USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume II > Part 38
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more than a million dollars worth of business annually, sends its prod- ucts to all parts of the civilized world. The superior quality of the goods manufactured has created a constantly widening demand for them, and everywhere the trade-mark of The Lee Tire and Rubber Company stands for excellence of quality and of workmanship. Several months after be- ginning work in his attic, Mr. Lee erected a two-story shop and fitted it with the appliances needed for the manufacture of his goods. In 1887 another and much larger plant was built, this being a three-story building of stone. The business continued to expand rapidly, and in another year, 1888, the J. Elwood Lee Company was organized with a capital of $75,000, which has been increased as the business grew until at the time of the organization of The Lee Tire and Rubber Company the capital employed in carrying on the business amounted to nearly a million dollars. The company owns several valuable patents, a large number of which are Mr. Lee's own, the perforated metallic splint being one of the most use- ful and most widely used. Mr. Lee's resourcefulness in meeting emer- gencies which from time to time arose in connection with modern sur- gery had been one of the factors in his marked success. Besides sur- gical instruments the firm manufactured antiseptic preparations of all kinds and many appliances coming under the head of surgical supplies for the use of hospitals, surgeons, and the medical profession generally. Agencies were maintained in all the large cities of the world, and this extensive and complicated business organization Mr. Lee directed with rare skill and untiring energy. In 1910 the business was sold to John- son & Johnson, and The Lee Tire and Rubber Company was organized. In addition to his extensive and important business interests Mr. Lee takes an active interest in the affairs of his community. He has been a member of the Town Council since 1898; was chosen by acclamation a delegate to the national Republican convention for the re-nomination of President Roosevelt, and has always been ready to aid all projects for the advancement of the welfare of Conshohocken. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and in politics gives his allegiance to the Republican party, in the activities of which he takes a deep interest. He is social, genial and a favorite among large groups of friends and acquaint- ances, and is well known in local club circles, being among others, a member of the Penn Club, the Pencoyd Club, of Wissahickon, the Union League, and the Merion Cricket Club.
On April 12, 1882, J. Elwood Lee married Jennie W. Cleaver, young- est daughter of Jonathan and Anna J. (Wood) Cleaver, born October 8, 1860, and they are the parents of four children : Mary Cleaver, born July 29, 1884, died February 7, 1893; Elsie, born January 19, 1888; J. Elwood, Jr., of whom further ; Herbert B., born June 11, 1900, died February II, 1902. Mr. Lee died on April 8, 1914, and his death represented a loss not only to his personal friends and to the community, but to the busi- ness world as well. Highly esteemed by great numbers of friends and associates and deeply loved by those who knew him best, his loss will long be felt in the little community of Conshohocken, where the greater part of his active and achieving life was passed.
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J. Elwood Lee, Jr., was born August 13, 1891. He was educated at Plymouth Meeting and Penn Charter School, graduating from both schools, after which he was made assistant secretary of The Lee Tire & Rubber Company, which position he held until his resignation in 1915, when in company with four associates, he formed and incorporated the Lee Puncture Proof Tire Company, of Toronto, Canada, becoming its first president, which position he still holds. Mr. Lee entered the serv- ice of the United States during the World War, serving for five months, from July 8, 1918, to November, 1918, at the Camp May Naval Aviation Station. He is a member of the Merion Cricket Club.
Mr. Lee married, August 8, 1910, Edith F. Haley, daughter of Elwood and Emma Haley, of Conshohocken. They are the parents of the fol- lowing children : Marjorie Jane, and J. Elwood (3). The family are members of the Episcopal church.
JAMES W. BUTZ, owner of a feed, lumber and coal business at Palm, Pennsylvania, has had an active and successful career. He was born in the lower end of Berks county, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1872, son of Edwin and Fiana (Miller) Butz. His father was the proprietor of a feed mill in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and from him Mr. Butz received his first practical training in the feed business and the princi- ples of business management. Mr. Butz is one of a family of four chil- dren, his brother and sisters being Mary, Anna, and Harry Butz.
Mr. Butz received his education in the public schools of his native county. Accustomed from his early boyhood to the work of his father's establishment, he decided to follow in his footsteps and to become a feed miller and dealer. Accordingly, after his graduation from school, he entered his father's mill and continued to work there until he was twenty-six years old. During this period he acquired a thorough knowl- edge of the milling business, and soon became an expert at the actual work of milling, as well as at the management of the details of the business, such as receiving and filling orders, buying and grading raw materials, and supervising the work of the men engaged upon various details connected with the establishment. In 1898 Mr. Butz decided that the time had come for him to found an independent business and to make a name for himself in the business world. He left his father, therefore, and moved to Palm, where he has ever since lived. His father, although sorry to lose his assistance, was in sympathy with his desire for inde- pendent achievement and gave him every help in the way of advice and encouragement. Upon his arrival at Palm, Mr. Butz established him- self in the feed business and was successful from the very beginning.
His success with the feed business encouraged him to enlarge his interests by the addition of lumber and coal enterprises. His present reputation as one of the leading merchants in this line in the county proves the wisdom of his decision to deal in these commodities also, and his customers have always appreciated the high quality of his goods and the care and promptitude with which their needs are supplied. His sur-
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cess has been based upon energy and industry, and in all ranks of the business world his judgment is highly respected.
In politics Mr. Butz is a Republican, and takes an active interest in political affairs. During his early youth he taught in a public school in Berks county for one term, and although he did not find teaching to be an ideal occupation for himself, he has always retained a great interest in the schools and is an advocate of progressive and liberal tendencies in education, believing that every child is entitled to a sound academic and vocational training, and that investment in the schools is amply repaid by increased standards among the young people who are one day to govern the country and upon whom the burden of maintaining Amer- ican ideals and traditions will fall. In religious faith Mr. Butz is a mem- ber of the Schwenkfelder church, and is always a liberal supporter of church activities. A devoted member of the Masonic order, Mr. Butz belongs to Lodge No. 595, of Perkiomen; the Consistory of Reading ; Rajah Temple ; and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. He also holds member- ship in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Knights of Pythias, and the Order of Owls, in which he belongs to the East Green- ville Lodge.
On March 9, 1894, Mr. Butz married, at Seisholtzville, Hereford township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, Katie Moll, daughter of Wil- liam and Emmalena (Gerry) Moll. Mr. and Mrs. Butz have one son, Raymond, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1895.
E. CLARENCE PICKELL-As a successful and popular photog- rapher, Mr. Pickell is well known in Norristown, Pennsylvania, the place of his residence, and in the surrounding communities from which many patrons seek his services, but he is more widely known for his long mili- tary service, which covered a period of four days less than twenty-one years, and included the Spanish-American War, Mexican Border activ- ities, and overseas service throughout the period of the World War.
Mr. Pickell is a member of an old Pennsylvania family, and a son of Leonard and Evaline (Righter) Pickell, both now residents of Nor- ristown. The father was for many years a puddler in the great iron foundries of both Chester and Montgomery counties, but is now prac- tically retired from industrial activities. He is highly esteemed as a citizen, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The family consists of the following children: Walter; E. Clarence, of whom fur- ther ; Morris, Howard, Susie ; Sadie, deceased ; Laura ; Herbert, deceased ; Harvey, Harriett, and Elwood.
E. Clarence Pickell was born in Mont Clare, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1879. Educated in the public schools of Norristown, he early entered the world of industry, securing a position in the Watts Woolen Mills. There he learned weaving and finishing, and later was employed for a time at the Woodstock Mills. But he formed higher ambitions, and in 1902 began the study of photography.
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Working at this profession in various places for a number of years, Mr. Pickell gained extensive and very practical experience, which, added to his natural artistic ability, places him among the leaders in his chosen field of activity. In 1910 Mr. Pickell opened his own studio in Norris- town, at No. 222 West Main street, where he has since operated with large success. In 1912 he absorbed the Linzi studio, and in 1921 the Cape studio, the latter being the scene of his apprenticeship. He now takes care of the trade formerly handled by these studios as well as his own original patrons, and is doing a very extensive business. He has the finest equipment obtainable, and keeping in touch with every advance step in his profession, he does all branches of photography. In various other branches of interest Mr. Pickell has long been a leader, and to the military affairs of his native land he has devoted much time during the best years of his life. On May 8, 1908, he enlisted in the 6th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for the Spanish-American War. En- tering the service three days later, he was stationed in Virginia, but to his great disappointment was not sent to the front. He received his honorable discharge on October 17, 1898, and on December 30, of the same year, enlisted in Company F, 6th Infantry Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard. On April 29, 1903, he was transferred to the Hospital Corps of the Sixth Regiment, and was discharged as acting hospital steward on June 5, 1906. On July 16th of the following month Mr. Pickell enlisted as private musician, and served for nearly sixteen years, receiving his discharge on July 7, 1916. On that day he reenlisted for service on the Mexican border with the National Guard, still as musician, and continued with the militia until February 26, 1917, when, as musi- cian, he enlisted for the World War. Entering the service on July 15, 1917, he was attached to Company F, IIIth Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, which was known as the "Iron Division." Going overseas with this division, Mr. Pickell saw active service on the front, having many exciting and adventurous exper- iences such as are incident to the life of the soldier, returning, however, without having suffered the adversities of war. He served for some months after the signing of the armistice, and returning to this country, received his honorable discharge from the service on May 4, 1919. Mr. Pickell has since devoted his entire attention to his profession of photog- raphy, but has given the greater part of his leisure to the preservation and continuance of good fellowship among ex-service men through the various organizations devoted to their interests. He is the founder and organizer of the United States War Veterans in Norristown, known as General Weaver Camp, No. 52, and was its first commander. He is a member of George N. Althouse Post, No. 39, American Legion, and is one of the organizers of Company F, Veterans' Corps, and many minor organizations of a military character. He is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Order of Owls, and is interested in all branches of civic and social advance. His political con- victions align with the principles of the Republican party, but he is in no sense a politician. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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Mr. Pickell married (first), in 1900, Katie Widman, of Norristown, who died in 1901, leaving one child, Harry Clarence, who married Esther -, and is employed by the Dill Company, of Norristown, as clerk. Mr. Pickell married (second), in 1907, Martha Evans, of Norristown, who died in 1911. He married (third), in April, 1917, Minnie J. McCoy, also of Norristown, and they reside at No. 530 Noble street.
ALLEN G. STAUFFER-Justice of the peace at Palm, Pennsyl- vania, and president of the Acorn Glove Company, Inc., Mr. Stauffer comes of pioneer Pennsylvania stock. He was born near Zionsville, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1876, son of Henry and Catherine (Gottshall) Stauffer.
His father, who was born in 1844, was a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, whither his ancestors came in the early days, was a farmer and devoted his entire life to the care and cultivation of the soil. The elder Mr. Stauffer died in 1916, at the great age of seventy-two years, after having seen the dark days of the Civil War, the subsequent growth in power and importance of the United States, and after having contributed by a life of energy and thrift to the general prosperity and agricultural greatness of his native State. Mr. Stauffer is one of a fam- ily of six children, his brothers and sisters being: Annie, who is now Mrs. Aaron B. Schantz; Katie, who married Abram Geissinger; Wal- lace ; Henry G., whose sketch follows; and Frank Stauffer.
Allen G. Stauffer received his education in the public schools of Lehigh county. When his school days were over, he began his business career as a clerk in the general store of F. M. Moll, at Palm, Pennsyl- vania, where he has ever since made his home. He maintained this con- nection for a period of four years, acquiring a thorough knowledge of trade conditions and business methods. He increased his capital during this period, and in 1900 entered into partnership with his brother, Henry G. Stauffer, and acquired Mr. Moll's interests in the store. The busi- ness prospered under the direction of Mr. Stauffer and his brother, and although they began in a small way, their customers were so well pleased and their business grew to such an extent that in 1905 it became neces- sary to enlarge their premises by building a modern and commodious addition to their original establishment. In 1923 another addition was made to their building. At the present time, the store, having been remodeled and added to from time to time, is one of the finest in the district and is generally recognized as one of the leading mercantile establishments in the county.
In addition to his interest in the general store, Mr. Stauffer estab- lished the Acorn Glove Company in 1908. This business has been no less successful than the general store and has grown steadily through the years. When it was first established, Mr. Stauffer built a small brick factory building to house the enterprise, covering an area twenty-four feet by forty, but before long he was obliged to add to it in order to supply the demand for his product. The present factory is eighty feet by one hundred in size, and has been three times added to. The present
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normal output is one thousand dozen pairs of gloves a day, and the yearly volume of sales is rising. Mr. Stauffer specializes in canvas and jersey cloth gloves, and has always made a point of maintaining the highest standards of workmanship and quality, so that his gloves have come to be known as thoroughly reliable and are in great demand. The company was incorporated in 1919, and Mr. Stauffer was elected presi- dent and general manager of the firm. Mr. Henry G. Stauffer holds the office of vice-president.
In politics Mr. Stauffer is a Republican. In 1920 he was elected jus- tice of the peace, an office he still holds. An energetic and capable man of affairs, he has always taken a vigorous stand on the side of construc- tive legislative policies, and is an ardent supporter of all movements designed to improve transportation facilities, to provide for better roads, and to increase the general welfare and prosperity. In the discharge of his duties as an officer of the law, Mr. Stauffer has shown himself to be an independent and fearless upholder of the public safety and the dignity of the judiciary. In religious faith he is a member of the New Mennonite church, and takes a great interest in the activities of the congregation.
On December 26, 1901, Mr. Stauffer married, at Palm, Lena Bergey, daughter of Henry and Emmaline (Rieff) Bergey. Mr. and Mrs. Stauf- fer have no children.
HENRY G. STAUFFER-United States postmaster at Palm, Penn- sylvania, since 1900, and long identified with the business and social life of the community, Mr. Stauffer is a descendant of an old Pennsylvania family. He was born near Zionsville, Lehigh township, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1877, son of Henry and Catherine (Gottshall) Stauffer (see preceding sketch).
Mr. Stauffer received his education in the public schools of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, completing his studies at an early age. An active and ambitious boy, he began his business career immediately upon his graduation from school, forming a connection with W. H. Kehl, the pro- prietor of a general store at East Greenville. Entering Mr. Kehl's estab- lishment as a clerk, and spending four years in that capacity, Mr. Stauffer acquired a thorough knowledge of business methods and trade condi- tions. At the end of this period he entered into partnership with his brother, Allen G. Stauffer. Together, they purchased the general store of F. M. Moll, at Palm, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Stauffer has ever since made his home. The account of their business is to be found in the preceding sketch. In addition to his interest in the general store, Mr. Stauffer is a stockholder in the Acorn Glove Company, Inc., which was founded in 1908 by his brother, Allen G. Stauffer. An account of this business is also given in the preceding sketch.
Mr. Stauffer inherited a strong love of the land and a great ability for agriculture from his father, and, in addition to his other interests, is the owner and manager of the Meadow Brook Farm. This magnificent property, which comprises 122 acres of arable Pennsylvania land, is sit- uated on the boundary between Montgomery and Berks counties and is
Henry C. Badle
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all under cultivation. The land is remarkably fertile, even for so great an agricultural State as Pennsylvania, and Mr. Stauffer takes the great- est pleasure in his fine crops, which never fail to win admiration and to secure awards at county fairs and agricultural shows. As an agricul- turist, Mr. Stauffer takes a great interest in the work carried on by the United States Government through the Department of Agriculture on behalf of farmers in all parts of the country. He is a staunch supporter of the policies of the Department, and especially of its ceaseless efforts to overcome various plant diseases and agricultural pests by increasing the general knowledge concerning these destructive agencies and dis- covering and applying new methods of combating them. On his own property. Mr. Stauffer has the finest and most approved equipment, con- sisting of agricultural machinery of all kinds, and buildings of the best construction for the storage and utilization of crops and the shelter of live stock. His farm is a model of fine management, and its beautifully kept fields and gently rolling pastures arouse the admiration of all who chance to see it, while the crops it produces find a ready market at all times.
In politics Mr. Stauffer is an ardent Republican. In 1900 he was appointed United States postmaster at Palm, and this office he still holds. His fidelity to the duties of his office and the devotion he has always shown to the best interests of the community have won him the respect and friendship of all parties, and he is generally considered a public- spirited and self-sacrificing citizen. His opinion is always consulted in regard to local affairs by the men of his own party, and his judgment is highly respected by all classes of the community. In religious faith Mr. Stauffer and his family are members of the New Mennonite church. He is a great believer in the power of militant religion, and takes an active part in the work of the church, supporting its undertakings in every pos- sible way.
On March 14, 1903, he married, at Palm, Ida B. Gery, daughter of Thomas H. and Mary (Burkhalter) Gery. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer have no children.
HENRY COOK BIDDLE-One of the best known and most influ- ential business men of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is Henry Cook Biddle, of Ambler, who in addition to the management of a large and important real estate and insurance business is officially identified with several financial institutions, and takes an active part in local public affairs.
Joseph Cadwalder Biddle, father of Henry Cook Biddle, was born in 1805, and died in 1888, at the age of eighty-three years. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Montgomery county throughout the long period of his active career, and was a man of very great practical ability. He was especially skillful at plowing, and frequently gave demonstra- tions at the county fairs. He married Elizabeth Cook, who was born about 1815, and died in 1895, at the age of eighty years, and they were the parents of nine children: Mary, who married Charles Hoover, both
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deceased; Amanda, married Edward Rynear, both deceased; Henry Cook, of further mention; William, deceased ; Charles, deceased; Saun- ders, deceased; George, deceased; Ross, who died in infancy ; and Frank, deceased.
Henry Cook Biddle, son of Joseph Cadwalder and Elizabeth (Cook) Biddle, was born in Gwynedd township (now Lower Gwynedd town- ship), October 6, 1841. After receiving his early education in the public schools of his native district, he became a student in John Locke's Board- ing School, at Norristown, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1861. About two years after the completion of his education he engaged in teaching, 1863-64, but he soon gave up the responsibilities of that profession in order to engage in the more remunerative business of farming. For nearly a quarter of a century he devoted his time and his energies to agricultural pursuits on the late Saunders Lewis farm, known as Dawsfield farm, in Whitpain township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. At the end of that time, however, in 1890, he resolved to change both his place of residence and his line of business activity. In that year he engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Ambler, but remained on the farm until the new business enterprise was thor- oughly established. In 1894 he removed to Ambler, and since that time his interests have largely centered in that community. He has been notably successful both as a realtor and as an insurance man, and is widely known as an expert in the appraisement of real estate values. In addition to his activities and responsibilities in connection with his pros- perous real estate and insurance business, Mr. Biddle is officially con- nected with several financial organizations. He has been a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Norristown Trust Com- pany for the past twenty years; and was one of the original organizers of the First National Bank of Ambler ; a member of the board of direc- tors and the second largest stockholder in said bank; was one of the original organizers of the Ambler Building and Loan Association and a member of its board of directors for several years; was one of the organizers of the Wissihickon Building and Loan Association in 1903, and now serves that organization as vice-president. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party, and he has always been will- ing to bear his share of the burden of local public office. He is a mem- ber of the Borough Council, which for about three years he served as president ; was for several years a member of the Election Board ; and at the time of the Civil War was drawn for service, but furnished a sub- stitute. For several years he was a member of Cold Point Grange, No. 606, in which organization he served for several years as master. He is a charter member of the Norristown Club ; and his religious affiliation is with Boehm's Reformed Church at Blue Bell, which he has served for several years as a member of the board of elders. Mr. Biddle has a host of friends in Montgomery county, and is widely known both in Ambler and in other places with which he has been connected either in a business way or in other relations. He has always been well known as a skilled horseman and lover of animals. At the present time, however, he finds
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