My Genealogy Hound

U. S. G. FINKBINER, the principal insurance, real estate and general business agent of Royersford, is descended from two of the old settled families of Chester county-the Finkbiners and the Brownbacks. He was born in that county on September 22, 1865. He was reared in Spring City until he was about seventeen years of age, attending school, educated in a common school and business course.

Mr. Finkbiner is the son of David and Margaret S. (Brownback) Finkbiner. David Finkbiner was the son of Jesse Finkbiner, whose wife was a Miss Rambo. Jesse Finkbiner was the son of Jacob Finkbiner, who was the founder of the family in this country. The Finkbiners are of German descent. Jesse Finkbiner was a merchant at Spring City, being one of the best known citizens of the place. He lived retired the latter part of his life. His children: David (father); Margaret (Mrs. L. Shingle); Mary (Mrs. D. S. Taylor). He and his family were members of the Lutheran church. Jesse was a Whig and, later, a Republican in politics. He was a justice of the peace for many years, and a prominent man in his community.

David Finkbiner was reared in Chester county, where in early life he followed the occupation of a miller. Later he became a merchant, and still later a brick manufacturer. The latter part of his life he was interested in a stove factory, being a member of the stove firm of Floyd Wells & Company at Royersford. He was a justice of the peace and transacted much business in the neighborhood in which he lived, being recognized as an influential member of the community. He was active in politics, being a leading Republican. He held several positions of importance, including membership in town council. In religious faith he was a Lutheran. David Finkbiner died June 20, 1893. His wife survives him, being a resident of Philadelphia. She is the daughter of Edward Brownback, who was a brother of Garret Brownback’s father, and a descendant of the first Garret Brownback, who came to America in 1683 and married Mary Papin, a granddaughter of William Rittenhouse, the ancestor of so many residents of Pennsylvania and adjacent states. He it was who established the first paper mill in America at Germantown, in 1690. Garret Brownback acquired a large tract of land in Chester county, and founded the Reformed church which still bears the name, Brownback’s. The children of Edward Brownback were: Lucetta, married twice, her first husband being Setzler, and her second Garber; Uriah; Edward, Jr.; Stephen. died young; Mary R. (Mrs. Walton) and, by second marriage, the wife of Rev. Mr. Sampson; Edith (Mrs. Vanleer by first marriage, Mrs. Wright by second); Louis; Minnie, the wife of Rev. Mr. Swindells; Margaret S. (mother).

The children of David and Margaret Finkbiner: Ida (Mrs. Waitneight and by second marriage, Mrs. M. A. Kiser); U. S. G., subject of this sketch; Lillie C. (Mrs. W. Schlichter); Oliver B., of Spring City; Sadie E., unmarried; Edwin B., engaged in the coal business, in Clearfield county.

U. S. G. Finkbiner, after receiving a liberal education, accepted at seventeen years of age a position in the Union National Bank of Philadelphia, remaining there three years and being employed in various capacities. At the organization of the Royersford National Bank in 1886, Mr. Finkbiner was elected cashier of that institution, which position he held until June 10, 1901. He then purchased the business of David Springer, who died very suddenly, and has since been engaged in the real estate, insurance and kindred business. He is also a notary public. Mr. Finkbiner is doing a large business.

Mr. Finkbiner has been twice married; on September 26, 1889, to Miss Mary A. Schlichter, who was born July 24, 1868. She was the daughter of Ephraim and Susan (Lord) Schlichter, she of Maryland, and he of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Both her parents are yet living, in Lower Providence township. The father is a blacksmith and farmer. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Finkbiner was a school teacher for a number of years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Schlichter: Mary (Mrs. Finkbiner) and others.

The children of U. S. G. and Mary Finkbiner (first wife): David E., born July 14, 1890; Rachel M., born November 13, 1895; Charles S. C., born March 15, 1898. Mrs. Finkbiner died November 1, 1898.

Mr. Finkbiner married (second wife), February 19, 1901, Sarah E., widow of George Kehl, she having no children by the first marriage. Mrs. Finkbiner is the daughter of Aaron C. and Mrs. Freed, he the proprietor of the hotel at Royersford. Mr. and Mrs. Finkbiner have two children, Aaron C. F., born March 3, 1902, and Edwin Burdette, born December 11, 1903. In religion, Mr. and Mrs. Finkbiner are both members of the Lutheran church. He is a member of the Masonic order, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Mr. Finkbiner is the superintendent of the Lutheran Sunday school and member of the church council and has been president of the Luther League of Montgomery county. He is secretary of the Home Water Company of Royersford, and of the Keystone Building and Loan Association of that place and one of the trustees of the free public library. In politics he is an active Republican, taking a deep interest in all public questions, local, state and national. He was one of the originators of the water company, as well as of other public improvements, and has always shown himself an enterprising, energetic and public-spirited citizen and business man, doing all that is possible to promote the progress and prosperity of Royersford.