USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume III > Part 7
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Henry Landis Freed married, at Lansdale, October 26, 1895, Lydia Ann Gehman, of Norwood, Pennsylvania. Mr. Freed considers twenty- six his lucky number, having been born, married, and started in business on the twenty-sixth day of the month. Miss Gehman was the daughter of Daniel (a merchant) and Catherine (Godshall) Gehman. Mr. and Mrs. Freed are the parents of five children : Katherine, Herbert, Edith, Henry W. and Lillie.
WARREN C. MOYER, of Souderton, Pennsylvania, has shown him- self worthy to bear the name of one of the most ancient and honorable families in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. A descendant of one of a band of men who came to this country because of their desire to wor- ship God in their own way, he has been prominent in the religious activi- ties of his church and town. A thorough, up-to-date business man, he is recognized for his ability and industry.
Isaiah K. Moyer, father of Warren C. Moyer, who for many years was a hay merchant, married Katie Clemens, and they were the parents of the following children: Lillian, who married Lewis Souder ; Warren C., of whom further; Laura, who married Horace Underkoffer; Katie, now Mrs. Herbert Crawthomel ; John; Raymond; Florence; and Mary.
Warren C. Moyer was born in Souderton, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1883, and received his education in the public schools of his native city. He began his business career as a clerk in a general store of the place, but soon began the manufacture of ice cream on his own account, in which line of activity he remained for three years. In 1912 he established his present business of auto-express and general hauling, which has thrived and grown. His equipment is complete and of the most recent design, and is capable of handling almost any requirement. Mr. Moyer estab- lished, on December 3, 1921, in partnership with H. H. Blank, the Perkio- men Valley Bus Company, doing business between Pennsburg, Allen- town and Boyertown. Mr. Moyer is a member of the Borough Council, and is religiously affiliated with the New Mennonite Church, of which he is one of the church council.
Mr. Moyer married, at Souderton, Pennsylvania, December 31, 1904, Hannah Groff, daughter of Henry A. and Emma Groff. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer have two children: Emma Luela and Henry Arden, both born in Salford township, Pennsylvania.
WARREN BENNER KULP-For many years the name of Kulp has been identified with the progress of Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania, representatives of every generation having been active in the industries and professions or in mercantile affairs. Henry S. Kulp, Mr. Kulp's father, was, throughout his active lifetime, engaged in the feed
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business, and in the supplying of the needs of the animal husbandry interests of the vicinity, gained his own success and won the confidence and respect of all with whom he dealt. His death, which occurred in July, 1915, removed from the community a man of genuine worth, whose activities had contributed to the welfare of Worcester township, so long the scene of his business endeavor. He married Susan Benner, also of a prominent Montgomery county family, and they were the parents of six children: Mary, wife of A. K. Clemmer; Annie, wife of Warren Moyer; Abraham; Floyd; Minerva, wife of Harold Hull; and Warren Benner, of further mention.
Warren Benner Kulp was born in Worcester township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1882. His education was limited to the advantages of the local schools, but he was always a student of affairs and conditions, and this, together with his natural business ability, has carried him forward to success. His first business experience was with his father in the feed mill at Kulpsville, in his native township, where he still resides. He later entered a factory for the manufacture of clothing, and in 1909 Mr. Kulp opened a general store in Kulpsville, in partnership with Elwood Stover, with whom he is still associated. This is now one of the successful enterprises of the community, and holding to the principles of fair dealing and efficient service, the firm has won a secure footing in the business world of this county. Mr. Kulp has for some years been identified with the financial world of this section, and is actively associated with the Schwenkville National Bank in the capacity of special messenger. The broader interests of the township, and of the affairs of the State and Nation, hold his interest only as a progressive citizen, and his support is given to the Republican party. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Kulpsville, and the Loyal Order of Moose of Lansdale. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Kulp married, in Trappe, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1915, Florence May Repp, daughter of William and Emma Repp. Their four children are: James Emerson, Henry Warren, Paul, and Evelyn Florence.
DAVID R. HOFFMAN, numbered among the well known business men of Norristown, Pennsylvania, is catering to an extensive trade among the motorists of this section as the head of the D. R. Hoffman Tire & Rubber Company. Mr. Hoffman is a native of New York State, and a son of John H. and Mary A. Hoffman, former residents of Syra- cuse, late of this State.
David R. Hoffman was born in Syracuse, New York, November 5, 1872. His education was acquired in the public schools of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he laid a thoroughly practical foundation for his future success. As a young man Mr. Hoffman took up railroading and became an engineer on the Reading railroad in the year 1898. He was thus engaged until shortly before establishing his present business, handling all kinds of automobile supplies. He is the sole distributor for the United States of the Fox Motor-driven Tire Pump, a machine manu-
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factured in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Mr. Hoffman being the president and general manager of the corporation. The development of the con- cern into a leader in its own special line is largely owing to the super- iority of his work, which was started in 1916. He has an excellent loca- tion at No. 518-20 DeKalb street,, in Norristown, and has developed a very prosperous business. His trade is constantly increasing and he is counted among the successful men of the city. He takes an interest in the various affairs of a public nature, but, although supporting the Republican party, is by no means a politician, never seeking public honors. He is a member of Minnie Kauween Tribe, No. 198, Improved Order of Red Men ; the Knights of the Golden Eagle; the Modern Wood- men of America; and the Junior Order United American Mechanics. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Hoffman married, on December 16, 1917, at No. 1018 Arch street, Philadelphia, Nellie V. Vetter, daughter of Charles L. and Carrie H. Vetter. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have two children: Leroy and Alma Clare.
JOSEPH W. CRAFT, JR. is a business man of Ambler, Pennsyl- vania, who has the ability and taste that have made him prominent in sports and, during the World War, in the United States army. Edu- cated, versatile, talented, wherever he is placed he makes himself felt, and promises to become conspicuous in the municipal life of Ambler.
He is the son of J. Watson Craft, who died January 19, 1921, a pros- perous mill owner, and of Mary A. (Griggs) Craft, and was born in Ambler, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1891. He attended Friends' Central School of Philadelphia, was graduated with the class of 1910, and, enter- ing Lafayette College, at Easton, Pennsylvania, was graduated in 1914.
Joseph W. Craft, Jr. became associated with his father in the lumber, coal and feed business, one of the important concerns of Ambler, which was established in 1885. It is now housed in a number of buildings, the mill and lumber sheds both being three-story structures, and there are several storage bins for feed. With the death of J. W. Craft, Sr., much responsibility has been placed on his son's shoulders, but he is making a marked success of his position. He is vice-president of the Community Building and Loan Association, and active in furthering its interests.
In May, 1917, he enlisted in Company 36, of the Motor Transport Corps in the United States army, and was appointed sergeant. After five months he was transferred to Motor Truck Company 328, where he remained for ten months. Attending the Officers' Training Camp for two months he was transferred to Motor Truck Company 508, Motor Supply Train 423, as second lieutenant in command of the company, in which capacity he served until honorably discharged in September, 1919.
With the formation of Norton Downes, Jr. Post, No. 125, American Legion, he was elected its commander. Other fraternal affiliations are with the Plymouth Country Club, the Bucks County Fish, Game and Forest Association, and the Ambler Game, Fish and Forestry Association.
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On June 14, 1921, at Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Joseph W. Craft, Jr., was married to Ruth S. Grim, daughter of Webster and Alice S. Grim, well known residents of that place.
IRWIN J. GOTWALS, one of the broadly successful business men of Norristown, Pennsylvania, whose training and experience have fitted him for his present largely progressive activities, is a native of Norris- town. He is a son of Abram and Mary (Johnson) Gotwals, long of this community. The father was born February 22, 1819, and was through- out his lifetime a successful merchant of Philadelphia. The mother was born in 1836, and both are now deceased. He comes of Revolution- ary stock, his great-grandfather, Henry Gotwals, having served in the Revolutionary War.
Irwin J. Gotwals was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1871. Receiving his early education in the local schools. he also covered the high school course in his native place, then entered Pierce College of Business, from which he was graduated in the class of 1890. Mr. Gotwals gained his early business experience with the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, at their Philadelphia Plant, where he was em- ployed for a period of fourteen years, rising, in the course of that time, from clerk to assistant local manager. In 1904 he severed his connec- tion with that concern, and forming a partnership with A. D. Byer, of Norristown, entered the insurance business. For eight years this part- nership endured, then in 1912 Mr. Gotwals continued independently along the same general line of endeavor. He has won a position of prominence in the community, and is counted among the successful men of the day whom Norristown regards as her own.
A Republican by political affiliation, Mr. Gotwals keeps in close touch with civic affairs, although never a candidate for public office. He is a member, and at present (1922), secretary of Hancock Volunteer Fire Company, of Norristown; is secretary of the Fame Building and Loan Association, and is treasurer of the Norristown Chapter of the Amer- ican Red Cross. During the World War he was active in the various drives, and served as director for Norristown war chest and as captain of a team on Liberty Loan drives. His more personal interests include membership in Charity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is treasurer, and in the Rotary Club. He is a member of the Baptist church, with which his family has long been identified. Mr. Gotwals finds his chief recreation in the open, with the fishing rod. He frequently takes short fishing trips of a day in the vicinity of Norris- town, and every summer makes several trips of three or four days each to the seashore, where he enjoys deep water fishing.
Mr. Gotwals married, in Norristown, on September 24, 1895, Lillie J. Butz, daughter of Walter D. and Charlotte Butz. Mr. and Mrs. Gotwals have two daughters, both still at home: Lillian, and Laura, the younger, being a student at the Norristown High School.
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CHARLES H. MILLER-For more than a third of a century a resident of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Charles H. Miller has figured prom- inently in the civic affairs of this growing place, and has had much to do with its development and prosperity. Able, influential, and progres- sive, he is a leader in the municipality and has a host of friends. He has succeeded in business, taken a conspicuous place in politics, and is known and respected throughout the county.
The son of Henry S. and Hannah (Heebner) Miller, the former of whom was for years a millwright, Charles H. Miller was born at Norris- town, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1859. He attended the public schools of his locality, but the death of his parents when he was but eleven years of age, made it necessary for him to leave school and contribute to his own support. He went to work on a farm for three dollars a month and board, and gradually developed his ability until 1887, when he located in Lansdale, and was, for a time, employed by William D. Heebner. In 1891 he entered the insurance business and has continued successfully in the line ever since, adding, in recent years, the automobile line of activity.
Always interested in politics he was appointed assessor for the East Ward and in 1893 was elected justice of the peace, in which capacity he served for twenty years and eight months. In 1913 he was the candidate of the Washington party for prothonotary of Montgomery county, and served as delegate to county and State conventions. His fraternal asso- ciations are with the Loyal Order of Moose and Knights of the Golden Eagle.
In November, 1879, at Lower Salford township, Pennsylvania, Charles H. Miller married Amanda B. Shisler, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bustard) Shisler. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one son, Harry S., born in February, 1883, who entered the United States army for the World War, March II, 1917, and was discharged June 4, 1919, a first- class sergeant, at Belair, Georgia.
ISAIAH A. CASSEL-One of the notably versatile and successful business men of Montgomery county is Isaiah A. Cassel, who, as farmer, proprietor of a sales agency business, and a breeder of pedigreed stock, has been eminently successful in each of three exacting and complicated lines of activity. He has also been active in local public affairs and is known as one of the practically progressive men of the town.
Born in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1875, son of Samuel K., a successful farmer of that section, and of Mary (Alderfer) Cassel, Mr. Cassel attended the public schools of his native district, where he received a good, practical education. From boyhood, he assisted his father with the chores on the farm, and when school days were over, he became his father's fulltime assistant. This association was continued until he was twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in various other lines. In 1914 he established, in partnership with G. Henry Hildebrand, an auto sales agency, which the young men operated under the name of Hildebrand & Cassel until 1916. In that year the partnership was dis-
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solved, and since that time Mr. Cassel has continued the business alone. He handles the Oakland, Studebaker, and Chevrolet cars, and the Sam- son tractor, and is steadily increasing the scope of his business, serving an increasingly large and important patronage. In addition to his responsibilities as sole proprietor of a prosperous sales agency, Mr. Cassel owns a remarkably fine farm, which may accurately be designated as a most modern and scientifically-equipped agricultural plant. He is noted as a breeder of fine Guernsey cattle, possessing one of the finest herds in the State, and conducts a large, scientifically-equipped dairy, which represents the last word in efficiency and sanitation.
Even these varied activities, however, do not represent the full range of Mr. Cassel's interests. He was formerly a member of the board of directors of the Harleysville National Bank, and is also very active in the public affairs of the town. He has the interest of the com- munity very much at heart, and spares no pains, giving freely of time, energy, and means for the advancement of those projects which seem to him to be well planned for the furtherance of the public welfare. He is one of the organizers of the local fire company, which he serves as treasurer, and is well known as one of the most active and progressive men of the town. His religious affiliation is with the Mennonite church.
Isaiah A. Cassel married, on January 18, 1896, at Harleysville, Penn- sylvania, Kate Delp, daughter of Henry C. and Kate (Frick) Delp, and they are the parents of one child, Henry, who was born at Harleysville, May 6, 1904.
JOHN HENRY LAKE SHULL, the oldest native son of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, was born within the present city limits nearly seventy years ago, and is, undoubtedly, the oldest living native-born resident of the place. He is a florist, whose delight is in growing that which is beautiful and fragrant, and to impart freely the knowledge of floriculture, which has taken him so long to learn. He is the son of Henry and Mary Ann (Lake) Shull, who were married in Philadelphia, and moved to a farm in Lansdale, where their son, John Henry Lake Shull, was born May 1, 1854.
The early education of John H. L. Shull began in the public school and was completed by a course of study in the Business Academy of North Wales, Pennsylvania. After working at a number of places he became connected with the Keasby & Madison Company, of Ambler, Pennsylvania, in 1887, with whom he remained for nearly twenty-nine years. He left that firm in 1915, settling in his home town of Lansdale, and began flower growing and the making of floral decorations for funerals.
Mr. Shull gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, and fraternally is affiliated with the Patriotic Order Sons of America ; Order of United American Men ; Patriotic Order of America, of which he is past assistant president; and State and National Camp, No. III, Sons and Daughters of Liberty, of Lansdale. He is a communicant of the
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Methodist Episcopal church of Lansdale, and is a steward and the treas- urer of its benevolent societies.
On December 25, 1878, at Warwick township, Bridge Valley, Penn- sylvania, Mr. Shull was married to Letitia Reeder Pownall, daughter of Miles S. Pownall, a farmer, and Mary (Swartz) Pownall. Letitia Reeder (Pownall) Shull was born June 29, 1855, at Jamison, Warwick township, Pennsylvania, came to Lansdale as a school teacher, and taught school there for seven years.
Mr. and Mrs. Shull are the parents of Henry Walter Shull, who was born in Lansdale, November 9, 1888, and who is superintendent and man- ager of the E. L. Mansure Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He married Edna M. Showalter, daughter of John and Mary Showalter, and they have two children: Edmond Mansure, born June 24, 1913 ; and Walter Mansure, born October 7, 1919.
E. S. BROWNBACK-Among the prominent business men of Roy- ersford who are counted as broadly progressive citizens is E. S. Brown- back, the well known electrical contractor, whose headquarters are at No. 343 Main street. A native of this borough, Mr. Brownback is a son of Hickman and Annie L. (Bisbing) Brownback, and his father was long prominent in this community as a blacksmith.
Mr. Brownback was born in Royersford, June 20, 1883. Receiving a practical education in the local schools, he entered the electrical busi- . ness about 1903, in the employ of leading concerns in this vicinity, then, when he became thoroughly familiar with the various branches of his work, struck out as a contractor on his own account. He has been very successful, doing a general contracting business along electrical lines, and handling all kinds of electrical supplies and devices, always keep- ing in stock a very complete line of household electrical equipment. He employs a full force of competent assistants, and is thereby prepared to execute contracts on short notice, going anywhere in this part of the State. Mr. Brownback is one of the fine group of progressive and ener- getic business men whose activities are contributing so largely to the welfare of this borough. He takes an active interest in public affairs, is a member of the Borough Council, and a leader in all forward move- ments. Widely connected fraternally, he is a member of Royersford Lodge, No. 585, Free and Accepted Masons ; Pottstown Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Phoenixville Council, Royal and Select Masters; Read- ing Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Rajah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Reading. He is. also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Royers- ford; of the Improved Order of Red Men; of the Patriotic Order Sons of America; and of the Modern Woodmen of America. He has long been a member of the Hinman Fire Company, of Royersford, of which he is a trustee, and is also a member of the Friendship Hook and Ladder Company. His religious affiliation is with the Evangelical church.
Mr. Brownback married, on June 11, 1904, Mamie Christman, daugh-
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ter of John Christman, of Royersford, and they are the parents of two daughters : Ida Frances, and V. Arline. The delightful family residence is at No. 403 Walnut street, Royersford.
JOHN F. O'NEIL-A well known and substantial citizen of this section, who has spent his entire life here, is John F. O'Neil, who con- ducts a plumbing and heating business, with headquarters at No. 609 Swede street, Norristown, Pennsylvania, his residence being on Ger- mantown Pike, in Plymouth township.
Mr. O'Neil was born at Norristown, June 18, 1891, a grandson of Dennis O'Neil, who was a Civil War veteran, and a son of John F. and Sarah (Bolton) O'Neil. His father's parents came to this country from Ireland, and his mother's parents were of old Pennsylvania stock. He is the fifth child in a family of six children, his brothers and sisters being: Anna, wife of William Roland, of Pittsburgh ; Sarah, married to Herbert Gilmore, of Norristown ; James, a resident of Norristown; Viola, wife of George Butz, of Norristown; and Russell, also a resident of this city. His mother, who was born in 1853, passed away in September, 1921, while his father, born in 1857, is at present employed as an engi- neer at Ivy Rock Power House, Swedeland, which is operated by the Allan Wood Steel Corporation.
After completing his education in the public and high schools of his native community, Mr. O'Neil decided to learn the plumbing trade, and in pursuance of this resolve, worked as an apprentice for D. P. Streeper & Son, of Norristown, from 1906 to 1910. At the end of this period he secured employment as a journeyman plumber for J. Frank Boyer, of Curran & Boyer, electrical and plumbing contractors of this city, con- tinuing in this capacity for five years. At the end of that time, in 1915, he took employment with David Hutchinson, continuing with him for four years. In 1919 he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Elwood Zeigler, who was an electrician, and as Zeigler & O'Neil, they conducted a plumbing and electrical contracting business until May I, 1921, when the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. O'Neil has since con- ducted his plumbing and heating business independently. Being an expert workman in his lines, and a careful business man, he is having excellent success, and enjoys a steadily increasing patronage.
In the local social and civic, as well as religious affairs of the com- munity of which he is a resident, Mr. O'Neil has always been an influ- ential factor. He is a member of Cold Point Lodge, Knights of the Golden Eagle, while in religious work he is prominently identified with the Hickorytown Mission, an undenominational church, and is a mem- ber of its board of trustees, and also secretary of the Sunday school con- ducted by it.
On December 2, 1911, at Wilmington, Delaware, Mr. O'Neil was united in marriage with Myrtle A. Zeigler, a daughter of Irvin and Matilda (Frickie) Zeigler. Of this union two children have been born : Grace, December 26, 1912, and Jane, July 16, 1918.
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J. K. BEMESDERFER, who is now one of the leading photographers of Norristown, Pennsylvania, with a studio at No. 407 North Marshall street, was engaged in other lines of endeavor in early life, but as a young man of twenty-one, entered the field of art, for which he was fitted by nature, and with excellent training he has won his way to success.
Mr. Bemesderfer was born in Manheim, Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, December 13, 1863, and is a son of Jacob and Mariah (Kauffman) Bemesderfer, both natives of Lancaster and both now deceased. Edu- cated in the public schools of his native place, Mr. Bemesderfer worked on the farm until nineteen years of age, then was employed in a planing mill until the age of twenty-one. Always interested in artistic work and possessing no little native talent, Mr. Bemesderfer then determined to enter the field of art seriously. He took up the study of art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, covering the regular course of that institution. Returning to his native county, he followed his art work and was very successful, but gradually worked over into photog- raphy, mastering the mechanics of this art under the tutelage of J. Mentzer, of Manheim. He has now for more than a decade been at the head of his own store, which he established in July, 1911. He does commercial photography of every kind, as well as portraiture, and also does finishing for amateurs, and picture framing to a very large extent. He is a member of the Calvary Baptist Church.
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