My Genealogy Hound

AARON J. MOYER, Manager of the Springfield Architectural Iron Works, is recognized as one of the leading business men of the city. The business is a partnership concern consisting of William Burns, R. Copenhafer, G. Sintz & A. J. Moyer, who were the successors of the Hanika Fence Company, and was organized November 1, 1889. The firm manufactures all kinds of iron fences, ornamental trimmings for buildings, and the Prince Lawn Mower. They are located at the corner of Murray & Main Streets, and give employment to thirty men.

The subject of this notice was born in Northumberland County, Pa., January 25, 1847, and is the son of John and Mary (Hartranft) Moyer, who were of German and English extraction, respectively. The maternal grandfather of our subject was born in England, and married a German lady who could not speak English at the time. John Moyer is still living, making his home in Tioga Center, and is now seventy-eight years old. Aaron J. of this notice was the seventh in a family of twelve children, ten of whom lived to mature years.

Mr. Moyer passed his boyhood days in Lycoming County, Pa., to which his parents removed when he was a mere infant. His father was a shoemaker by trade, and also dealt in boots and shoes. The boy attended the common school during his younger years, and later pursued his studies at Dickinson Seminary in Williamsport, Pa. Afterward he taught school for three years in the country districts. He then became a clerk and bookkeeper in a hardware store in Williamsport, this occupying his time until 1872.

Going now to Freeport, Pa., Mr. Moyer entered the employ of a lumber firm as a book-keeper, and when this contract ended, he went into Mercer County and was similarly employed in the Mercer Mining and Manufacturing Company. In 1875 he entered the employ of the Chenango & Allegheny Railroad Company, with which he continued five years as telegraph operator and agent at New Hope and Pardoe. Thence he came to Springfield in 1880 as agent for the Ohio Southern Railroad, and in 1882 accepted a position with the Champion Bar & Knife Company as clerk under the general superintendent of employes.

In 1883 Mr. Moyer engaged with the Roger’s Fence Company, and continued with this firm six years as Superintendent and Secretary. In the fall of 1889 he organized the Springfield Architectural Iron Works, of which he became manager, and whose affairs he is conducting in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory to all concerned.

Mr. Moyer was married in August, 1873, to Miss Rebecca Weaver, of Freport, Pa. Mrs. Moyer was born in October, 1853, and is a daughter of Peter and Anna (Bowman) Weaver, who were likewise natives of Pennsylvania, and where Mrs. Moyer was reared to womanhood. Of her union with our subject there have been born four children, namely: Aaron J., Jr.; F. Hughes, Rebecca, and Frederick. The family are all regular attendants of the Episcopal Church. Their home is a neat and comfortable residence on East Grand Avenue, in the eastern part of the city.