My Genealogy Hound

SERENUS FRUTCHEY. There are few of the residents of Northampton County who have not heard of the New York Store, which has as its customers not only people of Bangor, but also those of the surrounding country. The building is 26x110 feet in dimensions, and is stocked with a complete and varied assortment of general merchandise, dry goods, groceries, carpets, crockery, lace curtains, window shades, cloaks and wraps, and general house furnishings. It is the largest store in Bangor, the stock being valued at $25,000 or $30,000, and the trade extends through the northern part of the county.

In Upper Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County, the subject of this sketch was born April 27, 1862, being a son of Frederick and Sarah (Rutt) Frutchey. The first representatives of the family in America came hither from Germany and settled in eastern Pennsylvania, along the shores of the Upper Delaware. Grandfather Christian Frutchey was a farmer by occupation and spent much of his life at Centreville, in Upper Mt. Bethel Township, where his body now lies buried. Frederick Frutchey was born in the township last named January 1, 1839, and for some years engaged in farming, but at present assists his son in the store. Politically he is a Democrat, and is now a member of the Borough Council of Bangor. Socially he affiliates with the Knights of Honor. In the Re- formed Church he has held the offices of Elder and Deacon, and is one of its most active members. He has three children, Emma, Foster and Serenus.

Educated in the schools of Upper Mt. Bethel Township, the subject of this sketch on leaving school began to clerk in the store of the old Bangor Supply Company, where he was employed for two years. For the four ensuing years he was in the employ of L. & E. Speer, and at the expiration of that time, having economically saved his earnings, he was enabled to purchase the interest of Mr. Speer in the New York Store. After one year in partnership with Emery Speer he purchased the latter’s interest and has since conducted the business alone, displaying the greatest efficiency in the management of the establishment.

Though not actively interested in politics, Mr. Frutchey never fails to cast his ballot for the candidates of the Democratic party. In religious belief he is identified with the Reformed Church. Socially he holds membership in the Improved Order of Red Men, and also affiliates with the Knights of Honor, the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Malta. His attention, however, is given almost wholly to the demands of his business, and the success which has come to him is richly merited. In his store he gives steady employment to seven clerks, whose courtesy and geniality of manner increase the popularity of the establishment. On the 22d of June, 1888, Mr. Frutchey was united in marriage with Miss Annie Yetter, of Belvidere, N. J. This lady possessed many amiable qualities of heart and head, and her death, May 2, 1889, was mourned by a large circle of friends, by whom she was held in the highest regard. Her remains were buried in the Reformed Church Cemetery at Bangor.