My Genealogy Hound

HOWARD E. STOUDT, who is the largest contractor and builder of West Bethlehem, has been connected with the building interests of this section for many years, and is well and favorably known. Besides this business, he is also the proprietor of the Excelsior Woodworking Mill, which is one of the important industries of this section, and since engaging in the same our subject has very materially added to his income.

Mr. Stoudt was born in Nazareth, January 18, 1866, and is the son of William H. Stoudt, also a native of that place, and of whom the reader will find a history on another page in this volume. Howard E. was the eldest of the parental family, of four children, and, his father being in fairly good circumstances, he was given a fine education, attending first the common schools of his native place, and later the Freemansburg High School.

In 1885, when ready to choose an occupation in life, our subject apprenticed himself to learn the carpenter’s trade in Bethlehem, and four years later established in business for himself. In January, 1894, he erected his present milling plant, which is located on Twelfth Avenue and Broad Street, occupying the entire block. The structure is of brick and 36x80 feet in dimensions. It is supplied with an engine of one-hundred-horse- power and sixty-horse-power boiler. He has sunk an artesian well on the premises, one hundred and fifty feet in depth, in which is seventy-four feet of water.

In his woodworking mill Mr. Stoudt manufactures sash, doors, blinds, and supplies builders with all kinds of wood carving and trimmings. Prior to engaging in this enterprise, our subject erected many of the finest buildings in the city, among which were Wiley’s Building and Conley’s and E. O. Riely’s business blocks, besides numerous residences. Mr. Stoudt is stockholder and Director in the West Bethlehem Building and Loan Association.

The lady to whom our subject was married in this city in 1886 was Miss Cuely A., daughter of Enoch Snyder, a resident of this place. Socially Mr. Stoudt is a Mason of high standing, and belongs to the Knights of the Golden Chain and to the Order of Sons of Veterans. His father served during the late war as a member of Company B, Fifty-second Pennsylvania Infantry, and during his period of enlistment acquitted himself bravely. The subject of this sketch is a member of Christ’s Reformed Church, and being possessed of many good personal qualities, enjoys the friendship of the best people of the city.