Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.pdf/684

 COLUMBIA ANT) MONTOUR COUNTIES Pennsylvania canal. .t the age o f eighteen he began business for him self, purchasing horses and a boat, and running from Xanticoke to Baltimore. He added to his equip­ ment from lime to time and did a la ^ c and profitable business, liccoming one of the best knowm of the boatmen, popular alike among his customers, employers and fellow w'orkmcn. Many stories are told of his unusual ability in overcoming the various difficulties which oc­ curred in the canal business. It liecame a say­ ing, "W ait until 'F i r Ruch conics along, and he will stniightcn out things.” During the time that the canal was closed in the winter he conducted a liver>* business in Berwick, and ahout 187R he gave tip the canal business and gave his entire attention to the livery busi­ ness. H e also conducted a sales stable, bu>*ing and selling horses, which his knowledge o f horses enabled him to do with profit. H e was a man o f integrity, one whose >vord w as as good as his lx>nd. and his fair dealing and honesty won him a large circle o f friends. On Ju n e r, 1872, M r. Ruch w as married to M ary E. Brohst, a daughter o f Thomas Brobst, o f IJm e Ridge, a sketch o f whose fam­ ily appears elsewhere. Children as follows were bom to this m arriage: Edw ard F.* bom Feb, 16, 18 7 5; Virginia, bom M ay 26. 18 78; George W ., bom ^^arch 14, 1 8 8 1; Hudson, bom Nov. 12, T883: Jessie K .. bom Ju ly 4, 18 8 7: and two children that died in infancy. M r. and Mrs. Ruch were members of the Methodist Church o f Berw ick and actively engaged in the work o f that society. Mr. Ruch w as a member o f Knapp Lodge, No. 4G2, F. & A. M ., Berwick. H e died Sept. 30. 1900, and was buried in Pine Grove cemctcrr. A fte r the death o f M r. Ruch the business was conducted by his widow, and is now under the management of his son Hudson. It has grown constantly, the quarters have been enUrged from time to lime, and the location is now at No. 308 East Sixth street. T he equip­ ment consists o f a fine lot o f horses, carriages and other vehicles, including automobiles. T he business is now the leading one o f its kind in the town. Hudson Ruch began his business career with his father when a voung man. and his cour­ teous treatment o f his patrons, close and prompt attention 10 his business, have gained a large and profitable patronage. H e is a Republican and an active worker in the ranks o f that party.

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Furniture Company, has been a rcshlcnt of that place only a few years, but his activity as one of the owners o f an important enterprise of the locality has made him very well known. The high standing of the finn with which he is connected is indicative of the i>crsorial char­ acter o f its members, both o f whom are counted among the most desirable citizens of this section. Mr. H all was born at NorthimibcrUnd, Pa.* M ay 17. 1872, son of Horace A. Hall, a native o f N ew Yoric Stale, l l i e father made his died* and fo r many years was engaged as a conductor of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com­ pany. Horace A. Hat) attcndctl public school at Northumberland, and when a youth became a messenger for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. H e continued in their employ, in various capacities, until 1906, when he came to Bloontsburg and became secrctar>* of the Hawley & Slate b'umiturc Comjxiny, incorl>orated that year, with William K. Monroe as president, treasurer and general manager, and W. H . Slate, o f Philadelphia, as vice president. M r. H all was also a member of the board o f directors. In 1910* when the business was reorganized, liccoming the Monroe-Hall Furniture Company, Mr. H all was chosen vice president and again made secretary. The factory has been one of the valuable industrial plants of the locality since it w as established, 111 1891,6)* W. H, Schuyler. Theodore Rcdckcr and Jacob Kcififer, who put up the original buildings and carried on the business about one year. Then the Bloomsbui^ Furniture Company operated the i>lani for a time, finally reorganizing as the North Branch Furniture Company and continuing to run the business until i8<^. That year it was leased to Messrs. Havvtcy and Slate, who conducted il until 1906, since when the Hawley & Slate Furni­ ture Company and its successors, the MonroeHall Furniture Conqiany. have carried on the manufacture o f funiiture with constantK* in­ creasing success. The site is valuable, a Hord­ ing convenient manufacturing and ship(>ing facilities, the equipment is up-to-date and com­ plete, and the output a credit (o owners and workmen. H iglvclass materi.al only is used, and it is handlcil by excellent worknKn whose skill and arti.stic ability insure a product of the highest value, h'rom 150 to 17 5 hands are employed regularly, and over two million feet o f unilicr consumed. M r. H all married Margaret W. Hawley, H O R .A C E A. H A I X. o f Rtoomshurg. vice daughter o f A lfred H awley, o f Northumbcrpresident and secretary of the Monroe-Hall
 * )crmanciit home at Xorthumbcrlaiid, where he