History: Local: Chapter XXXVII - Part IV : Manufacturing Industries: Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Susan Walters USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/montgomery/beantoc.htm URL of html Table of Contents and illustrations. 技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技 BEAN'S HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技 619 (cont.) LANSDALE BOROUGH. HEEBNER & SONS, MANUFACTURERS OF LEVEL-TREAD HORSE-POWERS, LITTLE GIANT THRESHING MACHINES, ETC. -Such is the title of this industrial establishment, now famous in every civilized country on both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. David S. Heebner, the senior member of the firm, now in his seventy-fifth year, commenced the manufacture of agricultural machines in the year 1840, opening his works on the 1st of April that year, and sold his first machine to Joseph Allebach, of Worcester township. In 1841, Mr. Heebner made new improvements on his machines, and some of those made at that date are still in use amongst the farmers of Bucks and Montgomery Counties. In those days Mr. Heebner had no help, but in his second year employed Mr. Daniel Shuler, now (1884) holding the office of director of the poor. At that time it took about six weeks to build a machine; now two complete machines are made in one day. In 1862, Isaac and Josiah, sons of the proprietor, were admitted to partnership. In 1868 the firm dissolved partnership, David S. Heebner and Josiah purchasing the interest of Isaac, who removed to Lansdale, and started a small repair-shop on the site of the present splendid range of buildings. Here Isaac Heebner opened an agency for the sale of agricultural implements. In 1870, William D. Heebner, now the junior member of the firm, came over from Worcester township to Lansdale, and entered into partnership with Isaac, and the name of the firm was Heebner & Brother. In January, 1872, David S. and Josiah Heebner dissolved partnership in Worcester, and the father moved to Lansdale, uniting with his sons, Isaac and William, under the firm-name of Heebner Sons & Co. In 1873 the firm resolved itself into the name which it at present bears, and from that day a new impetus was given to the work. In 1874 the brick warehouse at the southern end was built, the front one hundred and fifty-six feet on Broad Street, with one wing of one hundred feet and one of eighty feet, three stories in height, and surmounted by a beautiful dome. The first year the firm sold fifteen horse-powers and threshers, ten mowers and reapers, and a few fodder-cutters. In 1883 they sold four hundred and fifty horse-powers, over one hundred mowers and reapers, and two hundred feed-cutters. The first year the business amounted to five thousand dollars; in 1883 it reached two hundred thousand dollars. Then the trade was only for local farmers; to day these machines are found from Maine to Georgia, in Canada, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. In fact, Heebner & Sons, of Lansdale, manufacture more tread railway horse-powers than any establishment in the world, and are constantly extending their business to all quarters of the globe. The value of the plant is at least seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. ISAAC D. HEEBNER is the great-great-grandson of David (Huebner) Heebner, who, with his wife, Maria, immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1734. David died December 27, 1784, and his wife, Maria, died June 11, 1793. Their children were Christoph Susanna Rosanna (born May 9, 1738) George (born June 21, 1744). George, son of David, married Miss Susanna, daughter of Balthasar Heydrick, April 26, 1769. His wife, Susanna, died June 19, 1770. The issue from this union was one son, Balthasar, born June 12,1770. George was married a second time, November 12, 1771, to Anna, daughter of David Shubert, and died August 18, 1783, aged thirty-nine years and two months. His wife, Anna, died August 23, 1784, aged thirty-five years. Their children were Maria (born April 28, 1773), Salome (born October 18, 1774, died March 31, 1776), Regina (born January 13, 1777), Henry (born December 1, 1778), Barbara (born March 13, 1780, died May 16, 1786), Catharine (born July 17, 1782, died May 14,1786). 620 Balthasar, eldest son of George Heebner, married, May 20, 1794, Susanna, daughter of Christopher Schultz. Susanna died March 22, 1848, aged seventy- two years, four months and eighteen days. Balthasar lived in Worcester Township, this county, and owned the farm subsequently purchased by Abraham Anders, Sr. He was a minister of the Schwenkfelder Society, for whom he preached many years, and up to the time of his death, which occurred April 29, 1848, at the age of seventy-seven years, ten months and twenty-one days. The children of Balthasar and Susanna Heebner were George (born July 22, 1795, died April la, 1796) infant daughter (born January 7, 1796, died two days after) Anthony S. (born November 23, 1798) Anna (born August 9, 1800) Maria (born October 26, 1803, died September 10, 1815) Catharine (born October 12, 1806), David S. (father of Isaac D., was born June 25, 1810) Lydia (born September 8, 1812). David S., youngest son of Rev. Balthasar Heebner, married May 3, 1832, for his first wife, Anna, daughter of ____ Derstein. She died June 8, 1853. The children resulting from the union are Joseph born June 11, 1833, died April 3,1838) James (born August 6, 1836, died April 8, 1838) Mary Ann (born April 2, 1839) Isaac D. (the subject of this sketch, born 3 January 18, 1841) Addison (born June 18,1843, died August 23, 1843) Jonah (born July 5, 1844) Jacob (born August 10, 1846) William D. (born September 27,1848). David S. Heebner married, in 1852, for his second wife, Regina, daughter of Rev. Christopher Schultz. The issue from this union was one son, Abram S., born May 22, 1857, died October 6, 1862. Mr. Heebner is a resident of Lansdale, and senior member of the firm of Heebner & Sons. PICTURE OF ISAAC D. HEEBNER, APPEARS HERE. Isaac D. Heebner, son of David S., married, October 26, 1865, Catharine, daughter of Jacob Grater. Their children are Mary Jane (born March 7, 1870) Charles G. (born October 18, 1874) Wilmer (born February 6, 1882) David S., Jr. (born January 26, 1884). Aside from the care of the large and growing manufacturing establishment of Heebner & Sons, of which he is the business manager, he finds time to take an active part in the progressive enterprise is of the beautiful town of Lansdale, in which Heebner & Sons' shops are located. He was one of the originators of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Lansdale, and assisted in building the church edifice, the first in the town. He is a trustee and organist of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for the last eight years superintendent of the Methodist Sunday-school, and ail active worker in the cause of temperance. He also assisted in building the pioneer school- house of Lansdale and has been president of the school board since that town has been a separate school district. He was one of the originators of, and is vice-president and superintendent of, the Lansdale Water-Works. He has also been an active member of the Town Council, and in whatever capacity he is engaged his enthusiasm and sound judgment are imparted to those with whom he is associated. The following sketch will fairly exhibit not only the manufacturing industry, but the business tact of the Heebner family: In 1868, Isaac D. Heebner, the elder of the sons, located in Lansdale and started business in a little shop still standing, the size of which was twelve by twenty-six feet, and upon the old shop now used as a carriage-house stands the spire that was first placed upon the pioneer building in what is now Lansdale. In this shop Isaac worked by hand at such employment as was afforded by the repairing and jobbing of the neighborhood, and by industrious labor the income amounted to less than one thousand dollars the first year. In 1840, David S. Heebner, father of Isaac D., had opened a shop in Worcester township, this county, for the manufacture of the old-fashioned sweep horse-power threshers, and the first machine built was sold to Joseph Allebach, of that township, and the second was sold to a Mr. Swartzlander, of Bucks County. The first year Mr. Heebner employed no help, and the second year only one person was employed, viz., Daniel Shuler, now one of the directors of the poor of Montgomery County. About 1850 the tread-power thresher made its appearance, but was slow in gaining favor with the farmers of the county. In 1862, Isaac D. and Josiah, two sons of David S., were admitted is partners in the business, and engaged extensively in the manufacture of mowing-machines, as well as threshers and other harvesting- machines, which they continued till 1870, when a patent was obtained for, and the first level-tread power-thresher manufactured by David S. Heebner, in Worcester township, which proved a partial success; and the business continued till 1872. In 1868, as above stated, Isaac D., having sold his interest, moved to Lansdale and purchased of Joel Wertz the lot upon which is now located the manufacturing, establishment of Heebner & Sons, and, in 1870, William D. Heebner, now a member of the State Legislature, brother of Isaac D., was, taken into the business as a partner, when the business; began to increase rapidly. Isaac, however having made arrangements with the railroad company, and laid the foundation for the present successful business. At that time Isaac's house and little shop were the only buildings in the town east of the railroad, except the old Jenkins farm-house, which stands near the borough line. 621 January 1, 1872, David S. Heebner, the father, was admitted as a partner with his sons, Isaac D. and William D., when the constant increase in business made it necessary to have more room for the manufacture of their machines, and in 1874 the firm, which had become Heebner & Sons, built the balance of their extensive shops and warehouses, into which a side-track of the North Pennsylvania Branch of the Reading Railroad is laid to accommodate the firm in the large shipments of manufactures they are constantly making. Thus from an obscure and insignificant beginning has grown an important and prosperous business, extending beyond the borders of our own country to the opposite sides of the world. The Heebners are unassuming, gentlemanly men, who have built up their extensive interests by industry and attention to business, all being natural mechanics, neither one having served an apprenticeship, yet both are masters of the mechanic's art. A. D. RUTH, AGENT. -The manufacture of agricultural implements has taken deep root in Lansdale. A. D. Ruth commenced operations about five years ago, and does a large business in the making of Champion horse-powers, threshers, cleaners and separators, Union feed-cutters, etc. The business also includes iron and brass castings made to order and all kinds of repairing done. Mr. Ruth generally employs from twelve to fourteen hands, and is a well-skilled mechanic. He also has an agency for the sale of implements manufactured by other parties. S. EFFRIG & CO., PORK-PACKERS. -Messrs. Effrig & Co. have been about nine years in the business of pork-packing, and have, by strict honesty, persistent energy and untiring industry, increased it to its present condition. Situated on Broad Street, Lansdale, within a short distance from the railroad, it has a frontage of two hundred and thirty feet, with all its departments in the most perfect working order, -ice-houses for cooling, smoke-houses for curing, killing-room, cutting-up room, kettle-houses, boilers, engine, sausage-cutters and stuffers, and everything in the cleanest and very best order and condition. Indeed, cleanliness and order reign supreme, and all are under intelligent supervision. This establishment has, too, the very great advantage of being situated in a healthy location, -plenty of pure air and water. Near the railroad, it has all the advantages of ready and rapid transit. The hogs killed here are mostly front the far West, corn-fed and of good breeds. The facilities for work at the establishment of Messrs. Effrig & Co. are such that they can kill and dress completely about thirty hogs an hour. In the season they generally slaughter about two hundred a week, and twelve hands do the work with ease. CENTENNIAL STEAM FLOUR-MILLS. -The firm owning and operating these fine mills is that of A. C. Godshall & Brother, merchant millers and dealers in flour, feed, grain, coal, hay, etc. The mill was built in 1876, and it that time it was forty by sixty-two feet, with six run of stones, seventy horse-power engine, and it capacity of ninety barrels of flour a day, with chopping. In 1881 in addition of twenty-two by sixty-two feet was erected, which made the building sixty-two feet square and five stories in height. In the year the mill was refitted by E. P. Allis & Co., of Milwaukee, Wis., and changed to a full roller-process mill, with it capacity of two hundred barrels of flour a day, and choppings. There are twenty hands employed at the mill, and last year the business done amounted to four hundred thousand dollars. The warehouse rooms are twenty-eight by sixty feet and twenty-six by ninety feet. This establishment is one of the neatest and most complete grist-mills in the State of Pennsylvania, and is known far and wide for the superior quality of its produce. A. C. GODSHALL was born in 1839 in Franconia, Montgomery Co., Pa. His early life was spent upon his father's farm, where he remained until eighteen years of age, when he left home and was engaged as clerk in a store for three years. He then (1861) located in the young and growing village of Lansdale, where be engaged in the flour and feed business with Henry Derstine, which they carried on for two years, when the firm was dissolved, after which, for a short time, Mr. Godshall conducted the business alone, building, in the mean time, a large warehouse. He then admitted as a partner in the business Mr. Andrew B. Hackman. Their partnership continued until 1867, when this firm was also dissolved, Mr. Godshall then continuing the business (lumber, coal, etc.) alone until 1872, when be admitted his brother, John C. Godshall, as a partner in the business, which partnership still continues. In 1876 they built their present large and extensive flouring and custom mill at Lansdale, located opposite the railroad station. The mill built in 1876 had a daily capacity of one hundred barrels. An addition was built in 1881, making it sixty-three feet square and five stories in height, with an engine-house thirty by forty feet attached. The mill was changed to it full roller process, gradual reduction, the machinery of which was furnished and put up by Messrs. Edward P. Allis & Co., of Milwaukee, Wis. The mill is operated by it one hundred and five horse-power engine, and has a capacity of one thousand bushels of grain per day, making two hundred barrels of flour, while his extensive business gives employment to eighteen or twenty men. Mr. Godshall is one of those quiet, unassuming gentlemen who attend strictly to their business, yet finds time to lend it helping hand in every enterprise tending to the development and improvement of the borough of Lansdale and its business interests. He has been a member of the Town Council since the incorporation of the borough, except one or two short intervals. He was one of the originators of the Lansdale Water-Works, and has since then held the honorable and responsible position of director and treasurer of the company. He was one of the building committee of St. John's Reformed Church of Lansdale. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Schuylkill Valley Fire Insurance Company, a director in the Lansdale Turnpike Company, also one of the directors and vice-president of the First National Bank of Lansdale. 622 He was married, first in 1861, to Miss Anna 0., daughter of Henry Derstine, of Lansdale. She died in 1866, leaving two children William Henry D., born in 1863, and Lincoln D., born in 1865. PICTURE OF A. C. GODSHALL, APPEARS HERE. His second wife, whom he married in 1867, was Miss Lydia K., daughter of Philip Hartcell, of Tylersport, Pa. The children from this union now living are Martha H., born in 1868 Harvey H., born in 1872 Elisabeth H., born in 1878. Jacob, the father of A. C. Godshall, now in his eighty-sixth year, is one of the prominent and successful farmers of Franconia township, Montgomery Co., Pa. His wife was a Miss Clemens, of Lower Salford Township. They are the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters all living except the first-born. GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP. WEST POINT ENGINE AND MACHINE COMPANY. -The works of this company are located in the village of West Point, a thriving village along the line of the Stony Creek Railroad, eight miles north of Norristown, Montgomery Co., Pa. At a meeting of the citizens on January 6, 1880, called for the purpose, the project to organize a company and establish works to manufacture the Kriebel engines was favorably considered. On January 26, 1880, the subscribers to the capital stock of the company convened and elected Joseph Anders, Jr. John S. Heebner Frederick Light, Sr. I. R. Cassel Charles K. Kriebel Aaron Kriebel William L. Heebner to constitute a board of directors. Of the above named stockholders, Charles K. Kriebel resigned in 1883, and William S. Schultz was elected to fill the vacancy in the board. H. K. Kriebel was selected as general agent, and Frederick Light, Jr., as general superintendent. Application through the proper channel was made for a charter, and the same granted by Governor Henry M. Hoyt on March 13, 1880, with an authorized capital of eight thousand dollars. A building twenty-five by fifty feet was erected, containing office, drawing-room and pattern-shop. Increasing business demanded increased facilities, and the management erected, in March, 1881, a two story building, the first floor used for tit office and the second floor for draughting-rooms. In September of the same year, finding the room inadequate, it two-story brick shop, thirty by seventy feet, with boiler-house attached, fourteen by fourteen feet, was built, and all machinery transferred, and new and improved machinery purchased to facilitate the workings of the company. The first shop was remodeled for a boiler-shop, and an addition, twenty-five by twenty-five feet, added thereto, making the building twenty-five by seventy-five feet; also a blacksmith-shop, twelve by fifteen feet. 623 In March 1883, an addition was put to the machine-shop, thirty by twenty-five feet, adjoining the office, making a total frontage of one hundred and forty-five feet. The capital stock of the company was increased in December 1882, to twenty-five thousand dollars, and again, by a vote of the stockholders, to an authorized capital of one hundred thousand dollars in February 1883. The working force of the shop in its infancy was two men, and when the boiler-shop was completed the pay-roll called for two additional names, and by the energies of laudable ambition the force was increased to thirty-four men, -twenty in the machine department and fourteen in the boiler-shop. The company added the manufacture of portable engines in July, 1881, and to-day the Kriebel engines are known far and near as the most durable, most simple in construction, as well as the most economical engines in the market. The prospects are unusually bright, and the demand for these justly-celebrated engines is so steadily on the increase that, if so continued, the company will be necessitated to add additional buildings and augment the working three to meet their increasing trade. The success of the company is mainly due to the determination to do naught else but first-class work. The company is likewise manufacturing mounted engines of two and a half, four, six, eight and ten horse-power, and for beauty of design, combined with strength and simplicity, are destined to stand in the foremost rank of that class of engines. To the boiler department the manufacture of submerge boilers has been added; the superheating steam chamber, lately invented by Mr. H. K. Kriebel, and used in the vertical boilers, adds greatly to the safety and durability of the same. By the peculiar construction of these boilers steam is superheated, which produces dry steam, the benefit of which is well-known to all practical engineers. The company has been awarded a bronze medal at the Pennsylvania State Fair, a gold medal at the Alabama State Fair, first premium at the Louisville Exposition, at North Carolina State Fair, International Cotton Exposition, Atlanta, Ga., and Media Agricultural Society. The buildings now occupy an area of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-five square feet. The floor space originally was twelve hundred and fifty square feet. A yard-track has been constructed, large scales put in and all goods are moved around the works on the company's own trucks. A large derrick to facilitate the loading and unloading of goods has also been erected, and the Railroad Company lately constructed a side-track along the works, thus aiding materially their shipping facilities. WEST POINT STEAM SAW-MILL. -0n the turnpike road from West Point to North Wales, in Upper Gwynedd, stands West Point Steam Saw-Mill, Alan Thomas, proprietor. Everything about this old place supports its claim to antiquity, for tradition gives the date as 1717. It has been frequently repaired and partially rebuilt, and still bears all the marks of great, but sound and healthy, old age. The mill property formerly belonged to the Dannehower estate and was operated for several years by Jonathan Lukens, previous to becoming the property of the present proprietor. The power is furnished by a fifteen-horse engine, and with two saws the old mill still produces ten thousand feet a week of sawn timber, oak and hickory, principally grown in Gwynedd Township. BRICK-YARD. -Within a mile of North Wales, on the West Point turnpike, are the brick-kilns and yard of William Constantine, who has operated them for fourteen years. Seven hands are employed, and about five hundred thousand bricks a year are manufactured. NORTH WALES BOROUGH. THE NORTH WALES STEAM MILLS, ELLIAS K. FREED & Co. -The original mill was built by J. H. Egner, of Philadelphia, in 1860, and was then operated as a grist-mill and distillery. It was forty by sixty feet, three stories in height, with an attic. The size of the lot was two hundred by one hundred and twenty-five feet, and fronts on the Spring House and Sumneytown turnpike. About the time the mill was finished the proprietor had to sell out, when it was purchased by Jonas D. Moyer, David Moyer and Elias K. Freed. The new firm removed the machinery connected with the distillery and changed that part of the building into it planing-mill, the other part as a custom mill. In March 1862, the building was destroyed by fire, but it was quickly rebuilt for a merchant and grist-mill, with five run of stones and a forty horse-power engine. In 1866, Jonas D. Moyer withdrew from the firm. In 1868, David Moyer withdrew also, having sold his interest to Henry W. Moyer. A copartnership was formed under the title of Elias K. Freed & Co., who operated the mill upon the old plan until 1876, when they changed the machinery, and now work upon what is known as the new process. In 1881, Mr. Moyer sold his interest to Mr. Freed, who gave it third interest in the business to Frank S. Kriebel. Mr. Freed took down the old 624 mill and rebuilt it for manufacturing flour by the roller process, increasing the capacity of the mill to one hundred and fifty barrels a day. The mill is now one hundred by forty feet, three stories and an attic in height, with a two-story warehouse. The entire works have a frontage of one hundred and twenty feet. The storage capacity is twenty thousand bushels of wheat and one thousand barrels of flour. When the roller process came into operation the firm employed double their former number of hands, and worked day and night. This was the first roller-mill in Montgomery County and the third in the State. Mr. Freed has given his son, R. Russel Freed, a third interest in the business. There are eight pairs of iron rolls and eight pairs of porcelain rolls, and this roller process has doubled their productive capacity. MESSRS. LUKENS & SHEARFIR'S PLANING-MILL. -This mill was built in 1865 by Elwood Shearer. The firms have been Shearer & Hendricks, Baker & Hardin, and is now Lukens & Shearer. The building is, seventy-six by forty feet and two stories in height. From four to ten hands are employed, with a pay-roll of upwards of ninety dollars a month. The amount of finished work per year is about twelve thousand dollars. The value of the property is about six thousand dollars, stock included. THE NORTH WALES MARBLE-WORKS were established in 1878 by the present proprietor, James Billiard. He conducts a successful business in dealing in and manufacturing monuments, headstones, mantels, bracket-shelves, terra-cotta chimneys, flues, sewerpipes and building work in all its branches of marble, granite or brown stone. Mr. Billiard has also a branch marble-yard at Lansdale. BELL-FOUNDRY. -The bell-foundry of Thomas Dunn & Son is located on Fourth Street, and is increasing every year in importance. They cast bells from the size of a small office signal bell to the church bell of four thousand pounds. Some of the best-toned bells in this section of the State have been cast at this foundry. TIN-WARE FACTORY. -0n Main Street, North Wales, Jacob H. Leister has for twenty years conducted the manufacture of tin-ware in all its branches. He employs five hands, and produces about thirty-five thousand pounds of finished work a year. NORTH WALES KNITTING COMPANY. -This small industry was established in 1853, and employs nine hands, producing one hundred and fifty dozen pairs of stockings per week. The superintendent is Isaac G. Freas, Esq. The company propose to extend their operations in the near future. JOHN WEINGARTEN &SONS have conducted the manufacture of cigars and tobacco at Second and Church Streets since 1869. His establishment is twenty-eight by thirty feet. He produces annually, with the assistance of his son and three journeymen about one hundred and fifty thousand cigars, mostly manufactured from imported tobacco. SLYVESTER BRIGHT has very successfully conducted the business of carriage-making for thirteen years on Washington Street. The building is ninety feet by one hundred feet deep, two and one half stories in height. Mr. Bright employs about ten hands, and transacts business to the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars a year. WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP. SPRING MILL FLOURING-MILL. -This ancient building has an especial interest for the lovers of antiquarian relics dating back among the misty records of the Revolutionary times and is said to be the oldest grist-mill in the State. Tradition gives its age as one hundred and sixty years although documentary evidence of the fact is wanting. During the encampment of the American troops in the township in 1777 this mill supplied them with flour and corn-meal and it is alleged that the illustrious commander-in-chief, Washington, frequently purchased flour for his military family and corn for his horses at this mill. It has passed through many hands in its long career of usefulness: and still not withstanding its time-worn wall and venerable appearance is capable of doing good service producing thirty barrels of flour a day and prides itself upon the superior quality of its flour. It is now run by A. F. Jarrett who has held it for two years. For sixteen years previous the mill was operated by James Burnett. Going back further Dillton & Delaney ran it for some years. Still earlier Simeon Matlack Casper Robb Enos Tolan Reuben Williams Aaron Bowker Joseph D. Corson, a brother of Dr. Hiram Corson. Joseph Potts and in 1830 we find it in the possession of Thomas Livezey who had held it from the year 1780 up to that time. For nearly half a century it was the only mill in this section. It is solidly built of stone and was put up in section in accordance with the rough customs and scanty means of the men of those days. The machinery is driven by in overshot wheel of forty horse-power and the old stone fabric looks as if it would stand the storm of another hundred years. There is another peculiar advantage belonging to this ancient mill, which no other we have ever heard of can claim, and to which may be attributed the superior grade of flour it produces, -in floods or droughts the same uniform flow of water runs the mill, reaching it from the grand sources which gives to the locality its name of Spring Mill. THE RIVERSIDE PAPER-MILL owned and operated by W. C. Hamilton & Sons is situated at Lafayette Station on the Norristown Branch of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad and also at about the same distance from the station of the Same name on the Schuylkill Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The mill was built in 1856-57 and first put in operation in the latter year by E. R. Cope, previously of the firm of Magarge & Cope paper manufactures. When the Riverside Mill was first put in operation Mr. W. C. Hamilton (the present owner) had a small interest in it with Mr. Cope, and also employed in the mill as manager, a position in which he continued for about six years, when the connection was severed. PICTURE OF W. C. HAMILTON, APPEARS HERE. 625 On the 1st of October, 1865, Mr. Hamilton, who, in the mean time, had been employed in the paper business elsewhere, purchased the entire Riverside Mill property and stock. The farm attached was afterwards purchased by him. At the time of his purchase the mill was equipped with one sixty-two inch Fourdrinier machine, one washer and two beater-engines, one set of super-calenders and the other machinery necessary for manufacturing book and envelope-papers. The capacity was then one and one-fourth tons in twelve hours. Its motive-power was furnished by a Corliss steam-engine of one hundred and fifty horse-power, and another engine of twenty horse-power for driving the paper-machine. The mill building was of stone, two stories high, with basement, as it stands at present, surrounded by the several buildings, all of stone, which have since been added to the establishment at different times. In 1872 an additional building was erected on the north side, about seventy by eighty feet in size, the lower part for use as a calendering and finishing-room and the upper part for storage. At the same time, another building of about the same dimensions was added on the south side for a bleaching-room, and a third building, three stories high, and about thirty by fifty feet, for the storage of stock. Besides these additions to the mill establishment, twelve dwelling-houses were built for occupation by the workmen. To the equipment of the mill Mr. Hamilton then added a second Fourdrinier (sixty-five inch) machine, with a corresponding addition to the other machinery of the mill, bringing its capacity up to ten thousand pounds is twenty-four hours. The motive-power was also increased by the addition of another engine and boilers.. For ten years succeeding that time the mill was in operation to its full capacity, a great part of the time running night and day. In 1882 further extensive additions were made to the power and equipment of the mill. An eight hundred and fifty horse-power Porter & Allen engine was put in, also an eighty horse-power Corliss engine and eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers. A third Fourdrinier machine (eighty-six inches) was added, and the mill was furnished with new shafting throughout. By these improvements and additions the capacity of the mill was increased, and brought to its present figure, -fifteen thousand pounds in twelve hours. The product is fine book, card and envelope-papers. The offices of the firm of W. C. Hamilton & Sons are at the mill and at 1001 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. WILLIAM C. HAMILTON owner of the Riverside Mill is a native of Chester Co., Pa., born near West Grove, September 1, 1819. His only means of education were such as be found in the common schools, which he attended until he reached the age of eleven years and a subsequent term of three months. When he left school, at the age mentioned, he commenced working in a small carding and fulling-mill, and remained there until sixteen years of age, when he entered as an apprentice in a one-vat hand paper-mill about three miles from Willow Grove, on a branch of White Clay Creek. It was owned by Robert Lisle, and operated by McCall & Wardell. He remained there two years and then entered the Wagontown hand-mill of Steadman & Markle, where he also remained two years, including the commencement of the great panic of 1837; when the mill was temporarily shut down. In the spring of 1838 he went to work in a small machine-mill, called the Beaver Dam Mill, on Buck Run, in Chester County. There he remained less than one year. In the winter of 1838-39 he worked for Jessup & Brothers in their two-vat hand-mill, located in Westfield, Mass., which was then running on fine writing-papers. In 1839, Mr. Hamilton left Massachusetts and went to Newark, Del., where he worked a short time in a small machine-mill. Thence he went to the two-vat hand-mill of John Eckstein, on Darby Creek, where he was employed on very fine work (bank-note and heavy ledger-paper), under the then widely-known manager, Joseph Robinson. He remained there during 1839-40. In the spring of 1841 he commenced work in the Glen Mills of James M. Wilcox & Co., on Chester Creek, Delaware Co. This mill, then running on fine book-papers, was somewhat famed because using a Fourdrinier machine, one of the first used in the State. Mr. Hamilton worked in the mill of the Messrs. Wilcox & Co., until the fall of 1844, when he went to start a machine in the new Wissahickon Paper-Mill of Charles Magarge & Co., where, at the end of a few months, he was promoted to the position of manager. He remained in that capacity at the Wissahickon Mill twelve years, until 1856, when he took an interest in the new Riverside Mill, and remained six years, as has already been mentioned. After leaving the Riverside he was again engaged at Charles Magarge's Wissahickon Mill, where he remained in exceedingly remunerative employment until the fall of 1865. His purchase, at that time, of the mill property at Lafayette Station, as also his subsequent business history, is embraced in the preceding account of the Riverside Mill. Mr. Hamilton was married, May 16, 1845, to Elizabeth W. Gregg, daughter of Herman Gregg, of Delaware County. Their children are Rebecca J. (now the wife of Frank W. Lockwood, of Philadelphia) Charles L. Wilbur F. Edwin E. Hamilton The three sons are associated with their father in the firm of W. C. Hamilton & Sons. HITNER'S FURNACES. -These old and well-known furnaces were established in 1835 by Farr & Kunzie, of Philadelphia, then the only practical chemists in the State. D. 0. and Henry S. Hitner bought the property from these gentlemen, and in 1837 the Furnaces No. 1 and 2, William Penn, were in full operation. William Penn, No. 1, was partially destroyed by fire some years ago. No. 2 is torn down, and the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad now runs through the property. The old Louisa Furnace, located in the centre of the village of Spring Mill, had its name changed to William Penn No. 3, and all three have been idle since the year 1873. In the old times when the iron trade was brisk these furnaces gave employment to a hundred men around the furnaces and to fully fifteen hundred in all their connections. Six thousand dollars a month were paid to the furnace-men and their helpers. No. 1 Furnace produced one hundred and twenty-five tons of iron per week; No. 2, one hundred and seventy-five tons a week; and the Louisa, or No. 3, one hundred and thirty tons a week. 626 SCHARFF TERRA-COTTA WORKS. -Louis Scharff and William Gilinger commenced the business of making terra-cotta here in 1856, in a small building thirty by seventy-five feet. Their modes of manufacture were of the most rude and primitive kind. For a considerable time the clay was ground and manipulated by hand, and it was considered a great advance when horse-power was substituted. About 1861, Mr. Gilinger withdrew and the firm became Scharff & McIntyre. In 1863 the firm changed to Scharff & Poyntzell, and some years later to Louis Scharff alone. At his death the firm-name became what it is at present, A. Scharff & Brother. Very great improvements have recently been made in this establishment. The main building is fifty-two by one hundred feet, two stories high, and all the old machinery has been discarded, being replaced with the newest and most improved appliances. An eighteen horse-power engine has supplanted the old five horse-power upon which they had to depend for so many years. About seven men are employed steadily at the works, and the value of the whole plant, buildings and stock included, is estimated at $50,000. MOORHEAD's TERRA-COTTA WORKS. -These works were established in 1866 by Messrs. W. L. Wilson and Alexander Moorhead on a small scale, and after they were partially destroyed by fire were rebuilt. The frontage on the railway is, for one building, fifty feet, with a depth of one hundred feet; No. 2 is sixteen by one hundred feet, all two stories in height; the kiln-house is fifty by one hundred and seventy-five feet. When in full operation sixty hands are employed, and the pay-roll amounts to one thousand dollars a month. The engine is seventy horsepower, and the value of the property is about one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. ROYER'S FORD BOROUGH. THE CONTINENTAL STOVE-WORKS, ROYER'S FORD. -The Continental Stove-Works were established January 1, 1866, by the firm of Francis, Buckwalter & Co., consisting of the following members: C. S. Francis, Henry Francis, John Sheeler, H. L. Buckwalter and J. A. Buckwalter. The firm had only a small capital, but, full of perseverance and good business and mechanical ability, they soon began to build up a trade which in a short time taxed the works to their full capacity. At this time they employed fifty men. Along with stoves, they manufactured agricultural implements; also the celebrated Buckwalter cherry-seeder, so universally known in the Eastern States. In 1871, C. S. Francis withdrew from the firm. The business, however, continued as before under the same firm-name. In 1872, finding their capacity too limited for their growing trade, they built an addition to the works, thereby increasing their capacity about fifty per cent. In 1874, Mr. Henry Francis retired from the firm, the remaining partners being the purchasers of his interest. The firm-name was now changed to Sheeler, Buckwalter & Co. The business continued to grow, and the works again becoming too small, the firm concluded to build new works, and acting on that conclusion, in 1876 they erected their present extensive establishment. About this time John Sheeler's health began to fail, and in the year 1880 he died. The remaining members, H. L. and J. A. Buckwalter, purchased his interest in the business, and the firm-name changed to Buckwalter & Co., which is the title at the present time. The business at this time had increased very fast, and in the course of two years they were employing one hundred and twenty-five men. In 1882, H. L. Buckwalter died, leaving J. A. Buckwalter the only surviving partner of the original company. H. L. Buckwalter's interest was disposed of, part to William M. Stauffer and I. N. Buckwalter, the family retaining the balance. The present output is about twenty-five thousand stoves per year, requiring the employment of two hundred men. They now have a capital employed of two hundred thousand dollars. GRANDER, ROGERS & CO., ROYER'S FORD. -The firm of Grander, Rogers & Co. was established in 1870 for the manufacture of stoves, heaters, ranges and general job-work. The buildings front the railroad one hundred and fifty feet, with it depth of one hundred feet, three and one-half stories in height. Sixty-five hands are employed, with a monthly pay-roll of two thousand eight hundred dollars. The production is seven hundred tons a month. PENN GLASS-WORKS. -Messrs. Harbison, Bartlett & Co. commenced the manufacture of glass in October of the present year (1884). The buildings are one of fifty-eight by fifty-six feet and one forty by twenty-four feet, one story high. The capacity is sixty thousand pounds a day of bottles and vials of all kinds. Forty-five hands are employed, with a pay-roll of two thousand dollars a month. ROYER'S FORD CLAY-W0RKS. -Messrs. Rogers & Benjamin conduct the manufacture of stove-tiles, flower-pots, fire-bricks, chimney-tops, etc. The building is sixty feet front by five hundred in depth, two stories high. Six hands are employed, with a payroll of one hundred and fifty dollars a month. 627 FLOYD, WELLS & CO. -This firm are the successors of 0. B. Keeley & Co., and are engaged in the manufacture of stoves, heaters and ranges, commencing February 1884. The buildings have a frontage of three hundred feet; depth, six hundred feet. Fifty hands are employed; monthly wages, two thousand five hundred dollars; and about ten thousand stoves are manufactured annually. PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. MOGEE'S LIME-QUARRIES. -Just over the eastern boundary of the borough of Norristown stands Mogeetown, a neat mid clean little village of about sixty tenement houses, clustered around the mansion house of William Mogee, Esq., and the quarries and limekilns of which he is the proprietor. In the middle of the village is a neat little memorial church, thirty-two by fifty feet, erected to the memory of a favorite daughter, deceased some years ago. The quarries and the sixteen kilns which burn the lime are close to the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad track, with its station, so well known to the traveler on that branch of the road. The new Schuylkill Valley Railroad runs right through the property. Thirty-two years ago Mr. Mogee purchased this property, of twenty-two acres, from William A. Crawford, at a cost of twenty-two thousand dollars. He has run the kilns for about half that period, having leased the works for sixteen years to his brother, Mr. Daniel Mogee, who lives close at hand. During the year 1880 the production of these quarries and kilns was 140,000 bushels of unslaked lime in 1881 185,000 bushels in 1882 200,000 bushels in 1883 236,000 bushels and during the present year 1884, up to August 20th, the production was 150,000 bushels. But these figures by no means represent the capacity of these works. In years past, when a rush of business pressed upon him, Mr. Mogee employed so large a number of men that his pay-list amounted to four hundred dollars a week. He had forty horses, sixteen boats and used thirty- six tons of coal per day, producing one million bushels of lime a year. The out-offices, stabling, etc., are on a grand scale. There is a coal-shed, thirty-six by one hundred and thirty-six feet with a capacity of one thousand tons. The wharf and siding for the shipping of lime and receipt of coal cost five thousand dollars. The property is estimated to be worth one hundred and ten thousand dollars. ABINGTON TOWNSHIP. EDGE HILL IRON COMPANY. -The stack is sixty-three by seventeen feet and was built from 1869 to 1872. The furnace was first blown in January 1872, and has a closed top and closed front. The ores used are hematite from Montgomery County and magnetic ore from Berks County and New Jersey. The annual capacity is fifteen thousand net tons the specialty is gray forge pig iron. Joseph E. Thropp is the manager. JOSEPH EARLSTON THROPPE. -Joseph Earlston Throppe was born at Valley Forge, in Chester County. His father Isaiah Thropp, the son of an English merchant and Sarah, sister of Sir William Wood, came to America at an early age where he married Anna Virginia, daughter of John Workizer, of Howellville, and granddaughter of Colonel Christian Workizer, an accomplished German officer, who served with distinction on the staff of General Wolfe during the French and Indian war, which ended in 1763. Mr. Thropp is the youngest member of the family. He was educated at the public schools, Friends' Central High School and the Pennsylvania, Polytechnic College, and graduated from the latter institution in June 1868, a civil engineer. PICTURE OF JOSEPH E. THROPP, APPEARS HERE. One of the papers reporting the college commencement said; "Mr. Thropp spoke more like an old philosopher than a young man." In July following he went to Minnesota and was there offered the choice of two positions on the railroad connecting St. Paul and Deluth. The work on the St. Paul end was considered easy, that terminating at Duluth very difficult; but he chose the latter, though the president and chief engineer looked upon his boyish appearance with some misgiving. The latter, however soon wrote of Mr. Thropp: "I find him fitted for much, more advanced positions than are usually occupied by those of his age." He superseded a man fifteen years his senior, and was transferred from one post to another, wherever the most complicated and important work was to be done. The death of his mother brought him East, and at the urgent request of his father he declined advanced positions offered him to return, and accepted, in 1870, that of assistant manager at the Merion Furnace, West Conshohocken. Eighteen months later he was admitted to partnership. In 1873 he married Caroline F., daughter of his partner, Joel B. Moorehead, and twin sister of Mrs. Jay Cooke, Jr. The issue of this marriage is five children, three sons and two daughters. In 1874, Mr. Thropp visited some of the extensive ironworks of Great Britain, and afterwards extended his tour through France Switzerland, Germany and Belgium. He remained a member of the firm of J. B. Moorhead & Co. until 1883. During this time he took in active part in church and Sunday-school work, and other matters of public interest. He was repeatedly elected a vestrymen of the Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church and, was superintendent of its Sunday-school and of that of the Mt. Pleasant Mission Sunday-school. When but twenty-eight years of age a committee of his neighbors waited upon him and requested him to permit the rise of his name as a candidate for Congress. He thanked them, but declined expressing the opinion that his time had not yet come. He represented his district in county and State convention of 1881, where he espoused the cause of A. Swartz, Esq., who was not a candidate, stamped him as an orator, his brief eloquent speech carrying the convention and nominating Mr. Swartz. 628 In 1882 he was tendered the independent nomination for Congress in the district, but declined, saying: "I believe our party large enough and its principles comprehensive enough to contain and satisfy us all where evil exists, eradicate it; where there is good, preserve and strengthen it." Urged by many warm friends and actively supported by the manufacturers, he was a candidate before the regular Republican convention, and so great was his popularity that the convention, after voting all day and night, had to adjourn for a week. Upon reassembling it required all the power of such men, in the use of many of the disreputable methods of unscrupulous politicians, to prevent his nomination. One of the leading papers represented there said of Mr. Throop,- "Mr. J. E. Thropp proved himself an able leader, in is possessed with that true manliness which commands respect from both friend and foe in political contests." "The Philadelphia Record," August, 1882, said,- "Montgomery County is rich in sound Congressional timber. . . . Sober common sense would seem to dictate that for so pronounced a producing district a manufacturer, who is also acquainted with the needs and just demands of labor, should be selected as a candidate, for Congress. There are many such men in Montgomery County; indeed, the name of one Joseph E. Thropp, is before the convention. A district which sends such men to represent it at Washington does credit to itself in honoring one of its representative citizens." The "Evening Telegraph," Philadelphia, August 31, 1882, said,- "The convention might go outside the present list and possibly secure a better candidate than Mr Joseph E. Thropp; it can very easily make a much worse nomination. Mr. Thropp is a young man of energy, force and business experience. He is a member of the great Conshohocken iron firm of J. B. Moorhead & Co., and has therefore substantial personal interest in wise and honest legislation. He is a man who deals fairly with his employes and for that reason commands the respect and confidence of the laboring classes of the district. He is not a politician, and there is good and substantial reason to believe that, if nominated and elected, he would prove an earnest, honest and independent member of the House." A prominent Chester Countain, himself a Congressman, writes of Mr. Thropp, - "He is a gentlemen of education and ability irreproachable life and familiar with political affairs. For many years in an important business, always free from rings, energetic and careful in whatever he undertakes, with a high sense of honor, true to Republican principals, agreeable in manners and excellent in speech, he would do the county and the Congress credit." Associated with Mr. Charles Richardson, the firm of Joseph E. Thropp & Co. was, organized early in 1883, and the Edge Hill Furnace, on the line of North Pennsylvania Railroad, secured. This valuable establishment had been unprofitable to its original owners, and was never a success. Mr. Thropp moved into the adjacent farm-house; the furnace was immediately, put in repair and started in one of the dullest periods known in the history of the iron trade. While thus engaged, and having had no vacations or relaxation for years, the strain upon his overtaxed body broke him down, and for weeks his life was despaired of under an attack of typhoid fever. As soon as he was able to be about, and in opposition to the wishes of his physician, he resumed charge of the business, and has brought the establishment up to the point where it is an assured financial success, the product being about double that under the former management. In 1884 a letter, signed by about one hundred and fifty manufacturers bankers, farmers and other citizens, requested him again to be a candidate to Congress. His friends in all parts of the district were active, and he had written a letter accepting their invitation to enter the contest, when he was laid upon a bed of sickness, and, in accordance with the advice of his physician, who feared serious results, Mr. Thropp published a card declining the use of his name. Recovering, he was elected member of the Union League of Philadelphia, of the Eastern Pig-Iron Association, and by President Eckert appointed, with Mr. Comly, president of the North Pennsylvania Railroad. Mr. Ingham, president of the Rockhill Iron Company and others, a members of the important committee to perfect a plan for an American Protective Tariff League, to combat the free trade influence of the English Cobden Club. Devoted to his friends, he ignores the thrusts of his enemies, believing life too short to waste in conflict or in seeking revenge for real or imaginary wrong. Frank, sincere and straightforward himself, if he errs, it is in being too bold in espousing the right and opposing the wrong, his sense of justice being remarkably keen and his judgement rarely at fault. Cheerful, unassuming in demeanor, and slight in physical proportions, he nevertheless has shown that he possesses an unflinching spirit equal to all emergencies. Affable, amiable and genial, he makes many friends among those with whom he comes in contact. Living and acting upon the principle that "worth makes the man," he realizes in its fullest conception the fact that every honest calling is honorable, providing man dignified it by doing his best. Montgomery County will yet have to be proud of Joseph Thropp. WILLIAM NEWPORT & CO. -The phosphate works of William Newport & Co. are situated on the east line of Abington township, at Willow Grove, and on the line of the North East Pennsylvania Railroad the line of the North East Pennsylvania Railroad. The manufacture of phosphates was established at this place by Shaw & Newport in the spring of 1875, who continued it for two years, when William Newport became sole proprietor. In 1880, David Newport became a partner, and the firm-name was changed to William Newport & Co. Fifteen men are employed on an average. The production of 1884 was about eighteen hundred tons. The sales are mostly local. 629 HARPER'S HOE, RAKE, PUMP AND WATER-ENGINE WORKS are situated on Spring Valley Creek, a branch of Pennypack Creek. William Harper, the father of Smith Harper, the present proprietor, began the new manufacture of gimlets about 1835 on the old York road, a short distance below Jenkintown. In 1848 he purchased twenty-seven acres of land where the present works now are. This land embraced the site of the old Roberts' grist-mill, which was operated by Lewis Roberts before 1780. The site of the mill is now occupied by a spring-house. Another and larger mill was erected on the site of the present forge building; this was occupied in later years by Nathan Bunker. Upon the purchase by William Harper a portion of the mill building was fitted up for forge-work, and the mill part was used for several years for grinding feed. The manufacture of hoes and rakes was begun in the new works. A few years later a forty-foot water-wheel and other improvements were added. In 1858, Smith Harper, the present proprietor, purchased the property, and soon after enlarged the works. In 1865 the finishing-room (stone), forty-five by sixty feet and two and a half stories in height, was erected. In January, 1874, the old mill and forge building was destroyed by fire and rebuilt sixty by one hundred feet in that year. Water-power was used until about 1864, when steam was introduced. About twenty men are constantly employed. The sale of hoes is largely in the Southern States. PICTURE OF SMITH HARPER, APPEARS HERE. SMITH HARPER is of the fifth generation of a family of Harpers who evidently came to this country in 1682 and located in Lower Dublin township. They had a family of children, one of whom was named Samuel, and Samuel had a wife whose given name was Mary. Samuel and Mary also had sons and daughters, and one of the sons was named George, who married Mary Collins. From these three or rather from the first Harper that settled in Lower Dublin, whose name is now unknown, have descended all the families of that name in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Indiana and many of the other States of the Union, many of whom have become noted in some of the professions, others in the publishing business, like the well and widely-known Harper Brothers, of New York, while yet others are as widely known in the mechanical and manufacturing branches of trade; and we might truthfully say that the pioneer Harper or Harpers are now represented in nearly or quite all of the honorable callings, trades or professions in the United States, and many of them have lived to extreme old age. 630 The widow of the late Robert Harper now resides on what is known as Second Street pikes, and has reached the advanced age of nearly or quite one hundred years. George Harper, above named, was born the Eighth Mouth 24, 1772, and died the Seventh Month 7, 1867. The children of George and Mary Collins Harper were as follows: I. William, born Second Month 5, 1795, married Esther, daughter of Christopher Smith, of Phoenixville, Pa., and died Fourth Month 9, 1867. Esther Smith was a granddaughter of Henry Rhodes, who at one time owned all the land upon which the village of Phoenixville now stands. She was born Third Month 24, 1801, and died Eighth Month 25, 1838. II. Ann, married Charles Holt. Both deceased. III. Susan, married Samuel Davis, and lived near Woodbury, N. J. Both deceased. IV. Maria, married John Wilkinson. Both deceased. V. Daniel, married ________. VI. Martha, married Charles Walton, and lived in Cheltenham. Both deceased. VII. Elizabeth, married, first, Ephraim Logan, who subsequently died, and for her second husband married Thomas Logan, a brother of her first husband. VIII. Samuel, married his wife in New Jersey and moved to West Milton, Ohio, where he died. IX. Margaret, married Isaac Livezey and moved to near New Castle, Henry Co., Ind., in 1837 or 1838. He died Second Month 25, 1881, aged eighty-one years. X. Nathan, married Ellen Bosler, sister of the late Charles Bosler, of Cheltenham. Margaret and Nathan were twins. Nathan since his marriage has lived in Germantown. William and Esther Smith Harper were the parents of children, as follows: I. Adaline, born Seventh Month 6, 1819, married Humphrey Humphreys, and both now living in Byberry, Philadelphia Co., Pa. II. Reuben, born Second Month 15, 1821, married Sarah, daughter of Philip Kulp, of Branchtown, Pa. Sarah died Sixth Month 19, 1884. 111. Henry, born Twelfth Month 20, 1822, married Rebecca, daughter of John Rose, of Frankford, Pa. They are both living and reside near Beasley's Point, N. J. IV. William, Jr., born First Month 6, 1825, married Elizabeth, daughter of Abel and Tacy Hallowell. They now reside on what is known as Pine road, Philadelphia Co., Pa., Twenty-third Ward. V. Smith, born Fourth Month 26, 1827, married for his first wife Fanny, daughter of George and Emeline Snyder, or Lower Dublin township, Philadelphia Co. She was born Second Mouth 8, 1841, and was accidentally killed on the 13th of Fourth Month, 1863. Mrs. Harper, with a visiting friend, Miss Morgan, was on that day in the hoe and fork-factory of Mr. Harper witnessing the manufacture of those articles and viewing the machinery, when the dress of one of the ladies caught in the perpendicular shafting, when the other went to the assistance of her friend, and both were killed before assistance could reach them. VI. Charles, born Second Month 15, 1829, married Mary, daughter of Thomas and Ann Buckman. Charles is now a merchant at Jenkintown. VII. Mary, born First Month 24, 1831, married William Steele, of Philadelphia. VIII. Edwin, born Ninth Month 28, 1833, married, and died Fifth Month 18, 1861. IX. Catharine, born Eighth Month 11, 1835, married William Buckman, of Philadelphia. X. Esther Ann, born Sixth Month 1, 1837, married Joseph Shoemaker, of Jenkintown. Both living. The children of Smith and Fanny Harper were Harrison, born Fifth Month 20, 1860, died Ninth Mouth 13, 1863; Newlin, born Ninth Month 15, 1861, died Twelfth Month 5, 1861; Esther, born Eighth Month 19, 1862. The second wife of Smith Harper was Martha L., daughter of Thomas and Priscilla Roberts, of Abington township. The children from this union have been Jennie W., born Twelfth Month 22, 1871, died Seventh Month 12, 1872; Fanny, born Tenth Month 21, 1873; Charles S., born Sixth Month 26, 1875; Anna M., born Ninth Month 18, 1876, died Third Month 10, 1881; John K., born Fifth Mouth 29, 1878; Mary P., born Eighth Month 9, 1879; Frank W., born Sixth Month 15, 1882. Mr. Harper is well and favorably known as one of the substantial and reliable manufacturers of Montgomery County, he having commenced when a mere boy in the shop of his father, who was a gimlet-maker, and by tact, industry, honesty and perseverance has worked his way to the front rank of the many large hoe and rake manufacturers in the United States. In 1848 he established himself firmly at his present location, it what is now Harper's Station, on the Philadelphia and Newtown Railroad, where he makes a specialty, with all the improved machinery known to that branch of business, of the finest quality of hoes and all kinds of implements used in gardening. So well and favorable known is his make of goods that orders are received long in advance of the manufacture of articles desired, not only for domestic use, but large shipments are often made to foreign countries; even the Russians are not behind in their orders for garden implements of Mr. Harper's make, although that is not a country of gardens. Mr. Harper has added to his extensive hoe and rake business that of the manufacture, and sale of "Tubbs' water-engine," a new invention for conveying water long distances, up inclined planes, and in large quantities. He also manufactures various kinds of submerged, suction and force-pumps for wells, springs, cisterns, etc. 631 UPPER DUBLIN TOWNSHIP. THE WISSAHICKEN CHEMICAL-WORKS at Ambler were established in that village by Messrs. Keasbey and Mattison in the year 1882. Their specialty is the manufacture of quinine and magnesia, of which they ship very large quantities, both for home and foreign consumption. They employ one hundred and fifty hands, with a pay-roll of four thousand dollars a month. The buildings have a frontage of one thousand feet on the North Pennsylvania Railroad, with a depth of three hundred and fifty feet, and their various buildings cover over thirty thousand square feet of area. The plant is worth about two hundred thousand dollars. SLUTLER'S COACH-FACTORY. -Henry Slutler an experienced carriage-builder, established business in the village in the year 1879. The building has a frontage on what is known as the Plymouth turnpike of fifty feet, with a depth of two hundred feet, and is three stories in height. Eight hands find steady employment here, and besides doing a large amount of repairing, twenty-five new carriages are made annually. JENKINTOWN BOROUGH. WHARTON SWITCH COMPANY, JENKINTOWN. -These extensive works were established at Jenkintown in the year 1870. President, Abraham Barker Treasurer and Secretary, Wharton Barker Manager, William Wharton, Jr. The average number of hands employed is three hundred and seventy-five, and over two hundred thousand dollars a year are paid out in wages. The buildings cover several acres of ground, and are as follows: No. 1, machine-shop No. 2, blacksmith-shop No. 3, pattern-shop and electric signal room No. 4, foundry. The motive-power is one hundred horse-power engine and one sixty horse-power engine, both horizontal, and two hundred horse boiler power. CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP. C. HAMMOND & SONS MACHINISTS, SHOEMAKERTOWN. -This firm was established at Shoemakertown in the year 1842 for the manufacture of hammers, edge-tools, railroad, machinists and blacksmiths' tools, with their office at No. 13 North Fifth Street, Philadelphia. The firm commenced with fifteen hands and a pay-roll of five hundred dollars a month. They now employ seventy hands, with it pay-roll of two thousand five hundred dollars a month. The works are situated in Cheltenham township, on Tacony Creek. The motive-power is supplied by a seventy horse-power steam-engine and a water-wheel of twenty horse-power. The buildings cover one and a half acres, and are as follows: No. 1, office No. 2, store-room No. 3, packing-room No. 4, grinding and polishing-room No. 5, engine-room Nos. 6 and 7, forges No. 8, tempering-room No. 9, turning-room No. 10, polishing-room No. 11, machine-shop The plant and stock are valued at two hundred thousand dollars. CHELTENHAM COACH-WORKS, SHOEMAKERTOWN, (YORK ROAD STATION). -The business of carriage building was established here by William Moore in the year 1870, and is now conducted by George W. Moore and Horace Ervien. The building fronts York road one hundred and five feet, with a depth of one hundred and seventy-seven feet, four stories in height. Thirty-five hands are employed here, with a pay-roll of fifteen hundred dollars per month. The work made consists of phaetons, wagons, carriages, buggies, etc.; the whole process, from the rough wood-work to the most artistic painting and upholstering, is performed on the premises. GEORGE W. MOORE. -Mr. Moore is of English descent. His father was James J. Moore, who resided in Moreland township, in Montgomery County, and was among the most industrious citizens. He married Mary, daughter of John Sentman, of the same county, whose wife was Rebecca Jobs. To this union were born children,- John S. (who lost his life in the battle of the Wilderness during the late war) Rebecca (Mrs. George McVaugh) Jane (Mrs. George S. Yerkes) George W. and J. Lehman (a resident of Philadelphia). George W. was born on the 13th or January, 1838, in Moreland township, where his youth was devoted to farm labor, after which he became an apprentice to the trade of a wheelwright, entering for the purpose the shop of Isaac Brooks, of Willow Grove. On completing his apprenticeship he spent a year in the same shop as a journeyman, and in 1860 began business elsewhere in the township, where he remained four years, and in 1865 removed to Huntingdon Valley, engaging more extensively in the various branches of the trade. Mr. Moore, in 1870, sought a wider field of operation in Shoemakertown, where he established a carriage manufactory, beginning with but two journeyman; and advancing, as the excellence of his work caused it demand for his skill, until thirty-six workmen are employed in the various departments of the establishment. In 1880 he suffered a severe loss by fire, but immediately rebuilt, and in 1882 associated as a partner Horace Ervien, the firm being now Moore & Ervien. Mr. Moore was in 1862, married to Miss Sallie E., daughter of Hiram and Annie Yerkes, whose children are Ella (deceased) Annie L J. Newton. Mr. Moore has declined all proffers of political preferment and devotes his time and ability exclusively to the furtherance of his business interest. He is an influential member of the Milestown Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is steward, trustee, treasurer and Sunday-school superintendent. 632 BIRCHALL & BRAY'S SAW AND PLANING-MILLS, SHOEMAKERTOWN. -These extensive mills front on the York road nine hundred feet, one story high, and cover two acres of ground. They have been in operation for over forty years under the firm-name of W. B. Birchall & Sons. They generally employ twelve men all the year round and pay in wages one hundred and twenty dollars a week. The firm deals in all kinds of lumber, hickory, oak and poplar wood, terra-cotta work, cement, plaster and phosphates of all the best-known qualities. The firm consists of Henry C. Birchall and Daniel M. Bray, M.D. The power for the various machines is obtained from a forty horse-power engine, with boiler power in proportion. PICTURE OF GEORGE W. MOORE, APPEARS HERE. MYERS & ERVIEN, SHOEMAKERTOWN. -The firm consists of B. R. Myers, J. A. Ervien and J. H. Ervien, their manufacture being that of forks. Their business card states that they make hay, manure, spading, sluice, tanner, coke, charcoal and spall-forks, and also potato and manure-hooks. Their office is at No. 13 North Fifth Street, Philadelphia. The mills were opened and operations commenced by Jacob Myers in 1848, when but six workmen were employed. In 1850, John A. Ervien became a partner and there was an improvement made, and in 1855, Mr. Benjamin R. Myers entered the firm; J. Howard Ervien joined in 1875. The works are on Tacony Creek, in Cheltenham township. The motive-power is from a sixty-four horsepower steam-engine and a twenty horse-power turbine wheel. There is a full plant of machinery, and housing covering two acres of ground. The buildings are No. 1, a store-house No. 2, forge and engine-room No. 3, polishing and finishing-room No. 4 and 5, ware-rooms all three stories in height. There are now fifty hands employed, with a payroll of two thousand five hundred dollars a month. During the year 1884 the hands manufactured and shipped to the different States, to Egypt, Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand, etc., one hundred and twenty-five dozen forks per day. The plant, property and stock are valued at one hundred thousand dollars. JACOB MYERS. -The Myers family are of German extraction, Jacob Myers, the grandfather of the subject of this brief sketch, having emigrated and settled in Pennsylvania. 633 Among his children was Jacob, a native of Cheltenham township, where he was an industrious farmer, and enjoyed the distinction of having participated in the war of the Revolution, under General Washington. He married Margaret Castor, and was the father of six children, among whom was Jacob Myers, who married Anetta Rowland. He took part in the war of 1812, and later engaged in farming employments, which were continued Until 1848, when be established the fork-factory near Shoemakertown, which has since grown to large proportions, and is now represented by the firm of Myers & Ervien. Mr. Myers had eight children, seven of whom survive him. Benjamin R., one of the members of the firm above mentioned, was a soldier of the war of the Rebellion, and participated in some of the most important battles of the Army of the Potomac. PICTURE OF JACOB MYERS, APPEARS HERE. JOHN A. ERVIEN. -The father of John A. Ervien was Cadwallader Ervien, a millwright by trade, who early resided in Bucks County, in his native State, and later removed to Montgomery County, where his death occurred. He married Jane, daughter of Benjamin James, of Bucks County, and had children Benjamin William Mary Elizabeth Robert and John A. The last named and youngest of the number was born August 18, 1823, near Hartsville, Bucks Co., and when a lad removed with his parents to Philadelphia County, remaining until eighteen years of age, when he became a resident of Abington township, Montgomery Co. He acquired a plain English education, and at seventeen was apprenticed to the millwright's trade, working industriously with his father until his majority was attained. His trade was continued until 1850, when the tide of business was diverted from its course by his purchase of a half interest, in connection with Jacob Myers, in an establishment for the manufacture of forks. Under the impetus given by the presence of Mr. Ervien the business greatly increased, their productions finding a market in all parts of the world, and on the death of the senior partner Mr. Benjamin R. Myers became a member of the firm, Mr. Ervien retaining a two-thirds interest. In 1875 his son, J. Howard, was admitted to a partnership, controlling a one-third interest in the factory. Mr. Ervien was, in January, 1849, married to Margaret, daughter of Jacob R. Myers, his subsequent partner, and had children, -Annie (deceased), Albert R., J. Howard, Anna (Mrs. John T. Greenwood), Horace, Jay (deceased) and Robert P. Mr. Ervien was for years a special partner with Christopher Lugar in a flouring-mill at Camden. He has been for thirty years president of the Cheltenham Building Association and is otherwise identified with the interests of the township. As a Whig be cast his first vote for Henry Clay. and since the formation of the Republican party has sympathized with its ideas and principles. He is in religion an Episcopalian, and member of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church of Cheltenham. 634 PICTURE OF JOHN A. ERVIEN, APPEARS HERE. CHELTENHAM ROLLER-MILLS, SHOEMAKERTOWN. -These mills are the property of Charles Bosler & Son, and have a history dating back to the old Revolutionary times. The location of the mill is in the centre of one of the best agricultural sections of the State and of the county. The main building is forty-two by sixty feet, with an engine and boiler-house. In the basement is the cleaning machinery. On the first floor are seven Dawson nine by eighteen inch granulating-rollers, two Silver Creek packers and two run of burrs for grinding rye and feed. The second floor contains the flour and other bins. The third floor contains two five-reel bolting-chests. The fourth floor contains the elevator-heads, six scalping-reels and one Silver Creek centrifugal reel. The power is obtained from a seventy horse-power engine and a twenty-one inch turbine wheel. The capacity of the mill is one hundred and fifty barrels of flour in twenty-four hour. The mill was built jointly by Dorothy Shoemaker, Richard Mathers and John Tyson, on the property of Dorothy Shoemaker, in whose family the grounds had been held from the time of William Penn. The deed bears date 1746. PICTURE OF CHARLES BOSLER, APPEARS HERE. CHARLES BOSLER [See NOTE.] was of German origin, his father, Joseph Bosler, emigrating from Germany about the middle of the last century and locating in Philadelphia, When yet a young man Joseph moved to what is now Shoemakertown, and engaged in hauling grain and flour to and from Shoemakertown and Philadelphia. He married Hannah McBride, of Paoli, Chester County, Pa., June 23, 1828. They were buried in Friends' burial-ground, Cheltenham. They were the parents of five children, viz.: Joseph Charles Ann, married Frederick A. Brouse Emma, married Joseph Fisher Ellen, who married Nathan Harper. Charles, the second son of Joseph and Hannah Bosler, was born Eighth Month 27, 1810. His early education was such only as could be obtained at the pay schools of the period covered by his school age. He being one of those upon whom nature showered her gifts, soon became possessed of what was then termed a good common-school education, which served him in future years as a basis for business transactions. Like other children of that period, who assisted their parents in whatever labor was assigned them, so he assisted his father in hauling grain, flour and other products from the mill to the city, and among the neighbors, and particularly to Charles Shoemaker, the owner of the mills, was he known for his truthfulness and industry as a lad of promise. Having thus assisted his father, he familiarized himself with the business, and at his father's death, in 1828, was encouraged by Mr. Shoemaker to purchase the teams, wagons and fixtures and continue the business his father had established, offering at the same time to furnish him the money, or become security for the payment of it, which Mr. Bosler gladly accepted, thus beginning a life of much usefulness with no capital beyond good health, an honest heart and a determination to make life a success. By persevering industry he was soon enabled to liquidate his obligations, and when his father's real estate was offered for sale, he purchased that also, and still continued hauling flour purchased from Mr. Shoemaker till March, 1847, when his employer encouraged him to purchase the flouring-mills at Shoemakertown, thus relieving Mr. Shoemaker of all responsibility of the mills, other than receiving the money on payments as they became due. 635 From that time to the date of his death, covering a period of twenty-six years, he carried on the milling business with a tact and energy possessed by but few men in the country, and made of it a grand financial success, paying of all incumbrances and amassing what many would consider a large fortune, notwithstanding a kind and generous spirit subjected him to many losses in trusting the honest but unfortunate poor, whom be never pressed beyond their ability to pay, and often not up to that point. This kindly, benevolent trait of character, which made him sympathize with worthy persons struggling against the adversities of life and never allowed him to forget his early friends, is one of the golden memories that clings to the name of Charles Bosler. He always felt in his later life a warm regard for the Shoemaker family, and when he had become possessed of a sufficiency of this world's goods, reciprocated many times their former favors. Mr. Bosler was one of those men who always looked upon the bright side of everything, and whose disposition was ever a ray of sunshine, attracting to himself the love and good-will of all with whom he came in contact, especially in business matters. He was justly spoken of by his neighbors as an honest, upright, successful business man, starting out in life with nothing but good health, industrious habits, an honest purpose and a determination to win whatever property be might possess in an honorable way, which he did, and left at his death a large estate, and, above all, an untarnished name and an example that every young man in the land should be proud to emulate. His philanthropy was of that broad kind that shone the brightest where least expected, and usually benefited those who had the least reason to expect charity from his ever-open hand. An incident will fully show the character of the man. His wife had been sorely afflicted, and by some new or experimental treatment of the physician she was cured. One of his customers living in Philadelphia was similarly afflicted with disease, and the facts coming to the ears of Mr. Bosler, he ordered the physician to call upon his customer, take charge of and treat the case, and to say to the afflicted man that "Charles Bosler would pay the bill." The physician obeyed orders, cured the patient, and Mr. Bosler paid the fee, although the man owed Mr. Bosler a large sum, which, in consequence of large losses by fire, he was unable to pay. Mr. Bosler, although not a member or the Society of Friends, was, with his wife (who was a member of the Abington Friends' Meeting), a regular attendant upon that meeting down to the day of his death, which occurred suddenly, of apoplexy, Eighth Month 11, 1873. Politically he was a Republican, and at a time when his party was largely in the minority accepted the nomination for the office of county treasurer, and although defeated, be ran far ahead of his associates on the ticket. Mr. Bosler married, First Month 26, 1837, Mary Watson, daughter of William and Hannah Gillingham, of Buckingham, Bucks Co., Pa. Mrs. Gillingham was born in Buckingham, Eleventh Month 14, 1785 married, Tenth Month 18, 1809, to William Gillingham, and died Eighth Month 12, 1822. Mr. Gillingham was born in Buckingham, Bucks Co., Pa., Ninth Month 20, 1786, and died Seventh Month 27, 1850. Mrs. Bosler was born First Month 5, 1811, and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Bosler were the parents of four children, as follows: William Gillingham Bosler, born Twelfth Month 2, 1840. He was well educated, and became a man of patriotism and of enlarged public spirit, and when the Southern spirit of disloyalty and disunion culminated in the volcanic eruptions of open treason against the constituted laws of the land he at once offered his services in defense of his country, and early in 1852 became a private soldier in Company C, One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served the full term of his enlistment, and was appointed sergeant-major of the regiment and afterwards commissioned a lieutenant of his company. He was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, VA. In 1863, when the Governor of the State called for "emergency men" to repel Lee's invasion of the State, he again enlisted, this time in Captain Samuel W. Comly's company of cavalry, serving about two months, or until the emergency period was ended. From the time he left the army to the time of his death he was an enthusiastic and influential Republican, and assisted in planting the seed that has brought forth Republican victory in Montgomery County. For his eminent fitness for the position he was chosen, in 1868, as transcribing clerk of the State Senate, serving, till January, 1871, when he returned home, and died March 19th of that year. At the time of his death, and for several years previous, he bad been in partnership with his father in the milling business, a trade he had learned in his youth. 636 Charles and Joseph (twins) were born February 24, 1846. Charles died in infancy, and Joseph is still living. The earlier years of Joseph were spent in school, and the later years in assisting in the mill and learning the trade of miller, and soon after the death of his brother, in 1871, became a partner with his father, continuing the firm-name of Charles Bosler & Son and at the death of his father, in 1873, assumed full control of the milling business, but still under the firm-name of Charles Bosler & Son, which is continued to the present time. Joseph married, October 8, 1869, Cynthia G., daughter of Watson and Mary L. Comly, of Byberry, Philadelphia. They occupy the old homestead, and are the parents of four children, as follows: Mary W., born Second Month 21, 1871 Carrie C., born Ninth Month 11, 1873; Charles W., born Third Month 31, 1879 Lester C., born Fourth Month 29, 1884. Hannah, the forth child and only daughter of Charles and Mary Bosler, was born First Month 22, 1848; married, Fourth Month, 20, 1882, to William H. Birchall. They have one child, Catherine H., born Eleventh Month 27, 1884. [NOTE: Compiled from Auge's "Men of Montgomery County." and other sources.] PICTURE OF THOMAS ROWLAND, APPEARS HERE. THOMAS ROWLAND'S SONS. -One of the most extensive manufacturing establishments in the lower portion of Montgomery County is the shovel-works of T. Rowland's Sons. The family hearing this name has been identified with the interests of the county, both as residents and manufacturers, for more than a century. John Rowland, the progenitor, of the American branch of the family, was a farmer of Sussex, England, and came to this country in the ship "Welcome," with William Penn, in 1682. In the direct line of descent was Benjamin, born September 29, 1777, who, after receiving very limited education advantages, entered upon a career of mechanical industry, and in 1795 laid the foundation of the present shovel business at Cheltenham. At his death, which occurred September 9, 1824, Thomas Rowland, his eldest son born January 20, 1801, succeeded to the business, associating with him a few years later his brother Benjamin. Having superior water-power and being desirous of enlarging the works, Thomas suggested the making of saws. This was consummated in 1830. In 1835, William and Harvey, his brothers, were admitted to the firm. In 1842 the manufacture of coach-springs was introduced, and three years later that of steel- making. Owing to the magnitude of the interests involved, the firm dissolved in 1860, Thomas taking the works at Cheltenham and continuing the production of shovels only. In the same year he associated him as partners two of his sons. After having passed the proverbial age of threescore years and ten, blessed with prosperity, he withdrew from active participation in mercantile pursuits, leaving the business to his sons, three of whom, Lynford, Howard and Rush, constitute the present firm, which is known as T. Rowland's Sons. When shovels were first made at Cheltenham it was difficult to find a market for them, owing to the prejudice then existing against American-made goods as compared with those of English manufacture. At the present time, however, their goods have a worldwide reputation, being exported to South America, Australia and the continent of Europe. This has largely been due to the subject of this sketch, and especially to his enterprise in introducing improved methods of manufacture. Apart from this, Mr. Rowland possessed many sterling qualities of mind and heart. As a citizen his record is worthy of imitation. He held the subject of instruction ever before him, was elected to the school board of Cheltenham in 1836, and made the first successful attempt to educate the children at public expense. The ground upon which the Methodist Episcopal Church stands in the village at Cheltenham was deeded to them for that purpose by him in 1845, and during the whole of its history he was a large contributor to its funds. With wise forethought, be provided for its maintenance by liberal legacy. The beautiful home where he lived was purchased in 1833 from Joseph Cresson, of Philadelphia. It contained one hundred and eleven acres. From time to time this acreage was reduced by sales made to parties who built summer residences thereon, some of it being disposed of to his children, whose attractive homes adorn the property. A large number of comfortable houses, forming the village of Cheltenham, were built by Thomas Rowland and also by his employes. To him more than to any man the growth and enterprise of the place is due. At the time of his, death, which occurred February 24, 1881, the homestead contained sixty-three acres, and was purchased the following year by one of his children. End Part IV