My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. EARNEST, the popular manager of the Main Street Hotel at North Wales, of which Mrs. Mary Heebner is the owner, is a native of Plymouth township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he was born February 2, 1857. He is the son of Charles and Isabella (Crawford) Earnest.

Charles Earnest (father) was the son of William and Lucy (Purcell) Earnest. He was born at Three Tuns, in Horsham township, Montgomery county, in November, 1829. He married Isabella Crawford. Their children: William, Catharine, Sarah (deceased), John, Charles, Hannah. Charles Earnest spent his entire life in Montgomery county. In early life he was a farmer, but later in life was engaged in quarrying and burning lime.

William Earnest was educated in the public schools, and in early youth was initiated into the details of farm life. In 1890 he became the manager of the Black Horse Hotel, a short distance below Norristown. He also officiated in the same capacity at the Seven Stars Hotel in Plymouth township, near Norristown, for three years. In 1900 he took charge of the Main Street Hotel, North Wales. He married at Norristown, November 18, 1875, Laura J., daughter of Isaac and Hettie Lewis. Their children: George, Stella, Annie, Harry.

Mrs. Mary Heebner, the owner of the Main Street Hotel, is the widow of George Heebner, son of Christopher Heebner, a well known miller, of Norristown, and she is a lifelong resident of Montgomery county. The Main Street Hotel is located in the central part of North Wales, the Lehigh Valley trolley cars passing in front of it. It is one of the leading hotels of the county, has many patrons in the town and its vicinity, and is popular also with the traveling public. Mr. Earnest gives the most careful attention to the comfort and welfare of his guests. Under his able management of the hotel, it receives a large share of the public patronage.