My Genealogy Hound

HENRY B. FREED, one of the best known citizens of Montgomery county, is a resident of the borough of Souderton, on the line of the North Pennsylvania railroad. He is a native of the adjacent township of Franconia, where he was born February 27, 1862.

He was educated in the public schools of Franconia, working at intervals on the homestead farm. On reaching manhood he left the farm and for nine years carried on a bakery business at Haneysville. He then went to Souderton, and accepted a position in the extensive hosiery manufacturing plant of Michael Bergey, and has risen from one post in this establishment to another until he is now the manager of that flourishing plant.

Mr. Freed married in 1886, Miss Mary Berge, daughter of Michael Bergey. Mr. and Mrs. Freed have one child, Catharine, who is unmarried and resides with her parents. In politics Mr. Freed is an earnest and thoroughgoing Republican, and is a leader in the party organization in that section of Montgomery county. He has been very active in getting out the party vote in that vicinity. He was frequently a delegate to county conventions, and stands well with the party leaders throughout the county and state. At the Republican county convention in June, 1904, he was nominated by acclamation for the position of county treasurer on the Republican ticket, his strength in the convention being such that there was no competitor who cared to make a contest. He is a member of the town council of the borough of Souderton, and also served two terms as burgess, the usual rule being to serve but a single term, but this rule was relaxed in his case, as he had given such excellent satisfaction in the position. He was a member of the borough school board, and is deeply interested in educational matters. He is a member of the board of directors of the Realty Company of Souderton, and a managing director of the Rockhill Industry Company of Bucks county. He is also a director of the Building and Loan Association. He and his family attend the Mennonite church.

The Freeds are an old family in that section of Montgomery county, the name having been originally spelled Freid. John Freed (grandfather) was born in Lower Salford township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the usual manner, his knowledge being merely rudimentary, and then settled himself to farming which he followed all his life. He married and reared a large family, after the custom of that day. One of his sons was Henry K. Freed, who was born on the farm in Upper Salford township, at that time the homestead of the family. He then obtained what was possible at that date in the way of education. On leaving school he turned his attention to farming, which occupation he followed until his death. He was a man respected in the community in which he lived for his sterling qualities of mind and heart. In politics he was a Whig, and held the office of school director. In his later years he removed to Franconia township, where he died. He married Miss Sybilla Bechtel, of Lehigh county. Both are long since deceased. The couple had the following children: Henry B. Freed (the subject of this sketch), and four others. He was born in a log house. Mr. Freed is a self-made man in every sense of the word. He has risen entirely through his own exertions and merit, and his judgment is consulted in all matters affecting the welfare of Souderton. He is highly respected by the entire community in which he lives.