My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. SOLLIDAY, a well known farmer of Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was born on the homestead farm at Montgomeryville, July 15, 1853. He is the son of Lafayette and Catherine (Hottel) Solliday.

Lafayette Solliday (father) was the son of George Solliday, who in his day was a somewhat noted clock and watch maker. He was a native and lifelong resident of Montgomery township, where he carried on his occupation of clock making in connection with farming. His son, George M. Solliday, subject of this sketch, has in his possession an eight-day clock made by his father in the year 1802. He also has another clock made by his great-grandfather many years previous to that time, both the timepieces being in a perfect state of preservation. Lafayette Solliday was a Democrat in politics, and was earnestly devoted to the success of his party principles, a tendency that has been a characteristic of the family in its various generations. Lafayette Solliday served as a justice of the peace for many years, his efforts being devoted to the settlement of cases brought before him wherever it was possible, rather than to the encouragement of litigation. He was also a friend of educational interests, and served as a member of the school board of Montgomery township for many years. He was one of the leading citizens of the township, and interested in every measure which was calculated to benefit the community in which he lived. The family were originally from France, and its representatives are found in various sections of eastern Pennsylvania, the name being spelled differently, according to the fancy of those who bear it. Mr. Solliday married and his children were as follows: Lafayette; Benjamin, deceased; Margaret, deceased; Mary, deceased; George, residing at Hagerstown, Maryland; Hannah, deceased, wife of William T. Exlie.

Lafayette Solliday was born at Montgomeryville, and spent his entire life in Montgomery township, where he was extensively engaged in farming. In politics he was a Democrat, but he never sought or held office aside from the position of school director, for which he was eminently fitted. His wife, Catherine Hottel, was the daughter of Michael and Barbara (Boehm) Hottel. Their children were: George, Ella, born June 24, 1857, now deceased, who was the wife of C. J. Baldwin; Frank, born November 17, 1863, married Emily Knapp, daughter of Charles S. Knapp; Charles, born August 15, 1860, died January 18, 1879.

George W. Solliday was educated in the public schools of Montgomery township, and after leaving school learned the trade of bricklaying at which occupation he was employed for three years. He then engaged in farming until 1896. For the following three years he was engaged in the coining room of the United States Mint at Philadelphia. Since that date he has conducted the homestead farm, which he purchased in 1897. Since 1899 he has also been engaged in business as a pork butcher. He attends the market at Ninth street and Girard avenue, Philadelphia. He is a Democrat in politics, and participates actively in the management of its campaigns. He has been a delegate to state conventions of his party, and very frequently to county conventions. He holds the position of auditor of the township, and has been judge of elections and a member of the township school board. He is a member or Springhouse Lodge, No. 310, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member and a trustee of Montgomery Baptist church, and his wife is also a member.

Mr. Solliday married in Philadelphia, February 4, 1875, Adelaide, daughter of Aaron and Mary A. (Bunting) Jones of Philadelphia, born in 1851. They have two children: Lafayette, born January 2, 1876, and Lelia C., born August 10, 1883.