USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume III > Part 8
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Mr. Bemesderfer married, on March 22, 1892, Salome H. Swartley, of Norristown, and they have had three children: Laura, born January 25, 1893, who died October 27, 1912; Leon, born February 9, 1896, a machin- ist by trade, now identified with R. S. Newboldt & Sons, of Norristown; and Calvin, born March 15, 1899, who died November 2, 1903. The fam- ily home is at No. 642 Astor street.
WILFRED LUDWIG STAUFFER-In a very practical branch of business endeavor Mr. Stauffer is winning success in Norristown, Penn- sylvania, 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 and Magdaline (Strawsberger) Stauffer. His father is a prominent executive in the industrial world of this county, having been for years vice-president and general manager of the Lees Wool Manu- facturing Company of Bridgeport.
Wilfred 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, in 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.
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handling a general garage and repair shop at No. 1120 West Main street, Norristown. He has a spacious plant, well equipped, covering a floor area of about 18,000 square feet, and employs six assistants, all expert automobile workers. He has thus far enjoyed marked scccess, and is doing a constantly increasing business. Widely acquainted both through his business and as a lifelong 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.
JAMES WOOD HARRY-A graduate of pharmacy, James W. Harry spent the years of his business life as a druggist in his native Consho- hocken, where he was well established and prosperous, having three stores. His life ended in its fifty-sixth year and was spent largely in Conshohocken and in the drug business, although at one time he was engaged in the manufacture of gun powder. But his stay in that busi- ness was brief and he may be considered to have given his adult years entirely to his profession, pharmacy.
Mr. Harry was of Welsh ancestry, a descendant of David Harry, who came from Wales to Pennsylvania, and settled at Whitemarsh, in what was then Philadelphia county, about 1698. David Harry married, Decem- ber 2, 1699, in Germantown Friends Meeting, Lydia Powell, daughter of David Powell, and in 1700 purchased an estate of one thousand two hundred and fifty acres, lying in Whitemarsh. In 1701 his son, Rees, was born, and on October 12, 1727, in Haverford Friends Meeting, married Mary Price, of Haverford. Rees Harry died in 1787, aged eighty-six.
James Wood Harry, son of Benjamin Harry, was born in Consho- hocken, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1844, died January 24, 1900. He was educated in Conshohocken public schools, Locke Academy in Norris- town, and Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, being graduated from the last-named with the class of 1864. He soon established the drug busi- ness in Conshohocken, and there practically spent the remaining years of his life, an excellent business man and an upright influential citizen.
In politics Mr. Harry was a Republican, and in religious faith a Friend. He served Conshohocken as burgess one term, postmaster sev- eral years, 1868-1876, and was one of the public-spirited men of the bor- ough who could always be depended on to lend a hand in any forward movement. He was a member of lodge, chapter, council and command- ery of the Masonic order, and a noble of Lu Lu Temple, Philadelphia, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
James Wood Harry married, in Conshohocken, April 2, 1873, Eliz- abeth Maxwell, daughter of Hamilton and Elizabeth (Watson) Max- well, and sister of James Riddle and Charles Allen Maxwell, the former a civil engineer connected with the building of the Panama Canal, the latter a railroad builder. Mr. and Mrs. Harry were the parents of two sons: I. Howard Stevenson, born in Conshohocken, May 1, 1874, now
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residing with his mother. He conducts a storage garage on the prem- ises, having fourteen service cars in storage at the present time. 2. Hamilton Maxwell, born May 15, 1875, died December 6, 1910, a drug- gist of Conshohocken for three years previous to his death. He was a graduate of Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, April 9, 1907.
JESSE F. DAVIS-Two generations preceded Jesse F. Davis in the profession of funeral directors and have been prominent in the annals of Ambler and Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He made a long and careful study of his vocation, and his personality, combined with this thorough preparation, has placed him in the forefront of his line of work.
His grandfather, a native of Dublin, Ireland, was a life-long under- taker, dying February 16, 1872. His father, George J. Davis, followed the same business for forty-four years, and died February 28, 1918. He married Lydia F. Davis, who died April 21, 1919. They were the parents of four children: Mrs. Fred Arnold, Mrs. Frank Potts, Mrs. Robert Smith, and Jesse F. Davis, who was born in Ambler, November 3, 1872.
After attending the public and high schools of his native town, being a graduate of the latter in the class of 1889, Jesse F. Davis went to the Pierce Business College of Philadelphia, was graduated in 1892, and then entered a college of the same city. For the technical training he desired he studied in the Renouard Embalming School of New York City, the Massachusetts School of Embalming, Boston, and the H. S. Eckles School of Philadelphia. Returning to Ambler, he became associ- ated with his father in the undertaking business until the latter's death, in 1918, and since then has continued the work by himself. His estab- lishment is unusually complete in its equipment, and his personal fitness for his vocation is well known and appreciated. Among his fraternal associations are the Free and Accepted Masons ; Lodge No. 714, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks ; Lodge No. 54, Loyal Order of Moose ; Lodge No. 100, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Aquama Tribe, No. 279, Improved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Davis married (first), at Ambler, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1898, Lulu M. Yocum, who died May 12, 1915, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Hover) Yocum. They were the parents of three children : Stuart L., born October 23, 1899; George E., born February 17, 1901 ; and Emma Y., born June 22, 1902.
Mr. Davis married (second), at Ambler, June 15, 1917, Mrs. Sarah (Kingston) Battersby, daughter of William Kingston.
SIDNEY C. GREVE-In a very. practical field of industry Mr. Greve has become well established in the borough of Norristown, and having had extensive experience in his chosen work, is doing a steadily growing business as a machinist. Mr. Greve is a son of Herman and Maria Greve, both of German nativity, who came to the United States in their youth. They resided in Philadelphia for years, where they made their home permanently.
Sidney C. Greve was born in the city of Philadelphia, September 13,
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1882. His education was received largely in the public schools of his native city, but he attended the schools of Germany for a time, and later had the advantage of a course at the Throop Polytechnic Institute, at Pasadena, California. Mr. Greve went West as a lad of twelve years and entered the Llewellyn Iron Works, at Los Angeles, California, where he spent five years. Then, determining to combine his industrial activities with the pleasure of travel, he went through Mexico, and Cen- tral and South America, as a traveling machinist, and has since found the wide range of experience gained thereby a very valuable asset. Returning to the United States, he worked in every part of the country, being employed at one time or another in all but seven or eight of the States of the Union. Still later, he went abroad as a marine engineer and stopped at Odessa, Russia, after which he again returned to the United States, and was active in Gulfport, Mississippi, operating tug boats. Then for a time he acted as traveling salesman, but after some fourteen months on the road, returned to mechanical work, filling a position as tool maker for about five years. Mr. Greve came to Norristown in 1914, to enter the employ of the Luster-Jordan Company, as machinist, and during his connection with this concern was advanced to the position of assistant superintendent. After two years with the above company he became identified with the Diamond State Fibre Company, at Bridge- port, in this county, in the capacity of tool maker, and was shortly after- ward promoted to foreman of the tool room. In May, 1919, Mr. Greve formed a partnership with Alfred Alexy, opening a machine shop at the corner of Markley and Lafayette streets. These progressive and enter- prising men went forward together until October 15, 1920, when upon the withdrawal of Mr. Alexy, Mr. Greve assumed entire charge. He has since continued independently, and holds a high position in the mechan- ical world of Montgomery county, doing a general machinist's business, including contract work and repair work of all kinds, and making a spec- ialty of machinists' tool work. The spacious building was especially erected for the present purpose, and is equipped with the most modern machinery. Mr. Greve's experience and natural ability make him a thoroughgoing mechanical engineer, and he is commanding the best trade in this section. In the various interests of the community he takes such part as the exactions of his business permit, politically sup- porting the Republican party, although never an office-seeker. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Greve married, on March 18, 1914, Frances Berndt, of Philadel- phia, and they have two children : Marie and Harriett. The family home is at No. 644 Kohn street, Norristown.
CHARLES STYER JENKINS-The farm of Charles Styer Jenkins of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, is noted for its variety of live stock, and especially for the ponies, in the breeding of which the owner specializes. He is the son of Charles S. and Tacy Jones (Styer) Jenkins, his father the well known cashier of the First National Bank of Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
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Charles Styer Jenkins was born in Gwynedd township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1854. He attended the public schools of Upper Gwynedd township, Millersville, and the State Normal School, and upon the completion of his education began working the home farm. With the growth of his knowledge of agriculture and the experience gained by hard work, he came to Towamencin township, near Lansdale, bought a tract of land, which he called "Penn-Monto," and began the breeding of live stock. He likes best and as a result, perhaps, succeeds best in the breeding and training of ponies, and is becoming well known in this line of work. He also conducts general farming operations on his home tract of eighty-three acres, his holdings including two other tracts, containing one hundred and fifty-three acres in the same town- ship, and one of fifty acres in Upper Gwynedd township. His fame as a breeder of ponies is widespread, and he ships animals to all parts of the United States. He also has a collection of trained ponies on hire at Atlantic City, his stable there a favorite resort of the children. His ponies are thoroughbreds, and his herd of Swiss cattle, one of the few herds of that class in that part of the United States, have been certified by the United States Bureau of Animal Inspection. He is a director of the American Shetland Pony Association; is a Republican in politics, and has served as a member of the school board.
Mr. Jenkins married, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1884, Anna Jackson, daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Grafly) Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are the parents of a son, Warren Carrol, and a daugh- ter, Abigail Foulke, wife of Robert W. Stuart, and mother of Robert W. Stuart, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Stuart reside at the Jenkins' home farm, "Penn-Monto," near Lansdale.
LEWIS G. STRITZINGER-One of the marvels of modern busi- ness is the development of old simple practices into what might almost be called a science. Man has eaten bread from time immemorial, and yet it is only in the last quarter century that men have arisen like Lewis G. Stritzinger, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, who have taken the old haphazard process of baking, and changed and improved it until it is an exact art. Mr. Stritzinger has established what is the finest bakery in Montgomery county, which is turning out breads and baked stuffs of a class that has become famous.
He is the son of Frederick G. and Anna (Derwichter) Stritzinger, and was born at Norristown, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1863. He received the usual education of the grammar schools followed with a course in the Allentown Business College. He operated a bake shop in Wayne, Pennsylvania, for a few years and then purchased an interest in his father's business at Main and Cherry streets, Norristown, later buy- ing the whole plant. The introduction of modern ideas and energy worked wonders, and in 1907 he built the present establishment at Main and Markley streets, which for size, cleanliness, and completeness of equipment is not equalled in the county. It now supplies to a wide terri-
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tory, having a radius of more than twenty-five miles, the well known Tip Top Bread, and among its newer creations is the Stritz loaf, a whole- wheat bread approved by dieticians and epicures. In keeping with the importance of his business is his association with various societies of an allied character, such as the Pennsylvania Bakers' Association, the American Bakers' Association, the Manufacturers' Association of Mont- gomery county, and was chief of the bakers' division on the Federal Food Administration for Montgomery county during the World War.
His fraternal connections are large and varied, being affiliated with Norristown Forest, No. 31, Tall Cedars of Lebanon; Curtis Lodge, No. 239, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and is past master of Charity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons ; past high priest of Norris- town Chapter, No. 190, Royal Arch Masons ; Cryptic Council, Royal and Select Masters; past commander of Hutchinson Commandery, No. 32, Knights Templar; past grand herald of Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Lu Lu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the. Mystic Shrine; and is a fellow of the Masonic Veterans' Association of Pennsylvania. His clubs are the Manufacturers, of Philadelphia, Key- stone and Lu Lu Temple Automobile, the Norristown and Plymouth Country. He is a communicant of the Bethany Evangelical Church of Norristown.
On May 14, 1885, he was married to Sarah Ella Kneas, daughter of John and Mary Kneas, well known residents of Norristown, and they are the parents of three children: 1. Raymond Kneas, who married Marion Custer, and has two children: Robert Lewis and Deborah Ann. He was educated in the Norristown Public School, Lehigh University, and the Columbus School of Milling and Baking Technology. During the World War he did instruction work in sixteen army bakeries, and was a deputy food administrator and "four-minute" speaker. He is president of the Pennsylvania Bakers' Association, an enthusiastic Rotarian and is now associated with his father in the baking business. He is a member of Norristown Forest, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, No. 31 ; Norris Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; past master of Char- ity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons; Norristown Chapter, No. 190, Royal Arch Masons; Cryptic Council, Royal and Select Mas- ters; Hutchinson Commandery, No. 32, Knights Templar ; and Lu Lu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Philadel- phia Lehigh Club, Lu Lu Temple Automobile Club, Plymouth Country and Norristown clubs, Rotary Club, Phi Delta Theta fraternity, the F. A. F., local fraternity, and the Lehigh University Alumni Association. 2. Marylew, born January 15, 1892, was educated in the grammar schools of Norristown, and was graduated from Wilson College with the degree of A. B., and from Syracuse University with the degree of A. M. She is at the present time (1922) a teacher of mathematics at the Elkins Park High School. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. 3. Fred- erick G. (3), born November 19, 1894, received his education in Norris- town, and is a graduate of Norristown High School, Swarthmore Col-
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lege and Lehigh University. He served through the World War in the Meuse and Argonne campaigns and later with the Army of Occupation. He is now (1922) with his father, L. G. Stritzinger, in the baking busi- ness. He is post adjutant of the American Legion, and is a member of the same fraternal bodies and clubs as is his elder brother, Raymond Kneas Stritzinger.
FRANK V. CASSIDY-One of the enterprising and successful business men of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is Frank V. Cas- sidy, owner of the Norristown Battery and Electrical Company, located at No. 209 East Main street, Norristown. He does all kinds of auto- motive and electrical work, and is well known as an expert in his line.
Mr. Cassidy was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1893, son of Patrick and Margaret (Martin) Cassidy. He received his educa- tion in the public schools of West Chester, graduating from the high school with the class of 1912, and when his high school course was com- pleted, entered the electrical department of the Bell Telephone Company, in which connection he worked at various towns in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware until the spring of 1917. He then accepted a posi- tion as district wire chief in the employ of the United Telephone Com- pany, in charge of the Norristown district, until the fall of 1917. Upon the entrance of the United States into the World War, he enlisted, and from October, 1917, to February, 1919, was with the Field Artillery of the United States army, in command of Battery A, of the 4th Regular Field Artillery, at Camp Zachary Taylor, in Kentucky. Enlisting as a private in 1917, he was promoted to the rank of corporal in November, 1917, and was made sergeant on December 10th. He was sent to the Field Artillery, Central Officers' Training School, at Camp Zachary Taylor, commissioned second lieutenant in August, 1918, and assigned to the command of Battery A. He was mustered out of service February 15, 1919, and upon his return to civilian life, engaged in the battery and automotive electrical business at his present location in Norristown. Mr. Cassidy's ability and skill are making the enterprise a marked suc- cess, and the already prosperous business is rapidly growing.
Politically Mr. Cassidy gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Democratic party. He is a member of the American Legion and of the Business Men's Association, and his religious affilia- tion is with the Roman Catholic church.
JAMES B. LONG-One of the well known and successful men of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is James B. Long, civil engineer, who specializes in the designing and constructing of steel and concrete bridges. Mr. Long's offices are located at Nos. 59-61 Boyer Arcade, in Norristown, where he is conducting a notably successful business of his own.
Born in Springfield, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1884, Mr. Long is a son of Thomas Long, a retired farmer, who is a native of King of Prussia, this county, and of Sarah K. (Kratz) Long.
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He received his early education in the public schools of Norristown, graduating from the high school with the class of 1901, and then entered the civil engineering department of the Pennsylvania State College, from which he was graduated in 1907, with the degree of Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. During the fifteen years which have passed since that time he has successfully devoted his energies to his profession. For eleven years, from 1907 to 1918, he was engaged in the design and construction of steel bridges throughout the Middle Atlantic States, in the employ of various concerns, with whom he gained a wide experience and to whom he rendered valuable service. In 1918 he opened offices at his present location and engaged in business for him- self. He operates throughout the State and is known as an expert in his special line, as well as a skillful engineer in general lines. He keeps in close touch with others of his profession through affiliation with the American Society of Civil Engineers and with the Pennsylvania Engi- neers' Society. Fraternally he is a member of George Washington Lodge, No. 143, Free and Accepted Masons, of Pennsylvania ; and with Phi Kappa Psi college fraternity. He is also a member of the Norris- town Club, and his religious affiliation is with the First Presbyterian Church, which he serves as a member of the board of trustees.
Mr. Long married, on November 12, 1912, Elizabeth Budding, daugh- ter of Calvin and Mary (Detwiler) Budding, and they are the parents of one child, Elizabeth B., born December 7, 1917. The family residence is at No. 1029 DeKalb street, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
JOSEPH A. BUCHANAN-A man is fortunate who, like Joseph A. Buchanan, of Ambler, Pennsylvania, has not only a vocation in which he is successful, but has a hobby that is not only a recreation but one that brings him into prominence. Mr. Buchanan is not only a capable busi- ness man and postmaster, but knows how and does breed dogs that rank high. His father, John Buchanan, who died March 3, 1865, was an oil operator. His mother, Jane Buchanan, died April 12, 1916.
Joseph A. Buchanan was born at Titusville, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1865, and was educated in the public schools and Sunnyside Academy, Ambler, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1882. After taking a course in Pierce's Business College of Philadelphia, he entered the oil business in which he continued during the years 1886 and 1887. Later he opened a general store in Ambler, under the firm name of Buchanan & Hough, and continued from 1890 in the mercantile trade until their store burned in 1896. Mr. Buchanan then became a realtor and agent for insurance until 1904, when he succeeded his brother as postmaster, which position he held until 1916. The following five years he was connected with the Keasley & Mattison Company, leaving only when appointed postmaster again in 1921.
Mr. Buchanan's avocation is indicated by his prominence in the Amer- ican Kennel Club of New York, of which he is a director ; the Bull Dog Club of America ; the Gwynedd Valley Kennel Club, of which he is presi- dent; and is a member of the Devon Dog Show Association, the Ger-
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mantown Cricket Club, and the Huntingdon Kennel Club. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church at Ambler.
On October 10, 1917, Joseph A. Buchanan was married to Margaret F. Wood, daughter of Theodore Wood, M. D., deceased, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
MICHAEL DALY, a marble and granite dealer and cut stone con- tractor, whose business and residence are located at Nos. 227-235 Spring Mill avenue, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, was born in the town of Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland, the son of James and Margaret (Burke) Daly, both now deceased, the latter having died when her son was but four years old.
Mr. Daly received his education in the National and Christian Broth- ers schools in the Fermoy District. He also spent a short time in the Royal Barracks, Dublin. At an early age he began his trade as a stone- cutter in a business that was being carried on by his father and older brothers.
Early in the year 1830, Mr. Daly's grandfather came to this country, being followed two months later by his son, James Daly, father of Michael Daly, remaining for several years, but was finally compelled to return to the old country, due to family conditions. Being somewhat familiar therefore with conditions in this country, and realizing the possibilities and advantages to be gained, and being urged on by a pro- gressive spirit that has ever been evident in his efforts, Michael Daly came to the United States in 1875, and for a short time located in New York City. He later secured a position in a marble business in Dover, Dutchess county, New York, where he remained for a period of six years. After leaving Dover, Mr. Daly traveled throughout the New England States and Canada. This particular section of the country is practically the supply center of the marble and granite industry of the country, and it therefore afforded him a wonderful opportunity to study the industry from its foundation, which knowledge has served him in good stead in his present business. Finally, in 1884, he settled in Con- shohocken. In 1890 he established a small stone-cutting works and monumental business, but was soon compelled to enlarge his plant until at the present time it is one of the largest marble and granite works in Montgomery county.
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