History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 144

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 144

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

a candidate, stamped him as an orator, his brief but eloquent speech carrying the convention and nominat- ing Mr. Swartz.

In 1882 he was tendered the independent uomina- tion for Congress in the district, but declined, saying : " I believe our party large enough and its principles comprehensive enough to contain and satisfy us all ; where evil exists, eradicate it; where there is good, preserve and strengthen it."

Urged by many warm friends, and actively sup- ported by the manufacturers, he was a candidate be- fore the regular Republican convention, and so great was his popularity that the convention, after voting all day and night, had to adjourn for a week. Upon reassembling it required all the power of such men, and the use of many of the disreputable methods of unscrupulous politicians, to prevent his nomination. One of the leading papers represented there said of Mr. Thropp,-

" Mr. J. E. Thropp proved himself an able leader, and is possessed with that true manliness which com- mands respect from both friend and foe in political contests."

The Philadelphia Record, August, 1882, said,-

"Montgomery County is rich in sound Congres- sional timber Sober common sense would seem to dictate that for so pronounced a producing district a manufacturer, who is also acquainted with the needs and just demands of labor, should be selected as a candidate for Congress. There are many such men in Montgomery County ; indeed, the name of one, Joseph E. Thropp, is before the convention. A district which sends suchi meu to represent it at Washington does credit to itself in honoring one of its representative citizens."

The Evening Telegraph, Philadelphia, August 31, 1882, said,-

" The convention might go outside the present list and possibly secure a better candidate than Mr. Joseph E. Thropp; it can very easily make a much worse nomination. Mr. Thropp is a young man of energy, force and business experience. He isa member of the great Conshohocken iron firm of J. B. Moorhead & Co., and has therefore substantial personal interest in wise and honest legislation. He is a man who deals fairly with his employés, and for that reason com- mands the respect and confidence of the laboring classes of the district. He is not a politician, and there is good and substantial reason to believe that, if nominated and elected, he would prove an earnest, honest and independent member of the House."

A prominent Chester Countain, himself a Congress- mau, writes of Mr. Thropp,-

" He is a gentleman of education and ability, of ir- reproachable life and familiar with political affairs. For many years in an important business, always free from rings, energetic and careful in whatever he un- dertakes, with a high sense of honor, true to Republi- can principles, agreeable in manners and excellent in

speech, he would do the county and the Congress credit."

Associated with Mr. Charles Richardson, the firm of Joseph E. Thropp & Co. was organized early in 1883, and the Edge Hill Furnace, on the line of the North Pennsylvania Railroad, secured. This valuable establishment had been unprofitable to its original owners, and was never a success. Mr. Thropp moved into the adjacent farm-house; the furnace was im- mediately put in repair, and started in one of the dullest periods known in the history of the iron trade. Whilethus engaged, and having had no vacations or re- laxation for years, the strain upon his overtaxed body broke him down, and for weeks his life was despaired of under an attack of typhoid fever. As soon as he was able to be about, and in opposition to the wishes of his physician, he resumed charge of the business, and has brought the establishment up to the point where it is an assured financial success, the product being about double that under the former manage- nient.

In 1884 a letter, signed by about one hundred and fifty manufacturers, bankers, farmers and other citi- zens, requested him to be again a candidate for Con- gress. His friends in all parts of the district were acitve, and he had written a letter accepting their in- vitation to enter the contest, when he was again laid upon a bed of sickness, and, in accordance with the advice of his physician, who feared serious re- sults, Mr. Thropp published a card declining the use of his name. Recovering, he was elected a member of the Union League of Philadelphia, of the Eastern Pig-Iron Association, and by President Eckert ap- pointed, with Mr. Comly, president of the North Penn- sylvania Railroad, Mr. Ingham, president of the Rockhill Iron Company, and others, a member of the important committee to perfect a plan for an American Protective Tariff League, to combat the free trade in- fluence of the English Cobden Club.

Devoted to his friends, he ignores the thrusts of his enemies, believing life too short to waste in conflict or in seeking revenge for real or imaginary wrong.

Frank, sincere and straightforward himself, if he errs, it is in being too bold in espousing the right and opposing the wrong, his sense of justice being remark- ably keen and his judgment rarely at fault. Cheer- ful, unassuming in demeanor, and slight in physical proportions, he nevertheless has shown that he pos- sesses an unflinching spirit equal to all emergencies. Affable, amiable and genial, he makes many friends among those with whom he comes in contact. Living and acting upon the principle that " worth makes the man," he realizes in its fullest conception the fact that every honest calling is honorable, providing man dignifies it hy doing his best. Montgomery County will yet have reason to be proud of Joseph E. Thropp.

WILLIAM NEWPORT & Co .- The phosphate-works of William Newport & Co. are situated on the east line of Abington township, at Willow Grove, and on

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

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the line of the North East Pennsylvania Railroad. The manufacture of phosphates was established at this place by Shaw & Newport in the spring of 1875, who continued it for two years, when William New- port became sole proprietor. In 1880, David Newport became a partner, and the firm-name was changed to William Newport & Co. Fifteen men are employed on an average. The production of 1884 was about eighteen hundred tons. The sales are mostly local.

HARPER'S HOE, RAKE, PUMP AND WATER-ENGINE WORKS are situated on Spring Valley Creek, a branch of Pennypack Creek. William Harper, the father of Smith Harper, the present proprietor, began the

new works. A few years later a forty-feet water- wheel and other improvements were added. In 1858, Smith Harper, the present proprietor, purchased the property, and soon after enlarged the works. In 1865 the finishing-room (stone), forty-five by sixty feet and two and a half stories in height, was erected. In January, 1874, the old mill and forge building was destroyed by fire and rebuilt sixty by one hundred feet in that year. Water-power was used until about 1864, when steam was introduced. About twenty men are constantly employed. The sale of hoes is largely in the Southern States.

SMITH HARPER is of the fifth generation of a fam-

Smith Harper

manufacture of gimlets about 1835 on the old York road, a short distance below Jenkintown. In 1848 he purchased twenty-seven acres of land where the pres- ent works now are. This land embraced the site of the old Roberts' grist-mill, which was operated by Lewis Roberts before 1780. The site of the mill is now occupied by a spring-house. Another and larger mill was erected on the site of the present forge build- ing; this was occupied in later years by Nathan Bunker. Upon the purchase by William Harper a portion of the inill building was fitted up for forge-work, and the mill part was used for several years for grinding feed. The manufacture of hoes and rakes was begun in the

ily of Harpers who evidently came to this country in 1682 and located in Lower Dublin township. They had a family of children, one of whom was named Samuel, and Samnel had a wife whose given name was Mary. Samuel and Mary also had sons and daughters, and one of the sons was named George, who married Mary Collins. From these three, or rather from the first Harper that settled in Lower Dublin, whose name is now unknown, have descended all the families of that name in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jer- sey, Ohio and Indiana and many of the other States of the Union, many of whom have become noted in some of the professions, others in the publish-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ing business, like the well and widely-known Harper Brothers, of New York, while yet others are as widely known in the mechanical and manufactur- ing branches of trade; and we might truthfully say that the pioneer Harper or Harpers are now repre- sented in nearly or quite all of the honorable callings, trades or professions in the United States, and many of them have lived to extreme old age.

The widow of the late Robert Harper now resides on what is known as Second Street pike, and has reached the advanced age of nearly or quite one hun- dred years.

George Harper, above named, was born the Eighth Month 24, 1772, and died the Seventh Month 7, 1867. The children of George and Mary Collins Harper were as follows:

I. William, born Second Month 5, 1795, married Esther, daughter of Christopher Smith, of Phoenix- ville, Pa., and died Fourth Month 9, 1867. Esther Smith was a granddaughter of Henry Rhodes, who at one time owned all the land upon which the village of Phoenixville now stands. She was born Third Month 24, 1801, and died Eighth Month 25, 1838.

II. Ann, married Charles Holt. Both deceased.

III. Susan, married Samuel Davis, and lived near Woodbury, N. J. Both deceased.

IV. Maria, married John Wilkinson. Both de- ceased.

V. Daniel, married

VI. Martha, married Charles Walton, and lived in Cheltenham. Both deceased.

VII. Elizabeth, married, first, Ephraim Logan, who subsequently died, and for her second husband mar- ried Thomas Logan, a brother of her first husband.

VIII. Samuel, married his wife in New Jersey and moved to West Milton, Ohio, where he died.

IX. Margaret, married Isaac Livezey and moved to near New Castle, Henry Co., Ind., in 1837 or 1838. He died Second Month 25, 1885, aged eighty-one years.

X. Nathan, married Ellen Bosler, sister of the late Charles Bosler, of Cheltenham. Margaret and Na- than were twins. Nathan since his marriage has lived in Germantown.

William and Esther Smith Harper were the par- ents of children, as follows :

I. Adaline, born Seventh Month 6, 1819, married Humphrey Humphreys, and both now living in By- berry, Philadelphia Co., Pa.

II. Reuben, born Second Month 15, 1821, married Sarah, daughter of Philip Kulp, of Branchtown, Pa. Sarah died Sixth Month 19, 1884.

III. Henry, born Twelfth Month 20, 1822, married Rebecca, daughter of John Rose, of Frankford, Pa. They are both living and reside near Beasley's Point, N. J.

IV. William, Jr., born First Month 6, 1825, mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of Abel and Tacy Hallowell. They now reside on what is known as Pine road, Philadelphia Co., Pa., Twenty-third Ward.

V. Smith, born Fourth Month 26, 1827, married for his first wife Fanny, daughter of George and Eme- line Snyder, of Lower Dublin township, Philadelphia Co. She was born Second Month 8, 1841, and was aceidentally killed on the 13th of Fourth Month, 1863. Mrs. Harper, with a visiting friend, Miss Morgan, was on that day in the hoe and fork-factory of Mr. Har- per witnessing the manufacture of those articles and viewing the machinery, when the dress of one of the ladies caught in the perpendicular shatting, when the other went to the assistance of her friend, and both were killed before assistance could reach them.

VI. Charles, born Second Month 15, 1829, married Mary, daughter of Thomas and Ann Buekman. Charles is now a merchant at Jenkintown.

VII. Mary, born First Month 24, 1831, married William Steele, of Philadelphia.

VIII. Edwin, born Ninth Month 28, 1833, married, and died Fifth Month 18, 1861.

IX. Catharine, born Eighth Month II, 1835, mar- ried William Buckman, of Philadelphia.

X. Esther Ann, born Sixth Month 1, 1837, married Joseph Shoemaker, of Jenkintown. Both living.

The children of Smith and Fanny Harper were Harrison, born Fifth Month 20, 1860, died Ninth Month 13, 1863; Newlin, born Ninth Month 15, 1861, died Twelfth Month 5, 1861; Esther, born Eighth Month 19, 1862.

The second wife of Smith Harper was Martha L., daughter of Thomas and Priscilla Roberts, of Abing- ton township. The children from this union have been Jennie W., born Twelfth Month 22, 1871, died Seventh Month 12, 1872; Fanny, born Tenth Month 21, 1873; Charles S., born Sixth Month 26, 1875; Anna M., born Ninth Month 18, 1876, died Third Month 10, 1881; John K., born Fifth Month 29, 1878; Mary I'., born Eighth Month 8, 1879; Frank W., born Sixth Month 15, 1882.

Mr. Harper is well and favorably known as one of the substantial and reliable manufacturers of Mont- gomery County, he having commenced when a mere boy in the shop of his father, who was a gimlet- maker, and by tact, industry, honesty and persever- ance has worked his way to the front rank of the many large hoe and rake manufacturers in the United States. In 1848 he established himself firmly at his present location, at what is now Harper's Station, on the Philadelphia and Newtown Railroad, where he makes a specialty, with all the improved machinery known to that branch of business, of the finest quality of hoes and all kinds of implements used in garden- ing. So well and favorably known is his make of goods that orders are received long in advance of the manufacture of articles desired, not only for domestic use, but large shipments are often made to foreign countries ; even the Russians are not behind in their orders for garden implements of Mr. Harper's make, although that is not a country of gardens.

Mr. Harper has added to his extensive hoe and

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MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

rake business that of the manufacture and sale of "Tubbs' water-engine," a new invention for convey- ing water long distances, up inelined planes, and in large quantities. He also manufactures various kinds of submerged, suction and force-pumps for wells, springs, cisterns, etc.

UPPER DUBLIN TOWNSHIP.

THE WISSAIHICKEN CHEMICAL-WORKS at Ambler were established in that village by Messrs. Keasbey and Mattison in the year 1882. Their specialty is the manufacture of quinine and magnesia, of which they ship very large quantities, both for home and foreign consumption. They employ one hundred and fifty hands, with a pay-roll of four thousand dollars a month. The buildings have a frontage of one thousand feet on the North Pennsylvania Rail- road, with a depth of three hundred and fifty feet, and their various buildings cover over thirty thousand square feet of area. The plant is worth about two hundred thousand dollars.

SLUTLER'S COACH-FACTORY .- Henry Slutter, an experienced carriage-builder, established business in the village in the year 1879. The building has a frontage on what is known as the Plymouth turn- pike of fifty feet, with a depth of two hundred feet, and is three stories in height. Eight hands find steady employment here, and besides doing a large amount of repairing, twenty-five new carriages are made annually.

JENKINTOWN BOROUGII.

WHARTON SWITCH COMPANY, JENKINTOWN .- These extensive works were established at Jenkintown in the year 1870. President, Abraham Barker; Treasurer and Secretary, Wharton Barker; Manager, William Wharton, Jr. The average number of hands employed is three hundred and seventy-five, and over two hundred thousand dollars a year are paid out in wages. The buildings cover several acres of ground, and are as follows: No. 1, machine-shop; No. 2, blacksmith-shop; No. 3, pattern-shop and electric signal room ; No. 4, foundry. The motive-power is one one hundred horse-power engine and one sixty horse-power engine, both horizontal, and two hundred horse boiler power.

CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP.

C. HAMMOND & SON, MACHINISTS, SHOEMAKER- TOWN .- This firm was established at Shoemakertown in the year 1842 for the manufacture of hammers, edge-tools, railroad, machinists' and blacksmiths' tools, with their office at No. 13 North Fifth Street, Phila- delphia. The firm commenced with fifteen hands, and a pay-roll of five hundred dollars a month. They now employ seventy hands, with a pay-roll of two thousand five hundred dollars a month. The works are situated in Cheltenham township, on Tacony

Creek. The motive-power is supplied by a seventy horse-power steam-engine and a water-wheel of twenty horse-power. The buildings cover one and a half acres, and are as follows: No. 1, office; No. 2, store-room; No. 3, packing-room; No. 4, grinding and polishiug-room ; No. 5, engine-room ; Nos. 6 and 7, forges; No. 8, tempering-room ; No. 9, turning- room; No. 10, polishing-room; No. 11, machine- shop. The plant and stock are valued at two hun- dred thousand dollars.

CHELTENHAM COACH-WORKS, SHOEMAKERTOWN, (YORK ROAD STATION) .- The business of carriage- building was established here by William Moore in the year 1870, and is now conducted by George W. Moore and Horace Ervien. The building fronts York road one hundred and five feet, with a depth of one hundred and seventy-seven feet, four stories in height. Thirty-five hands are employed here, with a pay-roll of fifteen hundred dollars per month. The work made consists of phaetons, wagons, carriages, buggies, etc. ; the whole process, from the rough wood-work to the most artistic painting and upholstering, is per- formed on the premises.

GEORGE W. MOORE .- Mr. Moore is of English deseent. IIis father was James J. Moore, who re- sided in Moreland township, in Montgomery County, and was among the most industrious citizens. He married Mary, daughter of John Sentman, of the same county, whose wife was Rebecca Jobs. To this union were born children,-John S. (who lost his life in the battle of the Wilderness during the late war), · Rebecca (Mrs. George MeVaugh), Jane (Mrs. George S. Yerkes), George W. and .J. Lehman (a resident of Philadelphia). George W. was born on the 13th of January, 1838, in Moreland township, where his youth was devoted to farm labor, after which he be- came an apprentice to the trade of a wheelwright, entering for the purpose the shop of Isaac Brooks, of Willow Grove. On completing his apprenticeship he spent a year in the same shop as a journeyman, and in 1860 began business elsewhere in the township, where he remained four years, and in 1865 removed to Hunt- ingdon Valley, engaging more extensively in the various branches of the trade. Mr. Moore, in 1870, sought a wider field of operation in Shoemakertown, where he established a carriage manufactory, begin- ning with but two journeyman and advancing, as the excellence of his work caused a demand for his skill, until thirty-six workmen are employed in the various departments of the establishment. In 1880 he suf- fered a severe loss by fire, but immediately rebuilt, and in 1882 associated as a partner Horace Ervien, the firm being now Moore & Ervien. Mr. Moore was, in 1862, married to Miss Sallie E., daughter of Hiram and Annie Yerkes, whose children are Ella (deceased), Annie L. and J. Newton. Mr. Moore has declined all proffers of political preferment and devotes his time and ability exclusively to the furtherance of his business interests. 1le is an influential member of

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the Milestown Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is steward, trustee, treasurer and Sunday-school superintendent.

BIRCHALL & BRAY'S SAW AND PLANING-MILLS, SHOEMAKERTOWN .- These extensive mills front on the York road nine hundred feet, one story high, and cover two aeres of ground. They have been in operation for over forty years under the firm-name of W. B. Birchall & Sons. They generally employ twelve men all the year round and pay in wages one hun- dred and twenty dollars a week. The firm deals in all kinds of lumber, hickory, oak and poplar wood,

The mills were opened and operations commeneed by Jacob Myers in 1848, when but six workmen were employed. In 1850, John A. Ervien became a partner and there was an improvement made, and in 1855, Mr. Benjamin R. Myers entered the firm; J. Howard Ervien joined in 1875. The works are on Tacony Creek, in Cheltenham town- ship. The motive-power is from a sixty-four horse- power steam-engine and a twenty horse-power tur- bine wheel. There is a full plant of machinery, and housing covering two acres of ground. The build- ings are No. 1, astore-house ; No. 2, forge and engine-

Geo. So, Moore

terra-cotta work, cement, plaster and phosphates of all the best-known qualities.

The firm consists of Henry C. Birchall and Daniel M, Bray, M.D. The power for the various machines is obtained from a forty horse-power engine, with boiler power in proportion.

MYERS & ERVIEN, SHOEMAKERTOWN .- The firm consists of B. R. Myers, J. A. Ervien and J. II. Ervien, their manufacture being that of forks. Their business card states that they make hay, manure. spading, sluice, tanner, coke, charcoal and spall- forks, and also potato and manure-hooks. Their office is at No. 13 North Fifth Street, Philadelphia.

room; No. 3, polishing and finishing-room; No. 4 and 5, warerooms, all three stories in height.

There are now fifty hands employed, with a pay- roll of two thousand five hundred dollars a month. During the year 1884 the hands manufactured and shipped to the different States, to Egypt, Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand, etc., one hundred and twenty-five dozen forks per day. The plant, property and stock are valued at one hundred thou- sand dollars.

JACOB MYERS .- The Myers family are of German extraction, Jacob Myers, the grandfather of the sub- ject of this brief sketch, having emigrated and settled

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MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

in Pennsylvania. Among his children was Jacob, a | when he became a resident of Abington township, native of Cheltenham township, where he was an Montgomery Co. He acquired a plain English edu- cation, and at seventeen was apprenticed to the mill- wright's trade, working industriously with his father until his majority was attained. His trade was con- tinued until 1850, when the tide of business was di- verted from its course by his purchase of a half- interest, in connection with Jacob Myers, in an es- tablishment for the manufacture of forks. Under the impetns given by the presence of Mr. Ervien the business greatly increased, their productions finding a market in all parts of the world, and on the death of the senior partner Mr. Benjamin R. Myers became a member of the firm, Mr. Ervien retaining a two-thirds industrious farmer, and enjoyed the distinction of having participated in the war of the Revolution, nnder General Washington. He married Margaret Castor, and was the father of six children, among whom was Jacob Myers, who married Anetta Row- land. He took part in the war of 1812, and later engaged in farming employments, which were con- tinued until 1848, when he established the fork-fac- tory near Shoemakertown, which has since grown to large proportions, and is now represented by the firm of Myers & Ervien. Mr. Myers had eight children, seven of whom survive him. Benjamin R., one of

JACOB MYERS.

the members of the firm above mentioned, was a , interest. In 1875 his son, J. Howard, was admitted soldier of the war of the Rebellion, and participated in some of the most important battles of the Army of | factory. Mr. Ervien was, in January, 1849, married the Potomac.

JOHN A. ERVIEN .- The father of John A. Ervien was Cadwallader Ervien, a millwright by trade, who early resided in Bucks County, in his native State, and later renoved to Montgomery Connty, where his death occurred. He married Jane, danghter of Ben- jamin James, of Bucks County, and had children,- Benjamin, William, Mary, Elizabeth, Robert and John A. The last named and youngest of the number was born August 18, 1823, near Hartsville, Bucks Co., and when a lad removed with his parents to Philadel- phia County, remaining until eighteen years of age.

to a partnership, controlling a one-third interest in the to Margaret, daughter of Jacob R. Myers, his subse- quent partner, and had children,-Annie (deceased), Albert R., J. Howard, Anna (Mrs. John T. Green- wood), Horace, Jay (deceased) and Robert P. Mr. Ervien was for years a special partner with Christopher Lugar in a flouring-mill at Camden. He has been for thirty years president of the Cheltenham Building Association and is otherwise identified with the in- terests of the township. As a Whig he cast his first vote for Henry Clay. and since the formation of the Republican party has sympathized with its ideas and principles. He is in religion an Episcopalian,

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

and member of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church of Cheltenham.

CHELTENHAM ROLLER-MILLS, SHOEMAKERTOWN. -These mills are the property of Charles Bosler & Son, and have a history dating back to the old Revo- lutionary times. The location of the mill is in the cen- tre of one of the best agricultural sections of the State and of the county. The main building is forty-two by sixty feet, with an engine and boiler-house. In the base- ment is the cleaning machinery. On the first floor are seven Dawson nine by eighteen inch granulating- rollers, two Silver Creek packers and two run of burrs

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 144

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534