My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL R. FISHER, photographer, whose place of business is at No. 49 East Main street, Norristown, was born in Tredyffrin township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1834. He is the son of Jacob and Ann (Ritter) Fisher, both of whom were natives of this state. They had three children: Hannah (deceased), Susan and Samuel R., both of Norristown.

Jacob Fisher (father) was a blacksmith and edge-tool maker. He learned his trade near Brick Meeting House, which is located in Pennsylvania close to the line of Maryland, and after residing for a few years in Tredyffrin township, removed to Montgomery county about 1835 and carried on his trades, which he followed continuously during his life, except about eight years spent at farming near the Gulf Mills, in Upper Merion. The last twenty years or more of his life he resided in Norristown, where he died in 1877, at an advanced age. His wife survived until 1897, at the age of eighty-seven years. She was an Episcopalian in religious faith. Her husband was not identified with any religious denomination.

The paternal grandfather of Samuel R. Fisher was a native of Germany, a brick-maker by trade, and lived in Philadelphia, where he lost his life in an accident in middle life. He had a large family.

His maternal grandfather was Samuel Ritter, a native of Pennsylvania. He was a farmer and fence-maker. His wife was Jane Ritter. They had several sons and daughters.

Samuel R. Fisher grew to manhood in Montgomery county and received his early education there, also attending Freemount Seminary, Norristown, when Rev. Samuel Aaron, a famous preacher, was its principal. He was reared on a farm, and learned the business of photographing, in Westchester, Penn., which occupation he has followed about forty years very successfully.

On March 17, 1866, he married Miss Sarah Ann Neiman, daughter of John and Catharine (Day) Neiman. Mrs. Fisher died in 1889. She was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Trinity to which Mr. Fisher belongs, being an elder in it. Mr. Fisher is a Democrat although he takes no active interest in politics. Mr. Fisher resides at No. 365 East Main street, which was his father’s home, and where his sister Susan lives with him.

Mr. Fisher owns a valuable business property on Main street, now occupied by Mr. Hyderman, the dry goods merchant, and other property of the kind. In 1895 he visited the Holy Land, and photographed many of the places of interest, his views being used by public speakers in steropticon lectures. He devotes much time to the manufacture of lantern slides. Mr. Fisher has also traveled extensively in the United States. He is an old resident of Norristown and one of its best- known citizens.

In connection with his occupation of photography, to which he is devoted above everything else, Mr. Fisher has acquired a taste for local history. He has photographed very successfully all the prominent places of interest on or near the Valley Forge campground, and other objects of historical interest in Montgomery and adjoining counties. He is a valued member of the Montgomery County Historical Society, and has presented it with many highly prized specimens of his work in photography.

In his younger days he was a member of several secret societies-the Knights of Malta, Knights of Pythias and Mystic Chain.

In 1862 he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Infantry, called the Emergency Regiment, and served some two months in defense of the state. In August, 1903, he made a trip to California and the Yellowstone Park, bringing back many fine pictures of that country.