USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume III > Part 13
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In religious faith, Mr. Lewis is a Baptist. He has served as clerk of the church for the past forty-five years, and has held the office of deacon for a period of twenty years. A great believer in religious education and the value of inspiring young people with a sense of their religious duties and advantages, he has always taken the keenest interest in the work of the Sunday school, of which he served as superintendent for one year. In politics, Mr. Lewis is a Democrat. He is a member of the Roxboro Lodge of the Independent Americans and takes a firm stand for the maintenance of the highest ideals of personal and national conduct. He takes a great pride in the development of the community during the last fifty years, and is everywhere regarded as a public-spirited citizen and a man of influence and substance.
On May 6, 1875, he married, at Harmonville, Sarah Johnson, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Carn) Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had two children : Elizabeth J. Lewis, who was named for her mother's mother and who died some years ago; Harry J. Lewis, who died at the age of fourteen months. Mrs. Lewis died suddenly on December 2, 1918. Mr. Lewis was sixty-nine years of age on May 20, 1923, and is still actively engaged in his business.
HENRY H. ALLEBACH-Among the substantial business men of this section of Montgomery county, is Henry H. Allebach, proprietor of a general store at Lederach. The history of the family of Mr. Allebach dates to the very beginning of the settlement of this part of the country, his first ancestor having come to what is now Montgomery county, in 1650, and was the recipient of one of the original grants of land from King George V.
Mr. Allebach was born in Lower Salford on September 12, 1892, a son .
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of Frank and Rebecca (Hunsicker) Allebach, his father being a prosper- ous farmer of this section of the county. In acquiring his education, Mr. Allebach attended the public schools of his home community, finishing with a course at the Shissler Business College at Norristown. After completing his studies he spent a short time as a clerk in the store of Mr. Mayberry at Lederach, then went to Camden, New Jersey, where for a period covering the subsequent nine years he was a bookkeeper, a por- tion of the time for Armstrong Cork Company, and the balance of the years for Cassel, Kidd Company.
In fulfillment of a desire to return to his native community, and also to engage in business for himself, in April, 1921, Mr. Allebach came to Lederach, and purchased the general store of Mr. Heist, and since that time he has conducted the store as its sole owner. During the years of the World War, he was employed by the Camden Forge Corporation at Camden, New Jersey. Throughout his life Mr. Allebach has performed his duties as a citizen, by actively participating in the affairs of the community of which he was a resident, and aligned himself with those who work for its best welfare. In his political affiliation he is a believer in the principles of the Republican party, which he supports with his influence and vote. Among the organizations of which he is a promi- nent member are the Harleysville Beneficial Society, and the Common- wealth Casualty Company. In religious circles he is known as an active member of the Lutheran church.
On September 22, 1917, Mr. Allebach was united in marriage with Mabel Frederick, a daughter of Horace and Deborah (Stauffer) Fred- erick. On February 12, 1920, Mr. Allebach suffered bereavement in the loss of his wife, who was a woman of beautiful character, with whom he lived in perfect companionship. Her passing was a heavy blow to her devoted husband and an inestimable loss to the community wherein she numbered a host of friends, and was loved by all who knew her.
PERCY A. FLAVELL-The younger generation of business men of this section of Montgomery county, includes as one of its most pros- perous and progressive members, Mr. Percy A. Flavell, who, since 1918, has been conducting a garage and automobile business in Glenside. Mr. Flavell is a native of Germantown, where he was born February 3, 1894, his parents being Thomas and Annie (Steere) Flavell. Thomas Flavell founded his underwear manufacturing business in Germantown, in 1864, and continued to conduct it until 1914, when he retired from active par- ticipation in commercial affairs. He is now living at 5340 Green street, Germantown. Besides Percy A., there were three other children in the family, all sons, their names being Frank, Albert and Edwin.
The Germantown public and high schools provided the medium through which Mr. Flavell acquired his early education. Later he took a course at the Germantown Academy, and followed this with two years study in Pierce's Business College at Philadelphia. His education fin- ished, he at once entered upon his business career, securing his first employment with A. C. Krewson, of Philadelphia, as manager of his
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shop, sales and service departments. He remained there until July, 1917, when he enlisted in the United States army for service in the World War. He was sent first to Camp Meade, then to Camp Johnson, at Jacksonville, Florida, for training, and went overseas with the Nine- tieth Division, Company F, 315th Supply Train. He was sent to the battlefields and saw service in France taking part in the campaigns on the Meuse, at Argonne, and St. Mihiel. He left France, July 16, 1919, and upon arrival here was sent to Camp Dix, and given honorable dis- charge on August 4, 1919. Returning to civil life he came immediately to Glenside and leased the garage on Keswick avenue, and continued to conduct it independently until April, 1922, when in association with George B. Stoner, the Glenside Motors was formed, and they opened an additional place at 137 Glenside avenue. In addition to giving regular garage and shop service, they also handle sales and service for Ford and Lincoln cars, and the Fordson tractor.
In social, religious and political affairs Mr. Flavell takes the interest required of all progressive citizens. He is a supporter of the principles of the Republican party in politics. In his religious affiliation he main- tains membership in the Germantown Presbyterian Church of Philadel- phia. He is a member of Glenside Camp, No. 249, of the American Legion, and an ardent supporter of any enterprise proposed for the benefit of ex-service men.
On August 27, 1916, occurred the marriage at Baltimore, Maryland, of Mr. Flavell to Bessie M. Stadelman, a daughter of William and Violet Stadelman. Of this union one child has been born, Grace, whose birth- day was June 6, 1918.
JOHN I. BECHTEL-While engaged in business as a farmer in Upper Providence township, where he is a well known citizen, Mr. Bech- tel found time to serve his community to the best of his ability. He is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Latshaw) Bechtel, both of whom are deceased, the father having been engaged in farming in Upper Provi- dence township, and a member of the Mennonite church. They were also the parents of: Sarah, deceased wife of Abram Landes; Mary, deceased wife of Abram Hallman; Annie, who died at the age of seven- teen ; James and David, who died in infancy ; Jacob, living only until nine years old.
John I. Bechtel was born near Trappe, in Upper Providence town- ship, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, on the homestead farm, March 30, 1859. He attended the public schools of his township and worked on his father's farm, leaving the latter in the year of his marriage, 1882. He then purchased a farm of ninety-nine acres and until 1907 continued to operate it, but desiring a smaller acreage, sold the farm and pur- chased one of sixteen acres near Royersford, Pennsylvania, on which truck is raised. He is a Republican in politics and for seven years served as assessor for Upper Providence township. He is a director of the Royersford Trust Company, formerly the Royersford National Bank, and has served in that capacity since its organization. He is a member
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of the Green Tree Brethren Church, was deacon for twenty-five years, and at the present time is a trustee of the church.
John I. Bechtel was married, in 1882, in the Green Tree parsonage, by Elder J. T. Myers, to Martha Reiff, a daughter of John and Sarah (Cassel) Reiff, the father having been a farmer in Lower Providence township. Other children of John and Sarah (Cassel) Reiff were: John C., Isaiah C .; Mary, wife of George Zimmerman; Sarah, Anna. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel, and are as follows: Albert R., professor of botany at Warsaw College, Crawfordsville, Indiana ; John R., fieldman with H. J. Heinz Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan ; Sarah, wife of Oliver Grimley, Jeffersonville, Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania ; Anna, wife of Neville Cook, Ardmore, Pennsylvania; Ruth, wife of William Seip, high school teacher at Royersford, Pennsylvania, and graduate of Penn State College, 1919, with the degree of Doctor of Domestic Science; Orpha, living at home and unmarried; Abram, who died at the age of nineteen.
HARRY S. SPIESS-In the business world of Norristown, Pennsyl- vania, and vicinity, Mr. Spiess is widely known as an energetic and capable blacksmith and mechanic, and is doing a large and successful business along this line of endeavor. He is a son of Charles and Ida. M. (Schell) Spiess, long residents of this State. The family consists of three daughters and one son besides the subject of this sketch, as fol- lows: Rosa, now Mrs. Kleinbach; Edna, now Mrs. Auchy ; Irene; and Charles A., Jr.
Harry S. Spiess was born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1889. His education was acquired in the public schools of Lower Sal- ford township, where a large part of his boyhood was spent. His first employment was with his father, in the blacksmith shop of the latter, in Lederach, Pennsylvania. Beginning at the age of fourteen years, he served an apprenticeship of four years with his father, then wishing to see various parts of the country, struck out for himself. This was about 1908, and for the next eight years the young man traveled through many different States of the Union, eventually returning to his native State of Pennsylvania, and establishing in business in the borough of Consho- hocken, but residing in the borough of Norristown. Here he has since been actively engaged as a blacksmith, a very considerable amount of his business being the repairing of motor trucks. He has built up a thriving business, and is counted among the successful men of the locality in which he is established. He is broadly interested in the affairs of the community, and in political matters of both local and national import, is a supporter of the Republican party. Fraternally he holds membership in the Loyal Order of Moose, of Phoenixville, and the Knights of Friend- ship of Salfordville. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Spiess married, September 12, 1909, in Wilmington, Delaware, Frances R. Tyson, and they have one child, Francis Harry, born May 27, 19II.
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HENRY H. BECHTEL, a successful dairyman, orchardist, and truck farmer, was born at Royersford, Upper Providence township, Montgom- ery county, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1878, son of Henry and Mary (Detweiler) Bechtel. His father, who was a prosperous farmer and landowner, was born in 1848, and died in 1905. Since his father's death, Mr. Bechtel's mother has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. J. H. Gennaria, of Royersford. Mr. Bechtel's parents had eight children : Katherine, who married John Bartman, the present steward at the county house ; Oliver D., who is a resident of Philadelphia; Mary D., who has never married and who is now engaged in educational work as a teacher at Bryn Mawr; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Emma, who married J. H. Gennaria, a farmer and landowner of Royersford; Henry H .; J. Irving, who is a farmer of Royersford; Frank D., who is a boiler maker and lives at Upper Providence, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.
Henry H. Bechtel was educated in the public schools of Montgom- ery county. As a boy, he took an active interest in the work of the home farm and performed many of the lighter tasks outside of school hours and during the long vacations. By thus familiarizing himself with agri- cultural methods and the management of dairy cattle, Mr. Bechtel became a practical farmer at an early age and by the time his scholastic education was completed, he was fully equipped for farm and dairy management. Becoming his father's chief helper immediately after leav- ing school, he spent several years on the Bechtel farm as an employee. In 1901 he became his father's partner and worked on shares until 1905. Upon the death of his father in that year, Mr. Bechtel assumed full control of the property and has continued to carry on the various enter- prises connected with it ever since. He gathers a fine yield of apples, sends many truck loads of garden fruits and vegetables to market every week during the season and, daily, ships a large quantity of high grade milk to Philadelphia. In general condition, his farm is one of the best in Montgomery county. He has seventy-nine acres under intensive cultivation and the careful planting and trim condition of his acres gives his place a very attractive appearance and one that is favorably com- mented upon by every discerning passer-by.
Of deep religious convictions, Mr. Bechtel is a member of the con- gregation of Trinity Reformed Church at Collegeville, and regularly attends divine worship there. He is interested in all the activities of the church and especially in the Sunday school and work among the young people. In political faith, Mr. Bechtel is a Republican. At the last presidential election, he was an ardent supporter of President Hard- ing and believes that in him the United States has found an ideal presi- dential type. For many years a member of the Farmers' Grange, Mr. Bechtel is on the roster of Keystone Lodge, No. 2, which meets at Trappe. He is a prominent member of the Pennsylvania Milk Produc- ers' Association and a vigorous upholder of its policies. Widely known among Odd Fellows, he is a member of Royersford Lodge, No. 1038, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and never misses a meeting.
At Collegeville, Pennsylvania, on April 2, 1901, Mr. Bechtel married
Henry Ho. Bechtel.
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Sarah H. Gennaria, daughter of Charles and Hannah (Hollman) Gen- naria. Mrs. Bechtel's father, who was born on August 28, 1848, is still living in retirement with his daughter at Royersford, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Bechtel's mother died April 10, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Gennaria had eight children : Abram H., who is now on the State Highway Depart- ment of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; Jerome H., who is a farmer of Royersford ; Sarah H., who is now Mrs. Bechtel; Elizabeth H., who mar- ried Milton G. Reed, and who is now a resident of Royersford, Penn- sylvania ; Hannah, David, and Frank H., all of whom are dead ; Kathar- ine, who married J. W. Pennypacker and subsequently died at Iron Bridge, Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel have had six children: Mary G. Bechtel, who was born February 5, 1902, and who was employed as a stenographer and an escort at the Valley Forge Chapel by the Rev. W. H. Burk, from 1922 to 1923, and is now employed by Freed Heater Company, at Col- legeville; Charles William Bechtel, who was born June 7, 1905, and died October 4, 1905; Hannah G. Bechtel, who was born November 22, 1906, and died May 2, 1908; Henry Ernest Bechtel, who was born May 17, 1909; Frances Tyson Bechtel, who was born July 6, 1911 ; Sarah Gerald- ine Bechtel, who was born May 31, 1918. The three youngest children live at home and are attending school.
FRANK MEGILLIGAN-Many of the men who served their coun- try in the World War received among other impressions a realization of the growth and importance of the automotive industry, and like Frank Megilligan, of Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, returned to their homes not to reenter the business in which they were formerly engaged, but to spec- ialize on some phase of the automotive business. Mr. Megilligan comes from a fighting ancestry, his great-grandfather, who came to this coun- try from Ireland and settled at Wilmington, Delaware, was a soldier of the Revolution ; his grandfather served in the War of 1812, and his father, George W. Megilligan, enlisted in the Civil War in 1861, and engaged in many of the battles of that war, until its ending in 1865. George W. Megilligan was born at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and died at Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1918, a machinist by trade, later a Philadelphia & Reading railroad conductor. He mar- ried Catherine Z. Jones, daughter of John and Rebecca (Zinc) Jones. To Mr. and Mrs. Megilligan five children were born: John, deceased; Ellen, Emma L., George, and Frank.
Frank Megilligan was born at Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1884, and received his education in the public schools of that place. His business career began as a salesman for the Diamond Fibre Com- pany of Bridgeport. At the outbreak of war between the United States and Germany he enlisted in the United States army, April 7, 1917, serv- ing until honorably discharged at Camp Dix, New Jersey, May 19, 1919. He was first assigned to Battery C of the 107th Regiment, Field Artil- lery, was promoted to the rank of sergeant in May 18, 1918, and remained with that battery until October 17, 1918, when he was transferred to
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Battery F and later promoted to chief gunner, in which capacity he served until honorably discharged.
On March 1, 1921, Mr. Megilligan established at No. 129 West Fourth street, Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, in partnership with George K. Mich- ener, his present business of automobile repairing and experimental machine work, which bids fair to be one of the successes in that line of industry. In politics Mr. Megilligan is an Independent Republican. Fraternally he is associated with the Coates Wafer Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, No. 840; the Patriotic Sons of America, Lodge No. 51; is a member of Charity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons. His religious connection is with the Baptist church of Bridgeport.
At New York City, New York, December 30, 1909, Frank Megilligan married Emma, daughter of George and Catherine (Gouldy) Bush.
MRS. ANNA CATANESE-Since the death of her husband in 1915, Mrs. Anna Catanese has been the successful owner and manager of the florist establishment located at No. 321 DeKalb street, Norristown, Pennsylvania. The business was established in 1900 by William H. Catanese, which he conducted until his death. William H. Catanese, born in Philadelphia about 1889, was brought to Norristown by his parents while still a child. He received his education in the public schools of Norristown and shortly after the completion of his school training, joined his father in the establishment of greenhouses at the corner of Tremont avenue and Basin street, where they began, in a small way, the cultivation of flowers and plants. As the business grew, they estab- lished a store on West Main street, and when continued growth made new quarters necessary, they removed to their present location. Wil- liam H. Catanese was one of the progressive young men of Norristown, well known and well liked. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and his religious affiliation was with the Italian Catholic church.
On October 5, 1910, William H. Catanese married Anna Giannone, daughter of Pasquale and Camilla Giannone, and they became the par- ents of three children : Thomas, Maria, and Camilla.
HENRY BUSSELL BRYANS-A comparatively young man, Mr. Bryans is successful in business in Norristown, Pennsylvania, where he is associated with the Counties Gas and Electric Company. He is affil- iated with a number of important engineering societies of this country, and well known fraternally. He is a son of Henry Montgomery and Ella L. (Lonergan) Bryans, whose other children are: Helen Grace, a teacher in Philadelphia; and Frances, wife of Gabriel De Lozier, an engineer with the Westinghouse Electric Company, in South Philadel- phia. The father is employed by the Fire Association of Philadelphia.
Henry Bussell Bryans, born March 26, 1886, in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, was educated there and graduated from the Central High School with the class of 1903, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Later, in 1917, he completed a course in mechanical engineering at the
Am A Cataniae
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University of Pennsylvania. After completing his university course, he became associated with the United Gas Improvement Company, of Philadelphia, and occupied positions in subsidiaries of that company in various places from 1907 to 1914. In the latter year he secured employ- ment as engineer with the Counties Gas and Electric Company, located at Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Bryans is a Republican in politics. During the war he was a member of the Public Service Reserve Corps. Fraternally he is a Mason, a member of St. Alban's Lodge, No. 529, Free and Accepted Masons, in Philadelphia ; and Temple Chapter, same city. He is also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; American Institute of Electrical Engineering; Engineers' Club, of Philadelphia; National Electric Light Association; American Gas Association; Norristown Club, Plymouth Country Club, and the General Alumni Society, Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. During his college days he was a member of the junior 'varsity crew which won the American Henley Regatta in 1906, and was a member of the football squad. He maintains his fondness for sports and enjoys playing tennis. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian and a member of Central Presbyterian Church, of Norristown.
Mr. Bryans was married, May 1, 1911, at Philadelphia, to Ada Matilda Trinkle, daughter of John and Catherine (Brown) Trinkle, whose one other child is William Neel Trinkle, an attorney-at-law in Philadelphia. The father is engaged in business as a printer in Phila- delphia. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bryans: Henry Trinkle, born September 28, 1915; and Robert Trinkle, born July 25, 1918.
GEORGE Y. FULLMORE, since a young man of sixteen years, has been connected with the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, gaining pro- motion as the years passed until he attained the position of station agent, which he has filled at Glenside, since 1910. Mr. Fullmore was born at Huntington Valley, on August 19, 1880, and is a son of Millard F. and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Fullmore, who have one other child, a daughter named Cornelia E. Fullmore. Millard F. Fullmore is now engaged as a carpenter and builder, maintaining offices on South Pennsylvania square, Philadelphia.
In his youthful days George Y. Fullmore attended the public school of Moreland township, finishing his studies in his middle teens. In 1896 he secured his first position with the Philadelphia & Reading, work- ing for the company at Huntington Valley for six months, after which he was sent to Cheltenham as extra agent for a like period, at the end of which he returned to Huntington Valley and remained there until 1901. His next location was at Bryn Athen, where he spent the time until September, 1902, when he was given the position of station agent at Fox Chase. He continued there in that capacity until March 1, 1910, when he came to Glenside as agent and has remained in this position ever since.
As a man of progressive character and public spirit, Mr. Fullmore is interested in the social, civic and religious welfare of the community and
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maintains membership in several well-known organizations. He is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Jenkintown Friendship Lodge, No. 400, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Philadelphia Con- sistory, and also belongs to Glenside Camp, No. 331, Patriotic Order Sons of America. In his religious connection he is a valued member of Carmel Presbyterian Church at Edge Hill.
The marriage of Mr. Fullmore to Bertha B. Myers took place at Fox Chase, September 19, 1906. Mrs. Fullmore is a daughter of John and Barbara (Kohler) Myers. She has one sister, Sophie, and a brother, George. Mr. and Mrs. Fullmore have one child, Muriel Caroline, who was born January 1, 1908.
JOHN KEARNS-Among the business men of Conshohocken, Penn- sylvania, there are few who have had so complete an experience in the various phases of their industries as has John Kearns, general manager of the Lee Tire Company of that city.
The son of James and Eunice Kearns, life long residents of Boston, Massachusetts, he was born in Boston, November 27, 1860, and received his early schooling there. His business education was acquired in Cole- man's Business College, from which he was graduated in 1881. He began his business career that was to attain so great a prominence, by taking a job as messenger boy to the superintendent of the Boston Car Spring Company, but did not stay in so lowly a position very long. His indus- try and ability to think for others, and to lead, in a few years won him the superintendency of the Overland Wheel Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, makers of bicycle wheels and tires, which position he held for seven years. The knowledge of rubber and its handling, gained in this period, led to more important connections, first with the India Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio, as superintendent for four years, and later in the same capacity, for twelve years, with the Dunlop Rubber Company of Australia. In 1913 he became the vice-president of the Fisk Rubber Company, leaving in 1917 to locate in Conshohocken, Pennsyl- vania, as general manager of the Lee Tire Company, which office he has held to date. Through the period of rapid business changes and of uncertainty that has characterized the years of his incumbency, he has had the level-headed ability and foresight that was needed to meet the situation, and under his control his company is in a stronger, more con- spicuous place than ever in its history.
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