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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company; Elwood Roberts, Editor.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ERNEST W. STRASSER, the well known blacksmith and wagon maker of Souderton, is the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Lowdenstein) Strasser, both natives of Germany. Ernest W. Strasser was born in Manayunk, in the city of Philadelphia, May 15, 1864.

Frank Strasser, father, was born in Saxony, and received a good education in the schools of that country, and on completing his studies learned the shoemaking trade. On reaching manhood he decided that he would be better off in America than in his native land. Having married Miss Elizabeth Lowdenstein, they emigrated together and landed in Philadelphia. He was about to engage in business in that city when the Rebellion began with the firing on Fort Sumter by the troops of the state of South Carolina. He enlisted at once, and served in the Union army from 1861 to 1865, participating in many battles and skirmishes, and winning commendation from his superiors for his gallant conduct. He was a member of the Twenty-ninth Regiment New York Volunteers, and was engaged in the battle of the Wilderness in the celebrated campaign of General Grant against the city of Richmond, the capital of the Southern Confederacy. During the progress of the battle a shell exploded near him, destroying the sight of one of his eyes. At the end of the war Mr. Strasser returned to Philadelphia, and later removed with his family to Hatfield township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he still resides. Mr. Strasser is a Republican in politics, a good citizen, and is highly respected by all who know him. Mrs. Strasser is also living. Mr. and Mrs. Strasser had two children, Francis and Ernest W., the subject of this sketch.

Ernest W. Strasser removed with his parents from Manayunk to Hatfield township at an early age. He was educated in the public schools of the district, and on leaving school learned the trade of a blacksmith in Franconia. On completing his apprenticeship he labored as a journeyman in different localities, and in 1887 went to Souderton, and located permanently in that borough, at first leasing a stand and ultimately purchasing it, and successfully conducting it ever since. He has also erected a comfortable house in which he resides. He has added to his blacksmith business the manufacture of wagons of all descriptions, in which branch he has also been very successful.

Mr. Strasser married Miss Mary Shellenberger, daughter of William Shellenberger, late postmaster at Souderton. By the marriage the following children were born: Elizabeth, Francis, William and Edna. In politics he is a Republican, but not in any sense an office seeker, although he has been elected a school director. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Sons of Veterans. In religious faith he and his family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Strasser is emphatically a self-made man, and is an influential member of the community in which he lives.

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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

View additional Montgomery County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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