USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume III > Part 30
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John m, leading.
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returning to Skippack, he took over his father's hardware store and has since carried it forward continuously, never having been interested in any other business. He has adopted new methods with the progress of the times and his present store is a credit to the community. He does plumbing, tinning, and so forth, in addition to handling a general line of hardware, and his stock includes electric pumps and many modern elec- tric devices, as well as a complete line of standard hardware. Mr. Tyson is well known fraternally, being a member of Warren Lodge, No. 310, Free and Accepted Masons, of Collegeville; Norristown Chapter, No. IO, Royal Arch Masons; and Iron Bridge Lodge, No. 295, Patriotic Order Sons of America. He is a member of Harleysville Beneficial Society, and of the Woodmen of the World, of Lansdale. His religious affiliation is with Trinity Reformed Church, of which he is a deacon, and was formally superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Tyson married, at Skippack, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1902, Ella Binder, daughter of Samuel and Carrie (Hortzell) Binder. Mr. and Mrs. Tyson have two sons: Sylvester and Paul, both born in Skippack township.
WESLEY J. MOYER-Among the representatives of the well known Moyer family in Montgomery county, is Wesley J. Moyer, who is becoming prominent in the business affairs of the place. He is the son of Abner S. and Anna (Johnson) Moyer, the former of whom was for years a farmer and grain merchant. Wesley J. Moyer was born in Blooming Glen, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1894. He was educated in the Souderton, Pennsylvania, public and high schools, and obtained his professional training in the Eckles School of Embalming, of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania. Upon his return to Souderton he worked for eight years in the undertaking establishment of the late E. S. Moyer, but in 1921 started his own business in the city. His kindly, helpful person- ality has won him a host of friends and his services as a funeral director are much sought, his establishment being modern and splendidly equipped. Mr. Moyer is an Independent in politics, takes a marked interest in municipal affairs, and is broadening his financial interests. He is a stockholder of the Souderton Building and Loan Association. His fraternal associations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of Souderton, and he is a communicant of the New Mennonite Church.
Mr. Moyer was married at Souderton, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1913, to Mae Brey, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Roth) Brey. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer are the parents of four children : Florence, born September 9, 1914; William, born February 23, 1916; Robert, born March 10, 1918; Jean, born April 22, 1921.
JOHN M. READING-The fourth member of a family of six chil- dren, Mr. Reading was born at Prospectville, Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, December 30, 1897, son of John C. and Alemida (Ritter) Reading. His father is an old resident of Bucks county, and Mr. Reading, on his
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mother's side, is related to a family that has long been connected with Pennsylvania. Mr. Reading's brothers and sisters are: Albert, a vet- eran of the World War, during which he was stationed for two years at Camp Meade as head of the roofing gang of the construction forces, and who was Mr. Reading's business partner until March 1, 1923; Allena, who married Harrison Baldwin, and is now deceased ; May, who married John H. Forker, Jr., of North Glenside; Marion ; Harold, who is assistant traffic manager for Ford motors, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Reading was educated in the public schools of Abington, Penn- sylvania. When his school days were over, he decided to give farm life a trial and for the six months immediately following his graduation he lived in the country and took part in various operations connected with general farming. But the desire to learn a useful industrial trade and ultimately to become the owner of an independent business, caused Mr. Reading to abandon farming and to turn his attention towards the work of plumbing and heating. In 1917 he entered the plumbing establishment conducted by J. Irvin Ritter at Glenside, and spent three years under the personal direction of Mr. Ritter. An active and ambitious student, he mastered the theoretical side of his work with the greatest ease and by reason of his practical ability soon became one of the most valuable workmen in Mr. Ritter's business. An expert in regard to all kinds of fuel and all types and varieties of modern heating apparatus, Mr. Read- ing is fundamentally sound in his work as an installer of scientific heating systems whether for private homes, office buildings, schools, churches, or greenhouses. He believes in the cardinal principle of fuel conservation and is opposed to the wasteful methods of burning coal still in use in many parts of the country. The fact that Pennsylvania is one of the great coal-producing States does not, in his opinion, justify waste of coal by the people who live in this favored region. He believes that Pennsylvania should lead in the movement to conserve fuel values by elimination of waste in burning, by the practice of treating coal and saving the by-products, by the increased use of briquettes for purposes that do not require a high grade product, and by a careful selection of heating apparatus to suit the fuel and of fuel to suit existing heating systems. His store demonstrations of the new and improved types of visible furnaces with automatic gauges and other features designed to do away with smoke, waste and drudgery, are always interesting to intend- ing buyers and the general public, and his work as an overhauler of old installations has been very successful in Glenside and the surrounding territory. Mr. Reading's career as an independent dealer began on November 1, 1920, when under the firm name of Reading Brothers he opened his present store at Glenside, in partnership with his brother, Albert. This partnership was dissolved on March 1, 1923, and Mr. Read- ing is now sole owner and trades under the name of John M. Reading. His success as a business man has never been in doubt. His ability, integrity, and unqualified devotion to his work have made many friends for him in Montgomery county, and among the older business men of the community his career is considered to be a good example of what may
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De accomplished by a young man who is not afraid of work and who sets out to succeed by bending all his energies to the task.
Mr. Reading is a member of the Glenside Methodist Church and is keenly interested in the work of the Sunday school, the Young People's Society, and the contributions the church makes to the work of home and foreign missions. In politics, Mr. Reading, like his father, is a Republi- can. He finds his chief recreations in general sports and is one of the best all-round sportsmen in the county. He began rifle practice as a boy in school and has always taken great interest in gunning. He holds membership in the Improved Order of Red Men, belonging to Edge Hill Tribe, No. 223, of that order, and to the Saw-Waw Council, No. 241, in which he has the degree of Pocahontas; and belongs to the Patriotic Order Sons of America, in which he is a member of Glenside Lodge, No. 331. He is also affiliated with Glenside Lodge of the Mystic Chain.
At Philadelphia, on November 26, 1919, Mr. Reading married Anna J. Kurze, daughter of August and Elizabeth Kurze. Mrs. Reading's father is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. August Kurze had eight children: Wil- liam; Frederick; Lewis; Joseph; Mary, who married Maxwell Gebhart; Augusta ; Anna J., who is now Mrs. Reading; and Elizabeth.
GROVER L. WELKER-Sensitive to his country's call to arms Mr. Welker left his position in the civil service to take an honorable part with our troops in France during the war with Germany, and then returned at its close to the necessary, if less lauded, tasks which awaited him in Red Hill, Pennsylvania, where he continues to live.
Grover L. Welker was born on April 22, 1894, in Red Hill, Mont- gomery county, and was educated in the public schools. Upon leaving the high school he attended Perkiomen Seminary and completed his course there, then taught in the public school at Eagleville for one year. Later he was employed in the Red Hill post office, and in 1917, from July until the end of October, he served on a mail route in Conshohocken. The war interrupted his civil service until June 7, 1919, when he returned to the Red Hill post office and continues there.
In his political belief he is an Independent Democrat, and in religion holds to the tenets of the Lutheran church, he being the organist in St. Paul's Lutheran Church. His military record was made with the Head- quarters' Company in the 316th Regiment, 79th Division, and was over- seas for eleven months, seeing service in the famous encounters at Argonne, St. Mihiel, and Verdun, during the course of which he was wounded. He was discharged from the army on June 7, 1919, with the rank of corporal. He is a Mason, belonging to Perkiomen Lodge, No. 595, of East Greenville.
Mr. Welker was married to Gladys B. Kaufman, June 22, 1921, in Red Hill, daughter of Christian C. and Wilhelmina Kaufman.
GEORGE DEWEY RICHARDS-Among the young men whose activities are contributing to the welfare and prosperity of Montgomery
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county, Mr. Richards is prominent in the garage and auto supply busi- ness at Ambler. He is descended from early settlers in this county, and is a grandson of William Richards, who was engaged in farming here- abouts throughout his lifetime. He served in the Union army during the entire period of the Civil War. William Richards was the father of the following children: Howard; Warren, of further mention; Alice, wife of Hiram Walters; and Essie, wife of Maurice Hildebrand.
Warren Richards, son of William Richards, was born in Montgom- ery county, June 1, 1867, and is a carpenter by trade and still active in this section. He married Wilhelmina -, who was born in Germany, April 20, 1869, and came to America in 1884. They are the parents of three children : Hanna Myrtle, wife of J. J. Hamilton, of Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania; Mary Alice, who is single; and George Dewey, of further mention.
George Dewey Richards, son of Warren and Wilhelmina Richards, was born in North Wales, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1898. He received his education in the public schools of Ambler, from which he was graduated in 1913. His first position was as a mechanic's helper for J. C. Reed, in the Ambler Garage, where he worked steadily until the World War. After he was discharged from the navy he returned to the garage business, and was promoted to foreman of the machine shop. This position he held until June 23, 1922, when he left to start in business for himself on Butler avenue, in Ambler. During the World War Mr. Richards enlisted on May 25, 1917, in the United States Marine Corps, and in December, 1918, was promoted to corporal. He was stationed at the Philadelphia Navy Yards and later at Cuba, but did not see any overseas fighting. He was honorably discharged on September 30, 1919. He is a member of the Norton Downes, Junior, Post, No. 25, of the American Legion. Mr. Richards is interested in all political affairs and although he has never accepted a public office, he is a firm believer in the Republican party. He is also a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Richards married, on February 20, 1922, in Elkton, Maryland, Marian B. Fisher, daughter of Frank H. and Lizzie Ann (Fritz) Fisher. The father was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and was employed by Keasbey and Mattison, of Ambler, as a mill worker. The mother was born in Montgomery county, June 4, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have another daughter, Alberta.
PERRY BEAN HUNSICKER-One of the well known merchants in Graterford, Pennsylvania, is Mr. Hunsicker, who is manager of a general merchandise store owned by his father. Christian Reiff and Laura (Hallman) Hunsicker are the parents of six children: J. Russel, who died at the age of eleven years; Perry Bean, of further mention ; Maria, who died at the age of two years, five months; Laura, who died at the age of two months; Marion and Christian, living at home.
Perry Bean Hunsicker, son of Christian Reiff and Laura (Hallman) Hunsicker, was born at Creamery, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1895,
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and began his education in the public schools at the same place, later graduating from the Schissler Business College, in Norristown, in 1912. In that same year he commenced to work for his father in the latter's store at Creamery, which had been established in 1894, and became the manager of the store in Graterford in 1916, opened on May 22nd of that year. This store is a three-story and basement building, 40x100 feet, and carries all lines of general merchandise.
He is a Republican in politics, and is affiliated with the Norristown Fish and Game Association and Perkiomen Valley Business Men's Association. In his religious faith he is a Mennonite, and is a member of the Lower Skippack Mennonite Church. He is fond of fishing, baseball and gunning.
Mr. Hunsicker was united in marriage on September 16, 1919, at Creamery, with Amelia Daub, a daughter of Benjamin H., deceased, and Eleanor (Walt) Daub. The mother is still living, and their other children are: Harry, who married Elizabeth Moyer, of Royersford, Pennsylvania; Grace; and Leurine, wife of Frank Fuhrman. Mr. and Mrs. Hunsicker have no children.
PAUL DUNLEDY RIGHTER-One of the men prominent for a long period in the business life of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, is Paul Dunledy Righter, who for thirty years has been identified with the Lee Surgical Company. A modest, home-loving man, he has not been con- spicuous in affairs aside from business, but has made his influence felt in the lives of his friends and the activities of the city. He is the son of John Doyer Righter, who was one of the pioneers of Conshohocken, locating there early in life, and died in 1912, at the age of seventy-two. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served two enlistments in the 88th Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was in engagements at Chancellors- ville, Rappahannock, the second Battle of Bull Run, and Gettysburg, and was twice wounded. He married Bridget Dunleady, who died in 1917, aged seventy-eight, and they were the parents of ten children: John; Frank; Briton; Vernon; James; Paul D., of whom further; Mazilda; Clara; Adda; and Elizabeth.
Paul Dunledy Righter was born at Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 5, 1875, and was educated in the public schools of his native city and the Chester Spring High School. His first work on his own behalf was in 1891, when he entered the employ of the Lee Surgical Company. When this concern later began the making of automobile and other tires, he followed to the new plant and has continued to date as their very effi- cient superintendent of production. With his son he also conducts a business in electrical contracting. He is a Republican in his political views, and is fraternally associated with the Improved Order of Red Men, Senior Sagamore, No. 55, of Conshohocken ; and Camp No. 121, Patriotic Order Sons of America. He is a communicant of the First Baptist Church of the city, and a member of the board of trustees.
On August 31, 1897, at Conshohocken, Mr. Righter was married to Eleanor Giles, daughter of Benjamin Franklyn and Rosanna (Marks)
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Giles, and they are the parents of nine children: George Benjamin, Eleanor Anne, Clara D., Esther May, Paul D., Helen, Franklyn, Edna, and Ruth, all born in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
THEODORE D. KEYSER-An energetic and progressive young man who is doing a flourishing automobile business in Kulpsville, is Theodore D. Keyser, who has acquired the Chevrolet agency for this section. Mr. Keyser was born in Hatfield township, Montgomery county, September 26, 1896, a descendant of an old pioneer family there, being a son of Theodore, Sr., and Amanda Keyser. His father was engaged in farming in Hatfield township for several years, then when Theodore, Jr., was nine years of age the family removed to Kulpsville, Towamencin township, on a farm, and during his boyhood Mr. Keyser attended the schools of that community. When his student days were over he at once became a part of the wage-earning world, and the sub- sequent five years he worked as a mechanic, his tastes and talents being conspicuous in the line. After working five years, diligently and care- fully saving his funds, he found himself in financial condition to establish an independent business, which he did, opening a garage and automobile service station in Worcester, Pennsylvania, in 1917. Two years later, in 1919, better prospects induced him to come to Kulpsville and buy a house and garage, and from that time on he has conducted his business here as sales agent for Chevrolet cars. Mr. Keyser takes an active interest in community affairs and is always ready to give generous assistance to any movement that has for its object the betterment of the social, civic or business welfare of the section where he resides. He is a well known member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Kulps- ville; and in religious affiliation is a communicant of the Reformed church here.
Mr. Keyser was married, on November 21, 1917, at Worcester, to Stella Kulp, a daughter of Arnold and Amanda Kulp. Mr. and Mrs. Keyser have no children.
WALTER HAMBRECHT-In the business life of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Hambrecht is well known as a greenhouse man and florist, and is even better known in the public life of this section as burgess of the borough of Green Lane. Progressive as a citizen and enterprising in his business affairs, Mr. Hambrecht is thoroughly repre- sentative of the spirit of the present day, and is bearing a part in the general welfare. He is a son of William and Amelia Hambrecht, resi- dents for many years of Camden, New Jersey.
Walter Hambrecht was born in Camden, New Jersey, March 8, 1889, and was educated in the local schools. As a young man he was vari- ously employed at different points in Eastern Pennsylvania, and coming to Montgomery county in 1919, he settled in Green Lane and has taken a prominent part in the public affairs of the community. He has served as inspector of elections and as burgess of Green Lane, in which latter office he now serves. His political affiliation is with the Republican
Waren O Davis
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party, but he gives cordial endorsement to all progressive movements. Mr. Hambrecht is well known fraternally, being a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 595, of Perkiomen; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Norristown ; and of the Improved Order of Red Men, of Green Lane, of which he is past sachem. He was a member of the New Jersey National Guard for five years. He is a mem- ber of St. John's Lutheran Church.
Mr. Hambrecht married, in Camden, May 30, 1910, Margaret Holler, daughter of Ernest P. and Marie Holler, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Hambrecht have three children, all born in Camden, namely: Marian, born in 1914; Walter, born in 1916; Edward, born in 1918.
WARREN BARNES DAVIS-One of the best known men in Jen- kintown is without doubt Warren Barnes Davis, who throughout his business life has been connected with the Philadelphia & Reading rail- road and since 1904 has been the agent for that line here. Mr. Davis was born at Abington, March 9, 1874, a son of Thomas R. and Amanda (Bowers) Davis. His father, a shoemaker by trade, was born March 20, 1843, and died in 1910, and the same year his mother passed away. They had one other child, Laura, who is the wife of Frederick Knapp, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania.
In acquiring his education Mr. Davis attended the public schools of Jenkintown, Ogontz, Ashburn and Branchtown, and when a youth of sixteen, in 1890, secured employment at the Oakland station of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad in the capacity of assistant agent and telegraph operator. He continued in this connection until 1896, when he was assigned to duties as extra operator, and in 1897 was appointed to the position of operator at Jenkintown. This continued until 1902, when he was promoted to the position of relief agent, acting in this capacity during the years 1903 and 1904. On December of the last named year, he received his appointment as agent at Jenkintown, and has con- tinued to discharge the duties of that position with such faithfulness and ability that he has been retained in the place ever since. Mr. Davis is a man of progressive type and has traveled extensively. He is especially well known for his lodge connections, maintaining membership in a number of the leading fraternal organizations of this character. He is prominent in Washington Lodge, No. 59, Free and Accepted Masons, at Philadelphia ; belongs to Harmony Chapter, No. 2, Royal Arch Masons; and Mary Commandery, No. 36, Knights Templar; also Germantown Council, No. 53, Royal and Select Masters; Court Pride Lodge, No. 43, Foresters of America, at Branchtown; and Minehaha Lodge, No. 101, Improved Order of Red Men. Of the railroad organizations of which he is a member are the Philadelphia and Reading Veterans' Association, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Men's Club, the American Associa- tion of Railroad Ticket Agents, the Philadelphia and Reading Young Men's Christian Association, and the Quaker City Association of Railroad Men. In his religious affiliation he is a member of the Presbyterian church, of Wakefield.
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The marriage of Mr. Davis and Elizabeth M. Hankele took place at Philadelphia, April 3, 1899, his wife being a daughter of Henry Hankele, deceased, and Susan (Hoot) Hankele, who is still living. Mrs. Davis has one brother, G. Henry Hankele, who lives at Audubon, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one child, Edwin H., born January 27, 1903, who, after three years in the Germantown High School, took a position with the General Electric Company at Philadelphia, in the experimental department.
SOLOMON FRANCIS LAVERTY-The building contractors of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, have done well their part in meeting the housing and construction problems of the city, and well to the front among their leaders is Solomon Francis Laverty. Many of the beautiful residences, important mills, and semi-public structures of Conshohocken and Montgomery county were built by him. He is the son of Solomon and Mary (Neil) Laverty, who are the parents of four children : Daniel ; Solomon Francis, of whom further ; Elizabeth ; and Mary.
Solomon Francis Laverty was born at Spring Mill, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1870, and obtained his preparatory education at St. Matthew's Parochial School. He later attended the St. Joseph's College, of Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. Coming to Conshohocken he learned the building trade and began to take contracts for construction work which led to his forming a part- nership in 1894, under the name of Laverty and Jones, contractors and builders. Six years later he took over the whole establishment, and since 1900 has been conspicuous in building circles. It was he who remodeled the St. Matthew's Catholic School, built the new theater, besides constructing many manufacturing plants and private dwellings throughout the county. In politics he is an Independent, considering the man rather than his party. Fraternally he affiliates with Consho- hocken Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose; Lodge No. 128, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Norristown; and is a member of the Wash- ington Fire Company. He is a communicant of the St. Matthew's Cath- olic Church.
He married, at Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1890, Maggie, daughter of Thomas and Anna Fergurier, of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Laverty are the parents of nine children : Lillian, Solomon F., Jr., Anna, Howard, Francis, Leonard, William, Margaret, and Gladys.
GEORGE C. RITTENHOUSE-With experience of value in vari- ous lines of endeavor, Mr. Rittenhouse, of Fort Washington, Pennsyl- vania, is now at the head of a prosperous garage business on Bethlehem Pike in this community, Fort Washington. Mr. Rittenhouse is a son of Harry H. Rittenhouse, who was born April 10, 1860, and died Decem- ber 27, 1920, and was for many years station agent for the Pennsylvania railroad at different points. Harry H. Rittenhouse married Mary C. Crotts, who was born December 18, 1866, and is still living.
George C. Rittenhouse was born at Cold Point, Pennsylvania, July
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24, 1890. His education was begun in the public schools of Fort Wash- ington, and was completed at Pierce's Business College, of Norristown. His first position was in the capacity of assistant purchasing agent for the American Pipe and Construction Company of Philadelphia, where he continued for eleven years. He then acted as auditor for Swift & Com- pany, at their Philadelphia office for five years. For about two years thereafter he was associated with the Vacuum Refrigerator Company as secretary of the concern, after which he located at Fort Washington and established his present garage. He has made an excellent beginning, and has already gained an assured position in the business world of Fort Washington, and is taking an interest, also, in the progress of the community. He is a member of the Fort Washington Building and Loan Association, and politically supports the Republican party. Fraternally he holds membership in Fort Washington Lodge, No. 308, Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of Fort Washington Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Keystone Automobile Club, and is affiliated with the St. John's Reformed Church.
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