Draft:Henry O. Souder

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Henry O. Souder
Born	(1807-09-01)September 1, 1807 Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	August 28, 1897(1897-08-28) (aged 89) Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Logger, proprietor of Souderton Lumberyard, founder of Souderton
Spouse	Hannah H. Souder
Children	9
Parent(s)	Christian O. Souder Elizabeth S. Souder

Henry Oberholtzer Souder (September 1, 1807 – August 28, 1897) was a prominent Pennsylvanian logger and businessman, known as being the "Father of Souderton".

Biography

Early years

Souder was born the third eldest of nine children, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, the son of farmers Christopher (Christian) Souder and Elizabeth Souder. His father, a second-generation German immigrant, purchased a significant tract of land in 1792; he then began what would evolve into modern-day Souderton.

In 1835, Souder and his wife Hannah established their first homestead at the intersection of modern-day Main and Chestnut Streets. This piece of land was bounded between the modern-day streets of West Chestnut Street, Penn Ave, Main Street, and West Broad Street. Souder in his early days was described as an "energetic" businessman, owning a lumber mill situated on Main Street.

Souderton's Expansion

Around the mid-19th Century, the Northern Pennsylvania Railroad extended its line between Philadelphia and Bethlehem. In 1852, Seeking to enhance transportation for his lumber business, Souder negotiated an agreement with the Philadelphia, Easton, and Water Gap Railroad company, offering his land to facilitate the rail line's passage through the town of Souderton.

Soon after, on June 3rd, 1857, the railroad project was completed, and the inaugural train, named "The Civilizer," traversed through Souderton.

With the introduction of the railroad, the business owners that resided in Souderton were now able to easily import and export many goods. This caused the cigar industry, among others, to thrive.

At the time, Souderton was known as "Souder's Station."

National Union Bank, Souderton, PA

In 1876, amidst the growth of Souderton, a need arose for a secure facility to safeguard the community's finances. On June 12th of that year, Union National Bank was established within the residence of Henry O. Souder.

Death

On the evening of August 28, 1897, Henry O. Souder died due to paralysis, caused by old age. He was buried in the Souderton Mennonite Church Cemetery.

A year later, his wife, Hannah, died and the two were buried together, marked by a double headstone.

Family

Souder married Hannah H. Souder (née Hunsburger) (1814–1898). They had six sons and three daughters, four other children died in early life:

• William (September 19, 1835 – January 31, 1915)
• Edmund (April 27, 1838 – December 8, 1916)
• Elizabeth (January 30, 1841 – February 15, 1914)
• Mary (November 7, 1843 – August 31, 1897)
• Frederick (August 27, 1846 – February 4, 1927)
• Henry (July 4, 1849 – June 14, 1919)
• Kate (December 2, 1851 – May 4, 1901)
• Enos (July 30, 1856 – August 10, 1856)
• Milton (July 12, 1863 – December 10, 1880)
• Four unnamed deceased children

Honors

• The previous names of Souderton, including Souder's Lumberyard and Souder's Station, were derived from Souder's surname.

• A road in Souderton, aptly named "Lumber Street" was constructed through the plot of land once owned by Souder and used as his lumberyard.