My Genealogy Hound

HENRY G. LANDIS is principal of the public schools of Lansdale, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, to which position he was elected in 1902, and for which he is eminently qualified, being endowed with a strong mentality, sound judgment and rare executive ability. The family of which he is a member was among the early settlers of Montgomery county, and the descendants thereof have been active and public- spirited citizens of this commonwealth.

Abraham D. Landis, grandfather of Henry G. Landis, was born in Skippack township, Montgomery county. The common schools of the township afforded him the means of education, and subsequently he chose for his work in life the occupation of farming, which he conducted along practical and progressive lines, and which yielded him a goodly profit for his labor. He adhered to the tenets of the Mennonite church, and his political support was given to the candidates and measures of the Republican party. He married Elizabeth Rife, a member of an old and honored family, and thirteen children were born to them, two sons of whom died in infancy. The surviving members of the family were: George, John, Isaac, Henry, Garrett, Elias, Samuel, Susanna, Elizabeth, Mary, and Abraham R.

Abraham R. Landis, father of Henry G. Landis, was born in Lower Salford township, to which section of the county his father moved in the year 1840. He obtained a good English education in the common schools of his native township, and from the completion of his studies until recent years, when he retired from active business, his time and attention were given exclusively to the cultivation of the soil. His operations were attended with a large degree of prosperity, and at the present time (1904) he is enjoying the fruits of his many years of ceaseless activity. He has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the Republican party, but has never sought political preferment. In religion he is a follower of the Mennonite faith. His wife, whose maiden name was Sabina Gargus, a representative of an old Bucks and Montgomery county family, bore him the following named children: Elizabeth A., wife of Frank M. Nace, and mother of five children; Abraham G., unmarried; and Henry G. Landis.

Henry G. Landis was born on the home farm in Lower Salford township, January 16, 1870. He attended the common schools in the vicinity of his home, and took a term at the West Chester Normal School, graduating there in 1895 with honors. He then taught school for two years in Lower Salford township, and two terms in Church’s school in Buckingham township, Bucks county. He was then elected principal of the Chalfont grammar school, and served there two terms, and went from there to New Hope, for five years. While in the latter two places he instituted graduation exercises, which feature has added to the efficiency and interest in the schools. In 1902 he was elected to his present position, that of principal of the public schools of Lansdale, Montgomery county, and since then has efficiently discharged the duties assigned him. He has more than five hundred pupils under his control, all of whom thoroughly admire and respect him for his many excellent characteristics, and in order to give the best instruction possible, devotes his time to reading and study. He is well versed in literature, mathematics and science, and topics of general interest, but especially in the line which will aid him most in his chosen field of labor. He is progressive without being radical, and leaves the imprint of his personality upon his work. Mr. Landis firmly adheres to the principles of Republicanism.

In 1895 Mr. Landis married Sadie K. Markley, a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Kulp) Markley, residents of Towamencin township, Montgomery county. Three children have been born to them as follows: Ada Lourene, deceased; Henry Elson, deceased; and E. Eugene. Mr. Landis and his family attend the Reformed church, and he serves in the capacity of superintendent of the Sunday school connected therewith.