USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume III > Part 14
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Mr. Kearns is an Independent in his political views, and not inter- ested in politics to any great extent. Fraternally he is associated with the Knights of Columbus of Conshohocken; Grand Knights of Chicopee, Massachusetts Council, and is a life member of the Improved Order of Red Men, having held all chairs in this society. He is a communicant of the St. Matthew's Catholic Church of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
In 1886, at Boston, Massachusetts, he was married to Elizabeth Rose, daughter of Russell and Martha Rose, of Boston, and they are the par- ents of six children: Edward, John, William, Russell, Eunice, and Katherine.
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WINFIELD SCOTT HARRY-A native of Conshohocken, and from early boyhood interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress, not only of the town and county, but in the wider affairs of the commonwealth and the nation, he bore a constructive part in the life of his day, and in passing, left the world better than he found it.
Mr. Harry was born in Conshohocken, June 1, 1848, and died in his native place, December 17, 1918, in his seventieth year. As a boy he attended the private Walnut Hill school of Conshohocken, and later had the advantage of a course at Professor Locke's Seminary, at Norristown, in this county. He left school to enlist in the Civil War, eager to take part in the conflict which fired the patriotism of every youth of that day. But having been only seventeen years of age at the outbreak of the war, he was released at his father's request. As a young man Mr. Harry assisted his father, who owned an extensive nursery, growing fruit and ornamental trees and shrubbery on the original farm of the Harry family, which formerly comprised two hundred and sixty-five acres of land, and from which Harry street received its name. Winfield S. Harry established a florist business in the same location in 1870, and continued in this line of productive endeavor until 1916, a period of forty-six years. He then sold the business and retired from active life, and the locality is now given over entirely to modern business buildings. Mr. Harry was for many years a stockholder of the First National Bank of Conshohocken, and was a leader in all community progress.
A Republican by political affiliation, he gave his best endeavors to that party, but consistently declined all honors of an official nature. He was a charter member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and always deeply interested in the activities of this organization.
Mr. Harry's death was a source of deep regret to all whose privilege it was to have known him. His long and upright life may well be an inspiration to those who come after him to greater usefulness and higher endeavors as citizens and as individuals. He is gone out of reach of those who mourn his loss, but his honored memory will be cherished among them as long as life shall last.
Winfield Scott Harry married, on September 19, 1878, in Consho- hocken, Mary E. Johnson, daughter of John Ackroyd and Isabelle (Greenleaf) Johnson. There were three sons born of this union: I. Wil- liam Cleaver, born October 2, 1879, a florist in Philadelphia. 2. Ernest Johnson, born February 10, 1881, an Episcopal clergyman of Crafton, Pennsylvania. 3. Benjamin, born February 20, 1885, was a prominent lawyer of Conshohocken and Norristown, who died in 1909. He was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, class of 1906.
WILLIAM WHITE JONES-In the business world of Norristown, Pennsylvania, William W. Jones is taking a prominent place, catering to the needs of the motoring public in the matter of tires. This branch of the Jones family is widely known in Montgomery county, and Charles Jones, Mr. Jones' father, is a man of more than usual prominence. He was the founder of the "Conshohocken Recorder," and was for a number
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of years postmaster of Conshohocken. He is now identified with the "Philadelphia Evening Bulletin," and is a resident of Norristown. Charles Jones married Emma White, who is also still living.
William White Jones was born in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, February 25, 1876. Educated in the public schools of Norristown, his first employment was with the Alan Wood Company, with which con- cern he was connected for four years. He then entered the employ of the Lee Tire & Rubber Company of Conshohocken, where he remained for seven years, beginning at the bottom, rising to the position of super- intendent of the tire department. Resigning from this position Mr. Jones opened his present business in Norristown, at No. 220 East Main street, on March 15, 1917. He has developed a very prosperous interest, handling tires and automobile accessories, being the sole distributor of the Lee tires in Montgomery and Bucks counties. On the first day of January, 1921, Mr. Jones received into partnership Alonzo Mancill, who is still associated with him, the original firm name, The Lee Tire Sales Company, being retained.
Mr. Jones is counted among the successful men of Norristown, and has always kept in touch with local, State and National advance. He enlisted under Lieutenant Bean for the Spanish-American War, and served for one year, but was one of the many thousands of that period who never reached the front. Receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to his home interests. Mr. Jones has long been a member of the Hancock Chemical Volunteer Fire Company of Norristown. He is a member of Montgomery Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; of Norristown Lodge, No. 620, Free and Accepted Masons ; of Beaver Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; of the Penn Club, of Conshohocken ; and of the Norristown Young Men's Christian Association. His chief recreative interest is baseball.
William White Jones married, in Philadelphia, November 27, 1907, Flora Wilkinson, daughter of Joseph and Phoebe (Young) Wilkinson, and they have three children: Walter C., born December 14, 1911 ; Wil- liam W., Jr., born November 20, 1913; and Bernetta, born April 29, 1916. The family home is at No. 221 Jacoby street, Norristown.
ELLIS M. LAW-A practical electrician thoroughly skilled in all the modern forms of harnessing that most subtle powerful force in nature, and making it serve man's needs and provide his pleasure, Ellis M. Law has made Law's Electrical Stores in Norristown the center of "things electrical" in that borough and as well has made it a successful business enterprise. With the advent of wireless communication, radio set build- ing became his specialty, and in Norristown and vicinity he has built and installed successfully hundreds of these wonder machines that pluck sounds from the air without interference with others who wish to use the same sounds. "Law's" is headquarters for radio supplies and all the standard apparatus is carried, but his specialty is his own privately built apparatus, he the pioneer in that line and the only successful builder of radio sets in business in Norristown.
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Ellis M. Law, son of John R. and Lillian Myrtle (Weierbach ) Law, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1892. He obtained a thoroughly practical education in the public schools and then began learning the mechanical side of the electrical business with a leading Norristown house and with that house became a skilled electrician and mastered the contracting side of the business as well as the merchandis- ing of electrical supplies and equipment. He has been engaged in elec- trical work since his eighteenth year, and in March, 1919, he established in Norristown an electrical contracting business under his own name. He was very successful, and with the development of the business found it advisable to expand his operations to include the wholesale and retail dealing in electrical supplies. In February, 1922, he opened Law's Elec- trical Store, at No. 209 West Main street, Norristown, moving March I, 1923, to enlarged quarters, three floors and basement, twenty feet by sixty feet and 3,600 square feet, at 145 Main street, where he includes in his stock all kinds of electrical goods and household appliances in the way of electrical devices. His contracting interests continue to increase and he executes contracts for electrical installation in all parts of Mont- gomery county and adjacent territory. He makes a specialty of wireless telephones and radio sets especially constructed to meet any condition, being pioneer in that line in Norristown. He does a large business in standard makes of radio sets and has been very successful in meeting the demands of the trade. Mr. Law is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America ; the Patriotic Order of America ; Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; Woodmen of the World ; the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, and All Saints' Protestant Episcopal Church of Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Law married October 27, 1915, Mary Rose Plumly, of Norris- town, and they are the parents of four children: Ellis Monroe Law, born December 10, 1917; Jean Rosemary Law, born April 6, 1919; Anna Elizabeth Law, born April 14, 1920; John Richard Law, born April 4, 1922.
JOHN J. MURPHY-As a resident of the prosperous and growing borough of Bridgeport, and with extensive business interests in Norris- town, Mr. Murphy was a thoroughly representative citizen of the county of Montgomery. Mr. Murphy came of sturdy Irish stock, his parents coming to this country as pioneers about 1846. He was a son of John and Mary (Rossiter) Murphy, both natives of County Mexford, Ireland, where they were married, coming to this country soon after, and settling at that time in Upper Merion township, Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania. The father was a lime burner throughout his active life, and both were members of the Roman Catholic church, rearing their children in their own faith. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Nicholas ; James; John J., who died in childhood; John J., whose name heads this review ; Mary ; Elizabeth ; Julia ; Thomas ; Catherine ; William ; and one who died in infancy.
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John J. Murphy was born in Upper Merion township, on Decem- ber 16, 1854. He attended the public schools as a child, but at the very early age of nine years started out in the industrial world to do his share in providing for the large family. He was first employed in Lee's factory, a woolen mill at Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, and there he remained for a period of eighteen years, working up to the position of second carder. He then changed his line of activity, having an opportunity to enter the hotel business in partnership with his brother James, and he was thus engaged for three years. Thereafter, taking over the hostelry known as the Friendship Hotel, he conducted it independently for a period of seventeen years. This hotel was located at the corner of Fourth and Grove streets, in the borough of Bridgeport, in this county, and was widely popular with the travelling public under Mr. Murphy's regime. In the year 1901 Mr. Murphy became identified with the Norristown Brick Company, with which he is still connected. After one year's employment with the concern he took over its management, and in the capacity of general manager continued until the time of his death, which occurred on September 19, 1922, in Montgomery Hospital of Norristown, after an operation for appendicitis, he being stricken suddenly on the fifteenth of September. The business progressed steadily and expanded largely under his hand, and he was numbered among the leading execu- tives of Norristown, devoting his entire attention to his interests in this connection. Mr. Murphy was a large stockholder in this corporation, and was also a stockholder in various other business enterprises in both Norristown and Bridgeport.
He was one of the organizers of the Bridgeport National Bank, of which he was a director until 1920, when on account of the multiplicity of other interests demanding his attention, he resigned. He did much toward the upbuilding and civic advance of Bridgeport, the place of his residence, having personally handled a considerable amount of real estate, erecting upwards of twenty houses in this borough. A Republican by political affiliation, he long wielded a strong and beneficial influence in the public life of the borough. Caring nothing for political honors, he nevertheless served the people when called upon to do so, and for more than twenty years served on the Borough Council. Always holding the best interests of the people at heart, he forwarded and encouraged every movement which tended toward the public welfare. He was a charter member of the Bridgeport Fire Company, No. I, and always took the liveliest interest in its progress. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and of St. Joseph's Beneficial Society, and was a member of the Roman Catholic church.
John J. Murphy married, on September 3, 1884, Margaret A. Lawlor, daughter of Michael and Julia Lawlor. Mrs. Murphy resides at No. 204 East Fourth street, Bridgeport.
IRA BENNER HARR is the able manager of the Heebner Agricul- tural Works of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and has become one of the
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important factors in the growth and betterment of the city. He is the son of Henry and Susanna (Benner) Harr, who have another son, Milton, and two daughters, Laura and Alice. Mr. Harr was a well known builder of Bucks county.
Ira Benner Harr was born at Telford, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1874. He was a pupil in the public schools of Telford, and later entered and was graduated from the Lansdale High School, class of 1892. He early started out to gain a livelihood, and began clerking in a general store. For eighteen years he was connected with the mercantile trade. In 1910 he changed his occupation and went in the Heebner Agricultural Works, and in 1922 had been serving for some time as its manager.
Mr. Harr has been intimately interested in civic and educational affairs. For eleven years he has been secretary of the Lansdale school board, and for some time president of the Board of Trade. He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church of Lansdale, and is superintendent of its Sunday school.
On February 20, 1907, at Orange City, Florida, Ira B. Harr was mar- ried to Clarella Heebner, daughter of William D. and Emma (Frantz) Heebner. A sketch of Mr. Heebner's life appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Harr have one son, William Heebner.
MICHAEL DALY was born in the town of Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland, the son of James and Margaret (Burke) Daly, both now deceased, the latter having died when her son was but four years old.
Mr. Daly received his education in the National and Christian Brothers' schools in the Fermoy district. He also spent a short time in the Royal Barracks, Dublin. At an early age he began his trade as a stone-cutter in a business that was being carried on by his father and older brothers.
Early in the year 1830 Mr. Daly's grandfather came to this country, being followed two months later by his son (Mr. Daly's father), remain- ing for several years, and being finally compelled to return to the old country, due to family conditions.
Being somewhat familiar therefore with conditions in this country, and realizing the possibilities and advantages to be gained, and urged on by a progressive spirit that has ever been evident in his efforts, Michael Daly came to the United States in the year 1875, and for a short time located in New York City. He later secured a position in a marble business in Dover, Dutchess county, New York, where he remained for a period of six years. After leaving Dover, Mr. Daly traveled throughout the New England States and Canada. This partic- ular section of the country is practically the supply center of the marble and granite industry of the country, and it therefore afforded him a won- derful opportunity to study the industry from its foundation, which knowl- edge has served him in good stead in his present business. Finally, in the year 1884, he settled in Conshohocken. In the year 1890 he estab-
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lished a small stone cutting works and monumental business, but was soon compelled to enlarge his plant until, at the present time, it is one of the largest marble and granite works in Montgomery county.
In religion Mr. Daly is a Roman Catholic, for years being a prominent member of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church, Conshohocken. He has on several occasions been chairman of committees raising funds for the erection of the beautiful edifice now in that parish. In politics Mr. Daly is a Democrat and has always adhered closely to party principles. While he has on several occasions been approached with regard to accept- ing the candidacy for State, county and borough office, he has always declined.
During the years he has resided in Conshohocken he has always been a strong advocate for any movement looking towards the better- ment of the town. He is a prominent member of the Conshohocken Chamber of Commerce and of Conshohocken Council, No. 1603, Knights of Columbus, of which his son, Walter Joseph, is head. Mr. Daly is also a prominent member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and of the American Federation for the Recognition of the Irish Independence, and while he has always been a strong advocate of the principals of his adopted country, he has ever been an ardent worker in the cause of Irish Independence.
In the year 1885 Mr. Daly married Hannah Devanney, daughter of Martin and Margaret Devanney, from which union six children were born: Mary Elizabeth ; Madeline Regina ; Rosalie Veronica (deceased) ; Walter Joseph ; Martin (deceased) ; and Margaret Francis.
To summarize, Mr. Daly is a type of citizen whose example may be emulated for the common good of any community and for a better United States of America.
JAMES JOHN KELLY-One of the names which was long identified with the steel industry in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, is that of James John Kelly, and the man who bore it is still remembered among the people of this community for his genial spirit, and his sturdy honesty in every relation in life. Always a hard worker, and devoted to his family, he was a valued friend and a worthy citizen, and his passing left a sense of deep loss among many who were glad to have come within the circle of his acquaintance. Mr. Kelly was a son of Patrick and Annie (McQuade) Kelly. Patrick Kelly was a tiller of the soil in his native county of Ireland, but came to America while still a young man, bring- ing his little family with him, and settling in Phoenixville, Pennsyl- vania. He secured employment in the Phoenixville Cotton Mills, where he became foreman, and was thus active until his death.
James John Kelly was born in Tyrone, Ireland, January 6, 1837, and died in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1913. Educated in the national schools of his native town, he came to America with his family as a youth, scarcely yet entered upon the responsibilities of life. In the year 1860 he came to Conshohocken and entered the employ of the John Wood Rolling Mills. His industry and constant interest in his
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work brought about his advancement, first to foreman, then to assistant superintendent of the puddling department, and this position he filled until his death. Meanwhile, during the entire period of his residence in Conshohocken, Mr. Kelly gave a gen- erous share of his time and endeavors to the general good. He had been here scarcely more than a year when the Civil War broke out, and he enlisted in the 72nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, with the rank of sergeant. He served under Colonel Baker through many of the most important engagements of the earlier period of the war, then in 1863 was discharged on account of physical disability. He accord- ingly returned to his home in Conshohocken, and upon regaining his health, again took up his work at the rolling mills.
By political affiliation always a staunch Democrat, Mr. Kelly was a consistent worker for the good of the party, and although he cared little for public honors, was at one time elected supervisor of the Borough of Conshohocken. One of his most marked characteristics was his friendly attitude toward all with whom he came in contact, and this was perhaps most definitely expressed through his activity in fraternal circles. He was a member of many fraternal orders, his kindly feeling for others making him an active and broadly popular participant in the benevo- lences and fellowship of his lodges. A devoutly religious man, he was one of the original members of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church, and before its formation was one of the most devoted supporters of the Holy Fathers who came through this region as missionaries. Nearly a decade has passed since James John Kelly passed on from among the people who for so many years had known and honored him, but he is not forgotten. Many times his name is spoken, and now after the fresh- ness of their grief has worn away, it is with a smile that his friends remember him, such a smile as in the old days came in response to his own genial and warm-hearted greeting. He is gone, but he will long be remembered by every one who knew him.
Mr. Kelly married, in Philadelphia, on May 18, 1864, Susan McGon- igal, who died October 3, 1905. She was a daughter of Terrence and Susan McGonigal, long residents of Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly were the parents of six children : 1. Neil, deceased. 2. Annie Elizabeth. 3. James, who resides in Conshohocken. 4. Thomas J. 5. Mary E. 6. Elizabeth M. The family home was for many years at No. 123 Fayette street, Conshohocken, and there the youngest daughter still resides.
ALLEN MINNER HAAS-The position which Mr. Haas occupies with the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company is one of respon- sibility and follows twenty-two years of conscientious, efficient service to this company. Among fraternal associates he is known as an active member of the Masons.
Abram Haas, his father, worked a farm of twenty-five acres at Oley, Pennsylvania, on which he had a feed mill, and managed both until his death, which occurred at Boyertown, Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania, in March, 1922. He married Elizabeth Minner, still living, and
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their children were: Allen Minner, the subject of this sketch; Howard, living in Brooklyn, New York; Edwin, of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania ; Eli, of Oley, Pennsylvania; Clinton, deceased; Wilson, deceased; Eliz- abeth, a teacher at Boyertown, Pennsylvania ; and Grace, deceased.
Allen Minner Haas was born at Oley, Berks county, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1881, and obtained his education in the public schools there and through a correspondence course in telegraphy, which led to his entering the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company. He first worked in a creamery for two years after leaving school, then was given the position of assistant agent at Cedar Hollow, September 5, 1900, for the aforementioned railroad. The following year he was made agent at Kimmerton, near Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, where he remained until March 23, 1905, when he went to Lorane. In 1907 he located at Monongahela City, as operator with the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany, remaining but a few months, then returned to the service of the former railroad company as agent at Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. He was again transferred, April 20, 1910, to Byers, Pennsylvania, and to West Conshohocken in June, 1917, and finally to Norristown, Febru- ary I, 1922, where he is employed at present. Here he is in charge of two passenger stations and a freight station, having supervision of thirty-seven men. This represents a consistent record of attention to duty on the part of a trusted employee with the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railway Company.
Mr. Haas is a Republican in politics, and fraternally is a member of Norristown Lodge, No. 620, Free and Accepted Masons; Phoenixville Chapter, No. 198, Royal Arch Masons ; Palestine Council, No. 8, Royal and Select Masters; Jerusalem Commandery, Lodge No. 15, Phoenix- ville; Rajah Shrine, of Reading, Pennsylvania; and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Norristown Forest, No. 31, Pennsylvania; also a member of the Craftsmen's Club of the Philadelphia & Reading Company. He is religiously affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church in Norris- town, Pennsylvania. He is fond of fishing and baseball.
On March 4, 1908, Mr. Haas was united in marriage with Ella Sloyer, only child of Benjamin Franklin and Emma (Kuerr) Sloyer, both of whom are deceased, the father having been engaged in farming in Charlestown township, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Haas have no children.
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