My Genealogy Hound

ELIAS T. GRATER, the coal, flour, feed and hay merchant of Gratersford, Perkiomen township, was born in that part of Perkiomen township which is now Skippack township, May 14, 1858. He is the son of Elias H. and Sarah (Tyson) Grater.

The ancestor of Mr. Grater settled in Perkiomen township at an early date on a tract of land which was handed down through the different generations of the family until 1883, when it was sold. It is probable that his name was Jacob Kreater (Grater), for he is rated as owning 220 acres of land in Perkiomen township in 1756. It was from him that the village of Gratersford took its name.

Lewis Grater (grandfather) was the son of Lewis Grater, and was born in Perkiomen township in 1775. Like his father, he was a farmer and became a large land owner. He and his family were members of the Mennonite church. He married Catharine Hunsicker, a descendant of Valentine Hunsicker. She was born in 1780. Their children: Margaret H., Mrs. J. Alderfer; Elizabeth H., Mrs. John Landes; Henry H., a farmer; Esther, Mrs. J. Stauffer; Abraham H., Elias H. (father); Jacob H.; Catharine H., died at the age of nineteen years. Lewis Grater died February 19, 1847, and his wife March 17, 1853.

Elias H. Grater (father) was born in 1816 at the Grater homestead. He spent his entire life as a farmer there, and attended Philadelphia market. He was a well informed man, and took an interest in all questions of his day. In politics he was a Whig and Republican, but never desired office for himself. He was a member of the Mennonite church, and a deacon for thirty years. All his children remained with him until they became of age, and he gave them wise teaching. He died in September, 1883. He married Sarah, daughter of John Tyson, of Perkiomen township, who was a prominent farmer and Mennonite. The children of John Tyson: Mary, Mrs. J. Hallman; Sarah (mother); Andrew, a farmer; Joseph, John and Jacob, all farmers. The children of Elias H. and Sarah T. Grater: Catharine, Mrs. A. C. Moyer; Elizabeth, married J. Landes; Lewis, a farmer but now a commission merchant residing in Philadelphia; Abraham T., a farmer; James T., died leaving three children; Sarah, Mrs. John A. Grievir; Margaret, died at the age of four years; Mary, Mrs. C. H. Allebach; Elias T., the subject of this sketch; Henry, died at the age of twenty-four years, leaving one daughter; Andrew T., a farmer. Mrs. Sarah Grater died in March, 1880.

Elias T. Grater was educated in the common schools and grew to manhood on his father’s farm. He was employed as a farm hand for several years, and in 1882, at the age of twenty-four years, he married and settled on his father’s farm. He remained there two years, and then built a house nearby where he lived four years. During this time he bought timber, had it sawed and sold the product. He worked hard, and in 1889 bought the ground where he established his present business. It lies along the railroad and is very convenient for shipping and receiving goods. In the same year he bought a brick residence at Gratersford, and since that time has become more prosperous each year. After he had been engaged in the coal, flour and feed business for eight years, in 1896 all his business buildings and goods were destroyed by fire except his office. He quickly rebuilt the whole, however, on a better plan, and so turned his misfortune into a blessing. His home is beautifully situated, overlooking the town, and is surrounded by large and well-cared for grounds.

Mr. Grater married Sarah, daughter of Jacob K. and Mary (Wagner) Bergey, who was born in Lower Salford township, Montgomery county, in September, 1861. Her father, Jacob Bergey, was the son of Christian Bergey. The Bergey family hold reunions at intervals, and are very numerous. Jacob K. Bergey and his wife are still living in Lower Salford township. He is a farmer and a Republican in politics. His wife is the daughter of Jacob Wagner, a farmer in Salford, and a member of the Reformed church. The children of Jacob Wagner: Michael, Martin, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Ellen, Mary, mother of Mrs. Grater. The children of Jacob and Mary W. Grater: William, Catharine, Mrs. Lida; John, David, Ann M., Mrs. J. Gottshall; Sarah, Mrs. Grater; and Alvin. All these children were reared as members of the Reformed church.

The children of Elias and Sarah Grater: Martha B., resides with her parents; Jacob Edgar B., attends school. The family are all members of the Reformed church.