USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Biographical annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, containing genealogical records of representative families, including many of the early settlers and biographical sketches of prominent citizens, Vol. I > Part 24
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Mr. Gilbert married Ida S., daughter of Will- iam and Elizabeth (Reppert) Dellicker, of near Hill Church, where they were engaged in farm- ing, but later removed to Pottstown where Mr. Dellicker conducted a grocery business. He died about six years ago, and was buried in Mt. Zion
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cemetery. Mrs. Dellicker lives on Beech street. They had several children.
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Gilbert were married March 17, 1888. They have had four children, of whom three survive, as follows : Clara, born July 21, 1889; Jennie, born March 26, 1891; Jesse, born May 27, 1893; Charles, born January 2, 1892, died February 15, 1897.
Mr. Gilbert was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Manatawny Lodge No. 214, of Pottstown, and Encampment No. 85; to Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 421, also of the Fraternal order of Eagles, of Reading Lodge, No. 66. In religious faith Mr. Gilbert was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran church. He died November 12, 1903.
THEODORE SCHREIBER, son of Theo- dore and Anna (Shaffer) Schreiber, is a native of Whitpain township. He was born in Broad Axe Hotel, December 29, 1871, his father being at that time the proprietor of the hotel. The son attended the public schools of the township at Shady Grove and Sandy Hill, until he was about twelve years of age. In 1883, his parents re- moved to Philadelphia, where the family resided for three years. City life was distasteful to the son who longed for the free air and enjoyment to be had in the rural districts. The family returned to Broad Axe in 1886, the father having erected a house on the farm adjoining the hotel, where the son was given the opportunity to acquire a knowl- edge of farming operations, for a few years. In 1895 he bought the Jeffersonville Hotel, two miles above Norristown. He married, in 1895, Sarah, daughter of Michael and Catharine Hayes, of Norristown. Their children are: Theodore, born May 16, 1896, and died in August, 1896; Catha- rine, born December 24, 1897 ; Francis, born Jan- uary 17, 1899; Mary, born December 4, 1899, and died March 4, 1900; Theodore, born December 4, 1900, and died April 29, 1902; and William, born December 28, 1903.
Having conducted the Jeffersonville Hotel very successfully for a period of six years, Mr. Schreiber removed to Norristown, on February I, 1901, where he continued in the same line of bus-
iness until April 4, 1902, when he took charge of the Broad Axe Hotel where he has since re- sided.
The Schreibers are of German origin and are an old family in the middle section of Montgom- ery county. The Schreibers have long affiliated with the Democratic party. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Schreiber are attached to the Catholic church. (See history of the family in the John Schreiber sketch.)
LEWIS B. STONG. Among the esteemed citizens and influential business men of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, no more worthy rep- resentative of honest and industrious manhood can be found than Lewis B. Stong, whose ability and enterprise have added materially to the com- mercial activities of that great center of trade. He has been the architect of his own fortune. Be- ginning in life without means or influential friends, beset with obstacles on every side, he nevertheless worked his way up from a humble position to the prominent one he now occupies in commercial circles, and won an enviable reputa- tion for the strictest integrity and the utmost probity in all his transactions. He was born at the old Stong homestead in Worcester township, near Centre Point, May 16, 1865. The earlier generations of the family spelled the name Stang.
The earliest ancestor of the family of whom there is any authentic information was Philip Stang, born in 1760, at Stong's Mill, in Worcester township. He married Barbara Wentz, of Wor- cester, the daughter of the founder of Wentz's church, in that township. Their son, Henry Wentz Stong, also born at Stong's Mill, was the grandfather of Lewis B. Stong, and his son, Henry Cassel Stong, father of Lewis B. Stong, was born August 21, 1835, at the old Stong home- stead.
Henry Cassel Stong (father) attended the public schools of the district and also a pay school until he attained the age of fourteen years. In the meantime he assisted his father in the grist and saw mill and on the home farm, continuing these pursuits until the year 1876, when he es- tablished a flour and feed business in Philadel-
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phia, in the management of which he achieved a large degree of success. He was also promi- nently associated with the Corn Exchange, now the Commercial Exchange of that city. He re- tired from active business pursuits in 1882, when he removed to Norristown where he resided until 1890, in which year he took up his residence with his son, Lewis B. Stong. On November 8, 1856, he was united in marriage to Emeline Brunner, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Comfort) Brun- ner, of Hatfield township. Henry Brunner was a farmer and brick manufacturer, widely known in his day in that section of the county. Their chil- dren are : Lewis B., mentioned hereinafter. Jennie, wife of Philip Yost, formerly of Pottstown, but now a resident of Philadelphia; they are the pa- rents of three children-Walter L., Clarence M., and Alma B. Yost. Mary C., wife of John Leister, of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, but now a resident of Philadelphia; four children were the issue of this marriage, two of whom are living at the present time, namely: Lizzie and Emma May Leister. The family are members of the Reformed church. Mr. Stong is a Democrat in his political affiliations, but takes no active part in local affairs.
Lewis B. Stong obtained his education in the public schools of his native township and in those at Norristown, whither his parents removed when he was a boy. When he was thirteen years of age his parents located in the city of Philadelphia, where he has since resided. In 1884 Mr. Stong began the business of buying and selling poultry, in which occupation he has since been success- fully engaged, and he is now one of the most ex- tensive wholesale dealers in that line in the city of Philadelphia. Since 1898 he has been located at No. 335 North Front street, where he occupies the greater part of two four-story brick buildings, giving employment to a large force of men in kill- ing, dressing and packing poultry for shipment to different parts of the country. He purchases the greater part of his poultry alive, and if they are not of a suitable size for the market he fattens them by his own process. They are then killed, dressed, and placed on the market or held in cold storage for future shipment. He makes a spe-
cialty of broilers and squabs, which he freezes and holds so that he has always a large stock on hand and is ready for any demand. He was the first man to make a success of preserving broilers, squabs and sweet breads by the freezing process and for six years he controlled the markets of Philadelphia in the line of squabs, thereby ob- taining large profits in return for the labor and care bestowed on these articles of merchandise. In 1891 Mr. Stong bought a farm near Centre Square, in Whitpain township, on the State road, which was formerly known as the Jacob Reif farm. It contains thirty acres of finely located and highly cultivated land, adjoins the properties of William Meigs and Miss Ellen Duddy, and is operated by Mr. Stong as a general farm, being very productive. To this place Mr. Stong and his family are very much attached, spending their summers there, devoting their time to such out- door work as the farm affords, and enjoying the healthful change from the confinement of city life. Mr. Stong is a horseman, and life on the farm permits him to enjoy his hobby. In politics he is an Independent, but is not an active partic- ipant in political affairs.
In October, 1888, Mr. Stong married Eliza- beth Smeltz, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in November, 1868, a daughter of Louis and Pauline (Eberhardt) Smeltz, of Philadelphia. Louis Smeltz was born in Germany in the year 1835, came to America with his parents when a child, was engaged in the poultry business in Phil- adelphia, and died February 6, 1896. His wife, Pauline (Eberhardt) Smeltz, whom he married in June, 1859, was also a native of Germany, and she bore him seven children, as follows : John E .; Pauline C., who became the wife of Merritt Hut- ton, and they reside in Philadelphia; Louis C .; Elizabeth mentioned above as the wife of Lewis B. Stong; Anna, deceased ; Anna M., who became the wife of Joseph Neely; and Millie C., who became the wife of Dr. S. B. Segrest, of Phila- delphia. Mrs. Smeltz, mother of these children, resides in the city of Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Stong are the parents of two daughters: Edna Alberta, born in 1889, attends school in Philadel- phia ; and Florence May, born in 1890, also at-
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tends school. The domestic life of Mr. Stong and his family is very pleasant and peaceful, every member contributing his or her share to the gen- eral happiness. They are attendants at the Re- formed church.
OWEN RAUDENBUSH, son of Enos and Catharine (Fulmer) Raudenbush, was born on the Raudenbush homestead in Rockhill township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on February 24, 1839. He attended the public and private schools of his county until he was twenty years of age, in the meantime assisting his father in the duties of the farm. The homestead of the family in Bucks county had been in the Raudenbush name for two generations at that time. He remained at the home of his parents until his twenty-third year, when he entered the employ of Charles Yeakle, a farmer near Flourtown, in Springfield township, Montgomery county. There he remained for twelve years. He removed to Blue Bell, in Whit- pain township, where he is at present a prom- inent and prosperous farmer.
Owen Raudenbush married December 28, 1885, Emma Catharine, widow of Jacob Van Winkle, and daughter of Francis Swayne Sheetz and Louisa Ann (Daub) Sheetz, of Sandy Run, "Camp Hill," Springfield township, Montgomery county. The Sheetz homestead at Camp Hill, where Mrs. Raudenbush was born, had been in the possession of the family prior to 1781.
Francis Swayne and Louisa Ann Sheetz had three children : James Albanus, born in 1832, mar- ried Amanda, daughter of Harmon Winder and Anna (Hoagland) Winder, of Camp Hill, and had children : John Hoagland; Francis Swayne; Emma Louisa : James Henry ; Edmond Albanus, who was born January 14, 1865, and married, Oc- tober 17, 1886, Mary Mansely, of Philadelphia, and had one child, Marion A., born August 13, 1890; Amanda; Kate Agnes ; and Anna Lillian, born June 7, 1870, and married, June 5, 1900, John Anthony, son of Alexander and Rose Ross of Philadelphia. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Sheetz was Emma Catharine, born November 14, 1842. She married, in 1867, Jacob Van Winkle, and afterwards Mr. Raudenbush, they removing
to Blue Bell in 1887, where they still live. Ed- mond VanRoom, who died, in 1852, was the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Sheetz.
The Sheetz family, of Camp Hill, were prom- inently connected with the movement for the set- tlement of the community and were always strict adherents of the Democratic party. In religion they were attendants of the Lutheran and Re- formed churches. Mr. and Mrs. Raudenbush both attend St. Paul's church, at Whitemarsh.
ADAM W. WERKISER. The Werkiser family are of German origin, being among the oldest of that nationality in Montgomery county.
Adam Walter Werkiser is the son of Henry and Emeline (Meeker) Werkiser. He was born: August 25, 1866, and resides at No. 1014 Cherry street, Norristown. He is unmarried and is en- gaged in the milk business, being one of the most extensive and successful dealers at the county seat.
Henry Werkiser (father) is the son of Sam- nel and Elizabeth (Fetter) Werkiser, of Whitpain: township. He was born near Belfry, December 21, 1831. He attended the pay school at Bethel, in Worcester township, until he had reached his sixteenth year, also engaging in farming in the intervals of school study, as is usual in country districts. On reaching that age he decided to learn the trade of a stone mason, in accordance with the rule formerly prevalent of having every farmer's boy acquire knowledge of another call- ing in life. He served the usual time as an ap- prentice at the trade, and continued to work at it for many years, both as a journeyman and con- tractor, building many houses and barns in that section of the county. He married, March 28, 1858, Emeline Meeker, daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Meeker) Weber, of Philadelphia. He then settled at Center Square in Whitpain town- ship. He died December 18, 1890, but his wife is still living. Their children are as follows: Samuel and Elizabeth, twins, were born December 3, 1859, and the latter, unmarried, is living in Nor- ristown. Samuel never learned a trade and has followed farming most of his life, but now lives in Norristown and is employed by Mr. March, of
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Bridgeport. He is a Democrat. He was married. March 26, 1890, to Emma Shaffer, of Oreland, and their children are: one that died in infancy ; Harry Walter, deceased, who was born in 1896; Samuel Warren, born December 8, 1901; and Carl. deceased. Cornelia Hecklin Werkiser, born September 24, 1861, is unmarried and resides in Norristown. Harry Fetter, born June 29, 1864, learned the mason's trade with his father and fol- lowed it for a number of years, after which he be- came a dealer in milk at Belfry, and after 1897 he followed the same business in Norristown. In politics he is a Democrat and was candidate for councilman in the sixth ward of Norristown but was defeated. In April, 1903, he removed to Center Square, where he now resides. He mar- ried Annie, daughter of Ellwood Hart, who is living near Center Square. Adam Walter Wer- kiser is the youngest of the brothers.
Adam W. Werkiser was educated at Bethel, a public school, from which he was graduated at the age of eighteen years, after which he learned the mason's trade with his father and worked at it until he was twenty-three years of age. Sub- sequently he was employed in a creamery for five years and in 1897 he settled in Norristown, where he is engaged in handling milk, cream, eggs and ice, in connection with his brother Harry, under the firm name of H. Werkiser & Brother. They do an extensive business, employing four men and four teams.
Adam W. Werkiser is a Democrat in his poli- tical affiliations, but does not seek office. He is connected with the Tribe of Red Men of Norris- town and the Mystic Chain, and has filled all the chairs.
JOSEPH W. HALLOWELL, a prominent citizen of Jenkintown, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was an honored representative of one of the most prominent families of the county -a family most of whose members were Friends, and distinguished for integrity, devotion to prin- ciple, and longevity.
He was born at Meadowbrook, February 18, 1823, son of John R. and Ann (Jarrett) Hal- lowell. He was a descendant of John Hallowell,
who came from Nottinghamshire, England, in 1682, with William Penn and a company of English Friends. John Hallowell settled near Darby, and was one of the original members of the Friends' Meeting there. In 1696 he purchased from Silas Crispin, executor of the estate of Thomas Holme, a tract of 630 acres of land in Abington township, adjoining Upper Dublin township, and extending along the line of the manor of Moreland for more than a mile. His first dwelling on this tract was a rude cabin constructed partly in the ground and on the side of a hill, resembling the cave dwellings built by some of the first settlers of Philadelphia. He was twice married, his first wife being Sarah - -, who bore him one child. His second wife, who was Mary Sharpe, was the mother of nine children, three of whom were born in England, and the others in America, viz. : Sarah, born 1677; Thomas, 1679; Mary, 1681 ; John, 1685; Elizabeth, 1687; Hannah, 1689; Samuel, 1692 ; Benjamin, 1694; and Jane, 1696.
Thomas Hallowell, second child of John and Mary (Sharpe) Hallowell, married in 1702, at Darby, Rosamond Till, and because the progeni- tor of a numerous and useful family. Their chil- dren were: John, born in 1703; Mary, 1705; William -; Rosamond, 1709; Elizabeth, 17II ; Sarah, 1714; Thomas, 1715; Samuel, 1717; and Joseph, 1719. William, the third son, was twice married. His first wife was Margaret Tyson, born 1708, died 1753, a daughter of Matthias (or Mathew) and Mary Tyson, and she bore her husband twelve children : Thomas, born in 1730; Rosamond, 1731; Mathew, 1733; William, 1734; John, 1736; Tynear, 1739; David, 1740; Mary, 1742; Isaac, 1744; John, 1746; John (3d), 1749 ; and Joshua, 1751.
John Hallowell (3d), named above, resided until his death on the old homestead, which has been in possession of the family since 1783, when he purchased it from Robert and Rachel Paul, the deed being dated April 19 of that year. Prior to the Revolutionary war he owned and operated a mill on the Pennypack creek. In 1793 he was a victim to yellow fever, contracted while he was on a business trip to Philadelphia, where the dis-
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-on child of John and LIU, warted in 1702, at val leely dy progeni- celal favoris. Their chil- 1-m 1 703: Mary 1705; W - mp 1700. Elizabeth, 7.Thomas 1715 Samuel. 1717: Vhba, the third son w Las Tirer wife vos Margaret The dial 1753 a daughter of ne inless wa Mary Treno and she o caobe children. Thomas, MOTERYSnyol 1;31: Mathews. 1733, 0 Tem al Dim, 07301 Even 1739 David, 04- Thu 1744. 1 hn 1,46,
Ilne Halbewelt T Why stated above, wer led
16 Bereme Sar Lad an l operated will so: The Dow pack creek In :793 he was - yeli to selber laver, doura yol while he was on a Thane- Inp & Fraudeffibis Where the dis-
Jos. M. Hallowell
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ease was epidemic. He married, November 3. 1774. Martha Roberts, born March 9, 1753. daughter of Thomas, Jr., and Letitia Roberts, of Milford township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. The children of this marriage were: Isaac, born in 1776, who married Mary Fletcher : Israel, born 1777, who married Mary Jarrett ; Ann, born 1781, who became the wife of Joseph Williams ; and John R., further referred to below.
John R. Hallowell, youngest child of John and Martha (Roberts) Hallowell, was born in 1785 on the family homestead, which he subsequently purchased, and which was afterward the resi- dence of his son, Joseph W. Hallowell. In his early life he worked in his father's mill. He married Ann, daughter of William Jarrett, of Horsham township, Montgomery county, and to them were born children as follows: William J. ; Lydia, who became the wife of Morris Paul ; Martha, who became the wife of Edwin Satterth- waite, who was a grandson of Betsy Ross, the woman who designed and made the first (stars and stripes) American flag; Joseph W., further written of below; and Penrose.
Joseph W. Hallowell, son of John R. and Ann (Jarrett ) Hallowell, received his early education in the schools of the neighborhood, and also at- tended the select school of the renowned teacher, Benjamin Hallowell, a relative, at Alexandria, Virginia. Soon after completing his studies he came into possession of about one hundred and fifty acres of land at Meadowbrook, on which he resided for a number of years, and until his son Edwin S. married and took charge of the conduct of the farm, and who successfully managed it until Mr. Hallowell sold it to Thomas Wana- maker. Mr. Hallowell also owned a fine farm of 212 acres on the Doylestown turnpike, and in 1884 he built a handsome country seat at Jenkin- town, where he passed the later years of his life, and where his family still reside.
Mr. Hallowell was one of the incorporators and for many years a director of the Jenkintown National Bank, and also a director of the York Road Turnpike Company, of the Jenkintown Water Company, and of several building and loan
associations. He was a prominent member of Abington Monthly Meeting of Friends, in which he was an elder and a trustee. He never sought official station, nor ever held an office except that of school director. In politics he was a stanch and active Republican. He was a man possessed with a marked individuality, and was an impor- tant factor in promoting the numerous local en- terprises with which he was identified, and in other ways advancing the material, moral and spiritual interests of the community. He was particularly interested in educational affairs, and rendered valuable service in maintaining and im- proving the public school system. To this add his personal beauties of character as a model citi- zen, an affectionate husband and an indulgent parent, and he stands forth as a splendid type of American manhood. His death occurred April 3, 1904.
Mr. Hallowell married, May 20, 1851, Miss Hannah S. Lloyd, born March 9, 1831, a daughter of John and Sidney (Paul) Lloyd, both old resi- dents of Moreland township, and descendants of old and highly respected families. Of this mar- riage were born the following named children :
I. Edwin S., born June 6, 1852; he married, March 2, 1881, Miss Mary Linton, born June 1, 1853, a daughter of Charles and Hannah ( Water- man) Linton. Of this marriage were born nine children : 1. Florence, born March 2, 1882; died May, 1884: 2. Lydia, born December 29, 1884. died May, 1891 ; 3. Hannah L., born September 6, 1886: 4. Mary L., born September 12, 1888; 5. Emma L., born December 18, 1890: 6. Francis S., born December 15, 1891; 7. Rebecca, born August, 1893, died December 23, 1901 ; 8. Jose- phine, born December, 1894, died August, 1895; 9. Edwin Joseph, born September 16, 1900.
2. Emma L., born December 21, 1854.
3. Fannie, born August 12, 1856, died March 2, 1900.
4. Anna, born September 28, 1865, married William Penrose, born July 31. 1847, a son of Jarrett and Tacy Ann Penrose. Of this marriage was born one son, Joseph Hallowell Penrose, born July 31, 1903.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
WILLIAM BUTCHER, a prominent farmer in Norriton township, was born in Worcester township, Montgomery county, November 13, 1838. He is the son of John and Rachel ( Wag- ner) Butcher.
John Butcher (father) was a native of Phila- delphia, where he learned his trade of blacksmith. He was born July 4. 1800, and lived until 1892. He started to follow his trade in Fairview vil- lage, afterwards removing to Centre Point. In 1839 he settled on the Williams farm in Norri- ton township, the same farm which is now owned by his son William. He was a skilled mechanic, and men came from a great distance to get their horses shod in his shop. In making axes and all kinds of farm implements he had no superior and very few equals in Montgomery county.
In early life John Butcher was a Whig, and on the organization of the Republican party be- came one of its members and remained so until his death. He married Rachel Wagner, a mem- ber of an old Pennsylvania family. She was a Presbyterian and a member in Norristown for a time, but afterwards transferred her membership to the Wentz church, in Worcester township. They and their children who are deceased are buried there. Their children were :
Peter, died young; Catharine, died young ; Mary Ann, married John Stiver, and after his death married Michael Rodenbaugh; they had a large family of children (she is now deceased) ; Louisa, married Albanus Lair, and they also had a large family ; William ; John W., married Eliza Jane Caldwell; John was a soldier in the Civil war.
William Butcher removed with his parents to his present home when he was one year old, and was reared on this farm. He worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-four years of age, also devoting some attention to learning the trade of blacksmith. His education was obtained at the public schools of the neighborhood, which he attended three or four months in winter. As soon as he was old enough to work in the shop or on the farm he was employed in one of those occupations the entire year. The acquisition of the knowledge which has sufficed for a successful
career as an agriculturist was gained principally in the great school of life.
Arriving at the age of twenty-four years, Mr. Butcher married and started out in life on his own account, his first venture being as a tenant on the farm of Charles Johnson, in Plymouth township. He was a tenant on different farms in the neighborhood for a period of sixteen years. In 1880, his mother having died in the meantime, his father offered him the farm as a tenant, ask- ing him to make a home for himself, which Mr. Butcher did. On the death of his father in 1892, he purchased the farm at the administrator's ap- praisement, and is still its owner. It contains seventeen acres, in which he raises garden truck and farm products generally, attaining better re- sults than many farmers on tracts several times its size.
In politics Mr. Butcher is a Republican, and has been all his life, believing that the principles of his party stand for the greatest good to the greatest number of the people of the United States. He has been a delegate to county con- ventions, but not an office-seeker or an office- holder, as his time was too much taken up with his farm to accept township office.
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