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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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SAMUEL STYER, a substantial and enterprising business man, and a representative and leading citizen of Ambler, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, possesses those qualities well calculated to win and retain the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact, either in business or social life. He was born at Ambler, Pennsylvania, in 1856, a son of Dr. Albanus and Sadella (Thomas) Styer, grandson of Jacob Styer, who was a member of the Society of Friends, and the father of three sons-Samuel, John and Dr. Albanus-and a descendant of an old and honored Montgomery county family.

Dr. Albanus Styer (father) was a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was reared to farm life, and during the winter season attended the district school, as was the custom of boys in those days. Later he studied medicine, becoming an able and skillful physician, and he practiced his profession for many years in the village of Montgomery Square, Montgomery county. During the latter years of his life he resided at Ambler, where he owned a farm on which he conducted extensive operations, and in addition to this he was the proprietor of a drug store in the village of Ambler, from which he derived a goodly income. His career was a most successful and deserving one, and he was highly respected by all who knew him. He married Sadella Thomas, daughter of Isaac and Tacy (Paul) Thomas, and two children were born to them: Tacy, now the widow of William Acuff; and Samuel, mentioned hereinafter. Mrs. Dr. Styer died while her son was an infant. Dr. Syer married for his second wife, Hattie Young, daughter of Matthias Young, a merchant of Montgomery Square, and their children are: George, Rudolph, Helen (Mrs. Griffith), who resides in Norristown; and Della, unmarried. Dr. Styer died January 3, 1901. Mrs. Styer is living at the present time (1904), a resident of Ambler. Isaac and Tacy (Paul) Thomas, parents of Sadella (Thomas) Styer, reared a family of children, namely: Hannah, who died unmarried; Anna (Mrs. Jarrett); Sadella, aforementioned as the wife of Dr. Albanus Styer; Susan (Mrs. Charles Shoemaker); Joseph, Jonathan, George, and David. Both the Thomas and Paul families are colonial, the former named being of Welsh and the latter of English descent.

Samuel Styer was reared and educated at Ambler, and on attaining manhood marked out his own course in life. He gained his first business experience by conducting a small coal yard at Ambler, which line of work he abandoned when he received the appointment of postmaster of Ambler, under the Cleveland administration. Later he went to Philadelphia, and was employed as salesman in an old established coal firm, which position he retained seven years. He then began business on his own account, taking all the output of one mine, and ultimately he purchased the mine, which he still holds. It is located in Osceola, Clearfield county. His next venture was the purchase of a mine at Mineral Point, Cambria county, and later he purchased another mine at Sweigard, Clearfield county. He operates all three at the present time, the product, bituminous coal, being shipped to New York, Buffalo, New England, Chicago, and St. Louis. He also buys extensively of other operators, taking the output of other mines than his own, for which he finds a profitable market. He also conducts stores at the mines which he works. By giving his entire attention to his business it has increased to large proportions, and he now ranks among the most extensive dealers of that article in the state. His office is in the Real Estate Trust Building in the city of Philadelphia. The success which he has attained fully justified his judgment in selecting this business, and great pecuniary gain has been the result.

Mr. Styer married, in 1894, Emma Graver, who was reared near Plymouth Meeting, a daughter of Lewis K. Graver, who was born and grew to manhood in the vicinity of Quakertown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, but subsequently removed to Plymouth Meeting, where he is an extensive lime burner; in addition to this enterprise he operates a coal yard in Philadelphia. He is a member of the Reformed church. The children of Mr. Garver are as follows: Emma, aforementioned as the wife of Samuel Styer; Anna, wife of Mr. Kane; Eva, unmarried; Harry, who is employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr. Styer has a birthright in the Society of Friends, and his wife is a member of the Reformed church. They reside at Ambler during the summer months, and in Philadelphia during the winter months, having a fine and commodious home at each place.

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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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