Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

QUIER, EDWIN ADDAMS

p. 713

Surnames: QUIER, ADDAMS, MCHOSE, CAMPBELL, HAWLEY, RITTER

Edwin Addams Quier has passed practically all his live in Reading,
where he was born Aug. 14, 1869, son of Levi and Emma (Addams)
Quier.

Levi Quier has been a prominent business man in
Reading for many years. Born at Rittersville, in Lehigh county,
Pa., March 11, 1835, he was there educated in the public schools,
and upon the opening of his active years learned the business of
constructing blast furnaces for the manufacture of iron, under his
uncles, Isaac and Samuel McHose, who were well known furnace
builders of Lehigh county. After that experience he served for five
years as bookkeeper and paymaster for the Allentown Iron Company,
and then from 1859 to 1861 was engaged in the construction of blast
furnaces, one of them being at Richmond, Va. Meantime his
patriotism had become aroused by the stirring events of the Civil
war period, and in the latter part of 1861 he assisted in
organizing a company at Allentown for the Union service-Company K,
54th Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was commissioned first lieutenant,
and served with that rank until January, 1864, when he was
appointed quartermaster of the regiment, continuing in that
position until he received his honorable discharge from the
service, in September, 1864. By special detachment he served as
recruiting officer at different places, and later as quartermaster
on the staff of Gen. J. M. Campbell, participating especially in
the campaigns in the Shenandoah valley.

At the conclusion of his military service Mr.
Quier located at Reading, where he became interested in the
manufacture of fire brick, securing an interest in the firm of
McHose & Thompson, of which his uncle, Isaac McHose, was the
senior partner. This was in the year 1865, and throughout the forty
and more years intervening since that time he has continued his
connection with the works, which during all this time have been
under his direct management, and of which he is now practically the
sole owner.

In 1868 Mr. Quier married Emma Addams, daughter
of Reuben E. Addams, of Reading, formerly of Ontelaunee township,
Berks county and to them has been born one son, Edwin Addams. Mr.
and Mrs. Quier were members of the First Reformed Church of Reading
until the organization of St. Paul’s Memorial Reformed Church, in
1872, when they withdrew from their original connection to assist
in the establishment of the new congregation, of which they have
since been active members. He was one of the building committee of
the church, serving as secretary of that body, and he and his
uncle, Isaac McHose, are now the only surviving members of that
committee. For over twelve years following the organization of the
congregation, Mr. Quier officiated as deacon and trustee.

Though he is best known in business circles as a
manufacturer of fire brick, Mr. Quier has been identified with the
management of the National Union Bank for twenty years, during
which time he has served as a member of the board of directors; he
co-operated with other enterprising capitalists of Reading in
establishing the electric light and power plant, and the steam heat
plant, for supplying the community with light, power and heat-all
of which projects have been very successful, demonstrating their
utility so that they have been highly appreciated in the community.
Mr. Quier has always been a public-spirited man, and he represented
the First ward as one of the Republican school controllers in the
board of controller’s from 1878 to 1882.

Edwin Addams Quier received his early education
in the Reading public schools, graduating from the high school in
1885. He then entered Lehigh University, graduating from that
institution in 1891, after a course in analytical chemistry. Upon
his return to Reading, after graduation, he secured an interest in
the Reading Fire Brick Works, with which his father has so long
been connected, and he has since been identified with that
important industrial concern. He has served as secretary and later
as treasurer, and has proved himself a success in business as well
as in professional work.

In 1895, Mr. Quier was married to Helen Hawley,
daughter of Jesse G. and Kate (Ritter) Hawley, and they have had
three children; Hawley, Catherine and Edith. Mr. Quier is a member
of St. Paul’s Memorial Reformed Church, and his wife is connected
with Christ P. E. Church.

Upon the death of Mr. Jesse G. Hawley, who was
the owner of the Reading Eagle, the leading newspaper publication
of Reading, the Reading Eagle Company was incorporated, and Mr.
Quier was chosen vice-president, in which capacity he as since
assisted in the management of the publication.

QUIMBY
FAMILY

p. 1006

Surnames: QUIMBY, JEFFERSON, McDOWEL, STRUNK, GUILEY, KLINGER,
ADAMS, STONE, SHUNK, EDWARDS

Quimby, (I) Elijah Quimby is the first of the family of whom there
is definite knowledge, and he was a farmer of Maryland, where he
was born, and where he lived, died and is buried. During his
lifetime he became possessed of a large plantation, and was a man
of prominence in his community. His wife’s Christian name was Sarah
and she bore him these children: Elijah, who lived in Maryland;
William, who lived in Philadelphia; Benjamin, who lived on the
eastern shore of Maryland; Sprey, who settled in California; and
Sarah, who married Enos Jefferson, of Wilmington, Delaware.

(II) John Quimby, son of Elijah Quimby, was born in Maryland in
1812, and died in 1863, aged fifty-one years. In 1840 he came to
Reading where he died and he is buried in the Charles Evans
cemetery. Being a carpenter by trade, he found plenty of work in
Reading and for some time followed boat building. He was a man of
considerable education, and taught school on Franklin street,
meeting with success in this profession. All of his life he had
been a devout Christian, and finally was ordained a preacher, and
was made chaplain of the 93d Pa. V. I. during the Civil war. Later
in life he proved pipes at the rolling mills and was an earnest,
conscientious worker. He was a man who never willingly wronged a
single person but sought to do only good, and his memory is still
cherished by those who knew him. John Quimby was active in public
life and served as alderman of the old Southeast ward, and had his
office under the old Mansion House. When his country called upon
him for his services, Mr. Quimby nobly responded and organized
companies and enrolled men before he himself went to the front as
the spiritual guide of his regiment. Early in its history he became
a member of Chandler Lodge No. 227, F. & A. M., and at the time
of his enlistment was its Senior Warden. He was also active in
Montgomery Lodge No. 59, I. O. O. F., and filled a number of its
offices. John Quimby married Sarah McDowel, 1811-1861, daughter of
Elijah McDowel, of Wilmington. Their children were: William M.;
Henry died at Reading; James died in the army hospital at
Washington; Laura married Henry Strunk, deceased; Samuel resides at
New Castle, Pa.; John resides at Reading; and Thomas resides at
Chester, Pennsylvania.

(III) William M. Quimby, son of John Quimby and father of Allen G.
Quimby, is a retired resident of Reading and a veteran of the Civil
war. He was born in Wilmington, Del., May 1, 1834. When quite a
young man he learned the molder’s trade at Johnson’s foundry and
machine shops at Reading, where he came in 1840. He worked at these
shops for ten years, and then became an employe of the Reading
Hardware Company, and worked for them for more than a quarter of a
century, retiring in 1907 after the death of his wife. He now
resides with his son, Allen G. Quimby, being an honored member of
that household. Mr. Quimby was a very prominent man, and took part
in many enterprises looking toward the betterment of Reading. He
was an organizer of the Liberty Fire Company No. 6, of Reading, and
served as its chief hose director, was assistant engineer, and
filled other offices therein. He is a member of the Iron Molders
Union, of Veteran Castle, K. G. E., and of the K. of P. For years
he served as trustee of St. Peter’s Methodist Church, of which he
is a consistent member and generous contributor, and he has always
taken a deep interest in the church and all its work.

On Sept. 12, 1862, Mr. Quimby enlisted in
Company G, 20th Pa. V. I., was made a corporal, at Harrisburg, and
during the time he served he was a brave soldier. On March 22,
1857, he married Lavina E. Guiley, daughter of John and Mary
(Klinger) Guiley of Reading. Mr. Guiley was a son of a Hessian
soldier who came from Hesse-Darmstadt during the Revolution. Mrs.
Quimby was born Feb. 17, 1838, and died April 26, 1907, aged
sixty-nine years, two months and nine days. Mr. and Mrs. Quimby
celebrated their golden anniversary about one month before she
died, and no one enjoyed the pleasant affair more than she. Her
children all attended and she was the center of attraction. To Mr.
and Mrs. Quimby were born these children: James H., of Newcastle,
Del., who is superintendent of the Brylgon Steel Casting Company;
Allen G.; Mary K., who married John H. Adams, of No. 137 North
Eighth street, Reading.

(IV) Allen G. Quimby, superintendent for the American Coke &
Gas Construction Company of New York, with foundry located at
Reading, is a native of the city, having been born here Nov. 2,
1866. He was educated in the public schools of Reading, and when
but thirteen years of age began learning the molder’s trade at
Johnson’s Foundry and Machine shops. After completing his term of
years, he traveled considerably, working at Peoria, Ill., and other
western cities, gaining considerable valuable experience at his
trade. When only eighteen he was a master of the trade, something
very remarkable. Later he located at Chester and worked for the
Standard Steel Casting Company, but in 1899 he returned to his
native city and began working at the Scott works branch of the
Reading Iron Company. In 1900 he took charge of the Penn Iron
Works, and when his company sold its plant to the American Coke
& Gas Construction Company, in 1904, he continued with the new
combination. At present he has charge of over 100 skilled
mechanics. His home is pleasantly located at No. 137 North Eighth
street. In politics Mr. Quimby is a Republican, and is very active
in party work. He was chairman of the Third ward for nine
consecutive years; was a State delegate when Hon. William A. Stone
was nominated for governor of Pennsylvania, and he has always taken
a deep interest in city politics as well. Socially Mr. Quimby is a
member of Chandler Lodge No. 227, F. & A. M., of which he has
been past master since 1900; Excelsior Chapter No. 237, R. A. M.;
Reading Commandery No. 42, K. T.; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.,
and a member of the Arab Patrol. He belongs to Meade Camp No. 16,
Sons of Veterans, and to Liberty Fire Co. No. 6, Reading. He was
active in the Friendship Fire Co. No. 5, and was its vice president
for some years. In addition to these other societies, Mr. Quimby
was active in the Iona Pioneer Corps, a temperance society, and
served as its secretary, treasurer, and first and second
lieutenant. He and his family are connected with the Baptist
Church.

On July 27, 1886, Mr. Quimby was married to
Sallie A. Shunk, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Edwards) Shunk of
Reading. Peter Shunk is a grandson of the late Gov. Francis A.
Shunk of Pennsylvania. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Quimby-William McDowel, a skilled draughtsman of Reading, and a
very promising young man; Lavinia E., a graduate of Deck Business
Academy.

QUINTER, F.
H.

p. 1199

Surnames: QUINTER, ULRICH, POTTS, RIDER, BECHTEL, HIMMELREICH,
YOUNG, MOSER, FLICKINGER, MYERS, EISENHOWER

F. H. Quinter, proprietor of a shoe store located at No. 950
Chestnut street, Reading, has only followed a family custom in
choosing his occupation, for his father and grandfather before him
had been shoemakers.

The paternal grandfather, Peter Quinter,
combined farming and shoemaking. He married (first) a Miss Ulrich,
by whom he had four children, viz.: Joseph; Jeremiah; Ellen, wife
of David Rider; and Mary M., Mrs. William Potts. By a second union
to Miss Susan Bechtel, there was an only child, William B. Peter
Quinter died in 1866, in the Lutheran faith.

William B. Quinter followed his father’s trade
and during most of his lifetime was established at Lorane. He
married Miss Sarah Himmelreich, and they had a family of seven
children as follows: Mary, Mrs. Nathaniel Young; Agnes, Mrs. Henry
Moser; Ella, Mrs. Joseph Flickinger; F. H.; Calvin; John; and
William. The mother died in 1876, aged thirty-six, while Mr.
Quinter died at Stowe, in 1896, at the age of sixty-six years.

He was politically an adherent of the Republican
party.

F. H. Quinter was born in Lorane in the State of
Pennsylvania in January, 1860. He grew up in Berks county,
receiving his education in the public schools, and learning the
shoemaker’s trade from his father. At the age of twenty he went to
Geigertown and for three years worked there with a Mr. Hoffman. In
1883 he located in Reading and bought the property where he still
carries on his business. The store building now in use was on the
property at the time, and Mr. Quinter put in a good stock of shoes,
boots and rubbers. He has done well from the beginning, has a
thriving trade and has won the entire esteem of the community by
his honest business methods.

In the same year of his removal to Reading, Mr.
Quinter was married on Jan. 25, to Miss Rebecca Myers, who died in
1891 at the age of thirty-two years. Two years later in 1893, he
married Miss Alice Eisenhower, by whom he has two daughters, Sarah
Alma and Norma Marion. Mr. Quinter, with his family, belongs to
Grace Lutheran Church, of Reading, while fraternally he is a member
of the Royal Arcanum. While the management of his business has left
him no time to mingle actively in politics, he is a loyal supporter
of the Republican party.