History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 164

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 164

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.

bined with promptness and punctuality. Mr. Shoe- maker was married, on the 1st of January, 1857, to Miss Esther Ann, daughter of William Harper and Esther Smith Harper, of Abington. Their chil- dren are Clara F. (wife of Dr. Henry Waas), William H. (who is associated with his father), Harry (de- ceased), Lizzie and Jennie. Mr. Shoemaker is a director in the Jenkintown National Bank, president of the North Cedar Hill Cemetery Company, and vice- president of the Philadelphia Drove-Yard. He is also president of the Borough Council of Jenkintown, and has filled various minor offices as a Republican. He isa birthright member of the Friends' Society and worships with the Abington Meeting.

CHAPTER XLVI.

BOROUGH OF LANSDALE.

THE borough of Lansdale was incorporated August 24, 1872, and is situated on the line of the townships of Gwynedd and Hatfield, and close to the angles of Montgomery and Towamencin. It has an area of two hundred and sixty-nine acres, of which one hun- dred and forty-five were taken from Gwynedd and one hundred and twenty-four from Hatfield. Its form is regular and its principal streets are Broad, Main, Chestnut, Walnut, Second and Courtland. Nature and art have combined in beautifying this favored spot in Montgomery County. It is situated on a ridge and has every advantage of pure air, easy surface drainage and a widely-extended view of the fertile valleys, rolling uplands and distant woods of the surrounding country. The residents of the borough are progressive and industrious, and take a laudable local pride in the construction and beautify- ing of their homes, many being built in the cottage style, which, when surrounded with flowers, trailing- vines, shrubbery and ornamental plants, present a picture of real beauty and comfort.

The town is supplied by water pumped from a three-hundred-foot artesian well. The water com- pany is in a flourishing condition.

The North Pennsylvania Railroad passes through the centre of the place and the station here is twenty- one and seven-tenths miles from Philadelphia. The Doylestown Branch of said railroad (opened October 9, 1856), ten and two-thirds miles long, commences here, and the Stony Creek Railroad, starting at Main Street, Norristown, ten and three-tenths miles distant, forms a junction at this place with both of said roads. These lines meeting here make it an important rail- road centre, and contribute to its business prosperity.

Several industries of considerable importance are located here,1 the extensive agricultural works of

Heebner & Sons towering above all the rest, and owing to their enterprise and superior workmanship, they have carried the name of Lansdale almost to the remotest ends of the earth.

The present number of inhabitants of this borough is about twelve hundred and the number of taxables three hundred and five, with a real estate valuation of $478,765.

There are two drug-stores, two confectioneries, two stove-stores, one jeweler, one dealer in live stock, two in lumber, two in boots and shoes, two in coal, two in flour and feed, four in merchandise, three in meat, two in furniture, one in cigars and tobacco, one in hardware and two in agricultural implements.

The first church edifice erected in Lansdale was the Methodist Episcopal. It was built of stone, thirty-six by fifty-five feet, in 1871, completed in the following year and dedicated July 14th, in that year. It at present has ninety members. The pastors who have served the church are as follows : Revs. H. U. Sebring, Amos Johnson, Robert McIlwaine, S. O. Gar- retson, William H. Smith, H. S. Isett, Eli E. Bur- rowes, William H. Shafer and the present pastor, Rev. J. G. Bickerton.

The Evangelical Church at Lansdale is located adjoining the borough limits, and was built of brick. forty-six by sixty feet, in 1875. The church was organized in that year, and is united in charge with the Hatfield Evangelical Church. The pastors have been Revs. Shoemaker, John Ziegenfuss, Willianı Heil, F. Kracker and the Rev. Leonard Noble, the present pastor. The church has a membership of about forty.

The Reformed Church was organized in 1877, and in that year erected a brick church edifice, forty by sixty feet. The pulpit was filled for two years by the Rev. Jacob Kehm and Rev. A .B. Koplin . In 1879 the Rev. H. F. Seipel was called to the pastoi- ate, and served until April, 1884. The present pastor is Rev. J. J. Rothrock. The church has about eighty members.

The St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, located about half a mile from Lansdale, is of brick and was built in 1878. It has a seating capacity of about two hun- dred. The pastors have been the Rev. Henry Stom- mel and the present pastor, the Rev. Joseph A. Winter. The church was supplied for two or three years from Bethlehem.

The Baptist Church at the place was built in the fall of 1884, from plans and specifications furnished by Palissier, Palissier & Co., of Bridgeport, Conn. The society is under the care of the North Wales Baptist Church, of which the Rev. J. A. Aldred is pastor. The first service held in the church was on Sunday, February 8, 1885. The church edifice is built of brick, thirty-five by forty-six feet, and cost three thousand five hundred dollars. The chapel was dedicated March 11, 1885. The introductory sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. William Cathcart, and

1 See Chapter " Manufactures."

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BOROUGH OF LANSDALE.

the dedicatory sermon by the Rev. Dr. John Peddie, of Philadelphia.

The Church of the Messiah, of Gwynedd, organ- ized a mission in Lansdale February 8, 1885, with twenty-six communicants. A lot of ground has been pledged and it is the intention to build as soon as possible.

There are four public schools in the borough, with a term of nine months, and two hundred and twenty- three pupils in attendance. Fonr teachers are em- ployed, one at a salary of fifty dollars per month, one at thirty-eight dollars and two at thirty dollars a month.

young, and locating at Skippackville, Pa., where he died in the spring of 1874, aged sixty-one years. His wife was Mary Stoll, born in Trumbaursville, Bucks Co., Pa., and is still living. Mr. Geller was a farmer and dealer in wood and woodlands.

Jacob S. Geller, the subject of this sketch, was born in Perkiomen township, Montgomery Co., July 3, 1846. Until yonng Geller was sixteen years of age he lived at home, except two summers, when he lived with Anthony S. Heebner, assisting his father on the farm and in the wood business, attending school occa- sionally, and not caring as much for books as he did for a fine Pennsylvania Dutch team of four or six horses.

Stellen

The first election for borough officers occurred in September, 1872. The following is a list of the burgesses from that time to the present: 1872, A. B. Hickman; 1873, David S. Heebner; 1875, John Kindig; 1876-79, David S. Heebner ; 1880-81, Oliver M. Evans; 1882-83-84, William D. Heebner; 1885, William H. Fuhr.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JACOB S. GELLER.

Jacob S. Geller is of German descent, his father,

October 27, 1862, he engaged with D. II. Anders to take charge of what is popularly known in this section of country as a " commission wagon," where he remained about two years. This was really his first schooling, for in that business it became neces- sary for him to read and write and keep accounts. After serving two years he engaged with N. H. Anders of Palm Station, in the same business, and remained two years, when Anders sold his business, and Geller then engaged with A. K. Frick, a grocer of Philadel- phia, where he remained but a short time, and re- turned to the parental roof.

January 1, 1866, without any capital, young Geller Henry Geller, immigrating to this country when quite | purchased of D. H. Anders his commission route,

744

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

team and fixtures, and commenced business for him- self, and on February 18, 1867, soll ont, and on March 25, 1867, he engaged with John Herst, of Pennsberry, to work on a commission wagon at a good salary, but not satisfied with that, preferring a business of his own, on July 9, 1867, purchased of Franklin Roden- berger, of Hoppinsville, this county, his commission route, team and fixtures, which he operated for two years, or until November 14, 1868, when he sold out to Charles Roth, and established a route at Skippack- ville, which he kept for about one year, when he met with an accident, having his arm broken by a run- away horse, after which he sold out and engaged with Jonathan Wonsitler, of Doylestown, where he re- mained but a short time, when he repurchased of Charles Roth January 15, 1870, the old Hoppinsville commission route, which, by the advice of a friend, who said, "If you do good, let better alone," he kept till the spring of 1873, when he purchased the Hoppinsville store property, together with eighteen acres of land, of Mrs. David Cristman, taking posses- sion July 9, 1873. Here he commenced the mercan- tile business in a small way, in an old store building, twenty by thirty feet, purchasing the stock and fix- tures of B. H. Roth.

March 17, 1875, he sold the stock and fixtures to B. H. Roth, and purchased, April 1, 1875, the stock and fixtures of Lyman Rosenberger, at Kulps- ville, and here established auother commission route. In the spring of 1876 he purchased the Hoppins- ville store property at sheriff's sale, and in April of that year stocked the store, and run that and the Kulpsville store till January, 1877, when he sold the Kulpsville store, stock and fixtures to Messrs. Krupp & Cassel, and in July, 1877, sold the Hoppins- ville stock and fixtures to M. H. Massey, of Philadel- phia.

In July, 1878, he purchased of John Kindig his Lansdale property, consisting of building lots, store and fixtures, and removed the old one-story building and erected the present large and commodious three- story store and dwelling, and in the fall of 1878 com- menced the mercantile business, with two clerks, and has continued to increase his business until he now (1885) employs ten clerks in his store, and carries the largest stock of goods found in any store in Mont- gomery County.

In the spring of 1884, finding his mammoth store too small for the increased business, he rented three floors and basement of the Godshall block, adjoining his own store, and stocked the same with furniture, carpets and undertaker's ware, which he still occu- pics.

Mr. Geller is one of the progressive men of the age, giving his time and means for the advancement of every enterprise or interest that has for its object the growth and improvement of the borough of Lans- «lale or the bettering of the condition of his fellow- men.

He is an active member of the Wentz German Re- formed Church, and has been a member of the Borough Council for two terms, and postmaster of Lansdale since November 6, 1878, when he was appointed by Postmaster-General David M. Key. He was also postmaster at Hoppinsville and at Kulpsville while he had a store at each of these places. He was one of the original members of the Lansdale Water-Works Company, and has been one of its directors since its organization. He was married, February 6, 1868, to Miss Isabella H., daughter of Washington and Mar- garet Crater, of Skippaekville, Montgomery Co., Pa. They have one daughter, Mary Maggie, born March 31, 1870.

SETH L. SCHOLL.

In the year 1778, George and John Scholl emigrated from Germany and came to America, John locating in Virginia, while George, who was a saddler and harness-maker by occupation, enlisted in the Con- tinental army as a saddler, and served to the close of the war ; his little family in the mean time resided in the vicinity of Philadelphia. At the close of the war he went up into what was then called the wilder- ness, on Branch Creek, near where Trumbaursville is now located, and took up a tract of three hundred acres of land, and there raised a family of children, one of whom was Michael Scholl, born December 1, 1784, and was the grandfather of Seth L. Scholl, of Lansdale.

Michael married, July 12, 1807, Mary, daughter of Conrad Hoot, of what is now North Wales, then Gwynedd township, and died February 25, 1858. Mary Hoot was born October 7, 1789, and died March 25, 1870. Michael Scholl and wife were both buried in Wentz Reformed Church Cemetery, on the Skip- pack road, above Centre Point. They had children,- Jacob, Margaret, Catharine, Henry (born July 25, 1816, in Germantown, Pa.), Matilda, George, Amanda, Elizabeth. Of the above children, Henry married, December 1, 1839, Mary Ann, daughter of Andrew and Eustina Lake, of the city of Philadelphia. Mary Ann Lake was born October 5, 1820, Their children were, -Maria, born Tenth Month 5, 1840, married John F. Ambler, and now a resident of Lansdale, Seth L., born Tenth Month 8, 1842, married, June 7, 1866, to Miss Ann Catharine Ambler, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Ambler, of Blue Bell, Whitpain township. Frederick, born April 23, 1844, married Louessa, daughter of Seth Good, December 5, 1872; Louessa Good, born October 13, 1849. Franklin, born February 9, 1846, married, May 16, 1874, Miss Sarah Beck, who was born June 18, 1856. Sarah, born in 1848, died unmarried, - 1870. Elizabeth, born January, 31, 1851, married, October 6, 1870, to Ilenry L. Beck ; Henry L. Beck was born September, 1850. Henry L. Scholl was born May 1, 1854, married December 25, 1879, to Miss Letitia R. Pownall.

BOROUGH OF LANSDALE.

745

Seth L. and Ann Catharine Scholl are the parents of children, as follows : Benjamin A., born April 7, 1867; Henry O., born February 16, 1869; Horace Linwood, born January 12, 1871, died September 17, 1872; Ida May, born November 5, 1872; Mary Ella, born June 11, 1878.

John Ambler, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Seth L. Scholl, was born Fifth Month 8, 1783, died Fourth Month 9, 1859. He married Ann Morgan, who was born Fifth Month 8, 1784, and died Fourth Month 4, 1863. Their children were Thomas, Benjamin, Chalkley, Joseph, John and David (twins), Septimus, Letitia and Sarah.

Seth L. Scholl, was born Seventh Month 4, 179], died Twelfth Month 4, 1872. His wife, Catharine, was born Ninth Month 9, 1790, and died Seventh Month 14, 1872.

Seth L. Scholl is what is commonly termed a self- made man. He was born on the farm then owned by James White, and occupied in 1885 by his grand- son, James Winfield White. His educational advan- tages were quite limited, although belonging to one of the oldest families of the vicinity of what is now Lansdale. At the age of eleven years he commenced his labors in a brick-yard, and assisted in making the first brick made at Lansdale, now one of the large

SethLScholl

Benjamin Ambler, father of Mrs. Scholl, was born in Montgomery township, Montgomery Co., Pa., Ninth Month 3, 1810, married, Third Month 1, 1838, Mary, daughter of John and Catharine Fitzgerald. Their children are John F., born Seventh Month 12, 1840, married, First Month 28, 1864, Maria Scholl. Ann Catharine, wife of Seth L. Scholl, born Fifth Month 30, 1842. Thomas Elwood, born Eleventh Month 30, 1843, married, Sixth Month 20, 1867, to Harriet E. Makens. Benjamin Morgan, born Sixth Month 13, 1846, married, Third Month 5, 1868, to Elizabeth Street.

John Fitzgerald, maternal grandfather of Mrs.

industries of the town, and of which he is the most extensive manufacturer in Lansdale. By industry and perseverance he grew up with the business, became master of the art and in due time became the owner of a large landed estate in and adjoining the town of Lansdale, and has thus far been promi- nentły identified with all the progressive movements of the young and thriving town.

He was a member of the first Town Council of the borough of Lansdale, and has been a member of its school board. He is one of the original members of St. John's Reformed Church of Lansdale, and for I several years one of its deacons. He has been a

746

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

member of the order of I. O. of O. F. since 1864, passed through the chairs and is also a member of the Grand Lodge of the State of Pennsylvania; also a member of the I. O. of Red Men. He has resided in Lansdale for forty-one years, a much longer period than any other present resident of the town.

He is the patentee and only manufacturer in the United States of the "Locomotive Snow Broom," made of hickory wood, and his sales extend to all countries where railroads are in operation. He is also quite an extensive manufacturer of cigar-boxes of all sizes and grades.

After serving his time, or at the age of twenty-one years, he was engaged as a journeyman carpenter for three years. He then established business for him- self, which he conducted nearly or quite three years, then one year at journeyman's work, when he again established business for himself, which he continued till 1859, when he moved to Montgomery township, Montgomery Co., Pa., where he purchased a farm. Here he carried on both farming and the carpenter and builder's trade for thirteen years, when his health tailed, on account of which he was compelled to re- linquish the agricultural branch of his business, sold

Milliar Pichardson

WILLIAM RICHARDSON.

William Richardson, son of William and Mary Richardson, is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and was born in that city January 1, 1822. Prior to and in- cluding his sixteenth year his life was spent at home, and for a short time in what was known at that time as a "pay school" in Gaskill Street, and subsequently at a public school in Front Street. At the age of sixteen years he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and faithfully served his time with his master in the old Southwark district. While serving his time as an apprentice he attended Mr. Benjamin Lewis' school, at his own

his farm and removed to his present place of resi- dence, adjacent to the borough of Lansdale.

Mr. Richardson has, since in active service for himself, been one of the progressive men of the age ; first and foremost in any and all improvements tend- ing to advance the interests of the community in which he has dwelt. He was one of the originators and one of the board of directors of the Lansdale Water-Works, which is a lasting monument to its projectors. When there was a prospect for building up the town of Lansdale he became one of the pro- jectors of and president of two building associations. Another worthy enterprise found in him a strong expense, where he learned, among other things, the supporter, viz .: "The Lansdale Cemetery Associa- art or profession of drafting. tion," of which he is president, In 1875 he was

747

BOROUGH OF NORRISTOWN.

elected a justice of the peace for the township of Montgomery, a position he has adorned and still oc- cupies.

He was married, January 23, 1849, to Miss Margaret (born October 24, 1831), daughter of Jacob and Mary Shields, of the old district of Southwark. Their children are William E., born September 23, 1849, married, June 30, 1877, to Miss Mary B. Thompson ; Jacob Shields, born March 12, 1851, died November 1. 1851; George, born June 12, 1852, died December 4, 1852; Mary Jane, born July 17, 1854, married, Janu- ary 21, 1879, to Daniel Koch, of Lansdale; Anna Loage, born February 10, 1857, married, December 7, 1881, to Charles J. Wheeler, of Lansdale; Maggie Shields, born June 9, 1859, married, December 8, 1883, to Samuel Ryner, of Line Lexington, Montgomery Co., Pa .; Clara Virginia, born December 18, 1862; Harry, born April 24, 1866; Edmund, born September 23, 1869; Lilly May, born April 26, 1875, died Janu- ary 18, 1876.

CHAPTER XLVIL.

BOROUGH OF NORRISTOWN.1

THE borough of Norristown is situated on the east side of the Schuylkill River, about sixteen miles north- west of Philadelphia, and is the seat of justice for Mont- gomery County. Since the extension of its limits in 1853 it is nearly two miles square, and contains an area of about two thousand three hundred acres, divided into seven wards. Its front on the river is fully two miles, and extends back from the same a distance of from one and a half to two miles, and is bounded on the north, northeast and northwest by Norriton township southeast by Plymouth, and on the south and south- west by the Schuylkill. It was erected into a borough by an act of Assembly, passed March 31, 1812, with an area of tive hundred and twenty acres, and all its territory has been taken from Norriton, with the ex- ception of about one hundred and fifty-eight acres from Plymouth township in 1853.

Its surface is rolling, and that part on which the town is principally situated enjoys an elevated site, from the rear of which an extensive view is obtained of the fine scenery of the Schuylkill Valley. Both adjacent to and in the vicinity of the town the soil is ex- 1 vellent. Norristown combines from its situation great advantages, and in this respect few towns are so favored. It is remarkably healthy, its location beau- tiful, its water excellent and its neighborhood unsur- passed in the quality and abundance of its marble, iron and limestone. Within its limits two streams enter the Schuylkill. The larger is Stony Creek, which has its source in Whitpain township, and is

seven miles in length, two of which are in the borougb. This stream, with its branches, propels six grist-mills, two saw-mills, besides several manufactories. Saw- Mill Run rises also in Whitpain, and is four miles in length, and in its course propels a clover-mill, grist and saw-mill, besides several manufacturing establish- ments.

As may be expected from a town so advantage- ously situated, and, above all, having an enterprising population, it has rapidly advanced. According to the census of 1820, it contained 827 inhabitants ; in 1830, 1089; in 1840, 2937 ; in 1850, 6024 ; in 1860, 8848; in 1870. 10,753 ; and in 1880, 13,163. The real estate for taxable purposes in 1882 was valued at $6,310,263. For that year 3934 taxables were returned, possessing property as- sexsed at $6,774,473, the average per taxable being $1722, while in Norriton township it is $2834; Ply- mouth, 82804; Whitpain, 83443; and in Lower Providence, $3553. In May, 1883, the borough con- tained 281 licensed retailers and dealers, besides 29 hotels, 13 restaurants, S liquor-stores and two breweries. The stores in 1840 numbered only 14; in 1858, 108 and in 1876, 193. In 1790 it contained 18 houses; in 1832, 151; in 1850, 1006; and in 1860, 1662 dwellings occupied by 1673 families. It has also attained con- siderable importance as a manufacturing town, having 10 cotton and woolen-factories, 2 furnaces, 2 rolling- mills, 3 foundries and iron-works, 2 tack-works, 2 shirt and 2 hosiery-factories, 3 lumber and planing- mills, 2 merchant flour-mills, oil-works, glass-works gleaner and binder-works, besides numerous minor establishments.

Owing to the increase of population an act of Assembly was passed February 8, 1847, authorizing the authorities of the borongh to divide it into what was called the Upper and Lower Wards. It thus re- mained until the passage of the act of 1852, when it was divided into the Upper, Middle and Lower Wards. According to the act of Assembly, passed May 12, 1871, it was further divided into First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Wards. This power having now been vested in the Court of Quarter Sessions for the county, the latter confirmed December 22, 1881, and an additional ward was formed from the first three, to be called the Sixth Ward. Three commissioners were appointed by the authority of the Court, who on May 20, 1884, divided the First Ward and formed from it the Seventh, which is to comprise all the territory within the borough limits westward of Chain Street, as it extends from the Schuylkill northwards to Elm.

Public Improvements. - The various improve- ments leading to or through this borough have con- tributed much to its prosperity. In the order of time, the first that may be mentioned is the Ridge turnpike, leading from Philadelphia to Perkiomen bridge, twenty-four miles in length, and passing through the borough on Main or Egypt Street for two miles. The Schuylkill Canal and Navigation was commenced in

1 By Win, J. Buck.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1816, and was sufficiently completed in 1818 to admit the descent of a few boats; but it was not until about 1826 that the whole line went into operation. The com- pany constructed a dam here of nine hundred feet width between the abutments, which in 1830 was raised to its present height, and is the means of furnishing valuable water-power to several manufacturing estab- lishments. In consequence of the enlargement in 1846, boats of two hundred tons burden pass through it and can unload coal, grain and lumber in the place.

The bridge over the Schuylkill at De Kalb Street was commenced in the spring of 1829, and by Septent- ber was so far completed as to admit persons on foot to pass over. It was built by an incorporated com- pany in 1830, at a cost of thirty-one thousand two hundred dollars, and commenced taking toll January 9th of said year. It is eight hundred feet in length, and, with the abntments, ten hundred and fifty feet. The first president was Mathias Roberts; Joseph Thomas, treasurer; Thomas M. Jolly, secretary ; and William Le Barrow, builder and contractor. It has since been rebuilt, the County holding stock in it to the amount of twenty-three thousand dollars. Owing to the extensive travel over it and the great amount of re- ceipts derived from toll, the subject of making it free or building a new bridge commenced to be agitated more than thirteen years ago by numerous citizens residing on both sides the river, particularly those in Bridgeport and Upper Merion, who were from the force of their circumstances the more interested. Strange to say, through clever ingenuity, an act of Assembly was passed in 1872, of general application, prohibiting the building of any bridge across the same stream within the distance of three thousand feet of a toll-bridge already erected. When a new bridge had been proposed this act was brought to public attention, and, as may be well expected, such legislation created no little astonishment. A Free Bridge Association was now organized, and after a long and severe strug- gle triumphed, and the bridge declared free October 13, 1884, the county taking it in charge.

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 164

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