My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH S. GARBER, of the firm of Garber & Rhoads, brick manufacturers, Pottstown, is a native of that borough, where he was born January 24, 1853. He is the son of Francis and Sophie (Sellers) Garber. The parents were also natives of the vicinity. They had a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, three of whom are now living, as follows: Phoebe, wife of Henry Yohn; Joseph S. Garber, and George W. Garber, of Los Angeles, California.

Francis Garber (father) was a carpenter and car builder, and was engaged in those occupations the greater portion of his life. He resided in Pottstown for many years, and was employed for nineteen years by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company. He died in 1866, in Philadelphia, in his fiftieth year. Mrs. Garber survived her husband many years, dying in 1888, at the age of sixty-seven years. She, as well as her husband, was a member of the Reformed church. He was called into the United States military service in the Mexican war in 1847. He was a Whig and Republican in politics, although taking no very active share in party contests.

Joseph Garber (grandfather) was a native of that section of Montgomery county, and resided near Mingo. He was a farmer by occupation. He had four sons and a daughter, and died somewhat past middle life. The family are of German descent but have been long residents in eastern Pennsylvania. Ephraim Sellers (maternal grandfather) lived in Sunneytown. He died young. His children were four in number.

Joseph Garber was reared in Pottstown, and attended the public schools until he was twelve years of age. His father dying, Joseph began life on his own account, but assisted his mother in caring for his younger brothers and sisters. His first occupation was work as a gilder of picture frames in Philadelphia. Returning to Pottstown he secured employment in the nail factory in 1866, and was engaged in that occupation for a period of thirty years. In 1890 he embarked in the brick manufacturing business, which he still continues, and makes as many as a million bricks in a year, his firm doing a large business in that line.

On February 5, 1872, he married Miss Mary A. Sending, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Mowerer) Semling. Mr. and Mrs. Garber have six children as follows: Ella, Ida, Annie, Jennie, Harry and Raymond. Ella married Frank Graham, of Pottstown, and they have two children, Harold and Marie. Ida married William Newton, of Easton, Pennsylvania. Annie married Lester Fisher, of Pottstown. Jennie married Charles Fisher, and they reside now in Harrisburg. Harry is a moulder, and Raymond died at the age of seven years and nine months. Mr. and Mrs. Garber are members of the Trinity Reformed church of Pottstown. Mr. Garber is a Republican in politics. He built his present home, No. 422 Lincoln avenue, in 1875. He also owns other business and residence properties in Pottstown, and is an influential and highly respected member of the community.