My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. WIAND, of the firm of Davidheiser & Wiand, contractors and builders of Pottstown, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1860. He is the son of John and Lydia (Larkins) Wiand.

John Wiand (father) was born in Pennsylvania, and spent most of his life in tilling the fields, but afterwards lived retired at Royersford for many years, and died July 4, 1904, at the age of eighty-four years. He removed to Montgomery county about 1885. His first wife, Lydia Larkins Wiand, died at the age of thirty-two years. She was a member of the Reformed church. John Wiand married (second wife) Mrs. Brown, and they had three children: Sallie, wife of Harry Freed; Edward; Harry Wiand. The children of John Wiand and Lydia (Larkins) Wiand were: Lizzie, deceased; Kate; Monerva, wife of Harry Siebold; William H.; Isaac, and Elwood.

William H. Wiand was reared on a farm in Chester county, and attended the district school at East Coventry. When still very young he began to work for himself, earning only his board and clothes until he was sixteen years old. At that time he commenced to learn the carpenter trade with Henry Ecker, of Chester county, and remained with him two years. For the next three years he was employed by Ellis Hall, also of Chester county and then removed to Pottstown.

During the first three years of his residence in that borough Mr. Wiand was employed by Davidheiser & Mauger, afterwards forming a partnership with Mr. M. R. Davidheiser. The firm has been in business as contractors and builders ever since that time.

On February 8, 1885, William H. Wiand married Miss Celinda Keller, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Moyer) Keller. They had three children, two of whom are now living: Blanche and William. Charles died in infancy.

Mr. Wiand is a member of the Trinity Reformed church. Politically he is a Democrat, and was a member of the town council of the borough of Pottstown for three years. He belongs to Madison Lodge, No. 466, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1883 Mr. Wiand built a good home at 32 East Fifth street, Pottstown, where he now resides. He also owns several other desirable residence properties in Pottstown, and the firm of which he is a member having built many such buildings.

Mrs. Wiand’s parents were early settlers in Berks county. They had nine children, five of whom are living. Charles Keller died in 1891, and his wife, Elizabeth (Moyer) Keller, now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Wiand, in Pottstown.