My Genealogy Hound

HIRAM B. FEATHER, one of the leading grocers of Pottstown, was born in Falkner’s Swamp, New Hanover township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1846. He is the son of Jacob and Carolina (Bitting) Feather, both natives of Montgomery county. Jacob and Carolina Feather had four children, two now living: Hiram B. and Mary, wife of Jacob S. Wagner, of Falkner’s Swamp.

Jacob Feather (father) was a shoemaker by trade, but spent the greater part of his life on a farm in New Hanover township. He died in May, 1884, aged sixty-seven years. His wife died five weeks later, aged seventy years. In religious faith he was a member of the Reformed church and his wife was a Lutheran.

Isaac Feather (grandfather) was born in Montgomery county. He was a weaver and in his younger days was engaged in the hotel business. His wife was Mary Bickel. They had four children. At the time of his death Isaac Feather was about seventy-five years of age and his wife lived to the age of ninety-four. Isaac Feather was of German descent.

The maternal grandfather of Hiram B. Feather was Isaac Bitting. He was born in Montgomery county. His wife’s given name was Elizabeth and they both lived to an advanced age, leaving a large family.

Mr. Hiram B. Feather has lived all of his life in Montgomery county, except one year spent in Philadelphia and one year in Berks county. He attended the district schools and later the Washington Hall Seminary at Trappe. For the next four years he taught school. He attended Pierce’s Commercial School in Philadelphia. After clerking one year in Reading and two in Pottstown he opened a grocery store of his own in Pottstown, which he has conducted very successfully ever since.

November 28, 1872, Hiram B. Feather married Miss Sallie G. Hartline, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Gauser) Hartline. They had three children, two sons and one daughter, all of whom died in early childhood. Mrs. Feather died in May, 1897, at the age of forty-eight years. She was a member of Trinity Reformed church to which Mr. Feather also belongs and in which he is an elder.

Politically Mr. Feather is a Democrat. He is a director of the school board, which position he has held for more than fourteen years, and he is now serving his sixth term as treasurer of the board. He is also a member of the board of health. He resides in the house adjoining his store, 213 Charlotte street, which he built in 1893.