Hello all, I am looking for the families of Fred and Jane Bickel, whose son, Schrack, married into the Newlin family in Chester County, PA. I finally found Fred on the 1850 Montgomery Co. Federal Census, misindexed as Fred Bickee. There was a bit of Bickel coming and going in Chester County: In 1850, East Caln, Chester Co., PA: Bent Bickel [age 29] and Franklin H. Bickel [age 19], both tinners, living in the same household, are listed as being born in "Mont. Co., PA". By 1860, Frederick Bickel [soap & tallow maker], age 44, and his family are in Coatesville, Chester Co. Living with them are Franklin Bickel [carpenter] born in PA, age 26, and Violetta Russell, age 64, born in Ireland. Benjamin Bickel [tinsmith], age 39, is a neighbor. Franklin H. Bickel [tinsmith], age 28, is also a neighbor. In 1880, we have Frank H. Bickel [tinner], age 45, and Fred A. [tinner], age 62, plus lots of their "children". Descendants of Frederick Bickel 1 Frederick Bickel 1818 - ...+Jane [mnu] Bickel 1825 - ....2 Margaretta Bickel 1846 - ....2 Annie E. Bickel 1849 - ....2 Mary Z. Bickel 1854 - ......+Hayes Dickenson 1848 - ....2 Schrack Bickel 1860 - ......+Jane M. Newlin 1857 - .......3 James F. Bickel 1879 - .........+Miriam M. [mnu] Bickel 1889 - ..........4 Frederick Bickel 1904 ..........4 Robert Bickel 1908-1982 ..........4 Gramm Bickel 1918 .......3 Anna Eliza Bickel 1883 - .......3 Sadie Newlin Bickel Unknown - .......3 Jane B. Bickel 1888 - .......3 Francis Newlin Bickel 1889 - .......3 Henry A. Bickel 1891 - .........+Marie G. [MNU] Bickel 1897 - ..........4. H. Gerard Bickel 1917- ....2 Frederick Bickel 1864 - Hope someone recognizes this family. Thanks for any help. grace in VA __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch.yahoo.com/promos/britneyspears/

Ref: Town and Country Newspaper Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA Saturday - October 24, 1903 ANDREW SCHULTZ PROPERTY TO BE SOLD IN COURT On motion of H.P. KEISER in the Reading Court, the return of John S. BAUER, Josephus GERHARD and James B. FUNK, the commissioners appointed to divide or value the store stand and lot of ground on High street, in Pottstown, belonging to the estate of Andrew K. SCHULTZ, deceased, of Clayton, was confirmed and a rule was granted upon the heirs to appear in court on the 7th day of November, A.D., 1903, at 10 o'clock a.m. to accept the real estate at its appraisement, bid more for the same, refuse to accept the same or show cause why the said real estate should not be sold. The property is appraised at $12,000. FIVE HUNDRED BUSHELS OF POTATOES DROWNED About 500 bushels of potatoes stored in the old church building belonging to C.O. SHIMER, of Macungie, were flooded on account of a leak in the borough water main. An ejector was used to pump out the water. The potatoes had to be removed and dried. DAMAGE CASE POSTPONED The case of Henry HEVENER, of Sumneytown, against the Knickerbocker Ice Company, of Philadelphia, for damages which was on the list for trial at last weeks session of court was postponed until the January court. ISSUED SUIT AGAINST SURETY District Attorney HENDRICKS, of this county brought suit to recover $500, given as surety by James S. BOWSER, a contractor of La Mott, for the presence of Mabel LEWIS at court last week, when she and Sadie PASKINS were to be tried for pocketpicking. RUNS A RESTAURANT INSTEAD OF TROLLEY CAR John ESSER, of Lansdale, formerly, of East Greenville, late a motorman on the Lehigh Valley Traction Company's lines has taken charge of the Oriental restaurant at Lansdale. PURCHASED HIS OWN COFFIN Jacob CRESSMAN, who voluntarily keeps Perkasie's street clean, has sold the debris and ornaments his home with a coffin purchased by the proceeds. SELLERSVILLE WANTS NEW BALL PITCHER Base ball enthusiasts in Sellersville are trying to secure the services of Pitcher Charles ROEDER, of East Greenville, who is employed there, for next season. MENNONITE PASTORS NAMED The twentieth annual conference of the Mennonite Brethern in Christ met at Mt. Carmel, Pa., last week. They made the following appointments of clergymen for the ensuing year: W.G. GEHMAN - Bethlehem and Springtown J.C. ROTH - Allentown R.L. WOODRING - Mount Carmel C.J. EDWARDS - Phillipsburg, N.J. W.S. HOTTLE - Quakertown and Hatfield E.W. MARTIN - Coopersburg L. Frank HAAS - South Allentown and Emaus O.S. HILLEGASS - Gratersford and Harleysville E.N. CASSELL - Dillinger and Hereford J.G. SHIREMAN - Royersford and Spring City W.J. FRETZ - Blandon, Fleetwood and Macungie T.E. CLEWELL - Nazareth and Plainfield W. STEINMETZ - Northampton and Cementon R. BERGSTRESSER - Walnutport and Tripoli J.F. BARRALL - Lehighton and Weissport E.R. HEYWOOD - Girardville G.A. CAMPBELL - Terra Hill STRAWBERRY PATCH IN FULL BLOOM Charles HILLEGASS of Plover, Lehigh county, has a strawberry patch, which is at present white with blossoms. The stalks were only planted last July and no nicer patch can be found at this season. PAID $20 TO BEAT MULE WITH FENCE RAIL For beating his mule with a fence rail David POLLOCK, of Pottstown, was fined $10 and costs. The charge was made by Special Agent WHITE, of the Woman's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. TO JAIL FOR SHOOTING ROBINS Salvatore DELCAMP of Philadelphia was arrested near Lancasterville, with ten robins on his person. He was arraigned before Magistrate LENHARDT, of Norristown, who fined him $85, in lieu of which he went to jail for 85 days. His friends later secured his release by paying the fine. FOUND DESERTED CHILD IN FIELD A deserted girl child of about 10 days wrapped up in a bean sack, was found by Chalkley CLEAVER, of near Flourtown, this county, in one of his fields. The infant, which was healthy and well dressed was turned over to the county authorities. ANOTHER CASE OF DIPHTHERIA A child of Mr. and Mrs. Adam URFFER, of East Greenville, is sick with diphtheria. The house was quarantined on Tuesday afternoon.

Ref: Town and Country Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA October 25, 1913 George S. HOCH, of this borough, will have his opening of his new coffee and tea store today. The new store is located on Fourth street near Dotts. He will constantly have for sale coffees, teas and baking powder. He will only have the store open in the evening for the present and all day Saturday. October 27, 1933 Alleged whiskey, said to have been buried in a freshly dug pit beneath the floor of the barn, was seized late Friday by county detectives in a raid on the farm house of George WEIGAND, 33, Perkiomenville R.D. WEIGAND, whom detectives charged with selling whiskey at 25 cents a pint, was held for court by Magistrate Lloyd KEMMERER, of Spring Mount. The defendant was released on $1,000 bail. The raid was made by County Detectives James GLEASON, Charles EILER, George BENNETT and Irwin ANDERSON. A gallon of whiskey was found in the house, the sleuths said, and two five-gallon jugs, filled with the same stuff, was located in the hole under the barn floor. October 29, 1943 T/Sgt. Ira BARDMAN, Green Lane flier reported missing after a Flying Fortress raid over Europe September 16 was still unreported this week, according to information from his parents, although at least two members of the crew of his plane are known definitely to be prisoners of the German government. The flier's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. BARDMAN, Green Lane, were informed of this in a letter received this week from Mrs. Lawrence WOLFF, Palos Verdes, Calif., mother of Lt. Robert H. WOLFF, pilot of the Fortress of whose crew BARDMAN was a member on the ill-fated raid. October 31, 1963 The firm of A.L. ALLEM and Son, a meat and grocery business with a background dating back to 1897, will discontinue operations at 359 Main street, Red Hill, at 6 p.m. Saturday. Originally purely a butchering and delivery route, the grocery business was added under the ALLEM ownership which began in 1931. Conversely, the meat delivery phase went out of existence since then - about six years ago. Arthur L. ALLEM and his wife, Mary (HELLERICK) ALLEM, came to Red Hill from Perkasie and bought the meat business from Harry SWEISFORD. Soon thereafter a small section of the dwelling was converted into a store and 12 years ago an enlarged area, fronting along the pavement, was erected.

Anything is possible Dianna, I will certainly keep it for future reference. Thanks, Helga

Ref: Town and Country Newspaper Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA Saturday - October 24, 1903 SUED LAWYER Deputy State Factory Inspector Harry BECHTEL brought three suits against J.H. MARX, a member of the Berks bar, and justice of the peace, of Kutztown, before Alderman SANDT, of Reading, on the charge of violating the law regulating the issuing of certificates for children employed in factories. Notice was served on Mr. MARX by Constable WAGNER. In his information, Mr. BECHTEL charges that three permits were issued by Mr. MARX to Ella FISHER, on February 25th, 1902, giving her age as 11 years and 11 months; Alida KEMP, on August 12, 1902, aged 11 years, 4 months and 20 days, and Ella MACHIMER, on April 27, last aged 12 years, 8 months and 7 days. In these cases the correct age is given as abov e, but the law prohibits the issuing of a certificate to any child "under 13 years of age," the limit at which children may be received into factories. A penalty is provided against a violation of this section. The children referred to had been employed in some of the factories about Kutztown, and Mr. BECHTEL found the certificates on file. He reported the matter to State Factory Inspector DELANEY, who directed that the suits be brought. In a letter to Mr. DELANEY, Mr. MARX denied any wrong intent. He thought that no employer would take the children with such a certificate, as it did not misrepresent their ages, but showed on its face that they could not legally be employed. Tuesday, 2 p.m. is the time fixed for the hearing for these cases. SPRING MOUNT PHYSICIAN WILL LEAVE Dr. P.O. WICKERT, who has practiced medicine at Spring Mount for a year is about to relinquish his practice at Spring Mount. He will take up the duties of physician of the P. & R. Railway Company and Baldwin Locomotive Works at Philadelphia. He also expects to work for the Bethlehem Steel Works. He will probably make Jenkintown his future place of residence. GILBERTSVILLE MAN FOUND WITH CUT ARTERY Harry DENGLER, a Gilbertsville resident was missing for some time on Saturday. A search was instituted and when found he was in bed and bleeding from a severed artery in his arm. Mr. DENGLER's wife died several months ago and ever since he has been more or less despondent. WILL DELIVER ANNIVERSARY SERMON Rev. A.M. WEBER, of Boyertown, will preach his tenth anniversary sermon as pastor of the St. John's Lutheran church of that town, on Sunday, November first. A general invitation to the public has been extended. SERENADED ON HIS BIRTHDAY N.B. KEELY, proprietor of the Keely House, East Greenville, was on Wednesday evening serenaded by the Citizens' band of East Greenville, in honor of his fifty-first birthday anniversary. Mr. KEELY served the band and his friends with a lunch and refreshments. TEACHER WILL WITH TYPHOID FEVER William H. CHRISTMAN, of Zionsville, is laid up with typhoid fever. Dr. E.M. BINGAMAN, of Old Zionsville, attends him. Mr. CHRISTMAN taught school near Pleasant Run. He came home two weeks ago and took to his bed and at this writing he is very sick. ACCEPTED POSITION IN TOWN AND COUNTRY OFFICE Eugene BISCHOFF, of Pennsburg, who last week resigned as foreman in the Bauern Freund office of Pennsburg, after serving there for the past ten years, has accepted a position in the "Town and Country" office. He entered upon his duties on Wednesday. AGED MAN STRICKEN WITH APOPLEXY Frederick K. STAUFFER, aged 82 years was on Tuesday stricken with apoplexy while visiting his son at Boyertown. He is in a serious condition. His sister, Mrs. Esther ENGLE, was buried on Thursday. PICKED FIVE TONS OF TOMATOES IN ONE DAY H.S. MILL, of Springtown, Bucks county, picked five tons of tomatoes in his patches on Saturday. SHOT HIS BROTHER A shooting accident of a serious nature occurred at Fretz, Bucks county, on Thursday morning while Jacob WILDONGER and his brother, Lamech, of Souderton, were out gunning. Jacob having shot a squirrel put it in his coat pocket with the tail protruding. They then became separated. In the meantime Jacob found another and shot it so as to wound it, after which it took refuge in a stump. Lamech appeared on the scene while Jacob was trying to capture it, and seeing the tail of the first squirrel supposed it to be a squirrel hanging on the side of a tree shot. His brother began to scream and jump until he fell to the ground unconscious. Lamech carried Jacob to a nearby stream and applied cold water until he revived so as to be able to walk home. Dr. NONAMAKER was summoned and succeeded in locating seven shot in the face and head. The accident was due to the fact that it was not light enough to distinguish objects fully. The distance of the shot was thirty yards while the shot was No. 7. This probably saved the unfortunate man's life, as his cap contained fourteen holes. EMAUS BANK DIRECTORS The new Emaus National Bank will have these directors: Menno GEISINGER, Old Zionsville; Amandus SCHULER, Vera Cruz; Squire Silas G. CROLL, Trexlertown; Solon FISHER, Topton; John S. YEAGER, Allentown; E.A. STANSFIELD, Charles D. BROWN, H.M. KNAUSS and Henry W. JARRETT, of Emaus. It is rumored that the latter will be president and that Kehl MARKLEY, of Macungie, formerly of near Red Hill, has the refusal of the cashiership. He has been the mainstay of the Macungie branch of the Perkiomen National Bank of East Greenville. The Perkiomen Bank does not want to lose him. With him would go some of the patronage which that bank has in that neighborhood. It is believed he will accept. FARMER IN THE HANDS OF SHAKRS A man, who gave his name as Thomas FARRELL was on Tuesday committed to prison without bail, charged with attempted highway robbery. The victim was Joseph KEEFE, a wealthy farmer of Lansdale. The two men got acquainted in a saloon at Eighth and Vine streets, Philadelphia, and FARRELL and two companions accompanied the farmer to Third and Willow streets, that city. It is said, that when FARRELL attempted to rob the man the other two men gave the alarm and FARRELL was arrested. GAVE BIRTH TO QUADRUPLETS Mrs. William TATE, a colored woman, 23 years of age, of Zanesville, Ohio, Tuesday gave birth to four girl babies, all of normal size and weighing slightly more than six and one-half pounds each. The woman is the mother of three other children, born singly. FATHER WANTS POSSESSION OF SON Harry B. ZIEGLER instituted proceedings before the Montgomery County Court, at Norristown Tuesday for the possesion of his young son, in keeping of a grandfather, the mother having left for parts unknown. A PROPOSED NEW TELEPHONE LINE The wide-awake business men of Frederick, Obelisk and Zieglerville, intend to build a telephone line from Frederick to Zieglerville station to connect with the Keystone line. Hon. Dr. G.A. WEIDA is at the head of the movement. FINGER LACERATED BY BURSTING GUN Jacob MINNINGER, of Sellersville, had several fingers lacerated on Thursday by the exploding of his shotgun. He used shells he had filled himself and in which there was enough powder for several ordinary shells. FIRE ESCAPE AT WELDON HOUSE The Weldon House at Zieglerville has this week been equipped with a fire escape. F.N. PETERS, of Allentown, erected it.

Hello all, Regarding my previous posting on the SWANSON siblings arrival in the USA - Mike, the Edwin SWANSON on the 1910 census is not mine unfortunately. Edwin was born Jan. 17, 1882 which would make him only 28 in 1910, plus as far as I know he had only two children, Elizabeth and C. Arthur. Dennis, it would be great if you could look for a naturalization for Edwin when you visit NARA. If you do happen to find something I could then email the Montgomery County Rec. Dept. as Dan suggested. Regards, Helga in Queensland.

Helga, Did he ever live in the state of Montana? I found these 2 resources on FTM 354, Immigration Index Lists: Place: Montana Year: 1892-1900 Age: 25 Primary Immigrant: Swanson, Edwin Source Code: 2304.10 Source Publication: FUHRMAN, DIANE Swedish Immigrants Living in Montana 1900. Bozeman, MT: Diane Fuhrman, 1989. 305p. Source Annotation: Date and place of census. Occupation, sex of the immigrant, birth place of immigrant and immigrant's parents, date of immigration, number of years residing in the U.S., and citizenship status may also be provided. Source Page Number: 46 Place: Montana Primary Immigrant: Swanson, Edwin Accompanying Family Members: Wife Elizabeth Source Code: 6411.40 Source Publication: OLSSON, NILS WILLIAM, and ERIK WIKEN Swedish Passenger Arrivals in the United States 1820-1859. Helsingborg: Schmidts Boktryckeri AB, 1995. 628p. Source Annotation: Date and port of arrival. Name of vessel, port of embarkation and destination, occupation, sex of the immigrant, and other genealogical and historical information may also be provided. Source Page Number: 30 Diana in Alabama ----- Original Message ----- From: "brian dawes" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 3:37 AM Subject: [PAMONTGO-L] Edwin Swanson > Hello all, > > Regarding my previous posting on the SWANSON siblings arrival in the USA - > > Mike, the Edwin SWANSON on the 1910 census is not mine unfortunately. > Edwin was born Jan. 17, 1882 which would make him only 28 in 1910, plus as > far as I know he had only two children, Elizabeth and C. Arthur. > > Dennis, it would be great if you could look for a naturalization for Edwin > when you visit NARA. If you do happen to find something I could then email > the Montgomery County Rec. Dept. as Dan suggested. > > Regards, Helga in Queensland. >

Kassie, Ancestry.com has the Norristown Directory on its site in 1889-91 or thereabouts for use as the census substitute for the 1890 Census which was mostly destroyed in a fire. It also includes Pottstown names. If you are not a member of Ancestry, I will be happy to look for your policeman! Need a name! Diana in AL ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 11:32 PM Subject: [PAMONTGO-L] policeman in 1870 Norristown > Hello All, > Does anyone know where I might find records that would have information > for > someone that may have been a policeman in Norristown in 1870? > He is listed as a Policeman on the census but doesn't say where, so I > thought > go with the first choice. > > Also, Is there City directories for Norristown that go back that far? If > so > can they be found to do lookups? > > Thanks. > Kassie > Oregon > > ______________________________

Ref: Town and Country Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA Saturday - October 24, 1903 BROKE MAIL BOX Deputy United States Marshal Peter D. HELMS, of Philadelphia on Tuesday morning took to the Lehigh county jail Frank LINK, of Coopersburg; Milton SCHICK, California, Bucks county, and Uriah RITTER, of Richlandtown. The prisoners are charged with tampering with rural letter boxes, the specific charge being that they broke down the receptacle for mail near the residence of C.M. FURRY, about a mile north of the village of California, Bucks county. The information was furnished by William W. STONE, United States postal inspector, and the warrants for arrest were issued by United States District Attorney William W. CRAIG. SCHICK was arrested first and was taken to Richlandtown in a round-about way so that no news of his arrest would reech RITTER. He was taken within 100 feet of where RITTER was and placed under a guard in a room of the post office at Richlandtown. RITTER was then arrested and the two were held under guard while the marshal went to Coopersburg and arrested LINK. United States Commissioner O.R.B. LEIDY, of this district, who was attending court at Reading, came home to give the trio a hearing. The witnesses could not be summoned in time, however, and the accused were placed under $500 bail apiece for their appearance for a hearing. The crime with which the men are charged was committed last April. Their story is to the effect that they were returning home one night feeling the effects of too liberal indulgence in stimulants and that one of them leaned over the mail box fastened on a post and broke it off. The box belonged to Chas. FURRY. The matter was afterwards settled to Mr. FURRY's satisfaction by the payment of $75. They now claim that their arrest is due to spite work on the part of one of the men who is to appear as a witness against them. RITTER, one of the accused, was married on Saturday and was compelled to take a tearful farewell of his bride, the honeymoon being rudely disturbed. LINK is employed by T.S. COOPER, the Jersey cattle dealer of Coopersburg, and returned home from a trip to the island of Jersey with Mr. COOPER on Wednesday. Constable SOUDER, of Quakertown, accompanied the young men to Allentown. This will be Commissioner LEIDY's first official act. He was appointed to the office last July. A MEETING ALL SHOULD ATTEND An open meeting will be held in Odd Fellows' Hall, Pennsburg, on Thursday evening, at 8 o'clock, for the purpose of making arrangements to apply for a charter to institute a Commandery of Knights of Malta. District Deputy Jno. V. OMMEREN, of Quakertown, one of the Grand Officers, will be present to explain the merits and beauties of the organization and all who are interested to the extent of desiring information or who wish to join the Commandery about to be instituted in our midst should be in attendance for the purpose of hearing the remarks and entering their names on the charter roll. A most cordial invitation is extended to all. SPRING MOUNT MILLER BUSY MAKING CORN MEAL John H. CLEMMER, of Spring Mount, is very busy making corn meal. He does the roasting himself having a big roaster in operation which roasts the corn while running over the hot plate and from there the corn goes up into the hoppers, where it runs down in to the chopping burs. From there the meal is put into bags, which when full, will stop, and empty into a large box. All this work is done by machinery and requires but little attention. He has an extensive trade for his corn meal and ships to different points along the main line and North Penn railroad. PENNSBURG BUTCHER SELLS OUT Granville GERHART, one of the Pennsburg butchers on Wednesday sold out his butcher business to John K. SAYLOR, of Pennsburg. Mr. SAYLOR will take possession during the first week of November and will move into the house which will be vacated by Mrs. Emma SCHWARTZ. Mr. SAYLOR will consolidate the two butcher shops and routes. RENTED THE H.C. KEHL FARM Mahlon SNYDER, of Fruitville, has rented the farm of Hiram C. KEHL, situate near the New Goshehopppen Reformed church. He will take possession in April. PROMINENT HOTEL MAN AT THE COUNTY SEAT Percival K. GABLE (picture), proprietor of the Rambo House, Norristown, is one of the most prominent hotel men in Montgomery county. He was born at Skippackville forty-three years ago, and comes from a line of German-American ancestors, all of whom were famous as hotel men in their day. Mr. GABLE commenced his career as a hotel keeper at Skippackville, at the age of eighteen years, being proprietor of the Valley House, for three years. He then went to Norristown where he conducted the Hartranft House for a term of two years. Later he engaged in a similar business at Atlantic City, Lansdale and Quakertown. In 1895 he returned to Norristown and became the proprietor of the Rambo House which he still conducts. SHOT AT STRANGERS Mrs. John BRUNST, of New Hanover township, on Monday night heard a noise in the wood shed near the house and thinking her husband had arrived from the Philadelphia markets, she went out with a lamp. Mrs. BRUNST returned to the house, secured a shot gun, went out and opened fire on the intruders. The strangers at once fled for cooler quarters and nothing has since been seen or heard from them. It is supposed the men were lying in wait to rob Mr. BRUNST on his return from the Philadelphia markets, as he was expected to have a large sum of money with him. THIEVES ENTER TELFORD DEPOT Last Friday night the railroad depot at Telford was forcibly entered by thieves. The front door was forced open by them. R.S. MOYER's bicycle and a parcel express package that belonged to M.C. BEANS were missing. They also broke open a chewing gum box and secured about $4.00 worth of chewing gum. ENGLISH BIBLE DONATED TO CHURCH An English bible was recently donated to the Lutheran congregation at Argus by Mrs. Richard ACKER, of Tylersport. The bible was used for the first time on Sunday. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE Last Sunday afternoon the residents in the vicinity of Creamery, this county, were alarmed to hear that Mrs. Christian MEYER attempted to take her life. It appears that Mrs. MEYERS has been despondent ever since her daughter committed suicide sever weeks ago by hanging in the woodshed at their home. On Sunday afternoon the family missed Mrs. MEYER for some time and a search was instituted. She was found in the woodshed at the same spot where he daughter took her own life. Mrs. MEYER had the butcher knife in her hand and was cutting her wrist and arm. After being disarmed she was persuaded to go into the house where her wounds were dressed. Mrs. MEYER expects to go to Philadelphia shortly and stay with one of her daughters. PREPARING FOR HOLIDAY TRADE About 20,000 ducks are being fattened at GERNERTs Duck Farm at Greisamersville, Lehigh county. These ducks are to supply the holiday trade. NUMEROUS LARGE THINGS RAISED ON THE FARM The largest cabbage head in Lehigh county was raised by Wilson F. PETER, of Sagersville, and weighed, when trimmed ready for use, 16 3/4 pounds. It was raised in Heidelberg, the township which also raised the largest potato in the county, one weighing 37 ounces and produced by L.K. PETER. There is strong rivalry among the farmers of Berks county, each of whom wants to be the champion apple raiser. Among the leading farmers who have reported the dimensions of their apples is Gordon LESHER, of Moselem, who has a Rambo with a circumfarence of 14 1/2 inches; while Isaac DAUB, of Kutztown, has an apple of the Maiden Blush variety measuring 14 inches in circumference and tipping the scales at 20 1/2 ounces. D.G. TREICHLER, of Hereford, has a "Pound" apple with a circumference of 15 1/4 by 14 1/4 inches and tipping the scales at 19 1/2 ounces. But it remains for a Montgomery county farmer to put all these records in the shade with two apples, measuring respectively 16 1/4 inches and weighing 22 1/4 ounces, and 15 1/4 inches and 24 1/4 ounces. Franklin REEDY, of Host, Berks county, raised four pumpkins weighing 106, 70, 57 and 33 pounds respectively. The remarkable feature of this is the fact that they were raised from one seed. Harry RENNINGER, of Shanesville, Berks county, has a cabbage head that was raised on a last year's stalk. Last fall the latter was regarded as a scrub plant, but in the spring, as it showed signs of life, it was left standing. It began to grow, and finally produced a good sized head. A sweet potato forty-four inches in length was raised by John J. BUCHER, of near Schwenksville. This beats all that have yet been reported in that section. Mrs. John H. ROTHENBERGER, of near East Greenville, raised a mammoth radish in her garden. It measured twenty-three inches in length and twenty-five inches in circumference. We would like to hear of some one who can beat this.

Hello All, Does anyone know where I might find records that would have information for someone that may have been a policeman in Norristown in 1870? He is listed as a Policeman on the census but doesn't say where, so I thought go with the first choice. Also, Is there City directories for Norristown that go back that far? If so can they be found to do lookups? Thanks. Kassie Oregon

Ref: Town and Country Newspaper Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA Saturday - October 24, 1903 THE DEATH LIST Rev. J.C. BLIEM, aged 73, pastor of Zion Church of the Evangelical Association, of Allentown, died on Sunday of Neuralgia of the heart. He entered the active ministry in 1866, and since then served congregations in this city, Lebanon, Reading, Shamokin, Tamaqua, Bethlehem, Freemansburg, Copelay, Catasauqua, Slatington, Lehighton and a number of circuits of smaller towns. Eli MACK, son of Rev. Andrew MACK, of near Niantic, died at the home of his father on Saturday evening of appendicitis. He had been a sufferer with this disease for seventeen days. His age is 35 years. The funeral was held on Thursday at the Bally Mennonite church. Interment at the Church cemetery. Jesse B. GEYER, one of the oldest residents of Zieglerville, died on Monday of old age and general dibility, aged 72 years. He leaves a widow and one sister, Mrs. John KEELOR, of Pennsburg. The funeral will take place from his late residence this morning. Services in Keelor's church and interment in the adjoining cemetery. Jesse B. GEYER, of Zieglerville, died on Monday from old age and general debility, aged about 72 years. He is survived by his wife. They never had any children. He was a quiet and esteemed citizen. In his younger days he was a school teacher and was for many years an active church and Sunday school worker. He was a consistent member of Keelor's Reformed congregation. The funeral will be held today at 10 a.m. at the house, and the remains will be buried in Keelor's church. Rev. J.L. ROUSH will officiate. Reuben HARTZELL, of Woxall died on Monday morning of cancer. His age was 65 years. He is survived by his wife and these children: Daniel, of Woxall; Mrs. Irwin SCHAUS, of Trumbauersville and Mrs. B. ISETT, of Layfield. Three brothers residing in Philadelphia also survive him. Deceased for many years carried on the wheelwright business at Bergey, Upper Salford township, but of late followed farming. The funeral will be held to-day. Services at the Sumneytown church. Interment on the church cemetery. Mrs. Maria SANDS, widow of Franklin SANDS, of Boyertown, died Tuesday morning at 3.30, aged 72 years, of internal ailments. Her husband died fifteen years ago. The following children survive: Amanda, wife of Augustus BAUMAN; Morris and Charles, of Boyertown; Mary, wife of Charles SHULTZ, of Little Oley; Franklin, of Morysville, Edwin, of Gilbertsville, and Ephraim, of Philadelphia. John HOOT, an old resident of near Telford, died on Sunday morning of consumption, aged 70 years. Deceased is survived by a widow and three children, Jacob, Milton and Maurice, all residing at home. The funeral will be held today. Interment at the Brick Church, near Kulpsville. Revs. B.F. LUCKENBILL and J.L. BECKER will officiate. Wilmer D. HENDRICKS, only son of Dr. and Mrs. Augustus HENDRICKS, of Allentown, formerly of the borough of Schwenksville, died on Thursday evening after a short illness. He was 4 years, 7 months and 13 days old. The funeral will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be made in Fairview Cemetery. Reuben HEFT, of near Naceville, died suddenly of apoplexy at the residence of Daniel B. BOOZ. He was 80 years of age. The funeral was held on Thursday at the Flatland Meeting House near Richlandtown. Infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. BAKER, of near Swamp died. The funeral will be held today at the St. James Chruch, Limerick. Interment on the church cemetery. Rev. N.F. SCHMIDT, of Schwenksville, will officiate. Mrs. Esther S. ENGLE, widow of Daniel K. ENGLE, of Pottstown, died at Telford on Friday after a lingering illness of nearly two years, aged about 80 years. She is survived by one daughter, Ada, wife of Dr. J.E. BAUMAN of Telford. Her surviving brothers and sisters are Frederick H. STAUFFER, of Boyertown; Mrs. Abraham G. SCHWENK, of Schwenksville; Mrs. A.L. DECHANT, of Pennsburg, and A.K. STAUFFER, of Reading. The funeral was held on Thursday at Boyertown. Interment was made at the Fairview Cemetery. DIED OF LOCKJAW The residents of Ironbridge were very much surprised and saddened to learn of the illness and sudden death of Howard DETWILER, son of Enos H. DETWILER, of near that place. Last January, Mr. DETWILER had a very painful felon on his right hand, and the wound never entirely healed. The early part of last week he was working in the corn field, and scratched his hand by a piece of corn fodder. This seemed to irritate the old wound, and lockjaw set in on Friday evening, and this resulted in his death on Sunday at 2.30 p.m. His father, sisters and brothers survive him. There is a general expression of sympathy for the bereaved family in the community in which they live. EAST GREENVILLE BLACKSMITH TO WED Thomas H. HOFFMAN, the veteran blacksmith, of East Greenville, has taken out a license to wed Kitty Ann HUBER, of Niantic. It has been reported that the wedding will take place this evening. SANK WITH $500 IN HIS BELT An Italian railroad workman fell from a boat while rowing across the Schuylkill, near Norristown, and was drowned. He had $500 in his belt. CHILD FALLS AND FRACTURES BONE An infant child of Harry BOYER, of Tylersport, fell on Friday and split the bone of its forearm. Dr. M.F. ACKER set the bone and the child is doing well.

Ref: Town and Country Newspaper Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA Saturday - October 17, 1903 THE DEATH LIST Annie BLANK, of Telford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry BLANK, died suddenly on Tuesday of paralysis of the heart. She had been sick with malignant diphtheria but had completely recovered from it when death resulted. She was aged 12 years. Mrs. Daniel GRUBB, of Frederick, died on Wednesday morning at the age of 84 years. Death was due to general debility. She is survived by the following children: Samuel, of Gratersford; Sophia, wife of Henry BOLTON, of Gilbertsville; Mary and Ella, at home, and two step-daughters, Mrs. Peter S. RAHN, of Bowers Station, and Mrs. William CRESSMAN, of Zieglerville. The funeral will be held today. Interment will be made at Keeler's Church cemetery. Rev. W.B. FOX, of Sumneytown, will officiate. Infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank HEYDT, of Hill Church, died on Monday of consumption. It's age was five months. The funeral was held yesterday at Hill Church. Rev. H.W. WARMKESSEL officiated. John GRABER, the fifteen month old son of Mr. and Mrs. John GRABER, of Pennsburg, died yesterday morning of cholera morbus. The child was only sick since Tuesday. The funeral will be held on Thursday at the Pennsburg Reformed Church. ROBBED OF SEVENTY-FIVE CHICKENS The hennery of Jonas HARING, of near Hillegass, was robbed of seventy-five chickens on Monday night. The thieves evidently were acquainted with Mr. HARING's chicken house for they did not enter by way of the door, knowing that it was connected with an alarm at the hotel. They backed their wagon up to the window and entered through it. The same house had been robbed several years ago and Mr. HARING then put up an electric alarm, but for some reason or other it did not work on Monday night. Suspicion rests on the culprits and they may be arrested shortly. SMALL-POX IN EAST GREENVILLE Melvin KURTZ, of East Greenville, a student at the Mt. Airy Theological Seminary, at Philadelphia, was taken sick at that place and returned to his home on Saturday. Several days later he began to show symptoms of small-pox. The house was at once quarantined. Mr. KURTZ's condition developed into small-pox, although only in a mild form. SCHOOL GIRL NEARLY DROWNED A daughter of A. RUMER, of Skippack, was nearly drowned on Friday evening, while trying to cross the Skippack creek between her home and school. She was rescued by Elias and Clinton SPRINGER. The other children who had to cross were unable to get home that evening. The creek was very much swollen from the heavy rains. BRAKEMAN INJURED AT EAST GREENVILLE A brakeman by the name of BICKEL, of Allentown, employed on the Perkiomen Railroad, had his hand smashed yesterday while unloading a barrel at East Greenville station. Several fingers were broken and the hand badly mutilated. He returned home with the next train. FOREMAN IN "BAUERN FREUND' OFFICE RESIGNS Eugene BISCHOFF, who for the last ten years was employed in the office of the "Bauern Freund" and "Democrat" at Pennsburg, has resigned his position. He will engage in city newspaper work hereafter. FLORIST PRESENTED CHURCH WITH BOUQUET Florist O.C. TRUMBORE, of Pennsburg, presented the Zion Church, Zionsville, with two large bouquets of carnations, roses, etc., which were placed near the pulpit during the communion services on Sunday. ENGAGING SNAPSHOTS Rev. Charles P. KEHL, of Dillsbury, Pa., spent several days this week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William H. KEHL, of East Greenville. Barber George DAY, of this borough, this week, erected a fine cabinet in his shop on Main street. The public sale of household effects of A.B. CROLL, of this borough, will be held this afternoon. Sneak thieves entered the small summer kitchen of Nicholas KEHS, of East Greenville, on Monday. They did not take anything of much value. They evidently were frightened away before they entered the house proper. Wm. KECK, a farmer residing in Upper Hanover township, near the New Goshenhoppen Reformed church, will relinquish the farm next spring. He this week dug the foundations for a new dwelling on the road leading from East Greenville, to the church. He expects to finish it this fall. Quite a large number of cellars were flooded during the heavy rains in the latter part of last week. One portion of the Pennsburg Hotel, cellar, was flooded and as there is no drain from it, the water had to be removed with buckets. Two hundred and eighty-five buckets full were carried out on Saturday by the hostler W. BOYER, assisted by the clerk Charles SCHOLL. TEAM STRUCK BY TRAIN William I. SMITH, of Hillegass, had a miraculous escape with his life on Saturday evening, while he was on his way to the Red Hill Coal and Lumber Yard. Shortly before arriving at the railroad Mr. SMITH heard the regular train which is due at 5.27 pass and he did not know that a special followed. He leisurely drove towards the crossing and when his horse got on the track he noticed that a train was on him. He quickly gave his horse a start but too late, for the cow-catcher on the engine caught his rear wheels and dragged the team along the railroad for a short distance where it fell off. The horse tore loose from the buggy and ran away. Mr. SMITH was thrown into the top of the buggy and received slight bruises about his body. The horse was later caught and after securing another wagon he resumed his journey home. The close call shattered Mr. SMITH's nerves so that he was unable to attend to his usual duties for several days. Oswin REITER witnessed the accident and he tried to prevent it by shouting to Mr. SMITH not to pass, but on account of the noise his wagon made he did not hear it. The train that struck Mr. SMITH was a special loaded with Firemen from Allentown, who were on their journey home. FELL AND FRACTURED HER ARM In walking on a wet and slippery board on Saturday, Mrs. Henry RICHARD, of Tylersport, fell and broke her arm. The fracture is near the wrist. The patient is doing as well as can be expected. INJURED BY A FALL Adam B. MENSCH, of Upper Providence, was very unfortunate last Saturday while hauling a load of feed for his son-in-law, Rev. Jesse H. MACK. He was on his way home from Collegeville and as he was crossing the railroad bridge at David ALLEBACH's place a train was coming up from Yerkes, but was quite a distance below yet. Nevertheless one of the horses heard it and made a jump which threw Mr. MENSCH off the wagon on the other horse and then down on the ground, alighting on the head, tearing one ear nearly off and receiving a deep cut in the head and the wagon wheel going over his left leg right above the ankle, mashing the bone entirely. The horses ran to ZIMMERMAN's place, only a short distance, where they were stopped. Abram T. ALLEBACH saw the accident and at once telephoned for the doctor and took Mr. MENSCH home. Mr. MENSCH is very weak but is doing as well as can be expected, although the doctor amputated his leg this week. SASSAMANSVILLE FARM SOLD The farm of the John FINK estate, of Sassamansville, consisting of 30 acres of farm land and seven of timber was sold to J.F.B. FINK on Saturday, for $1100. HORSE TRAINER WANTED A warrant has been sworn out before Justice Charles MILLER, of Lansdale by Henry LONGAKER, for the arrest of Harry HORNER, of that place, charging him with embezzlement. HORNER was formerly employed by Edward TORBERT, near Newtown, Bucks county, as a professional horse trainer. Six weeks ago he came to Lansdale and set up the same kind of business. He secured the privilege of training several horses in the town, using the Lansdale race track for the purpose. He took board at the residence of Nelson KNIGHT, but failing to come to time with the money, Mr. KNIGHT issued an attachment against parties who owed HORNER to secure his bill. On Thursday last HORNER took a horse belonging to Samuel C. KRIEBEL, of North Wales, another belonging to Henry LONGAKER, of Lansdale, and a carriage which he purchased of Robert LOWNES, which it is claimed he did not pay for, and proceeded to Philadelphia, where he entered the outfit at public sale at Nichol's bazaar. The horses and carriage were sold, but HORNER has not since been seen in Lansdale. Justice MILLER saw him in Harrisburg on Saturday, but at that time did not know of the warrant sworn out. When he left HORNER neglected to pay the wages of two Doylestown boys. Elwood YOUELLS Jr., has a claim of $6.50 and Allen GOODWIN one of $30.

Wow, what a response! To Dan, Diane, Mary Ann, Mike, Dennis and Marji thank you all for your answers. I've printed them out and will go through them more thoroughly off line. You will certainly hear from me again. Thanks once again, Helga.

Hi List, I am hoping someone can help me get copies of 2 obituaries. First is William Henry O'NEILL b. June 1855 Died 25 Oct 1923 in Norristown. I know that he is buried in Riverside Cem. in NOrristown. Second is his wife Ann (EARL) O'NEILL b 5 Nov 1854 Died 16 Dec. 1935 in Norristown. She is also buried in Riverside Cem in Norristown. Thanks for any help in Advance Shirley Boulder, MT

Hi I am looking for a death date for Norris K Law and his wife Eva (O'Neill) Law. I show them listedin the 1930 census in Norristown. He is 58 and she is 53. They lived on Mill Street. Any Help would be appreciated. Thanks in Advance Shirely Boulder, MT

Dennis, I answered Helga with information I found in the 1910 census for Hilding and Selma Swanson. I did not find Edwin. In the census record, it notes Hilding immigrated in 1909 and Selma in 1904 so that might be a place to start. However, we all know that those dates may be off by quite a bit as people back then either didn't know when they came over or it wasn't that important to them. In 1910, there were both in Philly and they were both using the name Swanson. See my previous post with more information from the census. Mary Ann Villanova, Pa. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Gries" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 8:49 PM Subject: Re: [PAMONTGO-L] Arrival in the USA > Hi Helga - > > I live quite close to Oreland, i.e. in Fort Washington, PA. > > This might not be necessarily be an Eastern Montgomery County question as > much as a US records question. > > Unless someone handles this earlier, I will check the US naturalization > records at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA for short) > location in Philadelphia for you on Nov 8th. What I will be looking for is > a hoped for naturalization of Edwin at least. Perhaps we also will find > Selma, if she lived in the Phila area when and if naturalized. > > This will at least give us their statement (right or wrong) as to when they > arrived in the US. > > I will also look at the immigration list for Phila, since you said the > NY/Ellis Island list did not give you a hit, and since the eldest > immigrating ancestor was ticketed to Phila. > > If anybody else handles this request, would you or the fellow helper please > let me know by the evening of Fri Nov 7. > > g'day to you from the other side of the planet > > dennis gries

Hi Helga - I live quite close to Oreland, i.e. in Fort Washington, PA. This might not be necessarily be an Eastern Montgomery County question as much as a US records question. Unless someone handles this earlier, I will check the US naturalization records at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA for short) location in Philadelphia for you on Nov 8th. What I will be looking for is a hoped for naturalization of Edwin at least. Perhaps we also will find Selma, if she lived in the Phila area when and if naturalized. This will at least give us their statement (right or wrong) as to when they arrived in the US. I will also look at the immigration list for Phila, since you said the NY/Ellis Island list did not give you a hit, and since the eldest immigrating ancestor was ticketed to Phila. If anybody else handles this request, would you or the fellow helper please let me know by the evening of Fri Nov 7. g'day to you from the other side of the planet dennis gries ----- Original Message ----- From: "brian dawes" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 5:24 AM Subject: [PAMONTGO-L] Arrival in the USA Hello everyone. I live in the beautiful State of Queensland in Australia, and as I've had no experience of researching in America I'm hoping someone can help me. (I also hope I have subscribed to the right list. According to the death certificate of the son (C. Arthur Swanson) of Edwin, he lived in Montgomery County, and I'm assuming the areas I mention are also in that County). My grandfather Alfred Svantesson Sten - his family name was Svantesson but for some reason he added the Sten when he migrated - arrived in Qld. Australia in the November of 1899. Two brothers and one sister went to the US some years later. One brother, Hilding Julius, left Göteberg Sweden, Dec. 27, 1908 under the name Svantesson, but changed it later to Swanson. His ticket was for Philadelphia. Hilding married an Englishwoman Gertrude Ware, and was accidently killed in 1939. At one time he lived at Ridley Park, which I believe is outside Philidelphia. The other brother Edwin, and sister Selma also went by the name of Swanson, before or after their arrival in the United States I don't know. Edwin also married but I'm unsure to whom, and Selma remained single. Edwin lived in Oreland, which I think is also on the outskirts of Philadelphia, and passed away in 1951. Selma died in Colorado Springs in 1956. I'm trying to find when Selma and Edwin arrived in the USA, and was going to order a film of the 1910 Pennsylvania census through my local LDS Church. After checking through their Library Catalogue I discovered the films were of the many Enumeration Districts. Not knowing specific addresses, determining the ED's would be very difficult. I would be grateful for any suggestions that might help me in finding their arrival dates. I have checked the Ellis Island site and had no luck. Regards, Helga Sten ______________________________

Regarding my posting of the above, sorry I forgot to put the surnames in CAPITALS. Helga

Hello everyone. I live in the beautiful State of Queensland in Australia, and as I've had no experience of researching in America I'm hoping someone can help me. (I also hope I have subscribed to the right list. According to the death certificate of the son (C. Arthur Swanson) of Edwin, he lived in Montgomery County, and I'm assuming the areas I mention are also in that County). My grandfather Alfred Svantesson Sten - his family name was Svantesson but for some reason he added the Sten when he migrated - arrived in Qld. Australia in the November of 1899. Two brothers and one sister went to the US some years later. One brother, Hilding Julius, left Göteberg Sweden, Dec. 27, 1908 under the name Svantesson, but changed it later to Swanson. His ticket was for Philadelphia. Hilding married an Englishwoman Gertrude Ware, and was accidently killed in 1939. At one time he lived at Ridley Park, which I believe is outside Philidelphia. The other brother Edwin, and sister Selma also went by the name of Swanson, before or after their arrival in the United States I don't know. Edwin also married but I'm unsure to whom, and Selma remained single. Edwin lived in Oreland, which I think is also on the outskirts of Philadelphia, and passed away in 1951. Selma died in Colorado Springs in 1956. I'm trying to find when Selma and Edwin arrived in the USA, and was going to order a film of the 1910 Pennsylvania census through my local LDS Church. After checking through their Library Catalogue I discovered the films were of the many Enumeration Districts. Not knowing specific addresses, determining the ED's would be very difficult. I would be grateful for any suggestions that might help me in finding their arrival dates. I have checked the Ellis Island site and had no luck. Regards, Helga Sten

HI Can some tell me if there is a death index available either on line or in a book. Or someone who can do lookups. My family ( O'NEILLS, GRIGGS, LAW) lived in Norristown for over 90 years and Ineed to find some of the death dates. Thanks in Advance Shirley Boulder, MT