USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume III > Part 38
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manager ; F. E. Malmberg, purchasing agent; L. W. Pyle, chief book- keeper ; J. L. Schewyer, sales manager of the Minerva Yarn hand-knitting department. The present plant, which covers 6,000 feet of space at the present time, is composed of seven mills, four and five stories in height, a warehouse; a dye house; one hundred worsted spinning frames, and thirty-eight sets of woolen spinning frames, the former with a capacity of 75,000 pounds weekly, the latter with a capacity of 100,000 pounds each week. The production, for which 1,500 men are employed, consists of a general line of worsteds for the manufacture of carpets, weaving purposes and general knitting, in addition to the Minerva hand-knitting yarns, known and sold all over the world. The value of the plant's output varies from six to eight millions of dollars annually, and is con- clusive proof of its great financial success.
JOSEPH LEES EASTWICK-Among the men who are identified with large business interests in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is Joseph Lees Eastwick, treasurer of the James Lees & Sons Company (see preceding pages). He was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1896, son of Abram Trimble (q. v.) and Alice (Lees) Eastwick. He received his early education in the public schools of his native district, including two years of the high school course. He then spent two years preparing for college, after which he entered Cornell University, from which he was graduated in 1919, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, after having served in the World War for a year and a half between his junior and senior years. Upon the completion of his college course, he became associated with the James Lees & Sons Company, which he served in the official capacity of secretary from August, 1919, to January, 1921, at which time he was elected treasurer, his father being elected to fill the position of president at the same time. As treasurer he has rendered efficient service and has taken his place among the younger business men of whom much may be expected.
Politically, Mr. Eastwick gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party, but he renders his service in a quiet way and has not sought political office. Upon the entrance of the United States into the World War he at once enlisted for service, April, 1917, and after three months of training at the officers' training camp at Fort Niagara, was sent with the 311th Field Artillery to Camp Meade as second lieutenant, where he remained for a period of nine months. At the end of that time he was transferred to the 49th Field Artillery and sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he received his honorable discharge, December, 1918. He is now a member of the First City Troop of Phila- delphia, and he is also a member of George Nalthowr Post, American Legion, of Norristown. He is well known in club circles, holding mem- bership in the Plymouth Country Club; the Norristown Club; Merion Cricket Club, and the Ersine Tennis Club, of Norristown. He retains his college association through affiliation with the Alpha Delta Phi and the Sigma Phi college fraternities, and his religious affiliation is with the
Wiefra C. Staff
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First Presbyterian Church of Norristown. Mr. Eastwick is unmarried. He is fond of out-of-door sports, especially of golf and of horseback- riding, and has a host of friends both among his business associates and among those with whom he is associated socially and in civic activities. The concern with which he is identified is one of the well established and important organizations which are the foundation of the economic pros- perity of that section of the State, and to the families which have built up such concerns the communities in which they are located and the section of the country which they supply are greatly indebted.
WILFRED LUDWIG STAUFFER-It is believed that all the Stauf- fers that came to Pennsylvania at an early date had a common origin in the ancient house of Hohenstauffen in Suabia. In the middle of the eleventh century Frederick of Buren (1152-1190) removed from the con- fined valley of Buren to the plains of Hohenstauffen, built the castle and founded the town of Hohenstauffen. The Hohenstauffen dynasty in the time of the greatest glory of the house claimed descent from the time of Charlemagne. This was not proven, however, but Frederick of Buren, founder of the house, was beyond doubt of French-Alsatian ancestry, one of the noblest of the dukes of Suabia, who for his loyalty and devotion to his King, Henry of Germany, was presented by that monarch with his daughter Agnes as a bride and the duchy of Suabia as a dowry. The dynasty of the Hohenstauffens fell in 1254, and all who might have been claimants fled to other lands. The line is traced as follows: Konrad III, 1138-1152; Frederick I, 1152-1190; Heinrich VI, 1190-1197; Philip, 1198- 1208; Frederick II, 1215-1250; Konrad IV, 1250-1254, who was aged eleven when his father, Frederick II, died, and reigned as king four years. His murder ended the dynasty. Several hundred years later, when reli- gious persecution was rife, many of the family who had become Protest- ants again fled their country and came to America, and no fewer than eighteen by the name of Stauffer came to Pennsylvania, mostly from the Palatinate of the Rhine. This branch of the family begins in Pennsyl- vania with Hans, son of Daniel Stauffer, a descendant of the ancient house of Hohenstauffen, in Suabia, who was born at Alzheim, near the Rhine, in Switzerland, about 1630, and there died.
(I) Hans Stauffer was born in Alzheim, Switzerland, between 1650- 1655. He married, in 1685, a widow, Kinget Heistand, both being Men- nonites in religious faith. When persecution for "conscience sake" became too grevious to be borne, they left Switzerland. A diary kept by Hans Stauffer thus reads : "In the year 1709 I, Hans Stauffer, left my own native land, the Schweitz, on the 5th day of November with my wife and children: Jacob, aged thirteen; Daniel, twelve; Henry, nine ; Elizabeth, with her husband, Paulus; Fried ; and one child named Mary- eight persons in all. After a stormy voyage, on January 26; 1710, we arrived in London." This diary is now in possession of the subject of this sketch. In the spring of the same year, 1710, they crossed the Atlantic, and after a perilous passage, landed in Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
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vania, and found a home at Frantz Creek (now French Creek), near now Valley Forge. It is claimed that Hans Stauffer, the founder, is buried in the Mennonite grave-yard near Valley Forge.
(II) Jacob Stauffer, who is mentioned in his father's diary as "aged thirteen" when the family left Switzerland, was born in Alzheim in 1696. He married at Valley Forge then moved to Hereford, in Washington township, where he was one of the first settlers. The grain he raised was carried on horseback to the grist mill below Norristown, twenty miles away. He was a Mennonite and buried in the church cemetery near his farm.
(III) Henry Stauffer, son of Jacob Stauffer, was born August 31, 1725, and died June 19, 1803. He bought a farm in Colebrookdale town- ship, and is buried in the Boyerton Mennonite grave-yard, for which he gave a lot of the land. He married, in 1750, Maria Buckwalter.
(IV) Jacob Stauffer, eldest son of Henry and Maria (Buckwalter) Stauffer, was born May 2, 1754, died March 20, 1839, and is buried in the Mennonite Cemetry at Boyerton. He was a farmer in Colebrookdale township, buying the home farm from the other heirs. He was a private in the Revolutionary War, serving in the 6th Battalion under Captain Adam Roth (Pennsylvania Archives, Series 6, Vol. 3, Page 75). In 1785 he married Susanna Huff.
(V) John Stauffer, son of Jacob and Susanna (Huff) Stauffer, was born July 4, 1792, and died November 28, 1854. He was a judge in Berks county courts, and a leading citizen of Boyerton, where he built a fine mansion. Judge Stauffer married Elizabeth Keely, and they were the parents of twelve children, among them Franklin K. Stauffer, of whom further.
(VI) Franklin K. Stauffer, son of John and Elizabeth (Keely) Stauffer, was born January 29, 1829, and died in July, 1880. He was a coal and lumber merchant of Schwenkville, Pennsylvania, succeeding Reuben Y. Strassburger in business upon the latter's death. He married (first) Harriet Ludwig, born in 1833, to whom was born Wilfred L. Stauffer, subject of this sketch; she died in December, 1857. He married (second) Sarah T. Miller, who died in 1880. To this union were born three children: Emma, Alice, and Kate.
(VII) Wilfred Ludwig Stauffer, son of Franklin K. and Harriet (Ludwig) Stauffer, was born in New Berlin, Union county, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1857. He was educated in the public schools of Boyerton, in Berks county, Pennsylvania ; Boys' Academy, Boyerton ; Ursinus College, Collegeville, finishing the junior year work. He then began the study of law in the office of his uncle, Abner K. Stauffer, of Reading, Pennsyl- vania. He did not continue in the law, but after two years as special agent for the Reading Railroad Company in different places, he came, in 1887, to the firm of James Lees & Sons Company (q. v.), of Bridgeport, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, as office manager, and after holding different positions became vice-president when the firm was incorpo- rated in 1895. That position he still holds, his home being in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
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Mr. Stauffer is a Republican in politics, and for four years he served the borough as school director. He is a member of Norristown Lodge, No. 714, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; of Montgomery County and Berks County Historical societies ; the Norristown Club ; the Plymouth Country Club; the Ersine Tennis Club; Union League, of Philadelphia ; and St. John's Episcopal Church, of Norristown, which he serves as vestryman.
Mr. Stauffer married, in Schwenkville, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1881 (memorable also as the hottest day there in half a century), Mag- dalena Strassburger, daughter of Reuben Y. and Elizabeth (Schwenk) Strassburger, her father a lumber merchant of Schwenkville. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer are the parents of six children: Wilfred Ludwig, born July 29, 1883, died January 5, 1885; Mary Elizabeth, born June II, 1885, married John Hyatt Naylor, of New York City ; Charles R., born April 7, 1887, married Florence Rosella Franey ; Paul Strassburger, born Feb- ruary 10, 1889, married Alice Brown Butz, deceased; J. Kenneth, born April 9, 1891, married Sarah Meyers; Wilfred Ludwig (2), a sketch of whom follows.
WILFRED LUDWIG (2) STAUFFER-In a very practical branch of business endeavor Mr. Stauffer is winning success in Norristown, Pennsylvania, his garage being patronized extensively by the motoring public. Mr. Stauffer is a member of a well known family of Norristown, being a son of Wilfred L. and Magdalena (Strassburger) Stauffer (see preceding sketch).
Wilfred Ludwig (W. Ludwig) Stauffer was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1894. His early education was acquired at the public schools of his native place, and he completed his studies at the Chestnut Hill Academy, at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in due course. Mr. Stauffer began his business career as an agent for a victrola concern, and he continued along this line of activity until 1917, which year he entered the service of the United States army as a member of the 77th Aerial Squad, at Kelly Field, Texas, and served until April 7, 1919. Upon returning to his home in Norristown, Mr. Stauffer established his present business, and has since carried it forward, handling a general garage and repair shop at No. 1120 West Main street, Norristown. He has a spacious plant, well equipped, cover- ing a floor area of about 18,000 square feet, and employes six assistants, all expert automobile workers. He has thus far enjoyed marked success, and is doing a constantly increasing business. Widely acquainted both through his business and as a life-long resident of Norristown, Mr. Stauffer is popular in fraternal circles, being a member of Norristown Lodge, No. 620, Free and Accepted Masons; Norris Lodge, No. 430, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 714. Politically he supports the Republican party, and he is a member of the Episcopal church.
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J. QUINCY THOMAS, M. D., a native of Montgomery county, Penn- sylvania, has been engaged in the practice of his profession within county limits for a quarter of a century, although his first year was as resident physician in the hospital at Norristown, Pennsylvania. He is widely known as a physician of learning and skill, his practice being large and his standing high. Dr. Thomas is a son of John R. and Mary (Hun- sicker) Thomas, and a grandson of Garrett Hunsicker, a descendant of Thomas Hunsicker, who came from Wales and founded a family large and numerous in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania.
John R. Thomas was born at the homestead in 1844. He spent his active years engaged in farming and as a dealer in live-stock, and then retired to the reward of a well spent life. He married Mary Hunsicker, born in Montgomery county, who died in 1876. To them four sons were born: Wilbur, Allen, Morgan, and J. Quincy, whose name furnishes the caption for this review.
J. Quincy Thomas was born at the homestead of his mother's ancestors in Lower Providence township, Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania, November 22, 1874, and there spent his boyhood, beginning his education in the public school. His father later removed to Norristown, and he continued his schooling in the Norristown schools, going thence to West Chester State Normal School, there completing his non-profes- sional courses of study. Deciding upon the medical profession, he prepared at the University of Pennsylvania, whence he was gradu- ated, and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, class of 1898. He spent the following year as resident physician at Montgomery Hospital, after which he began a general practice in Conshohocken, which he continued there until 1914. He then took up post-graduate work at various places, first in Philadelphia, then at Harvard University, and then at the New York Polyclinic Hospital. In 1915 he opened an office in Norristown, specializing in diseases of the stomach. In 1919 he pur- chased the property at No. 414 De Kalk street, where he devotes his entire time to his specialty. The years which have elapsed since his graduation have brought him professional reputation and the substantial rewards of his profession.
Dr. Thomas, in spite of all his many professional duties, has always found time for his civic obligations. He was on the Town Council of Conshohocken for ten years, eight of which he served as president of that body. He was also one of the organizers of the Chamber of Com- merce of Conshohocken, and has been its president since 1920. He is a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, the Pathological Society of Philadelphia, the American Medical Association, John D. Dever Society of Philadelphia, the American Congress of Internal Medicine, and has been a trustee of the Norristown State Hospital since 1918. He is also a member of Fritz Lodge, No. 490, Free and Accepted Masons, of Conshohocken, and a member of the Plymouth Country Club, his chief recreation being golf. In political faith he is a Republican, and he is a member of the Episcopal church of Conshohocken.
Isaac P. Rhoades
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Dr. Thomas married, September 17, 1901, Charlotte S. Trumbower, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, daughter of Dr. Lewis T. and Julia Ann (Troxel) Trumbower, her father practicing at Quakertown and Norris- town, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Thomas is the youngest of five children, her brothers being: Elmer, deceased ; Howard, Calvin, and Werner. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of four children: E. Kathlyn, born July 24, 1902; John Lewis, born April 10, 1904; Nancy, born December 29, 1906; and Charlotte, born July 18, 1908.
ISAAC PENNYPACKER RHOADES-A venerable and interesting figure, still active in the business life of Trappe, Pennsylvania, Mr. Rhoades has been widely known as a surveyor for more than fifty years. A descendant of Pennsylvania pioneers, his forbears were identified in many ways with the early progress of Montgomery county. He is a son of Henry Rhoades, who died in 1847, was a contractor until his death, also owner and manager of the Cedar Hollow Lime Kilns. Henry Rhoades, with Henry Israel Beidler, his father-in-law, and Samuel Pennypacker, father of the former governor of Pennsylvania, built the Mennonite church at Phoenixville, Chester county, and much of the early construction work of this section was done by him or under his hand. The death of this public-spirited and enterprising man at an early age was a great loss to the community. He married Elizabeth Sweetzer, and they were the parents of five children : Louis, a pilot on the Mississippi river, and a veteran of the Civil War; Mary, wife of Dr. Tarr, of New York and Baltimore, Maryland; Elizabeth, who founded Mt. Karl Sem- inary ; Frank, a successful cattle drover and manufacturer, of brick; and Isaac Pennypacker, whose name entitles this review.
Isaac Pennypacker Rhoades was born in Phoenixville, Chester county, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1845. His education was begun in the meeting house at Upper Providence, Montgomery county, and later, for three years, he attended Freeland Seminary (now Ursinus College), at Col- legeville. In 1869 Mr. Rhoades began to learn surveying, under the preceptorship of James Warren Sunderland, of Trappe, jointly with J. Warren Royer, also of Trappe, after whom Warren Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of that community, is named. Meanwhile Mr. Rhoades was deeply absorbed by the stirring events of his youth, and while still scarcely more than a boy assisted in the slave running activities which form a part of the history of Pennsylvania of which the State is proud. He volunteered for service in the Civil War, but having been only twenty months old at the time of his father's death, his father had appointed, as his guardian, William W. Taylor, who refused his consent to this enlist- ment. With his classical and technical education both completed in 1872, Mr. Rhoades at once entered his chosen field of endeavor. In that year and the following he sold certain inherited properties, thereby giving the Phoenixville Iron Company much needed opportunity of expansion, a course against which his father had set his face, but which, with the changed conditions of a new generation Mr. Rhoades felt that his father
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would have approved. While still a young man Mr. Rhoades went to Missouri, where he was active in his profession for some years, laying out, in 1873, the towns of Liberal, Georgia City and Joplin. Returning to his native State, he served as borough engineer of Spring City, Chester county, Pennsylvania, for several years, then in 1891 became borough engineer of Trappe, which office he has held continuously since, being still active in this capacity. Mr. Rhoades has always kept broadly in touch with public affairs, although never interested in public office out- side of his professional field, his convictions following Independent Republican lines. Fraternally he was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias of Zeiglersville, but later transferred his affiliation to the St. Louis, Missouri, lodge.
Isaac Pennypacker Rhoades married, at Mt. Kirk, Lower Providence township, Montgomery county, March 22, 1868, Rebecca Longstreth, who was born February 14, 1840, and died May 18, 1923. Mrs. Rhoades was a daughter of John and Catharine (Kline) Longstreth, their children numbering eight : James, Henry, Rebecca, who married Isaac P. Rhodes; Anna; Morris; Samuel; Isaac; and Horace. Mrs. Rhoades' brother Isaac, is the only member of this family now living. Isaac Pennypacker and Rebecca (Longstreth) Rhoades were the parents of five children : Clarine, born February 9, 1869, died September 9, 1885; Sterling L., born November 21, 1872, who became the wife of Clyde Elliott, of Philadel- phia, a claim agent of that city ; Lillian Ione, born May 19, 1875, who became the wife of the late Theodore L. McDowell, Ph.D., of St. Martin's, Philadelphia, Mrs. McDowell being a writer of ability, having prepared the "Story of Philadelphia" for book publication for use in the public schools ; John Harold and Josephine L., twins, born September 22, 1880. John Harold Rhoades married Helen Collins, of Philadelphia, where he now resides, and is active as a claim agent. Josephine L. Rhoades is a school teacher of wide experience, having taught in Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and has studied music in Germany.
JOHN FABER MILLER-Since the retirement of Judge Swartz during the present year, 1923, Judge Miller, who, since 1914 had been judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Montgomery county, became president judge, an honor worthily bestowed. He has practiced law in Philadelphia and Norristown since 1886, and was highly rated at the bar of both counties prior to his elevation to the bench in 1914. Judge Miller is a son of William George and Caroline (Roberts) Miller, his father long a merchant.
John Faber Miller was born in Weldon, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1865. His education, begun in Gwynedd Friends' School, was continued in Whitpain Township Public School, Centre Square Seminary, Germantown Friends' School (Germantown, Pennsylvania), Friends' Central School, a graduate of the class of 1883, and the University of Pennsylvania, from which he received the degree of LL.B. in 1886. He was admitted to the Philadelphia bar in 1886 and
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there practiced law until 1892, being, during that same period, a member of the firm of Miller Brothers, of Philadelphia, wholesale dealers in leaf and manufactured tobacco.
In 1892 Mr. Miller began practice at the bar of Montgomery county, located in Norristown, and there became well known as one of the strong men of that bar. He practiced his profession with zeal and success, 1892- 1914, then in the latter year took his seat upon the Montgomery bench, as judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Nine years later he succeeded Judge Swartz as president judge, his present position. He is learned in the law, skilled in its practice, fair and open minded as a judge and as' a citizen, progressive and public spirited. He was a director of the Montgomery Trust Company for about ten years, a position he resigned before taking his seat upon the bench. He was also county solicitor for five years, 1909-1914.
Judge Miller is a past master of Hiram Lodge, No. 81, Free and Accepted Masons, of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia; member of the Union League, the Lawyers' Club of Philadelphia, the Norristown Club of Norristown, Plymouth Country Club, and The Whitemarsh Valley Country Club of Chestnut Hill. He is a Republican in politics and in religious faith a member of the Society of Friends, his wife and children Episcopalians.
At Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1889, Judge Miller married Emma Bush Yeakel, daughter of Daniel and Amanda (Bush) Yeakel. Judge and Mrs. Miller are the parents of four children: Daniel Yeakel, born November 6, 1890, a lawyer of Norristown; married Avis Buckman. Caroline R., born June 18, 1893 ; married John Y. Huber, Jr. John Faber, Jr., born August 17, 1902; died November 27, 1907. Emma Comly, born November 17, 1904.
DAVID S. LUDLUM-The Autocar Company, Ardmore, Pennsyl- vania, manufacturers of the Autocar motor truck, David S. Ludlum, president, completed its twenty-fifth year on October 21, 1922. The Autocar Company is one of the few surviving motor truck pioneers. Both the company and its product have been tested in all ways through many years, in good times and bad, in peace, war and reconstruction.
Louis S. Clarke, founder of The Autocar Company, and at present one of its vice-presidents, first became interested in motor vehicles in Pitts- burgh, in September, 1890. His attention first centered on an electric vehicle, but about 1895 he turned toward the gasoline engine. In 1897 Mr. Clarke combined his interests with those of William Morgan, who had been carrying on similar experimental work in Pittsburgh, and that combination of interests marked the real beginning of The Autocar Company. The Autocar Company was incorporated under its present name in 1899, and early in the next year moved from Pittsburgh to the present location in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
When the Automobile Club of America organized the first endurance run from New York to Buffalo, in 1901, The Autocar Company entered
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two of its type VI cars. There was so much trouble with chains break- ing on the sprocket wheel during that first endurance run that Mr. Clarke decided that chains must be eliminated before the automobile could be adequately developed for general use. As soon as he returned to Ardmore he started designing a shaft-driven car which, only two and one-half months later, was completed and driven by him to the automo- bile show in New York City. That was the first shaft-driven car built in America and the first of its kind ever exhibited here; it created great comment.
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