My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT F. WENTZ. The Siegfried Manufacturing Company, organized by Mr. Wentz in 1892, is one of the largest enterprises in the village, and gives constant employment in its different departments to about fifteen men. They are builders of full roller, cement, paint, facing and sawmill machinery, also grain elevator, concentrating works, etc. They manufacture the Crown Prince Cement Bolt, Wentz Inter-Elevator Flour Bolt and Aspirators, scalpers, etc., besides dealing in rubber, cotton, canvas and leather belting, wood split pulleys and general mill supplies.

The works of the Siegfried Manufacturing Company have been fitted up with the most modern and latest improved machinery, such as is not surpassed by any other company in the Lehigh Valley; They are therefore able to turn out work with accuracy, neatness and dispatch, and invite inspection in this particular. Their foreman in the machinery department is an exact and quick mechanic, and the factory also numbers among its employes competent millwrights, who are able to put up machinery in a workmanlike manner. The Manufacturing Company is prepared to do all kinds of repair work in mills, factories and mines, as well as build new works and remodel old ones to the latest systems and processes.

The experience of the Siegfried Manufacturing Company in building cement works is extensive, and we can say without fear of contradiction that they have built more cement works than any other company in the state. They built the large Portland Cement Works, the only works of the kind in the state of New Jersey, and remodeled with the latest machinery the Portland cement plant, the largest in New York.

The Crown Prince Cement Bolt is noted for the following points of superiority: greatest capacity, minimum power, less space, wears longer, less attention required, more easily operated, coarser cloth required for the same fineness of cement, no clogging up of cloth, no cloth cleaner required, cloth wears two or three times as long as any round or hexagon reel in existence, etc. Since its introduction a short time ago, the bolt has acquired a reputation as a leader for superior work with the greatest possible capacity per square foot of cloth, requiring little or no attention, and for such general excellence in every respect that it is hardly necessary to boast of its merits. The machine is very carefully constructed throughout, the inside or working part being made of steel, and the frame of hard wood, thus presenting a very handsome appearance.

The Wentz Elevator Flour Bolt is the leader, if not the champion, of all flour bolts or dressers yet introduced to the milling public. This machine is doing very satisfactory work for those who have become the possessors of it. The company also claims the greatest possible capacity, perfect separations, clear and granular flour, dry and dustless tailings, small space in mill, least power required to run it. They also make a specialty of maple and hickory mill cogs, the wood being of selected stock, and only butts of the best kind are used.

The Siegfried Manufacturing Company are the agents for Otto Gasoline Engine (economy and safety combined), Jeffrey Chain Belting and Sprocket Wheels, Caldwell Steel Conveyors, Leffel Turbine, Belting, Bolting Cloth, Elevator Cups and Bolts, and all general and special mill machinery and supplies.

Robert F. Wentz, the senior member of the company, was born in Cherryville, this state, July 19, 1858, and is the son of Jacob and Lucy A. Wentz. He prosecuted his studies first in the public schools of Northampton County, and later in the Cedar Hill Seminary at Ml. Joy. When about nineteen years of age he drifted into mechanical engineering, which he followed for one year, and then engaged in operating a gristmill, his place of business being at Howerville.

For three and one-half years Mr. Wentz was in the employ of Wolf & Homaker, of Chambersburg, putting up mill machinery, in which undertaking he was very successful. In 1892 he erected his present plant and operated alone until March 1, 1894, when he formed a partnership with Frank D. Fried. Mr. Wentz, as the reader doubtless knows, is a thorough business man and self made in every sense of the term. He is recognized as among the leading business men of the county, and is in the possession of a handsome competence, which he has accumulated through his own efforts.

Robert F. Wentz and Miss Alice Farber were united in marriage in 1877. To them have been granted eight children, namely: Bertie, Annie, Jerry, Lottie, Carrie, Talmadge, Helen and Ruth. In religious affairs our subject is a devoted member of the Evangelical Chinch at Cherryville and has been active in Sunday-school work, serving as Superintendent of the school at that place for many years. Socially he is a prominent member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows at Seigfried’s and is also connected with the Grange at this place.

Frank D. Fried, the junior member of the Siegfried Manufacturing Company, is a native of this state, and was born in Allentown November 19, 1843. He is a son of Daniel and Susan Fried, the former of whom is a millwright. Frank D. learned the trade of a boot and shoe maker after completing his education in the common schools, and for many years was a member of the Allentown Shoe Manufacturing Company. He retired from this business in 1894, and soon thereafter became connected with Mr. Wentz in his present business. By his marriage to Miss Alice Hemersley five children were born, bearing the respective names of Susan, Clinton, Robert, Percival and Ralph. Mr. Fried still makes his home in Allentown, and is numbered among the well-to-do residents of that place.