Ref: Town and Country Newspaper Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA Saturday - December 10, 1904 ONE OF THE LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF PENNSBURG BOROUGH Among those who for the past twenty years have been making efforts to build up Pennsburg and its enterprises, none deserves more credit than M.K. GILBERT (picture), of the firm of Gilbert & Hevener. Mr. GILBERT was born about fifty-three years ago at Zieglerville, this county being the son of Frederick GILBERT, a life long resident of that place. He early learned the trade of tinsmith, working in the shop of his father. While still in his teens he got tired of the trade and engaged in teaching in the public schools. He followed teaching successfully for three terms and during the periods between terms he attended Freeland Seminary, now Ursinus College, and assisted his father, working on his trade. In the spring of 1874, he associated himself with William A. WELKER and they opened a general store at Red Hill, under the firm name of Welker & Gilbert, Mr. WELKER being owner of the property. At the time the partnership was formed Red Hill consisted of about ten houses in addition to the hotel. On entering the partnership Mr. GILBERT was single but he married in 1875 and moved into the house adjoining the store, at present conducted by George M. WELKER, in which building Wm. A. WELKER and family also lived. In 1879 the firm of Welker & Gilbert dissolved partnership and the business was conducted for two years by Mr. GILBERT. In 1881 Mr. GILBERT bought the well known corner store property in Pennsburg, from the firm of Shetler & Bissey and succeeded them on assuming possession. In starting business at this place Mr. GILBERT devoted all his time, energy and ability to the enterprise, with a determination to achieve success. His store room soon proved to be too small for the increase in business and an addition was added. As the business increased additional accommodations were provided till at the present time it is one of the largest, if not the largest, store building in the Perkiomen Valley and the stock carried, as to value and quality, is exceeded by none. Almost six years ago Mr. GILBERT felt as if duties, in his advancing years, were more exacting than desirable, associated with himself George H. HEVENER, of Pennsburg, and since that time the business is conducted under the firm name of Gilbert & Hevener. Mr. GILBERT has prospered since he came to Pennsburg, and every legitimate enterprise, requiring public aid, has had his support and assistance ever since he is here. Being very conservative in his views, but of a liberal turn where liberality is economy, Mr. GILBERT has proved an ideal official as a member of the first council of the borough of Pennsburg and as a member of the school board. In addition to his duties as senior member of the firm of Gilbert & Hevener, Mr. GILBERT is serving in the directorate of the Pennsburg Water Company and serving as secretary of the Goshenhoppen Fire and Storm Insurance Company, as well as treasurer of the borough of Pennsburg. SUMMER HOME LOOTED The summer home near Perkiomenville, of Wilson ARBOGAST, of Allentown, was entered by thieves and relieved of goods to the value of about fifty dollars. Mrs. ARBOGAST spent a couple of days with friends at Perkiomenville this week and while there she decided to look at their summer home near there. When she came there she was amazed to find that some one had forced entrance through the window. When she entered the house she found things in a topsy-turvey condition, and about 25 yards of her best carpets, several clocks, bed blankets, clothing and shoes were missing. The loss was estimated to amount to about fifty dollars. Suspicion rests on some one living in the neighborhood and if the person will not return the goods in a short time a search warrant will be issued and his house will be searched. VICTIM OF TORTURERS DIES Abraham KRUPP, the old Franconia township resident who was tortured and robbed by masked man one night a year or so ago, died Thursday morning of last week, aged about 75 years. Mrs. KRUPP, the aged wife who also was tortured at the same time, still survives. Deceased never fully recovered from the shock of that terrible night. NEW WATCHMAN FOR BANK William BOYER, of Pennsburg, this week accepted the position as watchman in the Farmers National Bank of Pennsburg. Mr. BOYER has been hostler at the Pennsburg Hotel for a period of twenty-five years and only recently resigned. He entered upon his new duties on Wednesday. FIRE AT SCHWENKSVILLE The frame building at Schwenksville next to the Item office, was on Saturday evening consumed by fire. The first floor was used and occupied by Miss Kathryn BERGER for a millinery store and the second and third floors by J.K. SHANER as a paint shop. The tenants closed the building for the day only about ten minutes ere the fire broke out and they are unable to account for the conflagration, as everything was all right when they left it. The fire company was called out as soon as the fire was discovered, but the building was doomed, so they placed all their efforts on the saving of the Item office which was close by. The building was insured in the Line Lexington Company for $250, and the millinery stock was insured for $600 in two stock companies. Mr. SHANER carried no insurance and his loss amounts to about $50. The building destroyed was the one in which the "Schwenksville Item" was started by Rev. N.B. GRUBB in 1877. THIEVES STOLE CHICKENS Thieves entered the chicken house of Henry H. SCHULTZ of Clayton and stole about sixty chickens. CALITHUMPIAN BANDS ARE UNLAWFUL It is a fact not generally known that calithumpian serenades are against the law in the state of Pennsylvania. THE PENSION ROLL EXCEEDS A MILLION More than 1,000,000 names are again on the pension roll. Since Executive order No. 78 became operative 4000 names have been added. This is the largest number of names on the pension roll since directly after the Civil War.