Biographical Sketch of Herman L. HOHLFELD; Philadelphia Co., PA Contributed to the PAGenWeb Archives by Diana Smith [christillavalley@comcast.net] Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* "Philadelphia, A History of the City and its People; A Record of 225 Years" Publisher: S. H. Clark; Philadelphia; 1912. Vol. 3, page 392 Author, Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer HERMAN L. HOHLFELD One of the extensive manufacturing enterprises of Philadelphia is that conducted under the name of the Hohlfeld Manufacturing Company, of which Herman L. Hohlfeld is the president. His position as head of this important industry is in marked contrast to that which he occupied when as a youth of twelve years he served as creel boy. Along lines of logical development he has progressed, his life record constituting a splendid example of the opportunities furnished in the new world. He was born in Saxony, Germany, January 12, 1866, and is a son of Henry and Caroline Hohlfeld, who were likewise native of Saxony. The father was a salesman of textile fabrics and remained in his native country until 1870, when he crossed the Atlantic to New York, where he was employed as a weaver for three years. He then went to Adams, Massachusetts, where he engaged in weaving for four years and on the expiration of that period moved to Philadelphia, where he obtained a position as weaver with the firm of John & James Dobson, with whom he continued up to the time of his death in 1886. Herman L. Hohlfeld, a little lad of six summers at the time of the emigration to the new world, attended the public schools of Adams, Massachusetts, until he reached the age of twelve, when he came to Philadelphia with his parents and engaged with John & James Dobson as a creel boy. He worked diligently, returning to his home at night many times tired out with the day's labor, but he never faltered in the performance of any task assigned him and as his capability increased was promoted until he became assistant yarn boss. Later he took up weaving and remained with his first employer altogether seven years. He then engaged with McCallum & McCallum as weaver for a year and a half and later spent a similar period with Ivins, Dietz & Magee. He was afterward yarn boss with the latter firm for two and a half years, on the expiration of which period he accepted a position as overseer with John & James Dobson, with whom he continued for five years. He was afterward general manager of The Van Deventer Carpet Company, owning two plants, one at Plainfield, New Jersey, and the other in Greensboro, North Carolina. After three years spent in that way he returned to Philadelphia and became a partner of Mr. Patterson of the Patterson Manufacturing Company. The name was then changed to Patterson & Hohlfeld, under which style they continued in the manufacture of hammocks until 1904, when Mr. Hohlfeld purchased Mr. Patterson's interest and is now sole proprietor of the Hohlfeld Manufacturing Company. they manufacture a general line of hammocks and their output includes as fine a line as can be found in the market. They manufacture the couch as well as the regular style hammock and have introduced many new devices, including adjustable head rests and patent methods of hanging hammocks. The business is constantly growing and requires the services of a well organized selling force in addition to the large number of satisfied employes. A well appointed sample room is maintained at 45 East Seventeenth street, New York city, for the convenience of the metropolitan trade. They also enjoy a large export trade. The house has been among the leaders in producing new and improved methods in manufacture and have ever regarded satisfied patrons as their best advertisement. The steady growth of the business having made a removal to new and larger quarters imperative. Mr. Hohlfeld purchased a large plot of ground on Sedgely avenue at Tenth street on the north side of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company east of Germantown avenue, on which has been erected one of the most modern and complete fireproof factory structures in the textile city of Philadelphia. It is commodious and well lighted, with its own electric power and light plant, built entirely of concrete in the most approved manner, and the health and safety of the employe has been fully considered. In January, 1892, Mr. Hohlfeld was married in Philadelphia to Miss Phoebe Hobson, daughter of David and Elizabeth Hobson, and they have one son, Milton, who is now studying at the William Penn Charter School preparing for college. In his political views, Mr. Hohlfeld is a stalwart republican, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He has attained high rank in Masonry, belonging to Lodge No. 9, F. & A. M., of Philadelphia; Corinthian Chapter, R. A. M., the Scottish Rite; Corinthian Commandery; and a member of Lu Lu Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Manufacturers Club, the Trades League, the Merchants & Manufacturers Association, American Civic Alliance, and is actively interested in all movements looking to the betterment of his home city. He stands as a splendid example of a self-made man, who has been both the architect and builder of his own fortunes, enjoying a high reputation for unimpeachable commercial integrity as well as for the success which has crowned his efforts. Transcriber's additional notes: Census 1880; Philadelphia Co, PA; Philadelphia, page 598 Henry Hofelt, head, m, w, 41, born GER, parents b GER, works in carpet mill Caroline, wife, f, w, 39, GER, GER, GER, keeping house Ida, dau, f, w, 16, GER, GER, GER, works in carpet mill Harmon, son, m, w. 14, GER, GER, GER, works in carpet mill Freddie, son, m, w, 3, MA, GER, GER, at home Anna, dau, f, w, 10 months, PA, GER, GER, at home 1900, June 2; Guilford Co, N. C., Ward 2 Greensboro, page 133, 127 Sussannah/Savannah? Herman Hohlfeld, boarder, m, w, 34, born Jan 1866, GER, parents b GER, married 8 yrs, to US in 1870, Naturalized, manager, carpet mill. Phoebe, boarder, f, w, 28, born June 1871, Scotland, father b GER, mother b ENG, married 8 yrs, 1 child-1 child living, to US in 1873 Milton, boarder, m,w, 4, born Dec 1895, PA, GER, ENG (They are living in a borading house with a family and 7 other boarders and 4 servants) 1900; June 1; Philadelphia Co, PA; Ward 19 Philadelphia, page 62, 2660 Lehigh Ave. ? Schmidt, head, m, w, 37, March 1863, GER, GER, GER, mar 13 yrs, to US 1879, naturalized, loom fixes, rents ? Ida, wife, f, w, 36, May ?, GER, GER, GER, mar 13 yrs, 2 children-2 children living ? Clara, dau, f, w, 12, Nov 1887, NY, GER, GER, att. school ? Isabel, dau, f, w, 9, Dec 1890, PA, GER, GER, att. school Fred Hohlfeld, brother in law, m, w, 23, Nov 1876, single, MA, GER, GER, weaver, carpet 1910; April 20; Philadelphia Co, PA; Ward 19 Philadelphia, page 158, 2512 N. 7th st. Frank E. Schmidt, head, m, w, 47, GER, GER, GER, 1st mar, mar 23 yrs, to US 1874, Naturalized, foreman, Seth Mill Ida, wife, f, w, 45, GER, GER, GER, 1st mar, mar 23 yrs, 2 children-2 children living, to US 1873 Clara, dau, f, w, 22, NY, GER, GER, single, forelady, hammock factory Isabel, dau, f, w, 19, PA, GER, GER, single, operator, hammock factory Hettie, mother, f, w, GER, GER, GER, Widow, 10 children-6 children living, to US 1874 1910, April 18; Philadelphia Co, PA; Ward 37 Philadelphia, page 239, 3331 Park ave. Herman Hohlfeldt, head, m, w, 43, GER, GER, GER, 1st mar, mar 16 yrs, to US 1874, Naturalized, manufacturer, hammocks, owns home with mortgage Phoebe, wife, f, w, 38, Scot, ENG, ENG, to US 1874, no occ. Milton, son, m, w, 14, PA, GER, Scot, attended school Katie Beale, servant, f, w, PA, PA, PA, Widow, 1 child-1 child living, servant, private family 1910, April 21; Philadelphia Co, PA; Ward 38 Philadelphia, page 137, 3006 Sydenhouse st. Fredk. A. Hohlfeld, head, m, w, 33, MA, GER, GER, 1st mar, mar 7 yrs, weaver, carpet mill, rents Nettie M, wife, f, w, 34, GER, GER, GER, 1st mar, mar 7 yrs Lillian M, dau, f, w, 5, PA, MA, GER 1920, Jan 15; Philadelphia Co, PA; Ward 22 Philadelphia, page 264, 6521 Lincoln Drive Herman L. Hohlfeld, head, m, w, 53, GER, GER, GER, married, to US 1871, Naturalized 1887, textile manufacturer, owns home with mortgage. Phoebe A. K., wife, f, w, 43, Scot, ENG, ENG, married, to US 1871, Naturalized, no. occ. Milton, son, m, w, 24, PA, GER, Scot, married, textile manufacturer Susan V. Schaffer, servant, f, w, 29, single, PA, US, PA, servant, private family