USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume II > Part 40
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Dr. Zyner received his preliminary education in the public schools of
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his native township. After having completed his elementary studies he entered normal school, and later became a pupil at Bethlehem Prepara- tory School. An unusually energetic and concentrated student, he made a high record in scholarship, and proceeded to the Keystone State Nor- mal School upon completion of his course at Bethlehem Preparatory School. He was graduated from the Normal School as a member of the class of 1897, receiving a teacher's certificate. He spent some time in teaching before proceeding to acquire his professional training. He taught in the public schools of Upper Saucon township for three terms, and held a similar position in the public schools of Durham township, Bucks county, where he taught for one term. Later, he held the posi- tion of teacher in the public schools of South Whitehall township, Lehigh county, for one term. This proved to be his last connection as a teacher in the public schools, as he entered the University of Pennsylvania as a student in the dental department during the following year.
His interest had been attracted by the profession of dental surgery some time earlier, and he had determined to become a dentist, believing that in this profession he would find an ideal occupation which would afford him full scope for his abilities and enable him to achieve a solid and substantial success. Accordingly, having built up his capital during his years as a teacher and feeling confident of success, he became a student at the University of Pennsylvania. While he was engaged in his professional studies, he held the position of instructor in the evening school of the Young Men's Christian Association at West Philadelphia for two terms. He devoted himself to study with unusual energy and enthusiasm, and completed the full course of training with great credit, being graduated as a member of the class of 1904, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery.
After his graduation from the University, Dr. Zyner established him- self in practice at Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, where he met with success. At the end of a year, however, he decided to move to East Greenville, where he believed there was an excellent opportunity for a capable and progressive dentist. Accordingly, in 1906, he moved to East Green- ville, and has made his home in the town ever since. His expectations in regard to the community were not disappointed, and his success proves the wisdom of his decision to establish himself in the town. His practice has grown steadily from the very beginning, and his patients have the utmost confidence in his skill and ability. He is generally regarded as a leader in his profession, and a progressive and public- spirited citizen.
A great believer in the value of keeping pace with the advance of science, Dr. Zyner is a member of many associations of men in his pro- fession. He takes a keen interest in the new discoveries of scientists, and is a strong supporter of movements designed to improve the public health by dental clinics, the diffusion of knowledge concerning the care of teeth, and the important part dentistry plays in maintaining and restoring physical efficiency. He belongs to the American Dental Asso- ciation, the Pennsylvania State Dental Society, the Lehigh Valley Den-
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tal Society, the Susquehanna Dental Association, and the Delta Sigma Delta, a dental fraternity. He is a former president of the Lehigh Val- ley Dental Society.
In politics Dr. Zyner is a Democrat, with independent tendencies, believing that it is the duty of every voter to consider the individual candidate and his fitness for office rather than his fidelity to any one system of government. In religious faith he is a member of the United Evangelical church, and takes a great interest in the activities of the congregation. He is a Mason, and holds membership in Perkiomen Lodge, No. 595, Free and Accepted Masons, of East Greenville, of which he is a past master ; Allen Council, No. 23, Royal and Select Masters, at Allentown, Pennsylvania; Norristown Chapter, No. 190, Royal Arch Masons, at Norristown; Hutchinson Commandery, No. 32, Knights Templar, at Norristown; Philadelphia Consistory, thirty-second degree, at Philadelphia ; and the Lu Lu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Philadelphia.
On June 30, 1906, Dr. Zyner married, at Allentown, Pennsylvania, Jennie H. H. Wieder, daughter of Dr. William Harrison Wieder and his wife, Rebecca (Schuler) Wieder. Dr. and Mrs. Zyner have no children.
WEBSTER A. GENSLER-When Collegeville, Pennsylvania, se- cured the services of Webster A. Gensler as principal of its high school it made one of the best moves in its educational history, for they chose a man of such experience and special training, with such far-sighted modern views of study, athletics, and of the varied needs of students, as to insure a marked increase in the efficiency and success of the school. He is the son of Adam P., a well known gardener of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and Ida (Clauser) Gensler, and has two brothers, John, born April 10, 1881 ; William, born September 20, 1895.
Webster A. Gensler was born at South Whitehall township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1888, and received his early education from the public schools of his town. Desiring to take up teaching as a profession he went to Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and entered the Key- stone Normal School, of which he is a graduate. At a later period he spent some years studying for and gaining his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania. From 1905 to 1921 he taught in various parts of Lehigh and Bucks counties, Pennsylvania, and during the most of that period was supervising principal of the rural schools, making an enviable reputation for himself as an educator and leader. For three years he was at the head of the science department of the Perkasie High School (Pennsylvania), and was called in 1921 to accept the principalship of the Collegeville High School.
Mr. Gensler is more than a teacher and school executive. His inter- ests cover fields far outside the school room, but he is above all a home loving man, and it is in his home that he likes best to seek and consider the many sides of life, and books also appeal to him. He is a communi- cant of the Reformed church.
In 1913 Webster A. Gensler was married to Sadie E. Bishop, daugh-
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ter of D. L. and Sallie (Geissinger) Bishop. Mr. Bishop is the well known proprietor of a store dealing in general merchandise at Blooming Glen, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Gensler are the parents of three children : Harold, born 1914; Nevin B., born 1917; and Betty B., born 1920.
DAVID ORR-Active in business, politics, and fraternal affairs, David Orr, of Lansdale, has been a well known figure in the city during the thirty years of his residence there. He is the son of William J. and Elizabeth Orr, both now deceased, who in their later years, after Mr. Orr's retirement from the baking business, lived on a farm.
David Orr was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1870, and was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia. He learned the trade of foundryman, and in 1891 located in Lansdale and engaged in his line of work. In 1914 he was instrumental, with others, in organizing and incorporating the Lansdale Foundry Company, becoming its secre- tary. Through years of training and experience, he has become one of the able leaders in his line, and is winning the name and prosperity that goes to industry and ability. Mr. Orr cast his first vote in Lansdale for the Republican party, to which party he has given allegiance ever since. In 1921 he succeeded himself as a burgess of the borough, was the nomi- nee for representative at his party's primary (1922), and was elected to the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, November 6, 1922. Fra- ternally Mr. Orr is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Loyal Order of Moose; Knights of Malta ; Knights of the Golden Eagle; Shiloh Lodge, No. 558, Free and Accepted Masons ; and Lansdale Chap- ter, No. 301, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is past high priest. He is a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Orr married, December 1, 1894, Sallie S. Haas, daughter of Theo- dore H. and Emma (Fish) Haas. Mr. and Mrs. Orr are the parents of a son, Earl, who is now (1922) an attendant at Lehigh University, class of 1925.
ELMER MOYER DELP-Among the able and successful business men of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is Elmer Moyer Delp, who, in association with his brother, Ephraim Moyer Delp, whose sketch fol- lows, established in Souderton, in 1917, an enterprise which during the past six years has steadily grown and prospered. The brothers handle a line of autos and accessories, and have made for themselves a reputa- tion which is a valuable business asset. The Delp family has long been settled in Hatfield and adjoining townships, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and traces its origin to German sources.
Isaac Delp, grandfather of the two brothers, received his education in the schools of his native district, Hatfield township. He married a native of Hatfield, and their only child was Ephraim, of whom further.
Ephraim Delp, son of Isaac Delp, was born on a farm in Hatfield township, and after receiving a practical education in the public schools of Hatfield township, engaged in farming. He married Mrs. Angeline
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Baker, and they became the parents of ten children: Henry, Amanda, Charles, Ida, Addie ; four who died young ; and Jacob B., of whom further. Jacob B. Delp, son of Ephraim, who died in 1901, and Angeline (- - Baker ) Delp, was born in Hatfield township, August 26, 1864. He attended the public schools of his native district, and then took a course at Ursinus College, and still later, a commercial course at North Wales Academy and School of Business. Upon the completion of his academic training, he taught school in Lower Salford and Franconia townships for two years, and though he was thoroughly successful as a teacher, he resolved at the end of that time to enter a more active and remunerative field. Accordingly, he learned the carpenter's trade, and became a contracting › carpenter and builder. For fifteen years he was successfully engaged in erecting homes and other structures in the borough of Souderton, and elsewhere, and at the end of that time, in 1912, he established a lumber and hardware business, which he has continued to conduct to the present time. As a successful business man and a progressive, public-spirited citizen, he is most highly esteemed. Politically, he gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party, and he has served as a useful and valued member of the board of councilmen of the borough of Souderton, as well as a most efficient member of the board of school directors of that borough. He is well known among a host of friends and associates who respect him for his ability and for his sterling qualities of character. His religious connection is with the old Men- nonite church. Jacob B. Delp married, March 3, 1889, at Hatfield, Sarah Moyer, daughter of Hezekiah and Margaret Moyer, members of an old Mennonite family. Hezekiah Moyer was an able farmer of Lower Sal- ford. The children of Jacob B. and Sarah (Moyer) Delp were: Elmer, of whom further; Ephraim, born in Hatfield, married Grace Wismer, and they have one child, Betty; Anna C., who married Harvey Yodder ; and William D., who died in childhood.
Elmer Moyer Delp, son of Jacob B. and Sarah (Moyer) Delp, was born in Hatfield, June 4, 1895. He received his education in the Souder- ton public schools, and when school days were over engaged in the build- ing and contracting business with his father, continuing in this line until 1917, when, in association with his brother, Ephraim, he engaged in business for himself, establishing what proved to be an eminently suc- cessful emporium for the sale of autos and accessories. He is an able, energetic business man, interested in the welfare of his community, and has the confidence of the public whom he serves. His religious connec- tion is with the Reformed church.
On February 12, 1918, Elmer M. Delp married, at Sellersville, Mamie Gesisinger, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Nace) Gesisinger, and they are the parents of three children : Sarah Elizabeth, Dorothy Elaine, and J. Henry.
EPHRAIM MOYER DELP and his brother, Elmer Moyer Delp, whose sketch precedes this, are successfully engaged in a business estab- lished by them in 1917. They are handling a line of autos, lumber, and
Raul Gregory Atkinson, M.
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accessories, and during the five years which have passed since the found- ing of the business, they have built up a prosperous concern and made for themselves friends among all classes of an increasingly large patronage.
Ephraim Moyer Delp, second son of Jacob B. and Sarah (Moyer) Delp, was born at Souderton, November 24, 1897. He attended the local schools, including the high school, and when his formal school training was completed engaged in the lumber and carpenter business with his father, with whom he remained until 1917, when he formed a partnership with his brother, Elmer, as already related, and engaged in business for himself, handling a full line of lumber, auto accessories, etc. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
Ephraim Moyer Delp married, at Souderton, October 23, 1918, Grace Wismer, daughter of Willis and Elizabeth (Moyer) Wismer, and they are the parents of one daughter, Mary Elizabeth.
PAUL GREGORY ATKINSON, M. D .- In the medical profession in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, Dr. Atkinson is counted among the leading young men of the day, his military record, which follows, having given him very extensive experience in his chosen field of activ- ity. Dr. Atkinson comes of one of the oldest families in the South, and is descended from the Atkinson family of early Colonial days, and the Gregorys, who settled in Buckingham county, Virginia, and in later generations migrated to Kentucky and Missouri, branches of the family making permanent homes in both those States. Dr. Atkinson is a son of David G. and Virginia (Gregory) Atkinson, long residents of Callo- way county, Missouri.
Dr. Paul Gregory Atkinson was born in Fulton, Calloway county, Missouri, July 18, 1889. Receiving his early education in the public schools of his native place, his preparatory course was covered at Cen- tral College Academy, at Fayette, Missouri. His course in the arts and letters was pursued at the Missouri University, and for his professional studies he entered Hahnemann Medical College, at Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated on May 30, 1917.
Dr. Atkinson's interneship was spent at the Pittsburgh Homeopathic Hospital, and while there, on December 15, 1917, he enlisted for service in the World War. Commissioned first lieutenant on January 5, 1918, he was assigned to duty with the air forces, but was permitted to com- plete his year of interneship, not being called to active duty until July 4, 1918. He was then sent to Camp Greenleaf, the Officers' Training Camp at Oglethorpe, Georgia. He was not, however, sent overseas, but was retained in this country to assist in fighting the influenza epidemic, and served on this duty at the following camps : The Aviation Supply Depot, at Middletown, Pennsylvania ; the Ordnance Depot, also at Middletown ; the Quartermaster's Depot, at New Cumberland, Pennsylvania ; Kelly Field, at San Antonio, Texas ; Taylor Field, at Montgomery, Alabama ; and Boland Field, at Washington, District of Columbia. In the course of this duty, as outlined above, Dr. Atkinson traveled ten thousand eight
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hundred miles under orders. He was thereafter assigned to the 305th Aero Squadron, at the concentration and embarkation camp, at Camp Morrison, Newport News, Virginia. He was to have sailed for France shortly, but the signing of the armistice brought hostilities to a close, and he was returned to Kelly Field, where he received his honorable dis- charge from the service on February 12, 1919. Coming to Norristown, Pennsylvania, on the fifteenth of the following month, Dr. Atkinson established his office here. He soon won the confidence of the people, and has already built up a large and lucrative practice, principally along general lines, but giving especial attention to obstetrics and gynecology.
He is a member of the American Medical Association, the National Institute of Homeopathy, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, the Montgomery County Medical Society, the Germantown Medical Society, and the Tioga County Medical Association. Fraternally Dr. Atkinson holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, the Alpha Sigma (Homeopathic) medical fraternity, and the George N. Althouse Post, No. 39, American Legion. Golf being his favorite recreation, he is a well known member of the Plymouth Country Club, and Ersine Tennis Club. He is a mem- ber of the Hawes Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. Atkinson married, on September 26, 1916, Pauline Beckman, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, daughter of Henry Clay Beckman. Dr. and Mrs. Atkinson have one daughter, Helen Virginia, born December 22, 1918, and one son, Paul, Jr., born July 25, 1922. The family home is at No. 641 Stanbridge street, Norristown.
NORWOOD D. MATTHIAS-For the past thirteen years Norwood D. Matthias has been engaged in general legal practice in Norristown, where practically his entire life has been passed. He is well known both as a progressive citizen and as a successful practitioner and has a host of personal friends. His offices are located at No. 504 Swede street, in Norristown.
Mr. Matthias was born in King of Prussia. Upper Merion township, January 18, 1884, son of Howard J., a farmer of Montgomery county, and Ella (Childs) Matthias, both of whom are deceased, and grandson of George Matthias, who lived to be ninety-five years of age. His maternal ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Western Penn- sylvania. He received his early education in the public schools of Nor- ristown, graduating from the high school with the class of 1901, and then entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was gradu- ated in 1905 with the degree Bachelor of Science. The following fall he became a student in the law department of the University of Penn- sylvania and four years later, in 1909, completed his course there and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar. He engaged in general practice in Norristown and during the thirteen years which have passed since the beginning of his active career he has built up a large and important clientele, winning the confidence of both professional associates and of clients. He is a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association,
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and politically gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party, taking an active part in local public affairs. He has served as a member of the Borough Council since 1915, and is now (1923) president of that body.
On October 12, 1910, Mr. Matthias married Ada H. Kneule, daughter of Edwin H. and Lillias H. (Harding) Kneule, of Norristown, and they are the parents of one daughter, Rachel C. The family residence is at No. 100 West Friedley street, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
J. ELMER SAUL-The Eureka Printing Press Company, of Norris- town, Pennsylvania, was founded twenty years ago by J. Elmer Saul under his own name. That was in 1902 and under that name the busi- ness was conducted until 1917, when the corporation was effected and the business reorganized as The Eureka Printing Press Company, Inc., J. E. Saul, president ; Raymond E. Saul, secretary ; and H. C. Saul, treasurer.
The business of the company is high grade work in book and job printing of all kinds, the house specialty, however, being church direc- tories and church work, their customers extending over the eastern part of the United States, from Maine to Florida. The plant is modernly equipped with every aid to good printing, and quality marks the shop's output.
J. Elmer Saul, president of the company, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1871. He was educated in the public schools and in Bucknell College, class of 1898, the same year entering the ministry of the Baptist church and was regularly ordained a minister of that faith in the First Baptist Church, of Pottstown. His first charge after ordi- nation was the Baptist church, at Wiconisco, Dauphin county, Penn- sylvania, there remaining for two and a half years.
He was then called to the First Baptist Church, of Norristown, and became connected with that church. He later organized Olivet Baptist Church, which he served as pastor for two and a half years, retiring from the ministry in 1902 to engaged in the printing business, estab- lishing a plant at No. 316 Broadway, Norristown, the present location of The Eureka Printing Press Company. During the two decades that have passed since Mr. Saul retired from the active ministry he has con- tinued his church relations and frequently fills pulpits as temporary supply. He is the present secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Central Union Baptist Association and is also interested in other church work. He has served Valley Forge Baptist Church as its pastor since his retirement and is always open to a call for help. For five years he represented the Ninth Ward of Norristown as councilman and for four years held the office of chief burgess. He is an Independent Republican in politics and a man of public spirit, progressive and patriotic. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Woodmen of America.
In 1901 Mr. Saul organized the Saul Family Reunion Association ; was elected its first president and at each recurring annual meeting of
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the Association he has been reelected. The association consists of some 1500 members, the annual meeting being held in Berks county.
Mr. Saul married, while a student at Bucknell, Nellie E. Shamp, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of four children : I. Raymond E., a graduate of Norristown High School, class 1918; a sol- dier in the United States army serving with the 311th Supply Company in the Quartermasters' Corps; was in service overseas as receiving clerk for foreign shipments at Bordeaux, France, for nine months; general quartermaster at Rotterdam, Holland, and later was sent to Antwerp, Belgium, there assisting in the organization of a supply base for the American Army of Occupation. At Antwerp he served as chief clerk for six months, then returned to the United States, and in October, 1919, was honorably discharged at Camp Dix, New Jersey, and mustered out of service. He at once became associated with his father in the printing business, and when the Eureka Company was incorporated, Raymond E. Saul became secretary. He is a member of the American Legion, Woodmen of the World, and the Patriotic Order Sons of America. He married, October 21, 1921, Margaret L. Beers, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl- vania. 2. Ruth Margaret. 3. Frances Esther. 4. Helen Alice.
C. HOWARD HARRY, D. D. S .- Following in the footsteps of his honored father, Dr. C. Howard Harry, the well known dental surgeon of Norristown, has achieved marked success in his career, and now, after more than fifty years of active practice, stands as the dean of the profes- sion in Norristown, if not in Montgomery county. Dr. Harry is a son of Dr. Charles B. and Rebecca D. Harry, and his father is well remem- bered by the older residents of Norristown as a successful dentist of a day now gone by.
C. Howard Harry was born in Norristown, June 7, 1851. As a boy he attended the public schools of this community, and later was a student at Treemount Seminary. From childhood interested in his father's profes- sional activities, he eventually entered the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1871. He returned imme- diately to his native place, and entering upon the practice of his profes- sion at No. 85 Main street, has continued at the same location until the present time, and is still in active practice. He has kept step with the constant advance in dental science, and has held his position as a leader in his field of professional activity. In political affairs Dr. Harry is an Independent Republican, and although interested in all public progress has never sought political preferment. He is a member of the Philadel- phia Academy Stomatology Association, and is a member of the Pres- byterian church.
Dr. Harry married (first), in Norristown, on January 31, 1883, Eliz- abeth Longhaer, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Longhaer, and their only child is Carolus, born January 13, 1884. Dr. Harry married (sec- ond), on November 27, 1905, in the State of Georgia, Mary B. Deltre, daughter of Boyer and Ellen J. Deltre, and their only child is Howard, born February 3, 1909. The family home is at No. 1004 De Kalb street, Norristown.
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