My Genealogy Hound

ELLWOOD J. WANNER, who has filled the position of business manager at the office of the Norristown Herald, No. 73 East Main street, since 1885, is a native of Norristown. He was born August 3, 1856. He is the son of Frederick Conrad and Sarah (Gash) Wanner, both deceased.

Mr. Wanner was educated in the public schools of Norristown. After leaving school he entered the Herald office to learn the printing business. On completing his trade he accepted a clerical position in the office, from which he was promoted in due time to the position which he now holds.

Frederick C. Wanner (father) died in 1870. His widow died in 1896. Ellwood J. Wanner, having lost his father at an early age, was thrown upon his own resources and became the principal support of the family. The other children of his parents were a sister, Margaret, who died in 1890, and a brother, Thomas, who died in infancy.

Mr. Wanner married, October 8, 1889, Miss Margaret J., daughter of David and Margaret (Glenn) Wilkins, of Conshohocken. Mr. and Mrs. Wanner have one son, Frederick Conrad Wanner, born October 16, 1890.

Mr. Wanner is an active member of Norris Lodge, No. 430, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also of Norristown Encampment, No. 37, of the same order. He has since 1884 been the efficient secretary of Norris Lodge, and since 1896 the scribe of Norristown Encampment. Mr. Wanner is actively interested in everything that relates to the welfare of Odd Fellowship. He has participated prominently in the arrangements for the erection of the new Odd Fellows’ Building on West Main street, Norristown, which is to be the future home of the local lodges of the order- the Norris, the Montgomery and the Curtis, as well as of the Encampment, and of the Daughters of Rebekah, the latter the ladies’ branch of Odd Fellowship.

Mr. Wanner is a member of the Press League of Bucks and Montgomery counties, and himself and Mrs. Wanner have frequently attended its outings. He is also a member of the Montgomery County Historical Society, and takes much interest in its work. In politics Mr. Wanner is a lifelong Republican, active and earnest in support of its principles, and always contributing by his vote and his influence to the success of its candidates.

Mr. and Mrs. Wanner are members of the Central Presbyterian church. He is one of its trustees. Mr. Wanner is a self-made man in the best sense of the term, his success in life being the result of his integrity, his ability and his strict attention to business, which have secured him the respect and confidence of all who know him. In all that relates to the success of the business enterprise in which he is engaged he is ever on the alert, and he has contributed greatly to the high reputation which the establishment enjoys, as the oldest and most complete in the county. He is the secretary of the Norristown Herald, the corporation recently formed by Morgan R. Wills, the proprietor. Mr. Wanner is a resident of the Tenth ward of Norristown, owning a handsome residence on Main street on the Hamilton Terrace tract.