USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume II > Part 41
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HERBERT I. FARLEY-A native son of Massachusetts, and a great lover of the old Bay State, Mr. Farley has become a Pennsylvanian by adoption and now divides his allegiance between the two great com- monwealths. He was born at Colerain, Massachusetts, November 21, 1859, son of Lyman and Hannah (Call) Farley. Mr. Farley's father received the contract to haul the material from Greenfield, Massachu- setts, during the construction of the tunnel built by the State at Hoosac, Massachusetts. It was long before the days of tractors and steam shovels, and steers being more plentiful than horses, those animals were selected to do the hauling. The elder Mr. Farley was a keen observer, with a very retentive memory, and had a great stock of interesting reminiscences illustrating the development of the countryside in which he lived from a pastoral valley to a busy industrial center. He owned a fine farm in the neighborhood of Colerain and prided himself upon his well-kept acres. Love of the land was inherent in him and he always found his chief recreation in outdoor pursuits and pastimes. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Farley both died in Massachusetts, the State in which they had spent their long, happy, and industrious lives. There were five children in the family: Joseph B., who died several years ago; Dennis, who is Mr. Farley's partner in the Amboy Paper Company at Bridgeport ; Herbert I., of whom further; Lilla, who married Charles Wills, and is now a resident of Greenfield, Massachusetts; and Olive, who married John Howell, and is now a resident of Canyon City, Colorado.
Mr. Farley received his education in the public schools of Colerain and in the family circle, where his parents were untiring in their efforts to supplement the instruction their children received at school by selected readings, traditions of other days, and above all by moral and religious precept and example. Growing up as he did on his father's land, Mr. Farley had a childhood without a care. He knew every rock and tree in the vicinity of his home, and his early love of Nature, and especially of those natural landscapes that first engaged his affections, remains with him still and causes him to make many pilgrimages to the place where he was born. Notwithstanding the fact that he is a pro- gressive and successful man of affairs, his mind often turns to the past and he finds himself living in a remembered light. At such times he finds pleasure in revisiting the scenes of his youth, and being of such a character and having such a disposition, he has never broken the ties that bind him to Colerain, and he never will. During his school days he applied himself vigorously to study and he has always been a reader of many books, but to him, as to his father, education is a much broader and finer achievement when it represents the fruitage of a man's actual experience and the philosophy which is derived from a first hand con- sideration of affairs than when it is exclusively derived from printed books. Eager for life and ambitious to earn money, Mr. Farley entered the world of business at the age of sixteen as an apprentice to a firm of Vermont paper manufacturers. He spent five years in Vermont and acquired a thorough knowledge of paper-making. In 1881, when the
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term of his apprenticeship ended, he became the superintendent of a plant owned by his brothers at Wendall, Massachusetts. He spent thirty-two years in this position and saw the paper industry of the United States develop from small beginnings to the gigantic proportions it has reached at the present day. His brother, the late Joseph B. Far- ley, was the inventor of a process for making colored paper, and his other brother, Dennis Farley, his present partner at Bridgeport, Penn- sylvania, is an expert in regard to the intricate technical details con- nected with the manufacture of high-grade paper and superfine stock for special uses. Mr. Farley's own position in the ranks of the industry is well understood. Trained in a good school, he is an acknowledged authority on the subject of paper in general, and is widely known to the trade.
Upon the death of their brother, Joseph B. Farley, who had been associated with them at Wendall, Massachusetts, Mr. Farley and his brother Dennis came to Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, and organized the Amboy Paper Company. They purchased a plant which had been allowed to get out of repair, and many people predicted that the enter- prise would end in failure on this account, but instead of failing, the Amboy Paper Company has achieved success and its business is still increasing. The mill has been thoroughly renovated and every ounce of its equipment has been overhauled and put into the best possible condi- tion. The plant covers 250,000 square feet and contains one machine, the average daily output of which is about eight tons of bristol board. In the management of the enterprise Mr. Farley attends to the mill and his brother attends to the office. Recognized as business men of the highest type and as masters of the material in which they deal, Mr. Farley and his brother now have a host of friends and well-wishers in Montgomery county. A talent for good citizenship and ability to adapt themselves to a new environment have not been the least of the factors that have made for their success, while the proverbial hospitality of Montgomery county has given them a feeling of deep attachment to the new scene of their labors.
Lifelong Republicans, both Mr. Farley and his brother have held public offices in Massachusetts. Dennis Farley was a member of the Lower House in Massachusetts during the years 1909 and 1910. He was elected to the Massachusetts Senate in 1911 and served a two-year term. Herbert I. Farley was for eighteen years a member of the school board at Erving, Massachusetts. He is a member of the Baptist denomination and takes the greatest interest in church affairs at Norristown. A believer in good works, he follows the humanitarian work of the churches with keen and intelligent sympathy. Mrs. Farley is a Congregationalist, and consequently the religious outlook of the family is not confined to one church, but is filled with a friendly interest for all Christian associations. Mr. Farley's name is on the membership rolls of several fraternal orders. He is a Mason of long standing, and belongs to Orange Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, at Orange, Massachusetts ; to Crescent Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; the Greenville, Massachusetts Council, Royal and Select
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Masters; and Orange Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar. He also holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Social Lodge, No. 181, at Orange, Massachusetts; the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 213, of Norristown ; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 714, at Norristown. Mr. Farley's brother, Dennis Farley, is a director of the Bridgeport Bank, and Mr. Farley himself, is directly interested in the affairs of that institution. Mr. Farley finds his chief recreation in automobiling. He is the owner of a number of per- fectly appointed cars of different makes and takes great pleasure in keeping them in fine condition. In Montgomery county his cars are always greatly admired on this account and are often pointed out as models of their kind. Mr. Farley is a familiar figure at the metropolitan automobile shows and is keenly interested in the future development of American cars and flying machines. As a motorist, Mr. Farley has an unrivalled knowledge of the Eastern roads. He drives to New England several times a year and also makes extended motor trips in other direc- tions. The development of motor camping and the sale of trailers for that purpose is to him a very significant sign of the times and he believes that in this era the motor car is extending the work of the American railroad as a coordinating influence in our national life. Any kind of a car appeals to Mr. Farley. He sees the poetry of the humblest runabout no less than he appreciates the streamlines, the beautiful upholstery, and the soft gliding movement of the high-powered limousine.
Herbert I. Farley married, on June 28, 1881, at Heath, Massachusetts, Laura M. Chaffin, daughter of Nathan and Laura (Clemmens) Chaffin. Mr. and Mrs. Farley have six children: Grace, who married Charles Wright, and lives at Orange, Massachusetts; Bessie, who married Perley Chamberlain, and lives at Springfield, Massachusetts; Robert, who is associated with his father in business and who received his collegiate training at Ursinus College, from which he was graduated in June, 1922, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts ; Louis, who died November 23, 1921, leaving a widow, who lives at No. 622 De Kalb street, Bridgeport, Penn- sylvania ; Herbert I., who was named for his father, and died at the age of six months ; and Ruby, who died at the age of six months.
DANIEL SNYDER SCHULTZ, the veteran real estate and insur- ance agent, in 1886 came to Lansdale, in Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania, and there has passed the thirty-seven years which have since inter- vened. "Squire" Schultz is well and favorably known to every resident of Lansdale or vicinity who has lived there long enough to buy or sell real estate, fire or life insurance, take stock or do business with the North Penn Building and Loan Association, attend a meeting of the Borough Council or to do business with a justice of the peace. Perhaps if one has never done any of the foregoing things they do not know "Squire" Schultz, but if one has, the reverse is true, for he has been in business in the borough thirty-seven years, has been secretary of the North Penn Building and Loan Association of Lansdale for twenty-five years ; clerk of Borough Council eighteen years, and justice of the peace
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since 1893, thirty years. So not to know "Squire" Schultz is to argue one's self unknown in Lansdale. Daniel Snyder Schultz is a son of Michael and Rachel (Snyder) Schultz, his father a land-owning farmer of Towamencin township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.
Daniel Snyder Schultz was born at the home farm in Towamencin township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1856. He attended the township public district school and for two terms was a student at Brunner's Academy, North Wales, Pennsylvania. He remained at the home farm, his father's assistant, until attaining legal age in 1877, then was variously employed for nine years following, living in Upper Gwynedd township, Montgomery county, there being a cream- ery employee for five years and assistant assessor of taxes three terms. In 1886 he located in Lansdale, and seven years later was first elected justice of the peace and has continued in this office up to the present time. In 1893 he started a real estate and insurance business, which has con- tinuously prospered, due in large part to his energy, ability and popular- ity. About 1895 he was elected secretary of the North Penn Building and Loan Association, and that office he held continuously until 1920. He also served the borough as auditor for two terms of three years each. He is a Republican in politics, but voting for "Squire" Schultz is a habit in Lansdale, and no one cares which ticket he is on, but the truth is he is usually on them all. He is a member of St. John's Reformed Church. "Squire" Schultz is a member of Hendricks Castle, No. 117, Ancient Order Knights of the Mystic Chain ; Waukarusa Tribe, No. 191, Improved Order of Red Men ; Independent American Mechanics, No. 934; Citizens Club; Lansdale Gun Club, and St. John's Reformed Church.
Squire Schultz married, April 23, 1881, Matilda W. Hallmeyer, daugh- ter of Joseph and Catherine Hallmeyer. "Squire" and Mrs. Schultz are the parents of five children : Irvin, born August 19, 1883, died July 10, 1919; Minnie, born September 27, 1887; Mary, born December 23, 1890; Harry, born February 19, 1894; and Daniel, born July 9, 1899.
MENNO S. MOYER-The New World annals of the Moyer family and Montgomery county are closely interwoven, and while those of that name were in the early days tillers of the soil, many are now leaders in business life. Menno S. Moyer has been for a quarter of a century inti- mately connected with the mercantile and financial activities of Lansdale, Pennsylvania. In partnership with his brother, he founded in the city, in 1898 what is now one of its most important stores, and has engaged in other kindred enterprises. Well known for his progressiveness and his strict integrity in all dealings, he has a name that is honored not only in his city but in the surrounding districts.
Mr. Moyer is a son of William G. and Mary (Swartley) Moyer, and was born at Pleasant Valley, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1870. After attending the public schools of his native town, he entered the West Chester Normal School, from which he was later graduated. Among other schools in which he sought to further his education might be mentioned the Brown Preparatory, Haverford College of Haverford,
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Pennsylvania, and the summer sessions of the University of Pennsyl- vania, at Philadelphia.
After the completion of his scholastic training, Mr. Moyer taught school for a number of years and it was not until 1898 that he gave up teaching and devoted his efforts to business. In the above-mentioned year he formed a partnership with his brother, Harvey S. Moyer, and as Moyer Brothers, opened a general dry goods establishment in Lansdale. The business soon outgrew its home, so that in 1902 a building known as the Koffee building was purchased, and now known as the Moyer building, it houses the thriving affairs of the Moyer Brothers. Mr. Moyer among other financial interests is secretary and treasurer of the Huns- berger-Moyer Company, manufacturers of umbrellas.
A Republican in political faith, he was elected by the votes of mem- bers of all political parties to the Lansdale Borough Council. He is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Moose, and the Knights of Malta.
Mr. Moyer married Annie Souder, daughter of Edmund H. and Elizabeth Souder, well known residents of Souderton, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer are the parents of two daughters: Evelyn and Marguerite.
HARVEY SWART MOYER-To be a successful merchant one must have a general and many-sided ability that will achieve much in other lines of endeavor. Harvey Swart Moyer has given most of his life to the buying and selling of goods, and no one questions that he has learned how to do both. His genial good nature, dependability, and strict honesty in his dealings have won for him a host of friends. Mr. Moyer is the son of William G. and Mary (Swartley) Moyer, who have spent many prosperous years on a farm in Bucks county.
Harvey Swart Moyer was born at Chalfont, Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, on May 16, 1877. He secured an education in the public schools of his native place and by home study in later years. He early began to contribute to his own support and his marked capability for trade soon won for him a chance in a store. For nearly all his life Mr. Moyer has been a merchant and is reaping the reward of those who aim at one thing and keep on until they get it. He has not had time for many interests outside of business, but fraternally is connected with the Knights of Malta, of Lansdale. He is a communicant of the Reformed church of the same place.
Mr. Moyer married, on September 23, 1902, Mazie Johnson, daughter of A. D. and Elizabeth (Eaton) Johnson, who have long been residents of Bucks county. Mr. Johnson is a busy surveyor and real estate man. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer have one child, a daughter, Frances.
REMO FABBRI, M. D .- As a successful medical practitioner Dr. Fabbri is doing much good in Norristown and vicinity, being broadly prominent in those endeavors which come within the scope of the phys- ician's activity. His private practice and public service are parallel
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avenues of advance. Dr. Fabbri comes of an old family of Italy, and is a son of John and Rita (Leprotti) Fabbri, both now deceased. His father was a secretary and officer in the military service in Italy.
Remo Fabbri was born in Italy, February 15, 1885. His early educa- tion was received in the public schools of his native land, then coming to America in 1901, he prepared for college in the schools of New York City. Eventually realizing his life ambition, he took up the study of medicine, entering the University of Maryland, at Baltimore, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1909, receiving his medical degree. Before the close of the year Dr. Fabbri located in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and began practice along general lines. He has won his way to marked success and now enjoys a very large practice, both in Norristown and in Bridgeport, his office being located at No. 354 East Main street, Norristown. He gives especial attention to internal medi- cine. and his public activities are numerous and far-reaching.
He is a member of the medical staff of the Montgomery Hospital, and of the Pennsylvania State Tubercular Clinic, and is also professionally identified with the Associated Charities and the Red Cross, giving largely of his time and talents to charitable and benevolent work in connection with these organizations. During the influenza epidemic in 1918 he was identified with the Bridgeport Emergency Hospital, the Riverview Private Hospital and the Montgomery Hospital, working indefatigably for the public good during that trying time. Throughout the period of the World War Dr. Fabbri gave also of his time and energies in making speeches and doing committee work in connection with the various movements in support of the American Expeditionary Forces. In all of these many activities, in the nature of the case, Dr. Fabbri's greatest usefulness is among the Italian people of this vicinity, and those of Italian descent, of whom his practice is largely composed. Possessing, himself, the true American spirit, his work not only tends to benefit the public health, but to raise the standard of citizenship among those who have come to this country from his native land. Dr. Fabbri is a member of the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, the Montgomery County Medical Society, the Philadelphia Medical Club, the Schuylkill Valley Medical Club, the Plymouth Country Club, and the Venerable Order of the Sons of Italy. Politically he sup- ports the Republican party, and is president of the Columbus Savings and Loan Association. His religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic church.
FRANK SARNI-Norristown, Pennsylvania, is fortunate in having upon its force of plain clothes men one of unusual qualifications, a man who, with the sensitive and highly organized temperament of the musi- cian, combines the hardihood and daring, faithfulness and devotion to duty, and enthusiastic interest in the work in which he is engaged. Because of these characteristics, Frank Sarni is making for himself an enviable reputation in his chosen line of work. He has refused a flatter- ing offer accompanied with a tempting salary, made by one of the large
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business concerns of the city, preferring to continue in his present posi- tion, where his services are a valuable contribution to the public welfare.
Mr. Sarni has not always been a detective. As a musician he has been quite as successful as he is in his present occupation. Born in Montella, Province of Avillino, Italy, March 22, 1884, he is the son of Cesare and Cora (Fusco) Sarni, both of whom died before Mr. Sarni came to this country. Cesare Sarni was engaged in the hotel business and had banking interests, and did not marry until he was fifty-eight years of age. His wife was then thirty years of age, but the two died at about the same time, he at the age of seventy-four and she when she was forty-six years of age. Their children are: Frank Sarni, of further men- tion; Massimino, who is living in Italy; Herman, who married Anna Schmidt, and is a resident of Philadelphia ; Rachael, who married Alonzo Delicsio, of Philadelphia ; and Cesare, who is living in Italy.
Frank Sarni received his education in the King Victor School, and then became a professional musician. He played in the town band in his native city, as a young boy, and when he was fifteen years of age, Febru- ary 2, 1900, came to America alone. He landed in New York City and secured a position with the Lamonic Band, with which he remained until 1901, playing on Young's Pier, in Atlantic City. He then made a change and became identified with the Royal Artillery Band of Baltimore, Mary- land, which connection he maintained for a period of seven years, until 1908, when he became a member of the Natiello Band, of Louisville, Kentucky. In 1910 he became associated with Allbrook & Deputy, in the wholesale liquor business, and he continued in this line until the prohibition law went into effect in 1917. In 1910 he also became a mem- ber of the Norristown Band and he is still one of the valued members of that organization. On June 28, 1917, he was appointed to serve a three months' term on the patrol force of Norristown, and at the end of that time he was elected to serve as patrolman, which position he held until December 23, 1920, when he was made a member of the plain clothes detective force. In September, 1921, he was promoted to the rank of detective sergeant, and the record which he has made since that time has fully justified the confidence placed in him. On November 1, 1922, he was promoted to police lieutenant.
An incident which occurred in Philadelphia is characteristic of Mr. Sarni and illustrates the qualities which made for him an enviable record as a detective sergeant. Following the arrest of three Mexicans, caught in the act of robbing the People's Clothing Store, Chief Eller and detec- tive Sarni spent the greater part of a day questioning the three captured men and then took Juan Luga with them to Philadelphia to point out the rendezvous of a den of thieves and, if possible, identify the fourth man, who escaped after the robbery. In Philadelphia they were warned that the venture was a desperate one, as the section of the city they planned to enter was inhabited by vicious gunmen and crooks of every descrip- tion. The group from Norristown, however, refused to give up the project, and the local officers, who refused to allow them to go alone, detailed five plain clothes men to accompany them. They were guided
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by Luga to the fourth floor of a fourteen-story building, to a door which, when opened, revealed only an empty room. Mr. Sarni rushed across the room, pushed open another door, and covered with his gun a bed in which were two men whom he ordered to rise and throw up their hands. Luga, when brought in would give no sign, but after a brief interview with Sarni in the hall outside, finally gave the desired information. While Detective Sarni was getting the man indicated, Luga escaped from the Philadelphia men, and when Mr. Sarni returned to find Luga with his men, Luga was gone. Seizing Chief Eller's flash, Sarni pursued Luga and finally caught him, but while struggling with his captive, upon whom he was compelled to use the butt of his revolver, four of the Third District officers pounced upon Sarni mistaking him for a "hold-up" man. They were deaf to Sarni's protests, and after rapping him soundly over the head and wrenching from him his revolver, pushed him, still holding his captive, into one of two patrol wagons which had promptly appeared. As he was being pushed in the "Black Maria," Sarni blew his police whistle, and Chief Eller, who by this time had placed under arrest the man identified in the house, attempted to come to his assistance. "Uh- huh! Shove him in, too," was the response to Eller's claim that he was chief of the Norristown police force, but while he was animatedly warn- ing the Philadelphia "coppers" to "go slow," the Philadelphia plain clothes men, who had been detailed for protection, arrived, and relieved the tense situation. Apologies were prompt and sincere, but it was necessary to take both Detective Sarni and his prisoner to the Pennsyl- vania Hospital for repairs. Sergeant Sarni's response to the many expressions of condolence was characteristic, "But we got 'em awright !" The error in the case was due to the fact that the patrolmen of the district had not been informed of the impending raid.
During the year ending with the episode just related, Detective Sarni made two hundred and sixty-three arrests for crimes ranging from dis- orderly conduct to murder, besides making an equal number of investiga- tions and rendering invaluable service to the department and to the com- munity in various other ways. The following, quoted from one of the local papers, expresses briefly Norristown's appreciation of Mr. Sarni's work. "Always on the jump, any hour of the day or night, with no thought of reward other than the strict performance of his duty, Frank Sarni, Norristown's detective, is a valuable officer." He is a member of several fraternal and other organizations, including Lodge No. 714, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Norristown; Lodge No. 70, Loyal Order of Moose, of Baltimore; Sons of Italy, of Norristown; Italian Beneficial Federation of Philadelphia ; and the American Federa- tion of Musicians. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, of Norristown, and his religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic Church of San Salvator, of Norristown. Mr. Sarni is fond of boxing and of automobiling and he makes the former recreation contribute materially to his success in his chosen work.
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