My Genealogy Hound

HENRY G. TOMBLER, President of the H. G. Tombler Grocery Company, of Easton, was born in Bethlehem, Pa., November 2, 1830, being a son of Charles C. and Cecelia C. (Freytag) Tombler. The founder of the family in America came to this country from England about 1770, first locating in Hope, N. J. Grandfather David Tombler, a native of England, engaged in farming pursuits after coming to New Jersey. During the War of the Revolution he aided the Colonies in the defense of their rights. His wife’s father took charge of the first gristmill erected by the Moravians at Hope, N. J.

In the last-named village Charles C. Tombler was born, June 22, 1800. In youth he was employed as clerk in a store. In 1819 he removed to Bethlehem, Pa., and there, June 22, 1822, he was united in marriage with a daughter of Dr. Eberhard Freytag, who was the first homeopathic physician in Northampton County, Pa. In early life he learned the trade of a shoemaker, but afterward embarked in the shoe business and became the owner of one of the largest stores in that part of the county. Selling out, he bought the property upon which is now located that part of Bethlehem known as Fountain Hill. For some time he conducted general agricultural pursuits there, after which he sold the land to Tinsley, Jeter & Afiot. The old Tombler homestead is now occupied by the Bishop Thorpe Seminary.

For a time Mr. Tombler carried on a general mercantile establishment in Monroe County, associated with P. Daly. In 1845 he accepted the position of station agent for the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Bethlehem, and remained with that company for a period of twenty-five years, or until the death of his wife, in 1880. He then went with his eldest son, Oliver, to Minnesota, where he died in November, 1894. In early life he was active in the Democratic party, which he frequently represented in conventions. For a time he held the office of Postmaster at Bethlehem. He was a member of the Moravian Church, and socially was connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The fact that he attained an age so advanced was largely due to his abstemious habits. In his prime he was an active business man, energetic and persevering, and is still remembered in railroad and mercantile circles throughout this county. His only surviving sons are Oliver and Henry G., the former being an extensive farmer of Minnesota. Edward, deceased, served through the entire period of the Civil War, and was discharged as Captain. William, also deceased, was a resident of Mauch Chunk, and was largely interested in the coal business.

In the Moravian and the private schools of Bethlehem, our subject received a practical education, after which he was an employe in the store of Jacob Rice. At the age of twenty-one he went to New York and was in the wholesale dry-goods business there about one year. In 1852 he came to Easton as a clerk for William H. Lawall, and five years later embarked in business for himself as a retail grocer at No. 187 Northampton Street. In 1861 he bought out Isbon Benedict and removed to the site of his present establishment, forming a partnership with P. Daly, his father’s former partner, which connection continued under the name of Daly Tombler until the death of the senior partner, in 1877. The business was then conducted alone by Mr. Tombler until 1891. At that time the H. G. Tombler Grocery Company was organized, and our subject became its President, which position he has since filled. This is one of the largest houses in the state outside of Philadelphia, and such is the integrity of its officials and the ability of its representatives, that it enjoys the confidence of the trade. In connection with the company, the Keystone Spice and Fruit Cleaning Mills are carried on.

Mr. Tombler was President of the first Board of Trade in Easton, and was instrumental in establishing the R. & H. Simon Silk Mill. He was active in the organization of the Edison Electric Light Company, and served as its first President. In the Mattawan Felting Company, he was the first President. He was also one of the organizers of the Easton Boot and Shoe Company, and Vice-President of the enterprise. At the time of the re-organization of the H. G. Tombler Company, he resigned his other positions in order to accept its presidency and devote his entire attention to its management.

While mainly successful in his undertakings, Mr. Tombler has also met with his share of reverses. The heaviest of these was the loss of $150,000 in the Bullion King Mining Company of Colorado, of which he was President. He was one of the original promoters of the Paxraosa Inn Company in Easton. He is still Vice-President of the Board of Trade, and is one of its most active members. Politically he is a Democrat, but his attention has been so engrossed by his business interests that he has had no time for political affairs. In the building of the Moravian Church of Easton he took an active part, and is a prominent member of that denomination, and President of the Board of Trustees. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity.

November 8, 1853, Mr. Tombler and Miss Mary E. Shouse were united in marriage. The lady is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Opp) Shouse, residents of Easton, Pa. The family consists of two sons and two daughters, namely: Fannie, wife of C. W. Bixler, of Easton; Clara, who married Sidney S. Underwood, of Kentucky; Henry G., Jr., Secretary and Treasurer of the H. G. Tombler Company; and Fred S., who is also connected with the business.