USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume III > Part 6
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his familiarity with local conditions and land ownership lead him into the real estate business and his ability in this line soon made him the manager of the Lansdale Real Estate Company, in which capacity he acted for four years with great success. When this organization was merged with the Rosenbery Realty Company of Lansdale, Mr. Rodgers went with it and became half owner of this second establishment which has gone on becoming stronger and more important with the passing years. In 1914 he was appointed the postmaster of Lansdale by Presi- dent Wilson and with the changing administrations still remains in office.
His social nature has taken him into several lodges, and he fraternizes with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Improved Order of Red Men, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He and his family are communicants of the Episcopal church.
On June 28, 1909, he was married to Clara G. Ambler, daughter of John F. and Mariah Ambler. Mr. Ambler is a well known builder and contractor of Lansdale. Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers are the parents of a daughter, Catherine Dorothy, born June 1, 1912.
W. STANLEY WOOODLAND-In the electrical world of Mont- gomery county Mr. Woodland is well known as the head of the Woodland Electric Company, and as a representative and thoroughly progressive citizen. Mr. Woodland is a son of William B. and Margaret (Streeper) Woodland, both now living, his father a mechanic by occupation.
W. Stanley Woodland was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, July 13, 1897, and received his education in the public schools. While still a young lad he began to learn the electrical business. He worked up from apprentice to a point where he was able to go on by himself as an inde- pendent contractor. In May, 1919, he opened the present enterprise in Norristown, and in Jannary, 1922, the business was incorporated, the personnel of the concern being as follows: W. S. Woodland, president; W. S. Woodland, treasurer; William B. Woodland, secretary. The com- pany is capitalized at $15,000. They carry a very complete line of elec- trical and household appliances, and handle general electrical contracting, operating over a very wide radius, and the business has grown from a small beginning to one of the really important enterprises in its field in Montgomery county. It has been built up on the solid foundations of square dealing, courtesy and promptness. Mr. Woodland takes a deep interest in the affairs of the community. He is a director and secretary of the Norristown Merchants' Association, president of West Marshall Street Business Men's Association, is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Independent Order of America. He is identified with the Hawes Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Woodland married, on April 18, 1919, Lucinda Katharyn Wiedin- meyer, of Norristown, and they have three children: Virginia, W. Stan- ley, Jr., and Robert Streeper. The family residence is at No. 1116 West Marshall street, Norristown.
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JOHN S. MOYER-The making of cigars and other tobacco products has become an important part of the commercial life of Souderton, Penn- sylvania, and one of its active manufacturers in this line is John S. Moyer. He knows his business from the growing of the leaf to the completed cigar, and has been at the head of his own factory for more than a decade. He is a son of Jonas L. and Fannie Moyer, his father a lifelong agriculturist, and a member of the Mennonite church in Franconia.
John S. Moyer as born in Franconia township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1873, and was educated in the local schools. In early life he went to work with his father on a farm and pursued that vocation for twenty-two years. Desiring the knowledge of another trade, he learned the tobacco business in its different branches and became a manufacturer of cigars in his own plant in 1911, and has continued in that line of activity up to the present date (1923). With prosperity has come a broadening of his financial interests, and he is a member of the Building and Loan Association.
In politics he is a Republican, and his religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church, of which he has been for nine years a deacon and for ten years a teacher in its Sunday school.
Mr. Moyer married, on February 25, 1896, at Souderton, Pennsylvania, Mary Lizzie Moore, a daughter of Jesse and Sophia Moore, well known residents of New Britain, Bucks county. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer are the parents of seven children, as follows: Mabel, who married Henry H. Krupp, of Franconia; Beulah, who married Alvin H. Moyer, of Fran- conia ; Eva, Mary Ellen, Lillian, Cyrenius, and Erastus.
RICHARD MATTHEWS WRIGHT RIDINGTON-Lansdale numbers among its retired business men, Richard Matthews Wright Rid- ington, who, though of English birth, was brought by his parents to this country when only four years old. After long years of work and pros- perity he settled in Lansdale and is one of its most honored citizens. He is a leader in the affairs of the borough and connected with several important companies, and is active in many of the movements that char- acterize civic growth. His parents, Thomas T. and Phyllis (Wright) Ridington, were natives of England, coming to the United States in 1866, and settling in Littleton, New Hampshire. The former was a civil engineer and at one time a foundryman.
Richard Matthews Wright Ridington was born at Cornwall, Eng- land, October 13, 1862, and a few years later was brought to this coun- try. His education was gained in Norristown and Lansdale schools, fol- lowed by four years in the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1884. After college days were over he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and entered the employ of the St. Louis Iron and Machine Company, but after a year and a half came to Lansdale, Penn- sylvania, for a year. He then went to Reading, Pennsylvania, to take charge of the Orr Paint Company, where he remained for three years before going to the Baldwin Locomotive Works. It was while with the
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latter company that he helped direct the transfer of its foundry to Eddy- stone, Pennsylvania. He also was one of the incorporators of the Chester Grey Iron and Brass Foundry, and it was after the sale of this concern that he retired from the more active side of business life, and settled in his present beautiful home in Lansdale.
He has taken a deep interest in the municipal government of his local- ity and is one of the board of Borough Council, treasurer of the Light and Water Company, and was at one time treasurer of the borough. Mr. Ridington is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, Lansdale Lodge, No. 558; Lansdale Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows in all its branches; and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church.
At Lansdale, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1890, Richard M. W. Rid- ington was married to Mary Elizabeth Cassel, daughter of Jesse and Hannah D. (Reiff) Cassel, and they are the parents of three children : Thomas T., educated in the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania ; after graduation, he taught school at the University of Pennsylvania, and is now, 1922, teaching in Central High School, Philadelphia ; Charles R., educated in the University of Pennsylvania, chemical engineer ; he was a certified accountant during the World War for a time at Wash- ington, later paymaster and drill master at Raritan Arsenal, and is now, 1922, teller in the First National Bank of Lansdale; he married Helen May Newberry, of Palmer, Massachusetts; and Lawrence C. K., edu- cated in Chester High School, is traveling auditor for the Stanley Cor- poration ; he married Claudie Wilson, who attended Brown University.
ELI FRY WISMER-Since 1916, at the time when Mr. Wismer was admitted to practice law at the bar of Montgomery county, he has fol- lowed his chosen profession with consistent success, the success that can only come as a reward of superior merit and ability.
Christian Wismer, father of Eli Fry Wismer, was born in Skippack township, November 6, 1856, and has lived there throughout his entire lifetime, taking an active part in the affairs of the community. He has followed successfully agricultural pursuits up to the present time, is active in public affairs, justice of the peace, a member of the School Board, and a Republican in politics. In fact there is no movement which has for its aim the betterment of civic conditions in Skippack township which lacks Christian Wismer's support. He married Mary Emma Fry, a native of Perkiomen township, where her birth occurred December 20, 1857, and to them have been born two children : Eli Fry, of further men- tion ; and Charles E., of further mention.
Eli Fry Wismer was born in Skippack township, July 6, 1885. He received the preliminary portion of his education in the schools of that locality. After graduating from Ursinus Academy, he entered Ursinus College, receiving from that institution the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1909. Later he entered the law department of the University of Penn- sylvania, class of 1915, and in 1916 was admitted to practice law at the
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bar of Montgomery county. After his admission to the bar Mr. Wismer came to Norristown, Pennsylvania, and located in the practice of his chosen profession at No. 501 Swede street. Success attended his efforts from the very first, and he has made an enviable record in the office of his work, having become distinguished by his unusual disinterested, capable and intelligent work. Mr. Wismer opened an office in Potts- town in the Exchange building, March 4, 1921, later removing to his present location, Nos. 309-311-313 High street.
While at Ursinus College Mr. Wismer was a member of the male quartette of the Glee Club; a member of the Schaff Literary Society Debating Team, and very active in music, oratory and dramatic work; and while at the University of Pennsylvania he held membership in the Franklin Chapter of the Acacia Fraternity, holding the office of vener- able dean of that organization during his senior year. He was at one time justice of the peace of Skippack, and has always taken an active part in the affairs of the Republican party. He affiliates with Warren Lodge, No. 310, Free and Accepted Masons, of Collegeville, of which he is past master ; the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Norristown Forest; Krisma Grotto of Pottstown ; and the Montgomery County Bar Association. He attends St. Luke's Reformed Church, of which he is a deacon and of which he was organist from the time he was twelve years of age until August, 1921, when he resigned.
On September 26, 1918, at Trappe, Eli Fry Wismer was united in marriage with Elizabeth Austerberry, daughter of Joseph C. and Rebecca (Heyser) Austerberry, the former a machine tool broker of Detroit, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Wismer are the parents of two children: Eli Fry, Jr., born October 1, 1919; and Mary Elizabeth, born February 20, 1921. The family home is at No. 536 North Charlotte street, Pottstown. Mr. Wismer is a great lover of music and tennis, and whatever time he can secure from his professional duties he devotes in large part to his favorite pastimes.
Charles E. Wismer was born December 10, 1887. He attended the local public schools; Ursinus Academy and Ursinus College, class of 1913, after which he purchased Pleasant View Farm, overlooking the Perkiomen creek, and has since engaged in farming on an advanced scale; he is an orchardist and an agriculturist and lectures extensively in institutions and at farmers' gatherings ; is widely recognized as a judge of high grade cattle, and specializes in blooded stock and poultry ; is president of the Montgomery County Pure Bred Holstein Bull Coopera- tive Association ; president of the Montgomery County Farmers' Bureau ; is a Republican in politics; fraternizes with Warren Lodge, No. 310, Free and Accepted Masons ; is musical director of St. James' Lutheran Church at Limerick, and Heidelberg Reformed Church choir at Schwenk- ville, and was formerly musical director at St. Luke's Reformed Church at Trappe.
Charles E. Wismer married Anna M. Weikel, of Trappe, and to them have been born the following children: Dorothy M., Mary Emma, and Alice.
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GEORGE W. NIBLOCK-Many of the best business men of Ambler, Pennsylvania, have, like George W. Niblock, spent their early years on a farm, and it is likely that their success in agriculture aided in bringing prosperity in their later vocation. Mr. Niblock is the son of a former tiller of the soil and quarryman, Alexander Niblock, who with his wife Pauline are the parents of six children : George W., of this review ; John D., born in 1859, now deceased; Harry, born in 1862; Elsworth, born in 1866, now deceased ; Mrs. Frances Selner ; and Mrs. Mary Peterson.
George W. Niblock was born at Germantown, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 22, 1856. He went first to the public school of Upper Dublin town- ship, and completed his education in Sunnyside Academy, from which he was graduated in 1878. Upon leaving school he returned to his father's farm on Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, a place of forty-five acres, where he spent sixteen years at hard work. He also operated a stone quarry during this period, with three men in his employ. Determining to try his hand in some other line of activity, he went for a year to Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, where he had a position with the David Knight Lumber Company. He found this work suited to his tastes and ability, and on May 6, 1897, he came to Ambler, where he established a lumber, coal and feed business, which he has since managed with marked success.
Mr. Niblock married at Flourtown, Pennsylvania, in September, 1888, Clara White, daughter of Fitzwalter White. They are the parents of seven children: Eva Walton; Nellie, married William Lochman ; George F., John H., Joseph; Mary, married Raymond Raider; and Charles.
HENRY X. DAUGHERTY-Among the leaders of mercantile and civic affairs in the borough of Red Hill, Pennsylvania, Mr. Daugherty is a noteworthy figure, his long residence in this community and his constant activity in various interests keeping him much before the public eye. He has long taken a constructive part in the administration of the public business, as well as in all community progress. Mr. Daugherty is a son of Calvin Thomas and Emma (Sutter) Daugherty, highly respected farming people of Lancaster county.
Henry X. Daugherty was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1880. He received his education in the public schools near his farm home, and after completing the course was active with his father in the work of the farm until he was nineteen years of age. Then coming to Montgomery county, he settled permanently here, and learned the trade of cigar making. Later he began the manufacture of cigars on a modest scale, developing a very considerable business, and he still con- ducts this factory which is now a prosperous interest. In 1918 he also established a general store at Red Hill, in partnership with his brother, C. J. Daugherty. His brother later withdrawing from the firm, Mr. Daugherty received his eldest son into partnership, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of Daugherty & Son, with constantly increasing success. Always a Republican in political affiliation, Mr.
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Daugherty has for years been prominent in the affairs of the party and active in its progress. Brought forward years ago in the public service, he was first made a member of the election board, and later was appointed postmaster of Red Hill. In the broader interests of a civic nature, in which party divisions hold less significance, Mr. Daugherty is also a leader, now serving as vice-president of the Board of Trade, and as secretary of the Red Hill Building and Loan Association. He is a mem- ber of the Reformed church.
Mr. Daugherty married, in Red Hill, on April 4, 1901, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, and their children are as follows: Calvin, Ella, Frank, Henry, and Erma, all born at Red Hill.
SPENCER LOCH JONES, vice-president and director of the H. C. Jones Company. is among the most aggressive Philadelphia business men of the younger generation. Mr. Jones is identified with a number of the social and educational interests of his home city and during the World War participated in patriotic activities.
Spencer Loch Jones was born February 5, 1890, in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Horace C. and Linda (Loch) Jones. He received his education at the Episcopal Academy, from which he gradu- ated in 1907, the Mackenzie School, Dobbs Ferry, New York (gradu- ating from there also, in 1908), and Princeton University, which con- ferred upon him, in 1912, the degree of Bachelor of Science. Since that time Mr. Jones has been connected with the business of which his father is the head and of which he himself is now vice-president and director.
In political principle Mr. Jones is a Republican. He is a trustee of the Conshohocken Free Library, and belongs to the National Geographic Society, also the Welsh Society and the American Forestry Association. His clubs are the Union League, Gulph Mills Golf, and Plymouth Coun- try. While a student at Princeton he was a member of the Cap and Gown fraternity and manager of the "Princetonian." He holds mem- bership in the Chamber of Comerce. During the World War he was in the Chemical Warfare Service confined to the United States army, in Washington, D. C., and New York, with the rank of first lieutenant.
Spencer Loch Jones married, November 18, 1915, Katherine Eastwick, daughter of Abram T. and Alice (Lees) Eastwick, of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of two children: Horace Conrad (2), born September 12, 1916; and Katherine Eastwick, born April 5, 1919.
Mr. Jones is one of the twentieth century business men to whom is committed the work of maintaining in the years to come, the renown of Philadelphia as one of the manufacturing centres of the modern world.
JULIUS B. RAUCH-As the owner and manager of the largest hostelry in Montgomery county, Julius B. Rauch has an unique place. He knew the hotel business in all its phases, having built, owned and managed them, and Lansdale, Pennsylvania, has reason to be proud, when after his extensive experience he chose that place as the seat of his.
Uranus Grater
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most important venture. His father, Frederick Rauch, of German birth, was a man of magnificent physique, who, while in the army of his coun- try, was chosen, because of his fine appearance, to be the personal attend- ant of Prince Henry of Hesse and Cassel. He remained in the prince's employ for many years. His mother was Theresa (Lang) Rauch, of Marburg, Germany.
Julius B. Rauch was born at Marburg on the Lahn, Germany, May 10, 1867. His elementary education was acquired in the public and high schools of his native land, from which he has graduated in 1885. Seeking a wider opportunity for the exercise of his powers, he left Germany the summer of 1885 and came to the United States, landing in Philadelphia, where he remained for a number of years. He first engaged in the butcher trade and became an expert. He followed this business for ten years, accumulating both the means and ideas which he later found useful.
In 1895 he began his first big project, which was the building of a hotel at Holly Beach, New Jersey. This enterprise was an undoubted success almost from the start and in the ten years that it was under his control, became increasingly popular. He then tried the gas business, but after two years sold it out. In 1909, after looking over a number of towns, seeking a place in which to locate in the hotel business, he chose Lansdale and bought the Hotel Fremont, reputed to be the largest and now certainly one of the best in Montgomery county.
Mr. Rauch is a Republican in his political faith, fraternizes with the Loyal Order of Moose, belongs to the Citizens' Club, and is a communi- cant of the Lutheran church.
On November 25, 1908, at Wildwood, New Jersey, Julius B. Rauch was married to Caroline S. Hatfield, daughter of Sterling and Margaret (Workman) Hatfield, farming folk who lived near Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania. Miss Hatfield was educated in the city mentioned. Mr. and Mrs. Rauch are the parents of two children: Caroline Margaret, born in 1910, and Julius B., born in 1912.
URSINUS GRATER-Fitted with a thorough education in his par- ticular line of work, Mr. Grater has made an enviable record for artistic designing which has brought him considerable prominence in the locality where he lives, at Norristown, Pennsylvania. . His parents were A. G. and Hannah (Umstead) Grater, and his two sisters are Minerva, wife of W. O. Yost, and Marion, wife of R. C. McCray.
Ursinus Grater was born in Worcester township, December 1, 1871, and graduated from the Norristown High School in 1890. Two years later he completed a course at the Pennsylvania Museum School of Indus- trial Art in decorative sculpture and architecture and returned to Norris- town to work in the mill of the Grater, Bodey Company, engaged in lumber and mill work. His father, A. G. Grater, gave up his superin- tendency of the Ridge avenue farmer's market in Philadephia to organize, in 1886, the Grest, Grater Company. This was later merged with the Bodey, Jamison & Wainwright Company and Bolt & Sons, forming the
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Grater, Bodey Company in February, 1902. He was vice-president of this company until his death in 1920. Ursinus Grater worked in the mill until 1896 and was then transferred to the drafting department, where he remained until 1919. The position of superintendent of the mill was then turned over to him. He became a stockholder of this company in 1892, and upon the death of his father, took over the stock which he had held. Some of the buildings designed by Mr. Grater are the Trinity Reformed Church of Norristown, and the Calvary Baptist and Grace Lutheran churches, also of Norristown. He designed the new model of the opera house and some residences between the years 1892 and 1919.
Mr. Grater is a Republican in politics; a member of the Norristown Club, Keystone Motor Club ; and a director of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is an elder in the Trinity Reformed Church of Norris- town.
Mr. Grater married, at Norristown, September 7, 1904, Lillie Edmons- ton, daughter of John and Sarah (Walker) Edmonston, whose other children are as follows: Bertha, wife of Robert Miller, of Norristown; and Eva, a bookkeeper with the Counties Gas and Electric Company, of Norristown. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Grater, Eva, on Febru- ary II, 1907, who is now a student in the high school.
HENRY LANDIS FREED-One of the prominent business men of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, is Henry Landis Freed, one of the partners in the Krupp Foundry Company. His aggressiveness and progressiveness in industrial affairs has made of him a leader, and his big hearted, friendly nature, has won for him a host of friends. The son of Isaac and Kath- erine (Landis) Freed, good farmer folk, now both deceased, he started life with the help and hindrances that surround a farmer boy.
Henry Landis Freed was born at Elroy, Montgomery county, Penn- sylvania, February 26, 1873. His education was started in the district school, and completed in the school of hard knocks. He early learned to work, and by hard work has made his way, and is now the proprietor of the Krupp Foundry Company.
This firm was organized in 1902, and incorporated in 1910, under the name of the Krupp Foundry Company, makers of soil pipe and fittings, with Eli C. Krupp as president and Henry L. Freed as secretary and treasurer. In February, 1920, Mr. Krupp sold his interests to W. A. Brecht, who succeeded to the presidency. They are located on Third avenue and Fifth street, Lansdale, in a large building extending along the Philadelphia and Reading railroad tracks. It is one of the most import- ant industries of the city, employing much skilled and common labor, and doing a business of nearly a million dollars a year.
Mr. Freed, besides being so busily connected with this company, is also one of the directors of the Union National Bank of Souderton, Penn- sylvania ; treasurer of the Board of Trade since its organization in 1903; treasurer of Lansdale's Building and Improvement Company ; and finds time to help many civic interests. He fraternizes with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Lansdale, and is a thirty-second degree Mason,
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affiliating with Shiloh Lodge, No. 558, Free and Accepted Masons; Lansdale Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Philadelphia Consistory, and Lu Lu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. With his family, he attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is president of the board of trustees.
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