USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume III > Part 2
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Herbert S. Bucher married, at Harleysville, on October 19, 1910, Edna C. Clemens, daughter of Manassas and Mary (Bean) Clemens, and they are the parents of three children, all born in Harleysville: Robert, Daniel, and Jacob.
JAMES S. LOVATT-For the past sixteen years Mr. Lovatt has been a resident of Norristown, Pennsylvania, where he is a well known pharmacist. His parents are George Augustus and Anna (Sheldon) Lovatt, both of whom are living, the father being an active machinist. Their other children are: Elsie, a school teacher in Camden, New Jer- sey ; and Harold S., an electrical engineer with the West Penn Electrical Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
James S. Lovatt was born October 22, 1881, at Bridgeton, Cumber- land county, New Jersey, where he obtained his public schooling, gradu-
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ating from the high school in 1900. He then attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, receiving the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy in 1904. For two years following his graduation he was manager of a drug store in Philadelphia before coming to Norristown, May 6, 1906. The pharmacy which he now owns was established by Frank Poley in 1865 and continued by him until 1891, when Jacob Koker succeeded to the proprietorship, and he in turn was succeeded by Mr. Lovatt.
Mr. Lovatt is a Republican in politics; and fraternally a member of Bridgeton Lodge, No. 2, Free and Accepted Masons. He is religiously affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. He owns a cottage in Lower Salford, and the ten acres of land which he owns provide him full indulgence in his favorite recreation of farming during the summer months.
Mr. Lovatt married, in Wilmington, Delaware, Lois Shaffer, a mem- ber of the Geological Society of Philadelphia, and daughter of Samuel and Della (Harding) Shaffer. The mother is a cousin of President Harding and of ex-President Taft, and the father was a veteran of the Civil War. One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Lovatt, March 22, 1906, James S., Jr.
HORACE W. SMEDLEY has for many years been prominent in the business and social life of Ardmore, Pennsylvania. His ability, progres- siveness and capacity for leadership have been very helpful in the various activities of the municipality, and his personality has won him a host of friends.
The son of Thomas and Philena Y. Smedley, the former of whom is an agriculturist and for some time superintendent of schools, Horace W. Smedley was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1867. His education was gained in the Friends' Private School at Westtown, Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania. He started in business in Philadelphia as a salesman, working for various concerns, beginning at the bottom and working his way to the top. He organized, on June 1, 1892, the Smedley & Mehl Company, dealers in lumber, coal and building supplies, and has been actively engaged since then in this important concern. He is secre- tary of the Merion Title and Trust Company of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, and as a member of the Republican party has been interested for some years in politics. From 1900 to 1916 he was township commissioner of Lower Merion township, and on June 1, 1919, was elected county comp- troller for a term of four years. For twenty years he was a Republican County Committeeman, and in 1922 was chairman of the executive com- mittee of the Republican organization from the First Legislative Dis- trict.
Interested in club life, he is associated with the Union League of Philadelphia, the Merion Cricket Club, of Haverford, Pennsylvania, and the Plymouth Country Club. He is affiliated with the Friends' Church of Haverford.
At Haverford, Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1902, Hor-
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ace W. Smedley was married to Anna Ralston Hoopes, daughter of E. Marlin and Phoebe (Davis) Hoopes, of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Smed- ley are the parents of one daughter, Caroline Hoopes Smedley, born May 19, 1906.
WILLIAM F. LAMB-A leader in musical circles in Pottstown, Mr. Lamb is widely known as the director of Lamb's Concert Orchestra, one of the leading musical organizations in Montgomery county, and also as the proprietor of one of the most progressive music stores of Pottstown.
William F. Lamb was born in New Hanover, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1879. His education was begun in the schools of Swamp Creek, now Hanover, and he attended Spring Mount Preparatory School, afterwards attending Perkiomen Seminary, at Pennsburg. Mr. Lamb's first business experience was with C. H. Lichtey, of Reading, Pennsylvania, and when Mr. Lichtey established a store in Pottstown, in 1901, Mr. Lamb came with him to manage the new venture. The association continued for only five months, however, Mr. Lamb purchasing the business at the end of that time. It has been a success from the start, and was carried on at its first location, on Hanover street, for a period of eight years. Then Mr. Lamb bought the present fine site on High street, building a hand- some apartment house, with a spacious store on the street floor, and Victor record parlors on the second floor ; his library carries seventeen thousand records in stock, and is considered one of the most complete in - the State, including all the records of the great artists. While he makes a specialty of Victors and records, Mr. Lamb handles extensively pianos and other musical instruments, including sheet music. He has recently put on sale the Welte-Miguar and Stultz-Bauer reproducing piano, which is capable of giving exact reproductions of the performances of the great artists, and thereby considered a triumph of the mechanical music idea. Mr. Lamb employs the most modern methods in his business activities, and his many original ideas make his store widely attractive to the music- loving public. Himself a musician of no small calibre, he has long been much sought after, especially for concert work. In 1917 he organized the Lamb Concert Orchestra, of twenty-seven pieces, and their annual concert is the event of the year in the city of Pottstown. They are called also to many parts of this and adjoining States for occasions of every kind.
Mr. Lamb is organist at the Swamp Lutheran church, one of the his- toric old churches of Pennsylvania, and in 1919-20 gave largely of his time in the outlining of plans for raising the necessary funds for the new memorial organ, now the pride of Grace Church of Pottstown. He was also the organizer of the Pottstown Band, and is still active in its support. At one of Mr. Lamb's concerts in Pottstown several members of the Victor Company were present, and later made an enthusiastic note of the event in their house organ, "The Voice of the Victor," wherein they rated Mr. Lamb among their leading dealers. Not only in his own interests is Mr. Lamb a progressive and forward-looking man. Every matter that concerns the city is of interest to him, and he endorses and
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supports with cordial good will every forward movement among the people. In political affiliation he is a Republican, and is active for the good of the party. He is a member of the Knights of Friendship of Zieglersville, with which he has been identified for eighteen years, and is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Royal Arcanum, and the Rotary Club.
William F. Lamb married, in 1910, Viola Missimer, of Pottstown, daughter of Renzaler Missimer, whose father, Noah Missimer, was a popular auctioneer, and was for many years "squire" in Pottsgrove and Pottstown, and they have one son, William (2).
ABRAHAM A. GROFF-For many years prominent in the town- ship of Lower Salford, Pennsylvania, as a miller and extensive dealer in flour and feed, Abraham A. Groff is one of the foremost men of the day in the business life of this section of Montgomery county. He comes of an old family of South Perkasie, Bucks county, and is a grandson of Abraham and Rebecca Groff, highly respected people of Bucks county in the early part of the nineteenth century. Jacob Groff, their son and Mr. Groff's father, conducted the mill for a long period, his activity in this field of endeavor ending only with his death. He married Anna Alderfer, also a member of an old and prominent Montgomery county family, and they were the parents of four children: Abraham A., whose name heads this review ; Henry ; Benjamin and Ellwood.
Abraham A. Groff was born in South Salford township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1858. His education was acquired in the public schools of the township, where he was thoroughly grounded in the fundementals of learning. As a youth he became interested in the flour and feed mill which his father owned, and entering the business, learned its details, continuing with it, first as his father's assistant, and later as owner. This business was founded in 1728 by one Clemens, who built the first mill, this mill later passing into the hands of the Alder- fer family, where it remained for a period of one hundred and twelve years, passing to the Groff family, an allied family of the Alderfers. Jacob Groff eventually becoming its possessor, and being a man of progressive spirit, he built a substantial addition to the mill (1878) shortly after his son became connected with the business. Continuing at the head of the business until his death, Abraham A. Groff then took over the mill, and from time to time he has made other additions and improvements, until now the building is of modern stone construction, a credit to the owner and to the community in which it stands. Mr. Groff is doing a very large business, and is counted among the foremost men in his field in Montgomery county. He is identified with the Harleysville National Bank in the capacity of director, and keeps in touch with all advance relevant to the welfare of the community as well as to his individual interests. A Republican by political convictions, he is a fearless advocate of the principles of his party, and for some years has served as township auditor. He is a member of the Old Mennonite church.
Mr. Groff married, in Sellersville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on
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December 8, 1883, Catherine Moyer, a member of an old family repre- sented elsewhere in this work, and daughter of Abraham and Mary (Kemp) Moyer. Their children are: Anna Moyer; Alice; Benjamin ; Elizabeth ; and Jacob ; all born at Lederach.
ELMER S. SHELLY is a man who everyone likes to meet because of his pleasant personality and versatile ability. His business brings him in contact with the people in the sad crises of their lives, and although he may meet them as a stranger he departs as a friend. Mr. Shelly is the son of John M. and Ella (Schilling) Shelly, the former of whom has retired after many prosperous years on his farm, and is now living in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
Elmer S. Shelly was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1886, and attended the public schools of his locality. Just after becoming of age, he went to the Eckels Embalming Institute of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and after graduating entered the undertaking profession. He settled in Lansdale, and there located his establishment which he has kept modernized with the most up-to-date equipment. As a funeral director he is very able and successful.
He is the longest in business of any in his line in Lansdale, and is secretary of Montgomery County Funeral Directors Association, and a member of Pennsylvania State Funeral Directors Association. Frater- nally Mr. Shelly is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Improved Order of Red Men, and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a member of Fairmount Fire Company of Lansdale and the Mont- gomery County Firemen's Association. His clubs are the O. S., and Citizens', and his religious affiliation is with the Evangelical Lutheran church of Lansdale.
Mr. Shelly was married, on February 28, 1914, to Louisa Theilacker, daughter of Raymond and Wilhelmina (Herman) Theilacker, the former of whom was born in Baden, Germany, and the latter in New York City. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shelly took place in Hilltown Church, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of a son, Elmer S., Jr.
HORACE RIMBY-One of the names which will live long in the memory of the people of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, is that of Horace Rimby, who for about forty years was active in this community as a florist, the Rimby greenhouses being one of the most important plants in this section in its field of production. A man of high enthusiasms, always eager to give to the world of his best, Mr. Rimby was to the community more than a business man, and in the most exalted sense a citizen. His public service and individual enterprise were parallel lines of endeavor, although his activity in public office was limited to his service as borough clerk and justice of the peace. Among his personal friends, or in the wider circles of acquaintance in which a man of his business standing is known, his efforts were always toward the best good for all.
Ammon Rimby, Mr. Rimby's father, was a prominent man in the
Elmer S. Shelly
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lumber business and mill-work production in Philadelphia a generation ago. With an extensive lumber mill at the corner of Ninth and Oxford streets, in Philadelphia, he manufactured sash, doors, and blinds, and handled a very extensive business. Ammon Rimby married Mary Harpel, and they were the parents of four sons: Lot; Horace, of further mention ; Ammon, Jr .; and George W .; also two daughters, Mary, and Elizabeth. Of this family only the eldest and the third son are now living.
Horace Rimby was born in the city of Philadelphia, August 21, 1859. Educated in the institutions of that city, he went to Collegeville, Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, at the age of eighteen years to become associated with his brother, George W. Rimby, in the florist's business. They built the first greenhouse in that year, and two years later the brother's health failed, on which account the business was turned over to Horace Rimby. From that time on Mr. Rimby handled its affairs inde- pendently, and the history of the enterprise was marked by steady prog- ress as long as it remained in his hands. In 1881 and 1882 he added largely to his area of glass, and again in 1891 built a very extensive greenhouse, the fourth. This last structure permitted such material expansion that he did not enlarge again for some years, as his property at the first location was fully improved. In 1907 Mr. Rimby purchased the Joseph H. Hendricks property, which adjoined his own, and upon this property erected three more greenhouses, making this one of the largest greenhouse plants in this county. He also at that time removed his family into the Hendricks homestead, which they still occupy. Always a man of tireless vigor, keenly interested in the affairs of life, Mr. Rimby rarely knew a day's illness, until in the fall of 1913, when he was obliged to undergo a serious operation. He never recovered from the effects of this operation, and although he lingered for more than eight years, and retained his interest in the business which he had carried on for so many years, his step never regained its old lightness, and he suffered much at times. He died March 23, 1922.
Mr. Rimby's work was to him far more than a mercantile interest. Always a devoted student of nature and her flora, he was a broadly trained botanist, having given much time to this study. An incessant worker, his work was also his recreation, and he rarely sought any other pleasure. A Republican by political affiliation, he gave his best efforts to many civic movements, but cared nothing for political honors. He served for ten years as borough clerk, and for eleven years in the capacity of justice of the peace. He was a member of the American Florists' Association, and a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, of Ironbridge, Pennsylvania. He was a man of deep religious faith, and for many years a member of the Lutheran church of Trappe, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Rimby married, on January 28, 1891, Helena M. Shuler, of Trappe, who for five years prior to that time had been a school teacher at Col- legeville and Trappe. Mrs. Rimby is a daughter of Henry Shuler, for many years a prominent farmer of Trappe, well known in local public affairs, and for three years steward of the County Home. Henry Shuler
Mont-23
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married Maria Miller, of Sumneytown, Pennsylvania, and they were the parents of seven children, as follows: William, a veteran of the Civil War and a physician by profession, now deceased; Daniel; Clinton ; Henry ; Camilla, deceased ; Sally, wife of James Jacoby ; and Helena M., Mrs. Rimby. Horace and Helena M. (Shuler) Rimby had an only son, George H.
George H. Rimby was born April 30, 1894, and was educated for a commercial career. For two years he was active as title clerk at the City Hall of Philadelphia, for the Mutual Trust Company of that city, and later became settlement clerk, also at the City Hall of Philadelphia, for the Mutual and Kensington Trust companies. Some years ago he resigned from these connections to take over the responsibilities of his father's business, in which he now succeeds the honored founder. George H. Rimby married, on June 7, 1921, at Philadelphia, Lillian Townsend, of Cambridge, Maryland, and they now reside in Collegeville.
HENRY K. BUSSA-In the practice of the popular art of photog- raphy as one of the really fine arts, Mr. Bussa, of Norristown, Pennsyl- vania, has won high distinction among the professional photographers of the day, his work taking rank with the finest. Mr. Bussa has been active in this field for many years, having entered it with serious purpose while yet a young lad in school. He is a member of a prominent Wayne county, Pennsylvania, family, being a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Mellendick) Bussa, well known Honesdale people. They are the parents of the fol- lowing children: Charles A., of Honesdale, a wholesale grocery sales- man ; Anna, wife of Frank Schuerholz, also of Honesdale; and Henry K., whose name entitles this review.
Henry K. Bussa was born in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, December I, 1881. Receiving his education at the institutions of his native town, he early chose the field of his future career, and securing a position with a progressive photographer of that time in Honesdale, learned his present business. Four years after he made his start in life he went to Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, where he was employed until the year 1905. At that time he came to Norristown, and here established his own studio, locating first at No. 317 De Kalb street. There he carried on his business for a period of sixteen years, during which time he gained a very wide reputation as a photographer developing a very extensive patronage. On December 1, 1921, he removed to his present spacious and thoroughly modern studio, at the corner of De Kalb and Penn streets, where he is going forward to even greater success. He does general photographic work in all its branches, specializing in portraiture, and is considered one of the foremost men of the day in his field. He also handles a distinct and equally prosperous business in the sale of pictures, and he also handles frames of all kinds, carrying a large stock and having special work done to order. Mr. Bussa has given his best work to Norristown, and his equipment is of the finest and most approved in modern photo- graphic art. He is a man of high ideals, and still in his prime, assuring to the community many years to come in the field in which he is a leader.
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Mr. Bussa is well known in the various interests of the borough, being a member of Norristown Lodge, No. 620, Free and Accepted Masons ; Norristown Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Hutchinson Commandery, Knights Templar ; and also a member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. He is a member of the Norristown Club, of which he has been a member, in fact since its inception in 1922. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Bussa married, on April 15, 1914, Alma Gotwals, a member of a well known Norristown family, and a daughter of Henry Gotwals, a leading citizen of this borough. Mr. and Mrs. Bussa have one daughter, Sarah Elizabeth. The family reside at No. 1338 Powell street.
CHARLES TYSON HEDRICK-As the head of a long established and successful business enterprise of Kulpsville, Pennsylvania, Mr. Hedrick is taking a very practical part in the general advance of Mont- gomery county, this interest being a feed mill, and his trade extending throughout a wide section adjoining this village. A native of Pennsyl- vania and of this county, Mr. Hedrick is a grandson of John and Maria (Miller) Hedrick, highly esteemed residents of Towamencin township, in this county, a generation or so ago, and is a son of Charles M. and Annie Elizabeth (Tyson) Hedrick, his father the owner of a creamery in Towa- mencin township, which he has conducted for many years, and counted as one of the successful business men of that community. The family consisted of four children: Harry; Clara; Charles Tyson, of whom further ; and John.
Charles Tyson Hedrick was born in Skippack township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1887. His education was obtained in the schools of his native place. As a young man Mr. Hedrick was asso- ciated with his father in the creamery business, remaining in this con- nection for about eight years, after which, in 1916, he purchased the feed mill which had been the lifelong interest of Henry S. Kulp, of Kulps- ville, and which was then a part of his estate. Mr. Hedrick still owns and conducts this business, handling a very extensive trade and enjoying gratifying prosperity. As a progressive and forward-looking citizen he is broadly interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the county, State and Nation, but while a supporter of the Republican party, he has never thus far taken an active part in political affairs. He is a member of the Old Mennonite church.
Mr. Hedrick married, in Worcester township, on June 26, 1909, Mary Bean, daughter of Abraham G. and Amanda (Tyson) Bean, and a niece of Rev. Warren Bean, of Skippack. Mr. and Mrs. Hedrick are the par- ents of six children, of whom four were born in Towamencin and two in Kulpsville, as follows: Abraham Wilson, deceased; Charles Wilmer ; Viola May ; Ralph ; Marian ; and Stanley.
GEORGE MITCHELL STILES LIGHT-Montgomery county is the home of many energetic and able business men who are making suc- cessful careers for themselves and contributing the upbuilding forces of their life work to the communities in which they were born. Among
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these is George Mitchell Stiles Light, who has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Conshohocken since 1908.
Born in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1886, son of John K., a prominent citizen of Montgomery county who served as sheriff from 1898 to 1901, and died October 30, 1903, and Fannie T. Light, Mr. Light received his education in the public schools of his native city, including the high school. When school days were over, he began his busines career in the employ of the Bell Telephone Company, of Norris- town, but after maintaining that connection for some time returned to Conshohocken, where he became associated with the Conshohocken "Recorder." Energetic and able, he efficiently filled various positions in connection with that publication until 1908, when he resigned, and engaged in business for himself as an insurance and real estate broker. He has been steadily and increasingly successful in this field and is known as one of the "live wires" in this line in Montgomery county. He is secretary of the Fayette Building and Loan Association, and takes a keen interest in the development of the community in which he lives.
Politically he gives his support to the Republican party, and at the present time (1922) he is serving his third term as justice of the peace, to which office he was first elected in 1910. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Fritz Lodge, No. 420, Free and Accepted Masons; of Washita Tribe, No. 53, Improved Order of Red Men ; Con- shohocken Lodge, No. 117, Knights of Pythias; Washington Camp, No. 121, Patriotic Sons of America ; and of Montgomery Commandery Asso- ciation. He is also a member of the Penn Club, and his religious affilia- tion is with the Episcopal church.
On April 24, 1911, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mr. Light married Mabel L. Long, daughter of Robert Douglas and Helen Long, and they are the parents of three children : Phyllis, aged ten years ; John K., aged eight years; and Mabel Jane, aged four years.
JONAS WAGNER PENNEPACKER is one of the leading business men in the vicinity of Schwenkville, Pennsylvania. Until November I. 1922, he was one of the proprietors of a large, general merchandising store in that town, but at that time he sold out his interest in the partner- ship and is now devoting his time to other interests.
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