Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Reiter, Joseph W.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Milford Township


   JOSEPH W. REITER cigar manufacturer and merchant, P.O. 
Trumbauersville, was born in this county in 1853. The 
pioneer of this family came from Saxony about 1790 and 
settled in Montgomery county.  To him nine children were 
born, his son, Joseph, being the antecedent of our subject. 
Joseph Reiter was the father of four children, one of whom, 
Tobias, was married to Edith, daughter of George Wonsidler, 
of this township.  Joseph W. was the son of this union, he 
being one of eight children.  His mother died in 1864, and 
his father now lives, at the age of 63 years.  When only 15 
years old our subject learned the trade of cigar-making, 
which occupation he followed until 1872.  In that year, in 
partnership with J. W. Brunner, under the style of Reiter & 
Brunner, he commenced the manufacture of cigars.  April 1, 
1877 the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, and 
Mr. Reiter continued the business alone, with about twelve 
employees, till October 1, 1883, when he took as a partner 
Frank W. Brunner, and the firm again became Reiter & 
Brunner.  July 1, 1885, the firm dissolved partnership, and 
Mr. Reiter in connection with David T. Breisch, a merchant 
of this place, formed the present firm of Reiter & Breisch, 
general merchants, and proprietors of the Fidelity Cigar 
Manufacturing company.  They employ seventy-three men and 
women.  Mr. Reiter was baptized, married, and began business 
in the house where he was born, and remained there until 
1883, when he purchased and removed to his present 
residence.  He married Miss Mary, daughter of David Benner, 
of this township, who bore him four children:  Maurice 
Revellan, deceased; Franklin Pierce, Katie Masella and 
Jennie Victoria, now living.  He is a member of the Lutheran 
church and a republican; a master Mason of Saucon lodge, No. 
469, F., and A. M., of Coopersburg, Lehigh county, and a 
Knight of Pythias, of Trumbauersville.