My Genealogy Hound

HARVEY SOUDER, the well known cigar box maker, of Souderton, is a son of James Souder, now deceased, of Franconia township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was born on the homestead, May 19, 1863.

His opportunities for education were somewhat limited, but he gained what knowledge he could at the public schools of the vicinity prior to reaching his seventeenth year, when he entered his father’s planing mill at Souderton to learn the business. It was while he was thus engaged that he developed the idea that has placed him on the top round of the ladder of success. He conceived the idea of the making of cigar boxes to supply the cigar factories that have sprung up at all the towns along the North Pennsylvania Railroad within the last few years. At first he made them in the evenings at home, in small quantities. He then decided to make a start with machinery adapted to the purpose, which he established in a room ten by twelve feet. There he started with fifty dollars capital and endeavored with his indifferent appliances to manufacture a hundred cigar boxes a day. From the beginning of the enterprise Mr. Souder met with success, and his manner of manufacturing them so pleased his customers that they sent in orders for larger and larger quantities until he was overwhelmed by the rapidity with which his business expanded, and he was compelled to again and again increase his facilities. He erected a factory especially for the purpose of making the boxes, and put in new machinery better adapted than ever to their manufacture, using a two-horse power engine to operate it. Mrs. Souder, who was engaged in the tailoring business, conceived the idea of making use of the surplus power in her business, and continued increasing her plant until she had seven sewing machines in operation, and employed eight and ten assistants in her business. The cigar box manufacture had increased by this time to such proportions that a new establishment was erected, twenty by thirty feet in dimensions, and new machinery purchased, so that the work could go on with greater rapidity than ever, and a renewed effort could be made to supply the enormous demand for the boxes. Later another addition was made to the building, and another story placed upon it. At the present time Mr. Souder is turning out seven thousand boxes a day, and his business is constantly on the increase. He employs over eighty hands, and is unable to supply the demand.

Mr. Souder married, in 1884, Miss Elizabeth Blank, of Telford, daughter of William Blank. The couple have one child Walter. He is assisting his father in the mill. Mr. Souder is a self made man, and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. He has prospered exceedingly, and owns several fine properties besides the handsome house in which he resides. In politics he is an active Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is treasurer of the Progressive Realty Company of Souderton, an organization formed to benefit the town and its interests. He and his family attend the Lutheran church.