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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company; Elwood Roberts, Editor. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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ADAM W. WERKISER. The Werkiser family are of German origin, being among the oldest of that nationality in Montgomery county.
Adam Walter Werkiser is the son of Henry and Emeline (Meeker) Werkiser. He was born August 25, 1866, and resides at No. 1014 Cherry street, Norristown. He is unmarried and is engaged in the milk business, being one of the most extensive and successful dealers at the county seat.
Henry Werkiser (father) is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Fetter) Werkiser, of Whitpain township. He was born near Belfry, December 21, 1831. He attended the pay school at Bethel, in Worcester township, until he had reached his sixteenth year, also engaging in farming in the intervals of school study, as is usual in country districts. On reaching that age he decided to learn the trade of a stone mason, in accordance with the rule formerly prevalent of having every farmer’s boy acquire knowledge of another calling in life. He served the usual time as an apprentice at the trade, and continued to work at it for many years, both as a journeyman and contractor, building many houses and barns in that section of the county. He married, March 28, 1858, Emeline Meeker, daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Meeker) Weber, of Philadelphia. He then settled at Center Square in Whitpain township. He died December 18, 1890, but his wife is still living. Their children are as follows: Samuel and Elizabeth, twins, were born December 3, 1859, and the latter, unmarried, is living in Norristown. Samuel never learned a trade and has followed farming most of his life, but now lives in Norristown and is employed by Mr. March, of Bridgeport. He is a Democrat. He was married March 26, 1890, to Emma Shaffer, of Oreland, and their children are: one that died in infancy; Harry Walter, deceased, who was born in 1896; Samuel Warren, born December 8, 1901; and Carl, deceased. Cornelia Hecklin Werkiser, born September 24, 1861, is unmarried and resides in Norristown. Harry Fetter, born June 29, 1864, learned the mason’s trade with his father and followed it for a number of years, after which he became a dealer in milk at Belfry, and after 1897 he followed the same business in Norristown. In politics he is a Democrat and was candidate for councilman in the sixth ward of Norristown but was defeated. In April, 1903, he removed to Center Square, where he now resides. He married Annie, daughter of Ellwood Hart, who is living near Center Square. Adam Walter Werkiser is the youngest of the brothers.
Adam W. Werkiser was educated at Bethel, a public school, from which he was graduated at the age of eighteen years, after which he learned the mason’s trade with his father and worked at it until he was twenty-three years of age. Subsequently he was employed in a creamery for five years and in 1897 he settled in Norristown, where he is engaged in handling milk, cream, eggs and ice, in connection with his brother Harry, under the firm name of H. Werkiser & Brother. They do an extensive business, employing four men and four teams.
Adam W. Werkiser is a Democrat in his political affiliations, but does not seek office. He is connected with the Tribe of Red Men of Norristown and the Mystic Chain, and has filled all the chairs.
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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company. For the complete description, click here: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
View additional Montgomery County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Biographies
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