USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume III > Part 16
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The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Beltz are as follows: Raymond, born March 10, 1891, who married Ruth Bromer, and is associated with his father in business; John, born May 12, 1894, engaged as salesman, and also associated with his father in business; Wallace, born June 7, 1896, married to Sarah Keeley, and living in Honolulu; Joseph, born April 20, 1905. Raymond and John enlisted in the United States army on November 3, 1917, the former at Camp Hancock and assigned as a motor mechanic in the aviation service, and the latter assigned to the sanitary squad at Camp Meade. Wallace, a graduate of Annapolis Naval
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Academy in 1919, is still in the service, with the rank of lieutenant, and stationed at present at Honolulu, where Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Beltz spent three months during the early part of 1922.
WILSON S. CASSEL-One of the youngest business men of Lans- dale, Pennsylvania, who is making a name for himself in the various activities there, is Wilson S. Cassel, who in partnership with Charles S. Carver founded a new firm, dealing in automobile work, in 1922. The two active and industrious young men are meeting with a merited pros- perity, and are planning to have one of the most up-to-date establish- ments of its kind in this city.
Wilson S. Cassel was a native of Lansdale, born August 14, 1902, son of Nathan S. and Emma S. (Seibert) Cassel, the former named born in 1858, a farmer, and the latter named born in 1860. Wilson S. Cassel attended the public school of Upper Gwynedd township, later entering the high school of that place. He became connected with the Holmeyer Garage, Norristown, Pennsylvania, and it was there he began his trade and secured the preparation for the business in which he is now (1923) engaged. At Broad and Market streets, Lansdale, he joined with Charles S. Carver, under the firm name of Carver & Cassel, they opening a mod- ern garage for the repair and care of automobiles and other motor vehicles, which bids fair to become one of the best in town.
Mr. Cassel is not interested in party politics, reserving the freedom to vote for the man and not the man's party affiliations. Naturally, his tastes run toward automobiling, and he likes getting out in the woods and fields with a gun in his hand, when autumn comes. His religious connections are with the Schwenkfelder Church of Lansdale.
CHARLES A. MOSER-One of the prominent members of enter- prising business men for which Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, is noted is Charles A. Moser, who makes various glass receptacles for the use of surgeons and physicians. Although a native son of Conshohocken, he has been engaged in business there only since 1913, but in that brief period has made himself known and influential in its business and trade life. He is the son of John Moser, well known for years in the city, who died at the age of sixty-two years, in 1915, and his mother is Mary Anne (Vickers) Moser.
Charles A. Moser was born in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1888, and attended first the public schools, completing his education in the parochial school of that city. His first essay on self support was in the J. Elwood Lee Glass Works, makers of glass supplies for surgeons, where he remained for seven years. He then spent two years with the American Thermo Ware Company, of New York City, and to further familiarize himself with the vocation he had chosen, went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for two more years.
In 1913 he entered upon a partnership with H. Fisher and established a glass works at Nos. 302-306 Hector street, Conshohocken, Pennsyl- vania, for the purpose of making a wide variety of glass articles used by
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the medical profession and druggists. The firm specializes on the man- ufacture of vials; some for holding homoeopathic medicines, others for antitoxin or serum containers. During the nine years since the firm's beginning it has shown a marked increase in custom and is very success- ful. Mr. Moser confines himself very strictly to his business, and aside from being an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, has few outside interests. He is a Democrat in his political views, and is religi- ously affiliated with the Methodist church.
On April 22, 1914, at Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, he was married to Edith McCracken, a native of Norristown, Pennsylvania, the daugh- ter of Thomas and Margaret (Reed) McCracken. Mr. and Mrs. Moser are the parents of four children: Mildred Mary, Margaret, Helen, and Edith.
JOHN WILKINSON BLACKBURN is the grandson of one of the real pioneers of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, and lives in the house that has been in the family for three generations. The first James Blackburn came from North Ireland to Conshohocken as a small boy, served his apprenticeship as a blacksmith, and was in business at West Consho- hocken until his death in 1906, at the age of sixty-one. The second James Blackburn was also a blacksmith, and later was in partnership under the name of Blackburn & Buckel. His wife was Matilda Black- burn, and they are the parents of John Wilkinson, of whom further.
John Wilkinson Blackburn was born in Conshohocken, March 5, 1885, and educated in the public schools of the city. His business career began with learning the trade of pattern making, at which he worked for fifteen years, first with Niles-Bement Pond Company, of Philadelphia, and later with the Harrison Safety Boiler Works, of Norristown, Penn- sylvania. In 1919 he set up in business for himself, after three years under William Miller, the undertaker, and has his parlors and mortuary at No. 1016 Hector street. Mr. Blackburn is an active member of the Conshohocken Chamber of Commerce, is a Republican in politics, and fraternizes with the Knights of Pythias, No. 117; Patriotic Order Sons of America, of which he is past president ; Fritz Lodge, No. 420, Free and Accepted Masons, all of Conshohocken. He is a communicant of the Presbyterian church, and besides being on the board of trustees has been the financial secretary for eighteen years.
At Conshohocken, April 20, 1910, Mr. Blackburn was married to Emma R. Stiteler, and they are the parents of two children: John, and Walter Cobain.
WILSON S. NICE-In the construction world of Montgomery county Wilson S. Nice holds a foremost position, and through his for- mer experience with another contracting concern and the nearly a decade during which he has been independently active, he has been identified with the construction of very many of the residences, industrial plants and commercial structures which go to make up the physical existence of the borough of Souderton. Mr. Nice is a member of a family long in
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Montgomery county, and is a son of John and Martha Nice, his father a farmer by occupation, and a highly esteemed citizen.
Wilson S. Nice was born in Souderton, Montgomery county, Penn- sylvania, May 31, 1873. His education was acquired in the local schools, and as a young man he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. Conceiving an ambition to fit himself for the construction work of the day, he learned the trade of carpenter and builder, and for ten years was active in this field with John Luder. In 1915 Mr. Nice struck out for himself as a contractor and builder, and from the first was successful. He has built very many of the newer structures which now add beauty and dignity to the streets of the borough of Souderton and its environs. This very practical and useful activity has given Mr. Nice more than usual local prominence, and as a loyal adherent of the Republican party he has been brought forward in the public service, acting as judge of elections in Souderton, and also serving as county road inspector. Fra- ternally Mr. Nice is affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose, No. 35, of Sellersville, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Nice married, November 6, 1895, Anna Trea, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Hockmen) Trea, of Souderton. Mr. and Mrs. Nice have six children : Elmer, Evelyn, Stella, Mary, Harry, and Ezekiel.
MORVIN W. GODSHALL is active in one of the unusual and inter- esting industries which form a part of the business life of Collegeville, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, the manufacture of flags and hand- kerchiefs. He is also identified with various activities of civic or frater- nal import, and stands among the progressive and forward-looking men of the day in this borough. David C. Godshall, his father, is a citizen of Skippack township, retired at this time, after a long and active life spent in agricultural pursuits. David C. Godshall married Mary Ann Wanner, who is now deceased, and their children were: William W .; Ella, single ; Rosanna, widow of the late John S. Undercoffer; Abner, a successful poultry farmer ; and Morvin W.
Morvin W. Godshall was born in Skippack township, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1883. He received his early education in the Skippack public school. After working five years for the Phoenix Iron Company, at Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, he attended Ursinus Academy, and later Ursinus College, from which he was graduated in 1911, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the employ of the Collegeville Flag Company, as factory manager, and remained with them until 1916. From then until the present time (1923), he has been factory manager for the H. O. Stansbury Company, manufacturers of flags and handkerchiefs. While he is very busy with his duties in connection with the business, Mr. Godshall spends a portion of his spare time in writing fire and cas- ualty insurance, representing the Aetna Insurance Company and Fire Association of Philadelphia, and Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Godshall is interested in all topics of the day and is a firm believer in the Republican party, at the present time being an assessor, for one term, at Collegeville, Penn-
Mont-30
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sylvania. Fraternally he holds membership in Warren Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Collegeville. He is a member of the Acacia Club, of Collegeville (a Masonic club). Along recreative lines, he is very much interested in out-of-door sports, especially hunting and fishing, and belongs to the Camp Biff Hunting and Fishing Club, of Pike county, Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the Reformed church, where he is now a deacon.
Mr. Godshall married Sarah K. Detwiler, on July 9, 1913, at Skippack township. She is the daughter of the late A. C. and Lydia S. (Kulp) Detwiler, the father being a retired farmer before his death. Mr. and Mrs. Godshall have three children : Mildred, born June 9, 1914; Gerald, born September 25, 1915; and Leon, born April 28, 1917.
AMBROSE B. UMSTEAD-The active participation of Mr. Um- stead in the civic affairs of his home town, Norristown, Pennsylvania, has resulted in his occupying public office with credit to himself and honor to the community. He takes a genuine interest in religious work, and is well known to fraternal associates. He is a son of J. Calvin and Kate A. (Reifsnyder) Umstead, and was born in Limerick township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1867.
Ambrose B. Umstead graduated from the high school in Norristown in 1886, and for three years thereafter was associated with the firm of Rambo and Regar, then accepted a position with the Earl Line Steam- ship Company. For thirty-two years he was a trusted employee of this company and advanced from one position to another, until at the time he resigned he was the secretary of the corporation.
During his connection with the company he was detailed for service in Cuba as auditor of the books of a mining company that had been kept in Spanish. But he had a working knowledge of both Spanish and French and was well equipped for the work. During another period of his connection with the Earl Steamship Company he was in charge of transportation matters in the building of the Panama Canal, and in the "Official History of the Panama Canal" there is mention made of his activities in the building of that great work. During this period he did much in connection with government affairs relating to the canal, the upbuilding of the navy, and on steamship government work; he has traveled extensively.
In April, 1922, Mr. Umstead was appointed a division chief of United States Internal Revenue and assigned to the district comprising the counties of Montgomery and Berks in Pennsylvania. He then resigned his office of secretary of the Earl Steamship Company and has since devoted himself to the duties of the Federal office. He is a Republican in politics and from 1903 until 1913 served as councilman and during the last nine years was president of that body. In religious faith he is con- nected with Christ Reformed Church, of which he has been the financial secretary since its organization twenty-seven years ago. As a Mason he is identified with Charity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons ; Norristown Chapter, No. 190, Royal Arch Masons; Cryptic Council, No.
Ambos B. Un kal
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53, Royal and Select Masters; Hutchinson Commandery, No. 32, Knights Templar; Lu Lu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in Philadelphia; and is also a member of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, and Hancock Fire Company. As chairman of the general commit- tee of the Centennial celebration of Norristown in 1912, he contributed much to its success.
Mr. Umstead married, October 18, 1893, Mary B. Wiegner, of Norris- town, and they are the parents of one son, Lynford A., born November 2, 1895, a graduate of Norristown High School, class of 1914, and now engaged in the iron and steel business. Mr. and Mrs. Umstead reside at 1017 West Marshall street, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
HARRY M. NASE-For longer than a decade Harry M. Nase has been the postmaster and a merchant of West Point, Pennsylvania. His father, Thomas D. Nase, was at one time a farmer and later a merchant in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and his mother was Matilda Nase.
Harry M. Nase was born in Rock Hill township, Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, February 10, 1877. He received his early education in the dis- trict school of that place. He continued his schooling in the Sellers- ville (Pennsylvania) High School and took a course in the Schissler Business College of Norristown, Pennsylvania. For the years 1888 and 1889 he pursued bookkeeping and typewriting as his vocation, but changed to become a general merchant at West Point, where he has been located ever since. During that same year he was appointed post- master of that place, and he is now known far and wide throughout the district for his ability and careful, successful handling of both his office and his business. His fraternal interests are in the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Woodmen of the World. With his family he attends and they are members of the Reformed church at West Point.
At Skippack, Pennsylvania, in 1891, Mr. Nase was married to Maggie H. Bean, daughter of Henry F. and Catherine Bean, and they are the parents of two children : Beatrice Elizabeth, born July 4, 1899; Frances Adelaide, born August 3, 1905.
SAMUEL HOMER KENDIG is not only well known in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, for his business ability, but has been honored with public office because of his deep interest in municipal affairs. His father, Sam- uel B. Kendig, has been for many years a retired merchant in Shippens- burg, Pennsylvania, and his mother is Elizabeth (Enterline) Kendig, of that place. Samuel Homer Kendig was born in the State of Pennsyl- vania, December 14, 1874, and after early study in the grammar schools attended the high school of his native place.
His career as a worker began immediately after the completion of his education, by entering a manufacturing plant, in which he rose by various stages to official position. He was employed at one time by
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Wanamaker & Brown, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the present time (1923) he is the capable manager of the A. J. Brumbach Company, clothing manufacturers.
For years active in the Republican party he is now a member of the Town Council from his ward, and a member of several important com- mittees. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, Red Men, and Knights of the Golden Eagle, and is one of the Board of Trade of Lansdale. He is a communicant of the Episcopal church of this city.
On June 12, 1900, at Reading, Pennsylvania, he was married to Eugenia P. Cunningham, daughter of David and Mary (McDonald) Cunningham, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Kendig are the parents of a son, John S. C., born March 11, 1901, who is a graduate of the Lansdale School of Business.
ALLEN E. BORTZ has been a railroad man for thirty years, and as agent at Collegeville, Pennsylvania, his good natured but strict attention to business has won for him the respect of the many with whom he has come in contact. He is the son of Solomon Y. Bortz, a school teacher, and Mary K. (Kemmerer) Bortz, well known residents of Berks county.
Allen E. Bortz was born at Hereford, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1875. His education was received from the public schools of his town, but he early began to contribute to his own support. He soon decided that he wished to take up railroading, and as soon as an opportunity presented itself, became connected with the Reading railroad, in 1892, and has never left its employ. He is a thoughtful, home-loving man, but has served his community faithfully and well for years as treasurer and a director of the public schools, and has had a helpful part in many activities looking toward civic improvement and welfare.
In his political views he leans toward the Republican party. Frater- nally he affiliates with Warren Lodge, No. 310, Free and Accepted Masons, and his club is the Acacia Club, of the Masonic order. He is a communicant of the Lutheran church of Schwenkville.
At Schwenkville, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1897, Allen E. Bortz was married to Laura B. Markley, daughter of Phillip and Hetty (Bossert) Markley, well known residents of Schwenkville. Mr. and Mrs. Bortz are the parents of two children: Myron S., born in August, 1901 ; and Nelson M., born in September, 1908.
WILLIAM CLAYTON KOCH-Many of the more able men upon their return from service in the World War established themselves, as did William Clayton Koch, of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, in a busi- ness of their own instead of working for others. Perhaps the military training gave increased confidence and independence, whatever the cause. Mr. Koch has been immediately successful in his later venture, and is becoming prominent among the business men of his city. He is the son of Howard and Eva (Colen) Koch, well known in Conshohocken, and
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has a brother Francis, and sister Helen. Mr. Koch has been for years a worker in the rubber industry.
William Clayton Koch was born in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1897, and received his preliminary schooling in his native city, and was also graduated from the Lower Merion High School. His career as a business man began with the Lee Tire Corporation, in which he was engaged for four years previous to 1918. On November 8 of that year, the United States having gone into the World War, he enlisted and was sent to Camp Lee, in Virginia, where he remained until his dis- charge on May 5, 1919. The next year he started a service station in his home city, where he carries on a large trade in automobile supplies and repairs, and has the agency for the Studebaker car.
He is a Republican in politics, and is connected with several lodges and fraternal organizations, among which are the Whaita Tribe, Im- proved Order of Red Men, Conshohocken; Independent American; Knights of Pythias of Conshohocken ; the Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Norristown, Pennsylvania. He is a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church.
At Westchester, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1920, he was married to Har- riet, daughter of Charles and Marion (Williams) Benard, of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Koch are the parents of a son, William Koch, born October 8, 1921, at Conshohocken.
FRANKLIN SCHWENK-Until retiring from active business affairs, Mr. Schwenk was engaged in the cattle business, an experience beginning in his sixteenth year. He is affiliated with fraternal organ- izations and financial institutions. His father, Aaron Schwenk, was a tanner by trade and in addition maintained stage routes, dealt in cattle and farmed. He married Elizabeth Ziegler, and they were the parents of four children: Franklin, the subject of this sketch; Sarah, wife of V. G. Prizer; Anna, deceased, wife of Jacob Gaub; and Amanda, wife of Dr. Faust.
Franklin Schwenk was born near Schwenkville, Pennsylvania, in Frederick township, at what is now known as Delphi Post Office, Octo- ber 5, 1852. He attended the rural public schools until he was sixteen years old, when he purchased sixty-two head of cattle in New York State and returned with them to settle at Zieglersville as a cattle herder in 1868, remaining there until 1902. In that year he came to Schwenkville, Pennsylvania, and carried on the business until 1920, when he retired and turned it over to his son, Franklin, who married Elizabeth Pennypacker, daughter of John B. and Elizabeth (Wagner) Pennypacker, on Septem- ber 25, 1906. They have four children living, one dead : Mary, Charles, Elizabeth, John; Nelson, deceased. They reside at Schwenkville. In political faith he is a Republican. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Zieglersville, No. 247; and the Knights of Friend- ship, Zieglersville. He is a stockholder in the Schwenkville National Bank, the Growers and Merchants Bank, of Philadelphia, and several others.
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Mr. Schwenk was united in marriage with Hanna Krause, at Sumney- town, who was a daughter of William and Susan (Hefisbinger ) Krause. The children born to this union were: William, living in Columbus, Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Beard; Aaron; Susan, married; Franklin, managing the cattle business; Hannah, living at Trappe, Pennsylvania, until her death. He married a second time, Katherine Hersh, whose father was a huckster and patronized the markets in Philadelphia. Her death occurred August 14, 1922, leaving no issue.
MAHLON F. DETWEILER-The Detweilers are a farming family of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, Samuel and Anna (Freed) Detweiler residing at Hilltown, in that county, at the time of the birth of their son, Mahlon F., who is now a prosperous farmer and landowner of Franconia township, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Samuel Detweiler, son of John and Sarah Detweiler, was a farmer all his life, and under his instruction Mahlon F. Detweiler gained his first experience as a farmer. Samuel and Anna (Freed) Detweiler had four children: John (2), Mah- lon F., of whom further; Saloma, wife of William Landis; and Isaac F.
Mahlon F. Detweiler was born at the home farm at Hilltown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1870, and obtained his education in the district public school. He early became his father's farm assistant and remained at the homestead until reaching the age of twenty-one. He then began farming on his own account, and in 1916 bought his present farm in Franconia township, Montgomery county, where he has eighty fertile acres under cultivation. The farm is a part of one of the old estates of that section and has a history running back to pre-Revolution- ary days. Mr. Detweiler is a Republican in politics, and in religious faith a Mennonite.
Mr. Detweiler married, in Bucks county, December 9, 1894, Amanda Myers, daughter of Jacob and Anna Maria Myers. Mr. and Mrs. Det- weiler are the parents of four children : Anne, Bertha, Howard and Sam- uel. The Detweiler farm is located near Souderton, Pennsylvania, is well kept, and indicates a prosperous, energetic, capable owner.
JOHN S. GRATER-In the industrial world of Montgomery county Mr. Grater holds a position of responsibility, as superintendent of the Fowler & Wolf Radiator Manufacturing Company of Norristown. Mr. Grater comes of a well known Pennsylvania family, and is a son of Abram and Hanna Grater, his father a farmer throughout his lifetime.
John S. Grater was born in Limerick township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1874. The family home being removed to another State in his childhood, he attended the public schools of Morrison, Illi- nois, then spent one year at Mount Morris College, this being the extent of his educational advantages. On May 27, 1897, Mr. Grater entered the employ of the Fowler & Wolf Radiator Company, in the capacity of molder, at their plant at Royersford, Montgomery county, and was thus engaged for about four years and a half. In September, 1901, he was transferred to the Norristown plant of the same concern, and now
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