) Leitenberger (q. v.), was born September 1, 1870, in a dwelling on West Penn street, Norristown, Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools in his native town until fifteen years of age, when he began the trade of paperhanger and painter. In 1898 the business which he now conducts at No. 244 West Main street, Norristown, was established in the line of general contracting work for painting and papering, employing several men.
Mr. Leitenberger has always been active in the interests of the Republican party, serving as assessor of the Second Ward at one time and committeeman, and at present is a member of the Borough Council. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Improved Order of Red Men; and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is also a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America; of the Norristown Maennerchor ; the Boat and Canoe clubs of Norristown ; the Fairmount Fire Company and the State Firemen's Association, and was a member of the executive committee of the latter; and is a member of the Montgomery County Historical Society. He attends the Lutheran church.
Mr. Leitenberger married Bertha E. Piper, and they reside at No. 244 West Main street, Norristown. Henry A. Piper, great-grandfather of Mrs. Leitenberger, was a native of Germany, who emigrated to this country and settled in this section of Pennsylvania. His son, Henry A. Piper, 2nd, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, taking part in the battle of Germantown, and with General Washington during the siege at Valley Forge. He was a gentleman farmer, and erected, at the Broomfield Farm, the first mill in this section of the country. As a local preacher in the Methodist church, he supplied many churches in this part of the State. Henry A. Piper, 3rd, the father of Mrs. Leiten- berger, was a lifelong resident on the old homestead farm in Spring- field township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and was a man of leisure. He enlisted in New York and served with the Union Army in Tennessee during the Civil War. He married Maggie Tarrence, and to them were born three children, as follows: Martha, wife of William Tomlinson, of Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania; Bertha A., wife of George F. Leitenberger, above mentioned ; and Margaret, who never married.
Mrs. Leitenberger is prominent as a member of the Historical Society of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania; the Civic Club; Garden Club; Ladies' Auxiliary of the Montgomery Hospital ; and the Young Women's Christian Association, of which she has been a member of the finance committee since its organization. She is active in all of the religious affairs in the Trinity Lutheran Church. The unique distinction is hers of having been the first of her sex to be elected to the Republican com- mitteemen from the First Ward in Norristown. She is also a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and is chairman of the Sabbath Observants.
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H. STANLEY DRAKE-A native son of Norristown, a city of which he is now postmaster, an office he holds through the grace of President Harding, who, on June 30, 1922, confirmed the temporary appointment made the preceding February, Mr. Drake is not a tyro in public life, but for several years has held positions under the State government of Penn- sylvania in the department of internal affairs. He is a son of that eminent Norristown physician, Dr. Howard H. Drake, whose medical skill was so long at the disposal of his fellow-men.
H. Stanley Drake, son of Dr. Howard H. and Mary Louise Drake, was born in Norristown, November 17, 1885, and there completed grade and high school study. He attended Swarthmore Preparatory School, then began business life as a draftsman with the American Bridge Com- pany of Pencoyd, Pennsylvania. He continued in his original position three years, then was for some years general inspector of structural steel, continuing until 1916, when he became a clerk in the office of the commissioners of Montgomery county, remaining four years, going thence to the office of the secretary of internal affairs for the State of Pennsylvania, acting as deputy in the weights and measures department of the Bureau of Standards. Mr. Drake was appointed acting postmaster of Norristown in February, 1922, resigning his position with the State to accept the honor. On June 30, 1922, he received the permanent appoint- ment for a term of four years, which he is now filling.
He is a Republican in politics ; is a member of Charity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons; Norristown Chapter, No. 190, Royal Arch Masons; Hutchinson Commandery, No. 32, Knights Templar ; Lu Lu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Phila- delphia) ; Patriotic Order Sons of America ; and the Hancock and Mont- gomery fire companies. In his religious faith he is an Episcopalian.
H. Stanley Drake married, November 12, 1913, M. Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of Charles and Ida Johnson. The family home is at German- town pike and Broad Ax road, Norristown.
CHARLES W. HUNSBERGER-A varied and active career has been that of Charles W. Hunsberger, who at present is engaged in the real estate business at Green Lane, Pennsylvania, and is also a member of the board of directors of the Mutual Auto Insurance Companies and proprietor of a sales agency. As proprietor of a general store and public official, as well as in the abovementioned activities, Mr. Hunsberger has demonstrated his ability to succeed in several diverse lines of business.
Mr. Hunsberger was born in Milford township, Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, April 30, 1884, son of John M. Hunsberger, a miller of Bucks county, and of Mary (Steckel) Hunsberger, and received his education in the schools of Quakertown and in Perkiomen Seminary. When his school training was completed he began his active career in a general store in Perkiomenville, where for nine years he was also postmaster. In 1913 he came to Green Lane, and having accumulated some capital while proprietor of the general store in Perkiomenville, engaged in the real estate business, adding to that line insurance. He is a member of
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the board of directors of the Mutual Auto Insurance Companies of Har- leysville, Pennsylvania, a concern which includes three companies, the Mutual Auto Theft Insurance Company, the Mutual Auto Fire Insur- ance Company, and the Harleysville Mutual Casualty Company, each of which carries about $3,000,000 of insurance. He is also proprietor of a sales agency for the Chevrolet automobile, and in all these business interests is successfully handling his part of the work, as well as over- seeing that of others.
All these varied business interests, however, do not represent the full range of Mr. Hunsberger's activities. He has always taken an active interest in the public welfare of the communities in which he has lived and has rendered service as a public official. As justice of the peace he has given satisfaction to those who elected him to the office, and he is also a notary public of the Valley National Bank. He is a member of the board of school directors, and since 1913 has been secretary of the Green Lane Light, Heat and Power Company.
Politically he gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party, and he is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Perkiomen Lodge, No. 595, Free and Accepted Masons; of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of the Improved Order of Red Men, having passed through all chairs of the last two orders; of the Patriotic Order Sons of America; the Mystic Circle; and the Fraternal Home Insurance Society. Among all these various interests and activi- ties Mr. Hunsberger's chief interest is the Mutual Auto Insurance Com- panies, of which he is one of the founders, as well as being a member of the board of directors. His religious affiliation is with the Lutheran church.
At Sumneytown, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1907, Mr. Hunsberger mar- ried Florence Kline, daughter of Charles F. and Anvilla (Fenstermacher) Kline, and they are the parents of eight children: Marie, John, Paul, Percival, Harry, Florence, Lillian, Robert.
CHARLES S. SANDS, the popular Royersford photographer, has had a very wide and interesting experience in his chosen field of endeavor, and this community is fortunate in having the advantage of his skill in this modern art.
Mr. Sands was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1866. and is a son of Michael and Savilla (Grant) Sands. Educated in the public schools of his native city he learned hat finishing as a youth, and followed this trade for three years. But he became greatly interested in photog- raphy, which was then still somewhat of a novelty. Feeling the utmost confidence in the future of the art as, at once, true art and a profitable commercial field, he learned the mechanics of photography in Reading. He then travelled in all parts of the United States, working in various galleries, and gaining a wonderfully wide and comprehensive experience. Eventually, in 1904, Mr. Sands located in Royersford, opening a studio on Third avenue, and he has since taken rank with the best photographers of the East, making a specialty of portraiture, in which he shows the
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true artistic sense, as well as the skill of the highly trained artisan. Mr. Sands keeps his Royersford studio open only during the spring and autumn months, spending the summer at Old Orchard, Maine, where he has a second studio, and spending the winter in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he has a third studio. All these places are fully equipped with the finest and most modern apparatus, and Mr. Sands is held in the highest esteem in each community. He commands the most exclusive patronage, has had sittings from the most prominent men of this country, including vice-presidents, congressmen, and many of the leading capi- talists and their families, also noted artists. Mr. Sands is prominent in the public life of Royersford, which he makes his home, and is broadly interested in the political affairs of his native State. Always a thorough going Republican in political affiliation, he has for twenty-five years been more or less active in the interests of the party. For the past four sessions he has served as past assistant sergeant-at-arms of the Pennsyl- vania House of Representatives. Fraternally Mr. Sands holds member- ship in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is well known in social circles, both at home and in his summer and winter localities.
Mr. Sands married, November 17, 1887, Annie E. Reller, of Reading, Pennsylvania, and they have one daughter, Edith, wife of H. P. Cun- ningham, of Philadelphia.
H. E. ANDERSON, widely prominent in the insurance world of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is a leader in the borough of Royers- ford as an operator and broker in real estate. He is also interested and active in various branches of financial and fraternal circles and is counted among the really progressive men of the community.
Mr. Anderson was born in Limerick township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1883, and is a son of Jacob E. and Sallie D. (Morton) Anderson. His early education was received in the public schools of Royersford, and he was graduated from the Royersford High School in the class of 1899. He further prepared for his career by taking a course at Shissler's Business College, in Norristown. After completing his studies Mr. Anderson became identified with the Consolidated Schuylkill Gas Company, in the capacity of bookkeeper, then later entered the employ of the National Bank of Royersford, as individual ledger bookkeeper, continuing in the latter connection until 1904. At that time Mr. Anderson entered the office of S. B. Latshaw, then a leading figure in insurance and realty in Royersford, and long a highly esteemed citizen of this community. Following the death of Mr. Latshaw, which occurred January 26, 1909, Mr. Anderson took over the business according to the terms of his will, and has since carried it forward to ever increasing success. He has broadened his interests materially and specializes in fire insurance, confining his activities in realty principally to town prop- erties in Chester and Montgomery counties. This business is one of long standing, having been founded by Mr. Latshaw in the year 1881. Mr. Anderson is widely associated with those organizations which follow lines of endeavor parallel with his business activities. He is an officer
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and director of the Royersford Trust Company, and of the Fernwood Cemetery Company ; is treasurer of the Keystone Building and Loan Association, and broadly interested in all civic and industrial progress. He is also a director in the Sanitary Company of America, which concern owns and operates large plants at Linfield and East Greenville, Pennsyl- vania, and is a manager of the Perkiomen Valley Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Fraternally Mr. Anderson is very prominent, holding membership in Royersford Lodge, No. 585, Free and Accepted Masons; Pottstown Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Palestine Council, Royal and Select Masters, of Phoenixville; Nativity Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of Pottstown; Reading Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Rajah Temple, of Reading, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Order of Independent Americans, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is president of Hinman Fire Com- pany, No. I, of Royersford. During the World War Mr. Anderson took an active part in the many home activities, especially in the Liberty Loan drives, and served as chairman of the last two bond drives. He is a member of the First Reformed Church.
Mr. Anderson married, on March 19, 1913, Mary K. Smith, daughter of George and Elizabeth Smith, of New London, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have three children: Sarah and Elizabeth (twins), and Edward Mackey. The family home is at No. 327 Chestnut street, Royersford.
WILLIAM H. MOLL, standing back of the construction work of Norristown, in the manufacture of brick, is one of the progressive and enterprising business men of this section of Pennsylvania. He also has other business interests in this borough, and through his various activi- ties contributes to the general welfare of the people. Mr. Moll comes of a family long prominent in Berks county, this State, and is a son of Wil- liam and Emmalina (Gery) Moll, both natives of Berk's county, and both now deceased. The elder Mr. Moll was for many years a merchant of Seisholtzville, in Berks county, also postmaster of that village. He was active in public affairs, for a number of years served on the Democratic County Committee, and also filled various minor offices. He was a member of the Reformed church. The family consisted of four children : Catharine, Minnie, Sally, and William H.
William H. Moll was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1881. He received his early education in the public schools, from which he was graduated, then later attended Perkiomen Seminary and Schissler's Business College, of Norristown. In 1902 Mr. Moll entered the business world of Norristown, with which he has now been connected for two decades, first associating himself with the Norristown Brick Company, in the capacity of secretary and manager, which positions he has since filled. Holding a considerable amount of stock in this concern, he gives his time and attention to its management, and has been largely influential in placing it upon its present sound and permanent founda-
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tion. He is also interested in a prosperous trucking business, of which he keeps general oversight, delegating the management largely to other hands. He is counted among the broadly successful men of the day in Norristown. Mr. Moll is a supporter of the Republican party, although interested only as a progressive citizen in public affairs. Fraternally he is connected with the Loyal Order of Moose, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Modern Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Reformed church.
Mr. Moll married, on February 16, 1903, Mary Landis, daughter of Isaac and Matilda Landis, of Norristown, and they have three children living : William I., Dorothy, and John H. Two children died in infancy. The family home is at No. 629 Noble street, Norristown.
HERBERT SHAMER BUCHER-The entire business career of Herbert Shamer Bucher has been passed in the Harleysville National Bank, with which he became identified immediately after the completion of his education, the connection having remained unbroken to the present time, a period of more than thirteen years.
Born at Salford Station, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1890, son of Jacob and Esther (Shamer) Bucher, Mr. Bucher was the youngest of eight children, the seven older than he being: Isaac, Oliver, Harry, Zephaniah, Charles, Adam, Ruth.
Herbert Shamer Bucher received his education in the public schools of his native district and in the Norristown Business College, and at once began his association with the Harleysville National Bank, acting in the capacity of clerk, in 1909. During the thirteen years which have passed since that time he has maintained his connection with that financial institution, rendering notably efficient service in each of the various posi- tions which, through one promotion after another, he has been called upon to fill. At the present time (1922) he is the much honored and fully trusted cashier of the Harleysville National Bank, and is well known throughout the community, not only as a safe and conservative business man, but as a worthy citizen and a highly esteemed associate. His religious connection is with the German Baptist church.
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