USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume II > Part 3
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Aaron S. Swartz was born in Towamencin township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1849, and is a son of Jacob Swartz. His early life was spent on his father's farm, where he attended the district schools of the neighborhood. Possessing scholarly tastes and eager to enter a professional career when still a youth, he entered Free- land Seminary, the predecessor of Ursinus College, at Collegeville, Penn- sylvania, going thence to Lafayette College, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts upon his graduation with the class of 1871. A cum laude student at Lafayette, he attracted the attention of educators throughout this part of the State, and was offered the principalship of the public school at Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, which he accepted and filled with dignity and satisfaction to all concerned. The law was, how- ever, his goal, and when still teaching at Phoenixville, he began reading law, completing his professional studies under the preceptorship of Gilbert Rodman Fox (1872-75). Admitted to the Montgomery county bar in the year 1875, his duties as deputy clerk of the United States Dis- trict Court for Eastern Pennsylvania, which office he had held for some years, were laid aside by his resignation, that he might devote his entire attention to the practice of his profession. Locating in Norristown, Mr. Swartz rose rapidly in the public favor and in 1877 was brought forward as Republican candidate for district attorney. Although Montgomery
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county was then strongly Democratic, he was defeated by less than three hundred votes. In his professional field he advanced rapidly, and in the year 1881 he was the candidate of his party for the office of county judge. The following year he was appointed solicitor for the Board of County Commissioners, a position he filled with large ability for some years. Among the important cases he tried in his earlier years at the bar was that of Moses Sutton, on trial for the murder of a Mrs. Roeder, in which he was associated with B. E. Chain, as counsel for the defense, the trial resulting in Sutton's acquittal.
The year 1887 saw the creation of the office of additional judge in Montgomery county by the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and with the approval of the entire county, Governor Beaver appointed Aaron S. Swartz to fill this responsible office. Before the close of the same year the death of Judge Boyer left vacant the office of president judge, and in November, 1887, Judge Swartz was elected to that office for a term of ten years, receiving a very substantial majority. At the expiration of this term he was reelected without opposition, as he was again and again, in 1908 and in 1918. His last term was to have expired January I, 1928, but his health became sadly broken in the spring of 1923, and on April 3, 1923, he was retired on full salary, the county retaining his services in an advisory capacity. Thus the record of Judge Swartz stands as one of unusual distinction, additional law judge from May 2, 1887, until August 20, 1887, and president judge of Montgomery county from August 20, 1887, until April 3, 1923. In his offices in the court house he is now widely sought in consultation by his colleagues, and he is in close touch with the courts in the service of which so many years of his life have been spent.
Honors have been tendered Judge Swartz from more than one source. In the year 1908 Lafayette College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws, and in 1915 Ursinus Academy also conferred that degree upon him. Throughout his career as a jurist his efforts were always towards instilling a respect for the law, but not only this, he gave his most earnest endeavors to reform the transgressor and inspire him to right living and an honorable future. Dignified in manner, Judge Swartz is nevertheless most kind-hearted and affable. His sound judg- ment and unfailing discharge of duty in the upholding of law and pre- cedent made him a just and upright judge; his opinions, carefully pre- pared, were models of clearness, but above all he was earnest and con- scientious in his efforts to reprove without destroying the spark of hope which should inspire the offender to make a fresh beginning in the path of righteousness. He has for many years been a member of the First Presbyterian Church, of Norristown, and was long superintendent of the Sunday school. Firm in his religious convictions, he is a citizen beyond reproach and richly merits the esteem in which he is held. He has long been a stockholder of the Bryn Mawr, Jenkintown, and Penn Trust companies.
Judge Swartz married Ann Louisa Keller, daughter of John Keller, of Towamencin township, Montgomery county. Mrs. Swartz is a Repub- Mont-2
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lican in political affiliation, and is president of the League of Women Voters of Norristown, also vice-president of the Political League of Montgomery County. Judge and Mrs. Swartz are the parents of four children : Gertrude S., wife of Robert George Buchanan, and they have two children, Nancy and Robert George; Edna S., a graduate of Wilson College, wife of Victor J. Roberts, of Norristown, their only child being a son, Victor J., Jr .; Aaron S., a graduate of Princeton University, and a prominent lawyer of Norristown, married Jean S. Buchanan, and they have three children: Aaron S. (3), Clara R., and Walter Buchanan ; Anna, a graduate of Wilson College. Gertrude S., Edna S., and Anna are all valedictorians of Wilson College. -
AARON S. SWARTZ, JR .-- Admitted to the bars of Montgomery county and of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1911, Mr. Swartz has been in continuous practice ever since, and as junior member of the well known firm of Evans, High, Dettra & Swartz he is reaping the reward of a profession which most generously repays honest effort and applied skill. While the law has always held him closely, he has not neglected other activities of community life, and in politics, athletic and sports associa- tions and church work he is active and useful.
Aaron S. Swartz, Jr., was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1887, the son of Judge and Ann Louisa (Keller) Swartz. He attended the public schools of his native place, graduating from the local high school in the class of 1903, after which he entered Lawrenceville School in preparation for his matriculation at Princeton College, graduating from the latter institution in 1908 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Having in the meantime decided to follow in his father's footsteps, and with this end in view, he entered the law department of the University of Pennsylvania and three years later won from here the degree of Bachelor of Laws. This same year, 1911, as has been previously men- tioned, Mr. Swartz was admitted to practice law at the bars of Mont- gomery county and Philadelphia. Immediately after admission, he began practice in Norristown, associating himself with the firm of Evans and Dettra. In 1915 the firm of Evans, High, Dettra & Swartz was formed, with offices at No. 329 DeKalb street.
Mr. Swartz is a director in the Norristown Trust Company and the Wildman Manufacturing Company, both of the borough of Norristown. In politics he is a Republican and for several years served as secretary of the Republican County Committee. He affiliates with Lodge No. 620, Free and Accepted Masons, of Norristown; the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, No. 114; Montgomery County Bar Association; Phi Beta Phi fraternity of Princeton College; Delta Phi fraternity of the University of Pennsylvania ; and also holds membership in the Plymouth Country Club and the Norristown Club, of which latter he is a charter member and a director. In religion he is a Presbyterian and attends the First Church of this denomination in Norristown, of which he is a trustee.
Garou S. Awaty Jr.
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On January 27, 1914, at Norristown, Mr. Swartz was united in mar- riage with Jean S. Buchanan, daughter of Alexander S. and Clara (Elliot) Buchanan, the former a member of the Garrett, Buchanan Company. Mr. and Mrs. Swartz are the parents of three children: Aaron S., 3rd. born September 16, 1914; Clara Rosalie, born June 25, 1917; and Walter Buchanan, born December 27, 1918.
Aaron S. Swartz, Jr., is still a young man, but his career has been one of good work and satisfactory results. There can be no reasonable doubt that the years which lie before him will be filled with greater effort and more signal achievement.
EDWARD S. FRETZ-The industrial record of Edward S. Fretz is the successful upbuilding of an enterprise, and when conditions destroyed its prosperity, of the rearing in another field of a new business upon the foundation of the old, which in scope and prosperity far surpassed the first. This achievement forms the major part of the narrative following, but it would prove an unfaithful record of his life if it failed to mention the religious, civic, and humanitarian works that have been his closest interests, not as a separate and distinct part of his activity, but as the strength and essence of his life, diffusing influence and guidance through- out those avenues his material progress has followed.
Mr. Fretz is of old Colonial descent, tracing his ancestry in this country to early settlers of the name who came from the Palatinate, Ger- many, in the early eighteenth century and purchased from the Penn family a tract of land in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Since that time each generation has produced a group of hardy, able, and industrious citizens who have contributed a valuable share to the development of the State of Pennsylvania. Many of the name have also settled in other sections of the country, but the line to which Edward S. Fretz belongs remained upon the homestead tract.
Born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Fretz is a son of Elias C. Fretz, who served with a Pennsylvania regiment in the Civil War, and of Anna B. (Sheip) Fretz, who lived in Philadelphia during the boy- hood of Edward S. In order that he might attend the district school at Skippack the lad made his home with an uncle during his school days, and when his course in the district school was completed, continued his studies during several spring terms in the West Chester Normal School. He then engaged in teaching and for six years was "schoolmaster" in Skippack. Like many of the young men of his time, Mr. Fretz was plan- ning to make the teaching profession the steppingstone to another pro- fession. He at that time was firmly resolved to enter the ministry, and by teaching during the school term and working in Philadelphia during the vacation seasons planned to secure the funds for his further education. During one summer he was associated with the T. & J. W. Johnson, law book publishers, of Philadelphia, and later entered the employ of the "Philadelphia Press," where he was placed in charge of the rural circula- tion department. A year and a half later he was promoted to the posi-
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tion of advertising manager, and in this connection he became familiar with the town news agencies. By this time he had become thoroughly interested in a business career, and seeing a good opening in the news agency line of Pottstown, formed a partnership with E. R. Cassel and purchased the business of the A. C. Buckwalter Book Store, Station- ery and News Agency, which for ten years they successfully operated under the name of Cassel & Fretz. In the meantime the bicycle had come into general use and Mr. Fretz had, in connection with his busi- ness, been selling bicycles. In 1892 he, with W. I. Grubbs and others, began in a small way to build bicycles. The enterprise was successful and in 1893 was incorporated under the name of the Light Cycle Com- pany, of which Mr. Fretz became sales manager and secretary. The first bicycles built by the concern were constructed in a small frame building located on Walnut street, but by 1894 the rapid increase in business made larger quarters necessary and the first unit of the present plant was built. In 1901 Mr. Grubbs sold his interest in the business, and in 1902 Mr. Fretz was made general manager of the entire concern. It was about this time, however, that the introduction and rapid increase of the use of the automobile caused a country-wide slump in the bicycle business. The plant of the Light Cycle Company was in danger of standing idle, and Mr. Fretz began looking about for a profitable field of production in connection with the new automobile industry. He decided to visit all concerns engaged in the manufacture of automobiles and solicit orders for the manufacture of "parts." He was fairly successful on the first trip, and found that many of the new concerns would be glad to contract for some of the many parts required for the assembling of a complete automobile, but he received one order which he had to find a way to fill. The differential gear invented by the De Dion Boutin Motorette Com- pany of Brooklyn required for its most effective use an aluminum case. The company desired Mr. Fretz to furnish the case. Here was a need which Mr. Fretz did not know how he could fill, but decided to try. After weeks of search and study, he found in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, a man named Calvin Romig, who was an iron moulder by trade, and who had in the rear of his home equipment for making brass castings. Calvin Romig thought that the casting of aluminum could be successfuly achieved, and was willing to try. Aluminum was secured from the Pitts- burgh Reduction Company, and to the great relief of Mr. Fretz the experiments were successful. Aluminum castings were a reality, and as the process of casting greatly reduced the cost of the production of aluminum parts, the new article was at once in demand by all manu- facturers of automobiles, and the quest of Mr. Fretz for a profitable use to which to devote his plant was at an end. The business grew rapidly, and soon the number of his employees had far outgrown the number required in the old bicycle manufacturing business, but he was able to secure splendid cooperation. In 1912, when representatives of the radi- cal element attempted to "organize" the plant, there was little or no trouble, and the establishment continued under full and normal time.
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Operations are conducted as the Light Manufacturing and Foundry Company in the production of aluminum, brass and bronze castings, automotive parts, such as motors and transmissions, also die castings for automobiles and aeroplanes.
Mr. Fretz is one of those who believe that the "Golden Rule" will "work" in business, and that a square deal to everybody is the best form of insurance. His greatest interest is in his church, and as a member of Trinity Reformed Church, of Pottstown, he has rendered active and wholehearted service for many years, as deacon and elder for the past quarter of a century, and as superintendent of the Sunday school for over twenty-five years. His next interest is the Rotary Club, which he has served as president, now a director, and which he believes represents the spirit of the "Golden Rule," and he is also an active participant in the Young Men's Christian Association affairs. Politically he gives lis sup- port to the principles of the Republican party, and he always votes care- fully. He believes that every citizen should be required to vote, both in the primaries and in the general elections. He considers that every citi- zen is "in politics," that the Constitution puts him there, and that he can- not avoid the performance of his duty without loss to himself and to the State. In civic affairs Mr. Fretz stands for progress and for steady adherence to high moral standards. He believes that everywhere, in all cases, the "Golden Rule" and Christian principles are sound and sensible guides for every day living, and earnestly seeks to embody those prin- ciples in his own life. He is affiliated with a large number of com- mercial and scientific organizations, including the Society of Auto- motive Engineers; Travelers' Protective Association; World's Board of Aeronautical Commissioners, Incorporated, which he serves as chair- man of his district; Franklin Institute for Scientific Research in Mechanical Fields; American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers ; board of directors of the Pottstown Young Men's Christian Association ; the Motor and Accessories Manufacturers' Association ; National Association of Credit Men; and the National Foundry- men's Association. He was also one of the original organizers of the movement which resulted in the construction of the Lincoln Highway, and is a member of the Lincoln Highway Association. As a member of the Brookside Country Club, he finds healthful out-of-door recreation and social intercourse, and he enjoys the friendship and esteem of many friends.
Mr. Fretz has been twice married. He married (first) Virginia Cameron Hoyer, daughter of Dr. Jacob Hoyer, of Harrisburg and later of Philadelphia. She died in 1913. He married (second), November 9, 1916, Mabel Hobson, daughter of Freeland H. Hobson. To the first mar- riage two daughters were born: I. Virginia C., who is a graduate of Hood College, Frederick, Maryland, and was for one year in government service as head of the Home Economics Department at Ponce, Porto Rico. 2. Margaretta Coleman, a graduate of Bradford Academy, of Bradford, Massachusetts. To the second marriage two children were born: Edward Hobson and Jean Anne.
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This, in outline, is the record of the effort and accomplishment of Edward S. Fretz in practical affairs and in the works of good citizenship and vigorous manhood. His days are full of resultful labor, public- spirited activity, and the study that is at once his recreation and the means by which he keeps abreast of the thought and progress of the day. The pages of the history of the region in which his most productive years have been spent open gladly to receive and preserve the record of his career.
REV. L. KRYDER EVANS, D. D .- Rarely does the pastor of any church endear himself to the entire community as closely as did Rev. Dr. Evans, of Trinity Reformed Church, of Pottstown, whose death, in the early spring of 1922, after a residence of more than half a century in this city, brought sorrow to every one who had known him. Long affectionately called the "pastor of the whole of Pottstown," it is par- ticularly fitting that the story of his life be carried down to posterity in the permanent records of Montgomery county. Dr. Evans was a native of this State, a member of an old Center county family, and a son of the late James G. and Rebecca (Kryder) Evans, of Center county. His father was a farmer at Spring Mills, Gregg township, a man whose breadth of mind and uprightness are reflected in the sons who went out into the world from that modest farm home to lives of usefulness.
Dr. Evans was born at the family home near Spring Mills, Center county, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1839, and died at his home in Potts- town, No. 221 King street, March 2, 1922, having passed by more than two months the eighty-second anniversary of his birth. As a child, Dr. Evans lived close to nature on the home farm, and attended the district schools near by. He was later a student at Aaronsburg Academy, under Professor James I. Burrell, then spent three years teaching during the winter months and working on the farm during the long summer vaca- tions. His first school was in Brush Valley, and after teaching there one year, he taught the Zion school, near Bellefonte, for two winters. Dur- ing this time the young man gave much thought and study to theological subjects, his purpose even then being to enter the Christian ministry. Attending Fairview Seminary, at Nittany Valley, Center county, this State, during the summer of 1860, he completed his preparations for college, and in the autumn of that year entered Franklin and Marshall College. He was graduated from that institution as the valedictorian of the class of 1864, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts at that time. Thirty-five years later his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Meanwhile, before his graduation, Dr. Evans taught the Boalsburg Academy, of Center county, during a summer term. In the fall of 1864 he entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, which at that time was located at Mercersburg, Penn- sylvania, and there he remained for one school year. After teaching at Oley Academy, at Friedensburg, Berks county, Pennsylvania, until Sep- tember, 1865, he went abroad and spent two years in study, six months
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each at the University of Berlin and the University of Bonn, and one year at the University of Tuebingen, one of the leading schools of theology in the world. Returning to his native country and State in September, 1867, he went before the West Susquehanna Classis, at Boals- burg, Pennsylvania, for examination, and on the twenty-ninth of the following month was licensed to preach.
Dr. Evans' first charge was at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he served the Reformed church for four years, supplying, during that period, small churches in the vicinity, at Nippenose, White Deer and Black Hole valleys, all villages of Lycoming county. Dr. Evans was called to Trinity Reformed Church of Pottstown in the spring of 1871, and entered upon his duties here on September 10, 1871. His pastorate was marked by the steady growth of the church, from both the material and the spiritual viewpoint, and also by a peculiarly happy relationship between this and other church bodies of Pottstown. Dr. Evans led his people in all good works, reaching out into the "highways and byways" in his efforts to fulfill to the highest degree his sacred calling. He was one of the founders of St. Paul's Reformed Mission at Stowe, in this county, which has since become St. Paul's Reformed Church, and he presided at the laying of the corner stone of the present church edifice in May, 1888.
Broadly active in every community service, he did much in aid of the Pottstown Hospital, helping to secure the State appropriation of $10,000, which made possible the erection of the original building. Long a member of the Berks County Historical Society, he always felt a deep appreciation of the value of records of every kind, and he has been said to have possessed the most complete accumulation of records of any resident of Pottstown. These included all the marriages, baptisms and funerals at which he had officiated, also very many events in his own and other churches.
Dr. Evans served Trinity Reformed Church as pastor for forty-one years, then, on account of his advancing years, he resigned on Septem- ber 1, 1912, and was succeeded by the Rev. J. Hamilton Smith, D. D., who came to Pottstown from Altoona, Pennsylvania, and is still pastor of this church. Dr. Evans was elected pastor emeritus of Trinity, and although no longer the active minister, he was still held in the closest fellowship, and was sought among all the churches on the occasion of funerals and weddings. It was in these latter years that he came most closely to be in truth the pastor of all Pottstown. For years he had assisted at the Memorial Day exercises of the local posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, and during the last decade of his life he gave himself more than ever to the people of the city. His kindliness and benevolence, his great charity for others and his personal pleasure in the happiness and well-being of others made every one his friend. Giving no less of himself to the people of St. Paul's Church, to whom he had always referred as "my children," the whole city was interested in the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Evans' coming to Trinity, which was celebrated by special services and receptions covering a period
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of one week in December, 1921. He was presented with a very beautiful bouquet of white roses and carnations on December 9th, at the home- coming services at St. Paul's Church. His response to this gift, by which he was deeply touched, was prophetic-"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace." The occasion was his last public address at St. Paul's Church, and he was seen in other gatherings but few times thereafter, his health definitely failing shortly afterwards. Dr. Evans was president of the Pottstown Ministerial Association from its organiza- tion in 1910 until his death, every election being unanimous. His asso- ciates among the officers of this body were: Rev. H. F. J. Seneker, pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Transfiguration, first vice-president, and Rev. C. P. Warner, of the First Baptist Church, secretary. Dr. Evans had not been in good health for a year previous to his decease, but the end came as a shock to all who had so long seen his benevolent face about the city. The funeral services were held on Monday, March 6, 1922, at the church which he had so long served as pastor, Rev. Dr. Smith, the present pastor, officiating, assisted by Rev. George A. Rich- ards, D. D., president of the General Synod of the Reformed Church, also president of the Eastern Theological Seminary of Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania; Rev. John C. Bowman, D. D., formerly president of the above institution, who preached at the twenty-fifth and fiftieth anniversary celebrations at Trinity, in honor of Dr. Evans; and Rev. I. B. Kurtz, D. D., of Emmanual Lutheran Church, representing the Pottstown Min- isterial Association. Members of the Consistory of Trinity Church, and the Board of Control of the Sunday school acted as bearers, and the body lay in state in the Sunday school room of the church from eleven o'clock until two.
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