USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume II > Part 2
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George Rupert, father of Professor William W. Rupert, was a farmer near Oxford, Chester county, where he died in 1891, aged eighty-two years. He was a Baptist in religious faith, for many years a deacon in the church. He married Anna Durnall, whose death occurred before his, aged sixty-five years, her father a native of Pennsylvania, a farmer in calling, both parents attaining advanced ages. George and Anna (Durnall) Rupert were the parents of three children: William W., of whom further; Elizabeth, who married Rev. Edward Macminn; and Edward W.
William W. Rupert was born near Oxford, Chester county, Pennsyl- vania, October 29, 1852, and until he was twenty years of age worked on the home farm, attending the district schools. Three years in the Union High School in Lancaster county, a private institution conducted by
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BIOGRAPHICAL
James W. Andrews, A. M., and one year in the Oxford Seminary, pre- pared him for advanced study, and he took a course in civil engineering, being graduated from the Polytechnic College of the State of Pennsyl- vania, class of 1877. Thereafter, for one year, he taught school in Oxford, where he had taught for a time prior to college entrance. From this school he went to the Parkesburg Classical Institute of Chester county, where for one year he was professor of mathematics, then came to Potts- town, where his most valuable educational work has been performed. He became principal of the Pottstown High School in 1879, and nine years later, with the creation of the office of borough superintendent of schools, he was elected its first incumbent, so continuing until July, 1922, when, as previously stated he laid aside the responsibilities of his honorable place.
While it is accurate to state that Professor Rupert laid aside respon- sibilities, those who were his associates in the upbuilding of the Potts- town schools to their present high standard know that he dealt in oppor- tunities, not responsibilities, and was never dismayed by the burden that a forward movement invariably brings. He was in all respects a pro- gressive, yet he never advanced upon untried or unproved ground. He broadened the curriculum of the local schools by the introduction of subjects that had no place when his teaching life began, and, supported by a school board that had strong faith in his judgment and ability, never rested content until the best development along a given line was attained. He gave music the place of prominence it deserves in school as in home life, secured the best teachers obtainable, and set in motion in the Potts- town schools a force for character building and social improvement that has extended to every home touched by the public schools. It has become the custom for boys and girls and their teachers, at Christmas and other festival occasions, to visit the sick and confined throughout the community with a message of song that bears with it much of joy and happiness. Several concerts, in which one thousand voices have been heard, have been given by the schools, and the Opera House has been packed to capacity at these performances.
Sewing classes, giving a full course of instruction, are another innova- tion for which Professor Rupert is responsible, and the preparation of girls for domestic problems is one of the many manners in which the Pottstown schools have come to meet their responsibility to the com- munity. Drawing has also assumed important place, and three of the most able teachers in public school work have labored effectively in arous- ing appreciation of artistic values that has been felt throughout a wide circle. It has been an invariable rule throughout Professor Rupert's direction of the school system that he either select or approve all teachers, and through this intimate contact with his assistants there has prevailed a spirit of constant cooperation and loyalty, a strong sympathy and morale from which students and the city at large have benefited.
Professor Rupert has always been an ardent advocate of physical training as a part of school life, believing implicity in the inseparability
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
of physical and mental fitness. Consequently, when plans for a new high school were being discussed, he supported whole-heartedly the pro- posal of H. M. Lessig, a member of the school board with whom he was closely associated in progressive movements, that the new building be erected where large grounds might be available for outdoor physical work. The confines of this record do not permit exhaustive treatment of his work in the Pottstown schools, but sufficient instances have been cited to illustrate his high educational ideals, his devotion to his calling, and his passion for perfection in the training of the young for the part they must play in manhood and womanhood.
While meeting the many daily demands of his position, Professor Rupert has found time for authorship of high order and is widely known for works that have become standard in their respective fields. Among them are: "Guide to the Study of History and the Constitution of the United States," published by Ginn & Company, of Boston; "Rupert's Geographical Reader," published by Leach, Shewell & Sanborn, of Bos- ton ; "Famous Geometrical Theorems and Problems with Their History," published by D. C. Heath & Company, Boston ; "Pennsylvania Supple- ment to Tarr-McMurray Geographies," published by MacMillan & Com- pany, New York; and "How to Know the Stars." This last, Professor Rupert's latest work, is a pamphlet with eight charts giving the location of one hundred and twenty-two stars. The charts were made from his own backyard and from open lots in the vicinity, and the chief character- istics of the work is its simplicity and the feeling of intimacy with the other worlds that is transmitted from the author to the reader. Professor Rupert has prepared monographs on astronomical subjects that have won commendation from John A. Brashear and Frank Schleisinger, noted American astronomers, and other equally prominent authorities, achieve- ments particularly noteworthy when it is considered that he has been able to apply himself to this form of science only as it has been subor- dinated to other pressing affairs.
A Republican in politics, he has not been a political office-holder, but has been interested and active in affairs of State and national scope. He is an attendant of the Baptist church and holds a place in the community to be gained only by a lifetime of effective, worthy labor in a noble cause.
Professor Rupert married, July 27, 1882, Mrs. Clara S. (Miller) Davis, widow of Dr. Brooke Davis, and daughter of John and Margaret (Som- mers) Miller, her parents natives of Chester county, her father a farmer and a director of the First National Bank of Pottstown. Mrs. Rupert had two children by her former marriage, Brooke Davis and Edgar Davis. Professor and Mrs. Rupert are the parents of two children: I. William Earle, who after graduating from Princeton, in 1909, became an instructor in Coatsville High School and was later elected supervising principal of Kenneth Square. He married D. Edna Rossiter. 2. Marion E., who graduated from Miss Sayward's School in 1906, and married J. Russell Longwell, a mehanical engineer, who graduated from Cornell University, and was in military service during the World War.
J.a. Buchwalter
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BIOGRAPHICAL
JOSEPH ADDISON BUCKWALTER-The American progenitor of the Buckwalter family was Francis Buckwalter, who came to this country from Switzerland in 1720. He located near Phoenixville, Penn- sylvania, where he purchased a large tract of land upon which he built a house and continued to live there with his family until his death.
Abraham Buckwalter, a direct descendant of Francis Buckwalter, and father of Joseph Addison Buckwalter, was born in 1799. He was a mill- wright by trade and followed this occupation throughout his entire life- time, residing in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he owned and operated a sawmill and a farm. Early in life he was a Whig in politics, but during the Civil War became a strong Republican, having been an Abolitionist and assisted fugitive slaves to escape on what was known as the "Underground Railroad," forwarding them to Canada and other places of safety. He was an earnest temperance advocate and founded the Royal Springs Temperance Society near Kimberton in 1844, Mr. Buckwalter and his wife being the first members. He was ever a faith- ful temperance leader, advocating the cause and circulating petitions until they contained seven hundred names, the original roll of the society being in the hands of his son, Joseph A. He died in 1878. Mr. Buck- walter married Rachel Ortlip, daughter of Henry and Mary (Currus) Ortlip, the former a miller by trade and a hotel keeper. Mr. and Mrs. Buckwalter were the parents of eleven sons: Samuel, William, Elias, Henry, Franklin, Joseph Addison, see forward ; Newton, David R., Lewis, Theodore and John W., all born in Chester county, Pennsylvania.
Joseph Addison Buckwalter was born June 25, 1836. He attended the schools of his native county, and remained at home assisting his father until he married. Later he and his brother Henry engaged as partners in a small way in the foundry business at Royal Springs, Chester county, Pennsylvania, and it was here that the foundation of the present large business, the extensive stove works of the Buckwalter Stove Com- pany, originated.
He was active in the movement to have Royersford incorporated a borough, and has the distinction of being first elected burgess, an office he held four terms. In politics he is independent, voting his own con- victions of the fitness of the candidates. Mr. Buckwalter is one of the early Spiritualists of Royersford and then attended, with his family, the services of the First Association of Philadelphia, thirty miles distant. Later, largely through his influence and purse, a Spiritual society was established at Royersford. A Buckwalter propaganda fund for the spread of Spiritualism was established to be used by the Pennsylvania State Association in its missionary work, and on the board of that asso- ciation Mr. Buckwalter was a trustee for many years.
As a contributor to the Spiritualist ambulance fund for the Red Cross work during the World War, 1914-1918, he not only did his part, but paid tribute to the memory of his wife, Mary (Hamor) Buckwalter, by the gift of an ambulance outright. He has long been an earnest advocate of temperance, and still has the pledge he signed in 1844 with the hundreds
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
of others. Further, to help the Red Cross, he installed a shaft to electri- cally connect the sewing machines which the ladies were using in the work, and he labored incessantly for the success of the Liberty loans. He is a member of the Midnight Sons Club, enjoys good music, a good play, baseball, football and home games. He is sound, mentally and physically, and his eighty-sixth birthday found him in most remarkable health, much to the joy of his many friends.
Mr. Buckwalter married, December 13, 1861, Mary Hamor, of Kim- berton, who died November 13, 1899, daughter of John and Catherine (Hawk) Hamor. Mrs. Buckwalter was a woman of rare quality and ability, a natural healer, magnetic and sympathetic, a believer in Spirit- ualism and a friend of mediums. She lived to see her children grow to useful manhood and womanhood, her own death being the first break in the family circle.
The children of Joseph A. and Mary (Hamor) Buckwalter are I. Katie, widow of David Springer, mayor of Royersford at the time of his death. 2. Rachel S., widow of C. Raiser, a glass manufacturer of Royers- ford, and mother of a son, Addison B. Raiser. 3. William F. 4. Laura Grater, deceased. 5. Stella B., wife of H. H. Herbine, of Reading, Penn- sylvania. 6. Ella B., wife of J. L. Rogers, of New York City. 7. Abra- ham L. 8. Joseph A., a sketch of whom follows.
Mrs. Springer is secretary of the Pennsylvania State Spiritualists Association, an office she has held for the life of the association with the exception of two years, during which time she was a member of the official board. Three generations of the family have been devoted Spirit- ualists, beginning with Abraham Buckwalter, the grandfather.
Now, at the age of eighty-six, Mr. Buckwalter is still an active busi- ness man. He is president of Buckwalter Stove Company founded in 1865, and is the only surviving member of the original founders composed of himself, his brother, Henry C. Buckwalter, John Sheeler and Henry Francis. The company started with limited capital, but by hard work, ingenuity and economy, success was won abundantly. The Buckwalter brothers were practical men of mechanical minds and the inventors and patentees of various devices and machines, among them a thrashing machine and a cherry seeder, these inventions furnishing the capital with which they started in the stove business.
Joseph A. Buckwalter dates his residence in Royersford from the year 1866, and he has ever taken an active interest in community life, giving generously of his time to all forward movements. For many years he was interested in the Home National Bank and was its president, also president of the Industrial Savings Bank. In 1902 these two banks merged and reorganized as the Royersford Trust Company, Joseph A. Buckwalter, president. He is president of that institution at the present time (1923), and in 1922 resigned the presidency of the Home Water Company of Royersford, an office he had held from the beginning of the company. He is a member of the Humane Fire Company of Royersford. He owns a large amount of real estate in the town, and in addition to his own residence has erected about forty residences occupied by others.
Irs. a Ruckuralta til.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
DR. JOSEPH A. BUCKWALTER, for many years a successful physician, and now, 1922, a prominent business man of Royersford, is a native son, his birth having occurred there on March 27, 1880. In all the relations of life he has held steadily to highest standards, and his sterling worth makes him well known in his native city in both public and private life.
Dr. Buckwalter, whose name heads this review, is the son of Joseph A. Buckwalter, a sketch of whom precedes this. His preliminary edu- cation was obtained in the public schools of Royersford. After gradu- ating from the Norristown High School, class of 1899, he attended the Hill School at Pottstown for one year preparatory to entering Hahne- mann Medical College, from which latter institution he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1904. Immediately after receiving his degree, he served an interneship at the Metropolitan Hospital, New York City. He engaged in the general practice of his chosen profession in that city on December 1, 1905, with offices at No. 174 West Eighty- ninth street, and No. 172 West Seventy-third street. Here he remained, carrying on a successful practice and devoting himself exclusively to diseases of the nose and throat, until January 1, 1910, when he returned to Royersford and entered his father's business, and in 1910 he was elected treasurer of the well known Buckwalter Stove Company.
In April, 1918, Dr. Buckwalter enlisted in the Medical Corps of the United States army, and six months later, on October 3, 1918, he was commissioned first lieutenant and sent to Camp Humphries, Virginia, where he was assigned to the 552nd Service Battalion. On December 27, 1918, he was re-assigned to the medical board at Camp Humphries, and on March 19, 1919, received his honorable discharge and returned to business. He was a member of the fuel commission of Montgomery county during the war previous to his enlisting.
In politics Dr. Buckwalter is an Independent, preferring to vote for the man regardless of party choice ; he was burgess of Royersford during 1914, 1915, 1916 and 1917, devoting himself to the fulfillment of his duties of office in a way to bring the greatest good to the greatest num- ber; is a director of the Spring City National Bank; president of the Humane Fire Company for many years ; chairman of the local Red Cross organization since its inception ; and an active member in all movements which have for their aim the progress and welfare of his native place.
Professionally, Dr. Buckwalter holds membership in the New York State Homoeopathic Medical Association; the New York County Homeopathic Medical Society; the Pennsylvania State Homoeopathic Medical Association; the Pathological Society of New York City : ex-member of the Post-Graduate Hospital Staff of New York City and the Metropolitan Hospital Staff of New York City. Fraternally, he affiliates with Royersford Lodge of Masons; Pottstown Chapter, No. 271, Royal Arch Masons; Palestine Council, Royal and Select Masters, of Phoenixville; Columbia Comandery, No. I, Knights Templar ; New York Consistory ; Mecca Shrine, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Mystic Shrine; and Tall Cedars of Lebanon. Socially, he holds member- ship in the Manufacturers' Club of Philadelphia, as well as in the Plym- outh and Phoenixville Country clubs.
On March 27, 1919, Dr. Buckwalter was united in marriage with Dorothy L. Latshaw, daughter of Benjamin I. Latshaw, mentioned else- where in this work. Dr. and Mrs. Buckwalter are the parents of two children : Joseph A., Jr., born January 4, 1920; David Irvin, born Novem- ber 23, 1922.
Happily gifted in manner, disposition and taste, enterprising in ideas, personally liked most by those who know him best, and as frank in declaring his principles as he is sincere in maintaining them, Dr. Buck- walter's career has already been rounded with exceptional success and marked by the appreciation of men whose opinion is best worth having.
EDWIN G. BROWNBACK, president of the Spring City National Bank, of Spring City, Chester county, Pennsylvania, was from 1895 to 1918, the successful proprietor of a general store in Trappe, Pennsyl- vania. He is one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Montgomery county, of which he has been a resident during the entire period of his life to the present time (1922).
Mr. Brownback is a descendant of Gerhard Brownback, of Württem- berg, Germany, who came to this country in 1783, and settled at Ger- mantown. Gerhard Brownback was a pioneer settler in Chester county, where he obtained a very large tract of land, and was the first to keep a hotel there, opening his log house for the accommodation of travelers. He established and built a Reformed church, which still is known as Brownback Chapel, and when it was completed, went to Europe to secure a preacher. He married Mary Papin, daughter of David, the first recorder of Germantown, and of (Rittenhouse ) Papin, the latter being a daughter of William Rittenhouse, who came from Holland to America, in 1783, and built at Germantown, in 1790, the first paper mill in British America. William Rittenhouse was also the first Mennonite bishop of Pennsylvania, and the grandfather of David Rittenhouse, the greatest astronomer of his day.
Edward Brownback, grandfather of Edwin G. Brownback, lived and died in Chester county and both he and his wife are buried in the burial ground which adjoins the Brownback Church. He married Ella Geist, and they were the parents of seven children: John, Mark, Benjamin; Edward, of further mention; Harriett; Catherine, who married Peter Emory ; and one that died in infancy.
Edward (2) Brownback, son of Edward (1) and Ella (Geist) Brown- back, was born and reared in Chester county, remaining upon his father's farm until he was grown. With his brother Mark, he then removed to Montgomery county, where they rented and managed a large farm, tilling the soil and raising stock. In 1861, after the marriage of Mark, they engaged in the hotel business in Trappe, continuing the partnership until 1868, when Edward bought a farm at Trappe. Edward (2) Brown-
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BIOGRAPHICAL
back was an able and efficient business man and accumulated consider- able property. He was a member of the board of directors, as well as a stockholder in the Spring City National Bank, and was known as a generous and charitable man. He died on his farm at Trappe, February 19, 1902, aged seventy-eight years and five months, survived by his wife, Andora (Goodwin) Brownback, who was a daughter of William and Sarah (Haws) Goodwin, both natives of Pennsylvania. Edward (2) and Andora (Goodwin) Brownback were the parents of three children : Edwin G., of further mention ; Stella, who died young ; and Benjamin F., who was born November 22, 1872, and is a bookkeeper.
Edwin G. Brownback was born at Trappe, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1868, and received his early education in the public schools of his native district. He then became a student in Wash- ington Hall, and later took a course in a business college in Philadelphia. Upon the completion of his education he engaged in teaching, following that profession during the winter months, and assisting on the home farm during the summer. In 1895, he purchased the general mercantile busi- ness which he continued to conduct in Trappe until 1918. A capable business man, he gave close attention to the management of his store, seeing to it that excellence of quality, promptness and courtesy of service, and a "square deal" were assured to his patrons. The business prospered and he became a stockholder in the Spring City National Bank, of Spring City, Chester county. Upon the death of Dr. William Brower in 1919, Mr. Brownback was elected president of that institution, and that official position he has continued to hold to the present time (1922). The bank was founded in 1872, with a capital of $100,000, but by 1916 had a capital of $200,000, with $100,000 surplus and $42,000 undivided profits. The personnel at the present time is: Edwin G. Brownback, president; Mil- ton Latshaw, vice-president ; C. W. Fryer, cashier ; E. C. Emery, secre- tary ; the first two of Montgomery county, and the last named, of Chester county. All of the above are members of the board of directors, with Dr. J. A. Buckwalter, J. A. Trimley, J. D. Kline, and D. H. Jones, of Montgomery county, and S. T. S. Wagner, I. W. Gruber, Edgar Davis, Maurice Yeager, and D. J. Kuauer, of Chester county.
Politically, Mr. Brownback gives his support to the Democratic party, and is prominent in the councils of the party in the borough. During President Cleveland's part of first and all of the second administration, he served as postmaster, and in 1903 he was elected a burgess, in which position he gave worthy service. His religious affiliation is with the Lutheran church of Trappe, which he serves as a member of the board of trustees, and for the past thirty years he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school, worshipping in the old historic neighborhood where, in 1743, Muhlenberg established the first Lutheran church in this section of the State.
In March, 1895, Edwin G. Brownback married Mary V. Beaver, who was born at Trappe in 1866, daughter of John K. and Mary (Shellen- berger) Beaver, the former a native of Falkener Swamp, and the latter
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
a daughter of Michael Shellenberger, of Bucks county. Mrs. Brown- back died August 15, 1921. Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Brownback were the parents of two sons: 1. John Harold, who was born March 23, 1897, and graduated from Ursinus College, in Collegeville, in 1921, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He is now teaching in the biological department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he is taking a post-graduate course leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, which he expects to receive in 1925. 2. Oliver S., graduated from Ursinus College in 1921, with the degree Master of Arts, and was associated with the Western Electric Manufacturing Company, as accountant, for eleven months. While in the Students' Training Corps at Ursinus, he contracted the influenza and died at Brown's Mills sanitarium, November 4, 1921.
JUDGE AARON S. SWARTZ, LL. D .- Nearly half a century of distinguished service at the bar and on the bench of his native State and county is the record of Judge Aaron S. Swartz, now an honored and ven- erable figure in legal circles in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Widely sought in consultation by his colleagues in the profession since his recent retirement from the bench, the knowledge gained during a long and useful career, and the clear, sane judgment which is also the result of his years of experience, still bear direct and beneficent influence on th public advance. From the beginning of his career in the law, which followed up on a period of broad usefulness as an educator, Judge Swartz has given to his work not only the power of a brilliant mentality, but the sincere love of justice and the earnest effort to make the world better, which are so urgently needed in the presentation of the law and the administration of justice.
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