Garment/Textile Industry
Updated -10/23/2023
The garment industry (more accurately referred to as the textile industry) was a huge part of the economy of early Auburn. Several textile factories contributed to both the employment of many Auburn residents as well as the wealth of their individual factory owners.
Auburn had factories that manufactured textile fabrics and cloths, neckties, kerchiefs, clothing, sport wear, stockings, and shoes. A few of these factory buildings are still in existence while other early structures were either dismantled, re-purposed as private residences or destroyed by fire. |
NOTE: If you have any historic information and/or pictures that are relevant to this webpage topic, please share it with us by submitting the material using the "Visitors Input" button below. Thank you!
Alphabetical Listing of Garment/Textile Industries of the Auburn-area:
Alfred Benjamin Lindermuth - shoemaker
Alois K. "A. K." Bace - shoemaker
Artistic Knitting Mill, Inc.
(a.k.a. - Boltz's knitting mill)
Auburn Apparel, Inc.
Auburn Hosiery Mills, Inc.
Auburn Knitting Mills
Auburn Manufacturing Company
Auburn Shirt Company factory (definite) -
(poss. a.k.a. -Kline's shirt factory; Lindermuth's shirt factory; Miller's shirt factory)
Auburn Shirt factory (possible)
Boltz's knitting mill -
(see: Artistic Knitting Mill)
Craftex Mills Inc. of Pennsylvania
Cyrus Shollenberger - shoemaker
Diefenderfer's knitting mill -
(a.k.a. Diefenderfer's sewing factory; see: Auburn Knitting Mill)
Diefenderfer's sewing factory -
(a.k.a. Diefenderfer's knitting mill; see: Auburn Knitting Mill)
GEM Undergarment Company, Inc.
Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Company
Henry S. Borkey - shoemaker - (Orchard Street)
Hubler Shoes, Inc. - (see: Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Company)
Jyll Industries
Kline's shirt factory -
(poss. a.k.a. Auburn shirt factory; Lindermuth's shirt factory; Miller's shirt factory)
L' Art De La Mode, Inc.
Lindermuth's shirt factory -
(possibly a.k.a. Auburn shirt factory; Kline's shirt factory, Miller's shirt factory)
Miller shirt factory -
(possibly a.k.a. Auburn Shirt factory; Kline's shirt factory; Lindermuth's shirt factory)
Milton K. Nagle - shoemaker
Movie-Star of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Necktie factory
Nester Knit -
(possibly located at East end of Orchard St.;
possibly know as the "silk stocking factory";
see "Orchard Street knitting mill")
Nice Knitting Mills
Orchard Street knitting mill -
(a.k.a. silk stocking factory; possibly known as "Nester Knit")
Silk stocking factory -
(possibly know as - "Nester Knit:; see: Orchard Street knitting mill)
Tijan Leather, Inc.
William G. Murdock - shoemaker
William H. Deifenderfer - shoe manufacturer - Washington St.
(Business Directory c. 1905)
Windsor Knitting Mill, Inc.
Womer's rag warehouse
Wright's knitting mill -
(poss. known as Wright's Knit Wear)
Wright's Knit Wear -
(poss. known as Wright's knitting mill)
Alfred Benjamin Lindermuth - shoemaker
Alois K. "A. K." Bace - shoemaker
Artistic Knitting Mill, Inc.
(a.k.a. - Boltz's knitting mill)
Auburn Apparel, Inc.
Auburn Hosiery Mills, Inc.
Auburn Knitting Mills
Auburn Manufacturing Company
Auburn Shirt Company factory (definite) -
(poss. a.k.a. -Kline's shirt factory; Lindermuth's shirt factory; Miller's shirt factory)
Auburn Shirt factory (possible)
Boltz's knitting mill -
(see: Artistic Knitting Mill)
Craftex Mills Inc. of Pennsylvania
Cyrus Shollenberger - shoemaker
Diefenderfer's knitting mill -
(a.k.a. Diefenderfer's sewing factory; see: Auburn Knitting Mill)
Diefenderfer's sewing factory -
(a.k.a. Diefenderfer's knitting mill; see: Auburn Knitting Mill)
GEM Undergarment Company, Inc.
Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Company
Henry S. Borkey - shoemaker - (Orchard Street)
Hubler Shoes, Inc. - (see: Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Company)
Jyll Industries
Kline's shirt factory -
(poss. a.k.a. Auburn shirt factory; Lindermuth's shirt factory; Miller's shirt factory)
L' Art De La Mode, Inc.
Lindermuth's shirt factory -
(possibly a.k.a. Auburn shirt factory; Kline's shirt factory, Miller's shirt factory)
Miller shirt factory -
(possibly a.k.a. Auburn Shirt factory; Kline's shirt factory; Lindermuth's shirt factory)
Milton K. Nagle - shoemaker
Movie-Star of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Necktie factory
Nester Knit -
(possibly located at East end of Orchard St.;
possibly know as the "silk stocking factory";
see "Orchard Street knitting mill")
Nice Knitting Mills
Orchard Street knitting mill -
(a.k.a. silk stocking factory; possibly known as "Nester Knit")
Silk stocking factory -
(possibly know as - "Nester Knit:; see: Orchard Street knitting mill)
Tijan Leather, Inc.
William G. Murdock - shoemaker
William H. Deifenderfer - shoe manufacturer - Washington St.
(Business Directory c. 1905)
Windsor Knitting Mill, Inc.
Womer's rag warehouse
Wright's knitting mill -
(poss. known as Wright's Knit Wear)
Wright's Knit Wear -
(poss. known as Wright's knitting mill)
Alfred Benjamin
Lindermuth - shoemaker Alfred Benjamin Lindermuth (a.k.a. - "Benjamin Lindermuth"), was born on 02/04/1851 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph Lindemuth (Lindermuth?) and Theresa Lindemuth (Lindermuth?). He was raised on a farm. At age sixteen, he moved to Auburn, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and learned the trade of shoemaker which he followed for approximately eight years (circa 1867 - circa 1875). During this period he met and married Sarah Ribkee Lindermuth of Auburn. They had the following children: Annie Lindermuth, Charles Lindermuth, Elmer R. Lindermuth, Elsie (Elisabeth, Elizabeth or Elspeth?) Lindermuth Hawkins, Eva Ribkee Lindermuth Schaller/Shaller, Foster Lindermuth, John R. Lindemuth (Lindermuth?), Lillie (Lillian?) Lindermuth Somers/Sommers and Nathaniel R. Lindermuth. After his stint in shoemaking, Alfred then began employment with the Schuylkill and Susquehanna (S & S) Railroad for approximately twenty-two years (circa 1875 - circa 1897). At this point, Alfred had accumulated enough money to go into business for himself and started the Auburn Shirt Company which he operated for approximately ten years (circa 1879 - circa 1907). He retired from active employment in 1910. An undated and unidentified news article under the column "Auburn Shale" states "C. B. Miller...has now taken control of the Auburn Shirt factory which he purchased from Alfred Lindermuth on private terms. Alfred died on 08/07/1918 in Auburn and was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
|
Alois K. "A. K." Bace -
shoemaker An 1881 juror listing from the Pine Grove Herald newspaper lists "A. K. Bace, shoemaker, Auburn". The website findagrave.com has a listing for Alois K. "A. K." Bace of this era as having been interred within Auburn. Alois K. "A. K." Bace was born in 1834 in Germany. He married twice; the first time to Sarah A. Delong Bace. They had the following children: Bertha Anna Bace; Clarkson D. Bace; John D. Bace; Kate Alice Bace Walborn and Maggie D. Bace Slough. Sarah died in 1884. Alois then married his second wife in 1886: Diana Freeman Bace. They had two children: Emma Bace Anderson and Lynn Bace. Alois became Postmaster of Auburn and in later years became a Justice of the Peace in Auburn. Alois died on 05/17/1898 in Auburn and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. Whether or not this individual is the same "A. K. Bace" who was identified as a "shoemaker" in Auburn is not certain but it is highly probable. |
Artistic Knitting Mill
(a.k.a. Boltz's knitting mill) The Artistic Knitting Mill was located in a sturdy two story brick factory which was once situated at the northwest corner of the intersection of Front and Washington Streets in Auburn. The cornerstone of the building indicates that the Artistic Knitting Mill began production at this location in 1922. The mill produced "Women's ribbed underwear and union suits". (Note: "Union suits" are a single undergarment combining shirt and pants). This structure no longer exists, having been destroyed by fire in the mid-1990s and was subsequently razed for safety reasons. A gravel parking lot is presently located on the site where the building once stood. Jacob Boltz was born on 07/07/1865. He was the son of Isaiah M. Boltz and Sara Amanda Ditzler Boltz. He was a brother of Mary Jane Boltz Snyder and Sarah V. Boltz Wertley, and would have been a brother to another sister who was born and died in infancy on 06/07/1868. Jacob married Maud I. Reed Boltz, who would become very instrumental in his business dealings and may have been an equal partner. They had the following children: Benjamin E. Boltz, George Jacob Boltz and Paul R. Bolts. Jacob was quite the entrepreneur. As a young man, he was the manager of the York Farm brickyard (exact location not specified). In 1901, he began manufacturing paper boxes at a factory located at Market and Tenth Streets in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA; then he built an even larger plant at Grant and Ninth Streets in that town. In 1913, he opened the Jacob Boltz Knitting Mills in Pottsville. In 1922, the Artistic Knitting Mill in Auburn was constructed and established by Jacob Boltz and his wife Maud. They opened the business with a starting capital of $20,000. In 1924, the Boltzs purchased approximately 300 acres of land situated near Summit Station. A detail on the Internet states that in 1930, "they" established there a summer resort known as Stone Mountain Manor...however; Jacob died two years prior in 1928 so it may have been solely Maud who established the resort. Jacob died on 08/02/1928. He was interred within the Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA. A news snippet dated August 2, 1928 states "Jacob Boltz, Pottsville, proprietor of the Artistic Knitting Mills" had died. A excerpt from a document titled "Schuylkill County Events 1928" read "August 2 (1928) - Jacob Boltz, Pottsville; proprietor of Artistic Knitting Mills and President Auburn Knitting Mills" as a notice of his death. Another news snippet dated August 10, 1928 from the Reading Eagle newspaper (Reading, Berks County, PA) read: "AUBURN. Employees of the local Artistic Knitting Mills, together with Chief Burgess Mason Ramer, attended the funeral of their late employer, Jacob Boltz, from his home in Pottsville." A partial listing of prior employees and/or owners of the Artistic Knitting Mill include: Boltz, George J. (Superintendent) Boltz, Jacob (Owner/President/Manager) Boltz, Maud I. (Secretary and Treasurer) Fahl, Anna "Ann" Marie Schoch (circa 1925 - 1950) Lilienthal, Richard S. (Vice-Pres./Selling Agent) Schoch Fahl, Anna "Ann" Marie (circa 1925 - 1950) Straub, A. (President) |
|
Auburn Apparel, Inc.
The Auburn Apparel factory was located west of Auburn adjacent to Rt. 895. The business is no longer operating after going out of business circa 2006. A list of known employees includes: Blessing, Scott F. (CEO) Schmidt, Rolf D. (Vice-President) Stauffer, Norma (employee) Strouphauer, Rick (machinist) |
Auburn Hosiery Mills, Inc.
Other than a single unclarified on-line reference to a business called "Auburn Hosiery Mills, Inc." having once been located in Auburn, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, there was no further information available about this industry. Whether this was another name for one of the established knitting mills, or whether this was a different knitting mill previously unidentified, has yet to be determined. |
Auburn Manufacturing
Company The Auburn Manufacturing Company operated from the same brick factory previously inhabited by the Artistic Knitting Mill. This building, constructed in 1922, was situated at the northwest corner of Front and Washington Streets. One product manufactured by this company was "Ladies Underwear". Years after the Auburn Manufacturing Company no longer inhabited the structure, the building was destroyed by a catastrophic fire. The ruins were demolished and removed and the site is now an empty lot. |
|
Auburn Shirt Company
factory (definite) (poss. a.k.a. - Kline's shirt factory; Lindermuth's shirt factory; Miller's shirt factory) The Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania genealogy published in 1916 has a biography about "Benjamin Alfred Lindermuth" (who may have actually been Alfred Benjamin Lindermuth) who was born in Berks County in 1851 but moved to Auburn circa 1867 and eventually started the Auburn Shirt Company. Whether or not the "Auburn Shirt Company" was operated out of the same building as featured in the postcard pictured on the right of this narrative is not certain. An undated and unidentified news article under the column "Auburn Shale" states "Alfred Lindermuth, proprietor of the Auburn shirt factory, has purchased the beautiful residence on Washington street above Third, from Rev. W. D. Stoyer, and moved into the same yesterday." Alfred Benjamin Lindermuth (a.k.a. - "Benjamin Lindermuth"), was born on 02/04/1851 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph Lindemuth (Lindermuth?) and Theresa Lindemuth (Lindermuth?). He was raised on a farm. At age sixteen, he moved to Auburn, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and learned the trade of shoemaker which he followed for approximately eight years (circa 1867 - circa 1875). During this period he met and married Sarah Ribkee Lindermuth of Auburn. They had the following children: Annie Lindermuth, Charles Lindermuth, Elmer R. Lindermuth, Elsie (Elisabeth, Elizabeth or Elspeth?) Lindermuth Hawkins, Eva Ribkee Lindermuth Schaller/Shaller, Foster Lindermuth, John R. Lindemuth (Lindermuth?), Lillie (Lillian?) Lindermuth Somers/Sommers and Nathaniel R. Lindermuth. After his stint in shoemaking, Alfred then began employment with the Schuylkill and Susquehanna (S & S) Railroad for approximately twenty-two years (circa 1875 - circa 1897). At this point, Alfred had accumulated enough money to go into business for himself and started the Auburn Shirt Company which he operated for approximately ten years (circa 1879 - circa 1907). He retired from active employment in 1910. Alfred died on 08/07/1918 in Auburn and was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. An undated and unidentified news article under the column "Auburn Shale" states "C. B. Miller...has now taken control of the Auburn Shirt factory which he purchased from Alfred Lindermuth on private terms. The new proprietor, Mr. Miller, will install new machinery and improve the capacity of the factory and he offers steady and easy work with good salary to girls who desire factory employment. This factory has been running full time for the past three or four years and furnishes excellent employment to all." A September 1917 news article from the Reading Eagle states "The Auburn Shirt Factory has been closed due to its inability to obtain sufficient help. Most of the hands have been offered employment at the Auburn Knitting Mills." The actual name of this factory is unknown at this time. A vintage non-professional postcard, believed to have been produced in the 1910s or 1920s, identifies the structure as a "Shirt Factory" but provides no other information pertaining to the business. AAHS Lifetime Member and website contributor Brian Bohr recalls having been inside this house and states it had remarkably large metal grates in the floor to allow heat to rise to the next level. An industrial directory for the state of Pennsylvania circa 1920 lists an "H. A. Kline" of Auburn, Schuylkill County as being a manufacturer of shirts but it is uncertain as to whether Kline was affiliated with this structure. The building still exists but has been repurposed for private residential use. An undated and non-sourced newspaper clipping (see pictures on right) contained a rather confusing narrative that the "Shirt Factory in Auburn was one of the leading industries of the town in the early to mid twentieth century. The factory, located near Front Street, was recently destroyed in a fire." The problem arises that the entire structure is still present, and had eventually been repurposed into a private residence, so it obviously wasn't "destroyed" in a fire. Two possible theories exist...the first was that a fire occurred within the structure that caused sufficient damage to warrant the enterprise not to continue manufacturing at this location but the building was later renovated into a private residence. A second theory is that a brick structure that originally was situated in the lot next to the shirt factory, closer to Front Street, had once contained various textile industries within it over the years to include the Artistic Knitting Mill, Inc., the Auburn Manufacturing Company, Movie-Star of Pennsylvania, Inc, possibly the Gem Undergarment Company, possibly Jyll Industries, and finally a 'rag factory' owned by an individual with the surname of Womer. This structure caught fire in the mid-1990s and was completely destroyed. The damaged factory was razed for safety purposes and now the property is simply a vacant lot. Considering the aforementioned factory was an adjacent building that was used to produce clothing that was "destroyed in a fire", perhaps the person responsible for producing this news clipping was confused about the two buildings. |
|
Auburn Shirt factory (possible)
The vintage picture featured on the right of this entry is assumed to have been a photograph of an early shirt factory located somewhere in Auburn, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. By enlarging the section of the picture above the door frame, the words "Auburn" and "Shirt" are barely legible. On the back of the picture is a faint signature of an "Ella Gruber" and possibly a date. This is accompanied by what appears to be a later notation which states "Ella Gruber" and "Auburn, PA". An Internet search for the name "Ella Gruber" of this era and "Auburn, PA" failed to produce any results. A search of the website findagrave.com also failed to list any female with the name "Ella Gruber" (either maiden name or married surname) of this era as having been interred anywhere in Schuylkill County, PA. The same lack of result on that website occurred when searching variations of the first name such as "Arabella", "Ellen", "Isabella" or "Maribella". The first name variation of "Elizabeth" was also searched for interments in Schuylkill County and five were found for this era, but none of them had any obvious ties to the Auburn-area. The possibility exists that this "Auburn" factory may have been located in one of the "Auburn"-variations found in Pennsylvania like Auburn Center, Auburn Four Corners, Auburn Township, South Auburn or West Auburn, all of which are located in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Or possibly the "Auburn" over the door frame indicated an "Auburn" from a different state which contains a town of that name, like Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, the two in Wisconsin, or Wyoming, and the picture was erroneously notated on the back with the presumption that it was from "Auburn, PA". The truth is, we simply do not know at this time. However, we are fairly certain that this is not the same "Auburn Shirt Factory" located on Washington Street which was featured on an early vintage postcard because the structural features of the buildings are too dissimilar. |
|
Craftex Mills Inc.
of Pennsylvania Craftex Mills was founded in Philadelphia in 1903. The factory's original product was the manufacturing of piano scarves. After a few years of production, the factory shifted its focus to woven jacquard fabrics. The actual manufacturing of the fabrics was relocated in the late 1960s to their Auburn, PA mill, referred to as their "weaving facility", located just east of Auburn adjacent to Rt. 895. A promotion excerpt reads "Creative designs are transformed into beautiful fabric at the weaving facility located in Auburn, Pennsylvania". An April 1974 newspaper clipping stated that Craftex Mills was constructing a $550,000 addition to their factory and their projected goals were to employ 300 people with a payroll in excess of one and one-half million dollars within three years of the project's completion. At the time of this news release, Robert B. Blum was the President of the Craftex Mills company, S. J. Seder served as executive Vice-President of the company and Gerald Kaplan served as the company's legal counsel. After decades of production, the Auburn facility was permanently closed in 2009 due to economic factors. A more comprehensive list of many of the prior employees of Craftex Mills is in the process of being created in order to provide the information to this website. Our appreciation goes to prior employee Beverly Kerschner for her assistance in the research of the history of this industry. Individuals who were affiliated with Craftex Mills in the capacity of owners or employees include: Blum, Robert B. Jr. Blum, Robert B. Sr. (President) (circa 1974) Brossman, George "Buck" Thomas (maintenance) (circa 1996) Brown, Bobby Brown, Fred (maintenance) Brown, James "Jim" (maintenance)(circa 1970s) Butterfield, Gordon (Plant manager) Dietrich, Janet Elaine Tobias Eidam, William "Bill" E. Eisenhower, Joan (weaving repair)(circa 1970s) Fidler, Herman Flemmish Stine, Josepha Hasenhauer, Dorcus Heck, William "Bill" (maintenance) Huff, Kenneth Sr. (maintenance) Jodlowska Smith, Wladyslawa Kerschner, Bev Kimmel, Sandy Knerr Koch, Myrtle V. (circa 1969) Koch, Myrtle V. Knerr (circa 1969) Krause, (FNU) "Flypaper" (shipping) Kuntz, Kenneth "Kenny" K. Long, Doris "Dutch" Marquardt, Gunther McLinko, Lewis McKorkle, Walt Middlebrook, Michelle (Mick?) Middlebrook, Mick (Michelle?) Moyer, Barb Moyer, Kay Sunday Moyer, Marie M. Noecker Naftzinger, John Noecker Moyer, Marie M. Pflueger, Karen M. Shollenberger (weaver) (early 1970s - 2009) Pflueger, William "Bill" Jr. Reber, Harold Reber, Melvin "Pappy" (I. or J.) Reber, Merlin Reedy, John Ryan, David Seder, Jean Seder, Jeff Seder, Simon Seder, S. J. (Executive Vice-President)(circa 1974) (uncertain if this might be Simon Seder) Shollenberger, John (loom fixer) (early 1970s - 2009) Shollenberger Pflueger, Karen M. (weaver) (early 1970s - 2009) Shollenberger, William "Bill" or "Schultzie" (maintenance) (circa 1974 - 1979) Smith, Wladyslava Jodlowska Staller, Fern C. Moyer Stine, Josepha Flemmish Sunday Moyer, Kay Tobias Dietrich, Janet Elaine Wink, Francis Witt, Pamela (Note: Some of these names were spelled based on their phonetic pronunciations and may be incorrect. If you know of any corrections or additional names, please contact us via the "Visitors Input" page using the green button located at the top of this webpage.) |
Cyrus Shollenberger -
shoemaker An 1880 juror's listing from the Pine Grove Herald newspaper lists "Cyrus Shollenberger, shoemaker, Auburn". The website findagrave.com has a single listing for a Cyrus Shollenberger of this era as having been interred within Auburn. Cyrus Shollenberger was born on 11/07/1833 in Windsor Township, Berks County, PA. He was the son of Henry Shollenberger and Elisabeth Fisher Schollenber (Shollenberger). He was a brother of Annabella Shollenberger Brown; Elizabeth Shollenberger Wagner; Franklin Schollenberger (Shollenberger); Gabriella Schollenberger (Shollenberger) Kaup and John Shollenberger. Cyrus was also listed as having been a veteran of the Civil War; having served in Company E, 96th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, from 09/30/1861 until 01/10/1863. Cyrus married Esther Herber Shollenberger. They had the following children: Agnes Shollenberger Kamp; Albert Schollenberger (Shollenberger); Annie Shollenberger Reed; Charles Schollenberger (Shollenberger); Elizabeth Elmira Shollenberger Rauch; Emma Shollenberger Bast; Frank E. Schollenberger (Shollenberger); Victoria M. Shollenberger Luckenbill and William Scott Shollenberger. Cyrus died on 02/25/1910 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. Whether or not this individual was the same person whose occupation was listed as "shoemaker" in Auburn is uncertain but highly probable. |
Diefenderfer's knitting mill
(a.k.a. Diefenderfer's sewing factory; see: Auburn Knitting Mills) Although written references exist pertaining to "Diefenderfer's knitting mill", this terminology is believed to have been a casual reference to the "Auburn Knitting Mills" owned and operated by the Diefenderfer family. |
Diefenderfer's
sewing factory (a.k.a. Diefenderfer's knitting mill; see: Auburn Knitting Mills) Although written reference exists pertaining to "Diefenderfer's sewing factory", this terminology is believed to have been a casual reference to the "Auburn Knitting Mills" owned and operated by the Diefenderfer family. |
GEM Undergarment
Company Inc. Very little information is currently available about the GEM Undergarment Company, Inc. other than this local page-insert advertisement implies there was a production plant in Auburn, PA. The name of Henry Trumbo was found in near proximity to a vague reference about GEM Undergarment but it is unclear as to what role, if any, Trumbo played in this industry. A Henry Trumbo and his son Henry Trumbo both lived in Auburn in the mid-1800s; however, this advertisement would have been post-1900. |
Geo. W. Hubler
Shoe Company (also see: Hubler's Shoe Company) The building which once contained the original portion of the Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Company was constructed in November of 1914 by the Auburn Board of Trade. This building was occupied by George W. Hubler's shoe company in March of 1915. The founder, George W. Hubler, had been involved in the manufacturing of shoes since 1889, having first apprenticed in the art of shoemaking at the tender age of thirteen. George W. Hubler purchased the building from the Auburn Board of Trade by 1918. Ideally located near the railroad tracks for convenient transportation of materials and merchandise, the plant was eventually situated between the Lyric Theater and the original building housing the Auburn Electric Light, Power and Heat Company. Travelers visiting the plant could stay at a hotel located just up the street, originally built in 1848 by Samuel Kramer, which he had named the “Hotel Delmonico”. The Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Company began production of the manufacturing of children's, misses' and infant welt shoes. Mr. Hubler retired circa 1945 and a new corporation was formed under the name of Hubler Shoes, Inc. George W. Hubler was born on 02/18/1868 in Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Peter Hubler and Fietta Wagner Hubler. He was a brother of Anna "Annie" Rebecca Hubler Adams, Charles Henry Hubler (who also was a shoe manufacturer in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA) and Sarah "Sallie" Ellen Hubler Prentzel/Prenzel. George W. Hubler married Carrie (Caroline?) L. Beck Hubler on March 25, 1894. The couple had a son George H. Hubler who worked in his father's factory for approximately twenty-five years. Early Monday morning on July 17, 2006, at approximately 2:00 a.m., an eleven year old girl named Amanda Dietrich was watching television when she noticed flames in the vacant factory building adjacent to her home. She awoke her family, and the apartment building located at 427 Bear Creek Street in which they lived was quickly evacuated. Young Amanda was hailed as a hero for her actions as the fire destroyed not only the factory but the apartment building as well. The fire caused an estimated $1,250,000 in damage and was considered the largest fire in the area in the past twenty-five years. Although the small brick structure at the northern end of the complex was saved, the majority of the factory building, and the entire apartment building, were a total loss and subsequently were demolished. At one point the shoe company employed approximately 75 people. A partial listing of known employees of the Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Company and/or the Hubler Shoe Company are listed below in alphabetical order by surname then first name: Aungst, Mary Lou Baer, Mickey (Rudy) Bainbridge, Allen Balthaser, Thelma R. Long Long Nagle Neyer* (approx. 1929 - 1981) Bender, Ray F. Berger, Keith "Skinner" Berger, Russel Blew, Betty Boyer, Guy Brensinger, Alberta Brensinger, Barry Brensinger, Neil Bressler, Dorie Carl, Lester R. Collins, Hazel Deibert, Martha C. Noecker Steffy Guris Emerich, Bob Filbert, E. Stuart Freeman, Murton "Murt" C. Frey, Erma Garner, Helen Guris Deibert, Martha C. Noecker Steffy Hasenhauer, Pat Hess, C. W. Hubler, George H. Hubler, George W. Hunsinger, Evelyn Kramer, Gerald S.* (possibly the "Kramer, Jerry" listed below) Kramer, Jerry* (possibly the "Kramer, Gerald S." listed above) Kriner, Fred Kriner, Virginia Leymeister Scheipe, Arlene Mary Long Long Nagle Neyer Balthaser, Thelma R.* (approx. 1929 - 1981) Long Nagle Neyer Balthaser, Thelma R. Long* (approx. 1929 - 1981) Mason, Harry W. Metz, Jim "Lurch" Miller, Orie Minnich, Gary Moyer, Marion Nagle Neyer Balthaser, Thelma R. Long Long * (approx. 1929 - 1981) Nestor, Paul "Peanuts" Neyer Balthaser, Thelma R. Long Long Nagle* (approx. 1929 - 1981) Noecker, Ilene Noecker Steffy Guris Deibert, Martha C. Piefer, (FNU) Reber, (FNU) Reber, Marguerite Reber, Russel Reeser, Perma E. Reigel, (FNU) Renninger, Fay Scheipe, Arlene Mary Leymeister Schrader, Earl "Red" Schrader, Mae Schwenk, David Oscar Seigfried, Harvey Siegfried, Phyllis Siegfried, Ray Seiler, Blanche L. Steffy, Jim "Ken or Kenny" Steffy Guris Deibert, Martha C. Noecker Steffy, Steward "Tink" Webber, Anna Mae Wenrich, Luke *NOTE OF INTEREST: Thelma R. Long Long Nagle Neyer Balthaser was the daughter of Robert M. Long and Mary Ann Mengle Long. As a result, her maiden name was Long but she sequentially married Clayton H. Long (d. Jan. 1962), Charles J. Nagle (d. Oct. 1963), Paul K. Neyer (d. March 1979) and Norman W. Balthaser whom she predeceased. Thelma has the dubious distinction of possibly having the longest string of names in Auburn's history. |
|
Henry S. Borkey -
shoemaker (Orchard Street) A 1905 Business Directory lists a residential listing for Henry S. Borkey, shoemaker, Orchard (St.) but does not have a clear listing whether this was a separate business or only Henry's occupation listed as such. Henry could have possibly been employed with Jacob Borkey, who also sold shoes. The website findagrave.com has a listing for a Henry S. Borkey of this era having been interred within Auburn. Henry S. Borkey was born on 05/06/1866 in Pennsylvania. His parents were Jacob Borkey (Sr.?) and Mary Schroeder Borkey. He was a brother of Edward Borkey, Frederick S. Borkey, Jacob Borkey (Jr.?), John S. Borkey and Maggie (Margaret?) S. Borkey Fahl. Henry married Ida Elizabeth Schoener Borkey. They had the following children: Clarence Raymond Borkey, Edwin Charles Borkey, Fred Foster Borkey, Howard Henry Borkey and Ida F. Borkey (who became a missionary). Henry died on 10/04/1914 in Auburn and was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. Whether or not this individual is the same one listed as having been a "shoemaker" is uncertain but probable. |
Hubler Shoes, Inc.
(see: Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Co.) Hubler Shoes, Inc. was a generational successor of the original Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Company. As a result, the history of the Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Company and its eventual evolution into Hubler Shoes, Inc. is documented under "Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Company" only. |
Jyll Industries
A vague written reference to "Jyll Industries" of Auburn, PA is all that is currently known about this possible Auburn-area factory. An AAHS Lifetime member tentatively identified its location as within the original Artistic Knitting Mill, Inc. factory building but was uncertain of this idea. Anyone who might be able to shed light on this, or any other of these industries, please contact us via the "Visitor Input" page. |
Kline's shirt factory
(poss. a.k.a. Lindermuth's shirt factory; Miller's shirt factory; see: Auburn shirt factory) |
L' Art De La Mode, Inc.
Very little is known about the company called "L' Art De La Mode", which roughly translates to "fashion art". The company is mentioned in the court documents titled "SHANER v. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ZONING HEARING BOARD (2004)". The legal document reads in part: "The property at issue is a three-story brick structure located at 301 Elm Street in the Borough of Auburn (Borough) in Schuylkill County (Property). The Property, which was built prior to the establishment of zoning in 1967, measures 3000 to 3500 square feet and has three loading docks. It has been used over the years primarily for warehousing and as a knitting mill for “the processing, storing and distribution of various garments” for the garment industry...." "Appellants purchased the Property on April 3, 2002 from L'Art De La Mode, Inc. when it was still being used as a knitting mill and as a warehouse for storage of the Borough's holiday decorations." Nothing further can be found on this company via Internet searches and no further information is available about it. |
Lindermuth's shirt factory
(poss. a.k.a. Kline's shirt factory; Miller's shirt factory; see: Auburn shirt factory) |
Miller's shirt factory
(poss. a.k.a. Kline's shirt factory; Lindermuth's shirt factory: see: Auburn shirt factory) |
Milton K. Nagle -
shoemaker Milton K. Nagle was born on 03/24/1841 in Berks County, PA. He was the son of Joseph Nagel and Sarah Kieffer Nagel. He was a brother of Augustus Nagel, Eli K. Nagle, Reuben Nagle, and Sarah Ann Nagle Bright. Milton served as a Private, Company K, 48th Regiment, Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers during the Civil War. He enlisted on 02/26/1864 and mustered out on 07/17/1865. His statistic included a height of 5' 5 1/2" with hazel eyes, brown hair and an occupation of a shoemaker. Milton married Mary F. Moyer Nagle in 1868 and they had a daughter, Agnes M. Nagle. Milton died on 12/18/1912 in Pottstown, Montgomery County, PA and was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
Movie-Star of
Pennsylvania, Inc. To the best of our knowledge, Ms. Beatrice Reichert Kreager wasn't considered a "Movie Star" by our current perceptions of the term. She was born on September 20, 1928, the daughter of Guy K. Reichert and Ellen Sarah Heim Reichert of Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. She would have been a sister of a stillborn girl who died due to a "premature birth" according to the death certificate. Beatrice was a simple Auburn girl who married a boy from Summit Station, Schuylkill County, PA. Their wedding announcement was a standard format, telling of relationships and matrimonial wear. She is a mother to Arlene Kreager, Linda Kreager and Robert D. Kreager. A graduate of Auburn High School, she worked as a homemaker and alongside her husband for many years at the family dairy farm they owned together. Beatrice died on March 17, 2011 in Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, PA and is interred at St. Paul's Cemetery, South Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. What is curious, even most interesting perhaps, is that the article states that Mrs. Kreager is employed by "Movie-Star of Pennsylvania, Inc. - Auburn". An Internet website, www.govinfo.gov, has a listing circa March, 1950 as "Movie-Star of Pennsylvania, Inc." having been located at the corner of Front and Washington Streets in Auburn, PA. The mention is found in the "Federal Register" on page 1255 of that website. The only known building on the site mentioned would have been what was originally the Artistic Knitting Mill constructed in 1922. This structure caught fire in the 1990s and was subsequently razed for safety reasons. The website "Wikipedia" has the following information on this industry: "Movie Star Inc. is a New York City-based manufacture, marketer, and seller of lingerie, sleepwear and other types of clothing. Organized in 1935, and then formerly known as Sandmark Stardust Inc. in 1992. It was acquired by Frederick's of Hollywood in 2006, who sold the company to Dolce Vita Intimates in 2010." |
|
Necktie factory
"M. W. Moyer and Charles Fahl will shortly open a neckwear factory. Material and machinery have been secured; also an expert forelady from New York city. They will employ a number of hands." - Reading Eagle circa February 1896. "The necktie factory of Fahl & Moyer is turning out good work under the supervision of Miss Edna Brown, of Phila." - Reading Eagle, April 4, 1896. The website findagrave.com has a single listing for an individual from this era whose first two initials are "M. W." and whose surname is Moyer as having been interred in the Auburn area. Morgan W. Moyer was born on 04/22/1859 in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Jackson Benneville Moyer and Mary Christ Moyer. He was a brother of Annie Matilda Moyer Miller Wagner and Elizabeth Moyer Shollenberger. He married Ella A. Beard Moyer. They had a daughter: May Florence Moyer Lindermuth. An undated and non-sourced newspaper article states the following: "AUBURN SHALE - The massive river coal washery, the largest in the county, located in the river at the farm of Senator Quail and owned by Messrs. C. W. Grimes and Morgan W. Moyer, of this place, will be ready for operation by Friday or Saturday and all appearances promise a large out-put of coal." A second unidentified news source states "AUBURN SHALE - Moyer and Grimes are shipping large quantities of river washery coal to various points." A list on an undated and unidentified source document indicates that a "Morgan Moyer" operated a "general store" in Auburn at one time. Based on Morgan W. Moyer's entrepreneurship, there is reason to believe that he may have been the same individual who operated both the coal washery and the general store in Auburn. Morgan died on 11/02/1907 in Auburn and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. As productive as Morgan W. Morgan appears to have been, it is not unreasonable to assume that he may have also been the "M. W. Morgan" identified as having been instrumental in the opening of a necktie factory in Auburn. While this belief is unconfirmed, the likelihood of it being the same person is high. The website findagrave.com also has two listings for individuals of this era who are interred in the Auburn area and whose name was "Charles Fahl". The first is a Charles Edward Fahl. This individual does not seem as likely of a candidate to be the person mentioned in the news articles about opening a necktie factory in Auburn because he would have only been twenty-years old at the time the articles were published, and he died later that same year in November of 1896 of unlisted causes. The second individual listed on that website was a Charles H. Fahl, who seems to be the individual mentioned in the news articles. He was within the same age range (38) as the aforementioned Morgan W. Morgan (36) when the articles were published. Charles H. Fahl was born on 06/23/1857 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John Dietrich Fahl and Catharine Reber Fahl. He was a brother of David R. Fahl, Franklin Fahl, Georg Washington Fahl (first name spelling taken from his engraved grave marker - the name means "farmer" in Greek), Isaac Fahl, James William Fahl and Sarah Fahl Runkle. Charles married Mary Alice Moyer Fahl. The website had no mention of any children from this union. Charles died on 01/17/1936 in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. Whether or not this individual was the same "Charles Fahl" mentioned in the news articles is uncertain but probable. No results could be found for an "Edna Brown" of that era listed on findagrave.com as having been interred in either Philadelphia County or Schuylkill County, PA. The location of the aforementioned necktie factory in the Auburn-area, and its dates of operation, are currently unknown. |
|
Nester Knit
(poss. a.k.a. - silk stocking factory; Orchard Street knitting mill) This small brick structure overlooking the railroad tracks is located at the east end of Orchard Street. Although the building has been a private residence for many years, it was previously utilized as an off-denominational church. Additional information suggests the building was once utilized a textile factory which possibly manufactured silk stockings. One prior employee of that knitting mill was a Lillian S. Berk Hummel (b. 1908 - d. 1979) who stated she had worked there as a "young girl". Based on the assumption that a female of that time period would have probably no longer referred to herself as a "young" girl by the time she reached the age of 16, this would have suggested the knitting mill was in operation circa the early 1920s (at least). The name of the textile industry once located within the building is unknown at this time; however, past employee Lillian Berk's maternal grandfather's name was "Samuel Nester"; it's possible this factory was the one referred to as "Nester Knit"(an unidentified Auburn business) at one time, although there is no evidence to support or refute the idea that her grandfather, who resided in Berks County, owned a knitting mill in Auburn of Schuylkill County. |
Nice Knitting Mills
These two promotional pencils advertise for the "Nice Knitting Mills" of Auburn, PA with a slogan which states "Where (the) world gets its terries." Very little information is known about this industry. One individual stated the factory may have later inhabited the same building as the reconstructed Auburn Knitting Mills once occupied, but that is unconfirmed. If you have any information regarding this company, please contact us via the "Visitor Input" webpage. |
Orchard Street knitting mill
(a.k.a. silk stocking factory; poss. a.k.a. - Nester Knit) This small brick structure overlooking the railroad tracks is located at the east end of Orchard Street. Although the building has been a private residence for many years, it was previously utilized as an off-denominational church. Additional information suggests the building was once utilized a textile factory which possibly manufactured silk stockings. One prior employee of that knitting mill was a Lillian S. Berk Hummel (b. 1908 - d. 1979) who stated she had worked there as a "young girl". Based on the assumption that a female of that time period would have probably no longer referred to herself as a "young" girl by the time she reached the age of 16, this would have suggested the knitting mill was in operation circa the early 1920s (at least). The name of the textile industry once located within the building is unknown at this time; however, past employee Lillian Berk's maternal grandfather's name was "Samuel Nester"; it's possible this factory was the one referred to as "Nester Knit"(an unidentified Auburn business) at one time, although there is no evidence to support or refute the idea that her grandfather, who resided in Berks County, owned a knitting mill in Auburn of Schuylkill County. |
Silk stocking factory -
(see: Nester Knit; Orchard Street knitting mill) |
Tijan Leather, Inc.
The Tijan Leather, Inc. company was located within a portion of the same structure that once housed the Auburn Knitting Mill east of Third Street. The company is mentioned in the legal documents of a court case titled "SHANER v. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ZONING HEARING BOARD (2004)". The legal document reads in part: "The property at issue is a three-story brick structure located at 301 Elm Street in the Borough of Auburn (Borough) in Schuylkill County (Property). The Property, which was built prior to the establishment of zoning in 1967, measures 3000 to 3500 square feet and has three loading docks. It has been used over the years primarily for warehousing and as a knitting mill for “the processing, storing and distribution of various garments” for the garment industry...." "Appellants purchased the Property on April 3, 2002 from L'Art De La Mode, Inc. when it was still being used as a knitting mill and as a warehouse for storage of the Borough's holiday decorations. Appellants leased a portion of the property to Tijan Leather, Inc. Tijan began operating "a facility to process animal hides including, but not limited to, the collection, salting, drying and preservation of raw material prior to the material being shipped for final tanning process." One Auburn resident even testified that "the odor is terrible. The stench is wicked." while three other residents compared the odor to a "barnyard smell" or a "manure pit". Many area residents complained about a strong stench generating from this location caused by the company's leather curing process. The company was adjudicated as being in violation of zoning ordinances and could no longer operate at this location. |
William G. Murdock
A listing a jurors found within the Pinegrove Herald newspaper dated April 15, 1881 lists "William Murdock, shoemaker, Auburn." A later 1890 Census lists his job as "shoe-maker" but doesn't clarify if he was an independent business owner or simply listed as his occupation while working for another business. The website findagrave.com has a single listing for a "William Murdock" of that era having been interred within Auburn. William G. Murdock was born in 1821 in Berks County, PA. He married Mary (maiden name unknown) Murdock. They had the following children: Alice Murdock Klock; Emma Isabell Murdock Keefer; Francis William Murdock and Rebecca Murdock Sholly. William died on 07/11/1897 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, and was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. Whether this "William Murdock" was the same individual listed as a "shoemaker" in Auburn is uncertain but probable. |
William H. Deifenderfer -
shoe manufacturer (Washington Street) An Auburn Business Directory dated 1905 contains a "business" listing for a "Deifenderfer, Wm. H. shoe mfr., Washington (St.)". No other information is known about this business. A "shirt factory" was once operating on Washington Street near the intersection of Front and Washington, but it is not known to have ever produced shoes and currently there is no information available about Diefenderfer being affiliated with the shirt factory. William H. Diefenderfer (not Deifenderfer - misspelled in the 1905 business directory) also opened the Auburn Knitting Mill between Lemon Alley and Pine Streets, but that would clearly not qualify as "Washington Street". The website findagrave.com has a listing for a "William H. Diefenderfer" as having been interred in Auburn. William was born on 05/29/1854 in Pennsylvania. He was the son of John Henry Diefenderfer and Martha Ann Wagner Diefenderfer. He was a brother of Cornelius Wagner Diefenderfer, Francis D. Diefenderfer, Horace G. Diefenderfer and Walter B. Diefenderfer. He married Sebilla Faust Moyer Diefenderfer. They had the following children: Blanche Pauline Diefenderfer, Earnestine Moyer Diefenderfer Borkey, Guy Herbert Diefenderfer, Hermie (Hermione?) A. Diefenderfer Drumheller, Iva Martha Diefenderfer Fegley, Jennie (Jennifer?) E. Diefenderfer Leisey, Olie (Olivia?) Alberta Diefenderfer and Twyla Tyde Diefenderfer Wagner. William died on 01/24/1914 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, and was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. Whether or not this is the same individual who manufactured shoes in Auburn is uncertain but probable. |
Windsor Knitting Mill, Inc.
This sign for the Windsor Knitting Mill, Inc. of Auburn, PA was photographed in the brick structure that once housed the Geo. W. Hubler Shoe Company adjacent to Bear Creek Street. The implication is that the Windsor Knitting Mill may have been operating out of the building after Hubler Shoes company closed, but that is unconfirmed at this time. Whether the sign still exists is unknown. An on-line "LinkedIn" employment profile for Gregory Lis indicates that he was employed by the Windsor Knitting Mills, Inc. company in Reading and was tasked with the set-up of their manufacturing facility in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. Gregory worked for that company from 1987 - 1995, so the Auburn factory would have been initiated at some point during that time span. |
Womer's rag warehouse
This brick structure was constructed in 1922 to house the Artistic Knitting Mill. At some point, the ownership transferred to the Auburn Manufacturing Company. Another company had a short occupancy of the building. The company was called "Movie Star of Pennsylvania, Inc." It's possible two other companies had a short occupancy within the building. One was a "Gem Undergarment Company, Inc." and the other was a "Jyll Industries". The final occupant of the building was a business run by someone whose surname was Womer. Residents have referred to his industry as a "rag warehouse" in which he manufactured rags, but the actual name of that business and the exact nature of his product is unclear. In the mid-1990s, a massive fire consumed the structure, fueled in part by the rags within the building, resulting in its demise. The ruined shell of the building was subsequently razed for safety purposes. Now a vacant lot can be found where this structure was once located. |
|
Wright's knitting mill
(poss. a.k.a. Wright's Knit Wear) Vague written reference to "Wright's knitting mill" is unclear as to its location nor is it clear whether this was a predecessor of "Wright's Knit Wear" or simply a generic term for that company. |
Wright's Knit Wear
(poss. a.k.a. Wright's knitting mill) Wright's Knit Wear factory was located at 800 Market Street of Auburn. This business is believed to have been in operation from at least 1974 through 2001. Among other products, they manufactured "Mens and Boys Knit Outwear". This vintage "Pocket-Tee" shirt in its original package is one of the few pieces of memorabilia from this company in the Auburn Area Historical Society's possession. A partial listing of known employees and their approximate employment dates (if known) includes: Karpinsky, Ella Mae Schaeffer Schwenk Kramer, Gerald S. Lis, Gregory (1974 - 1987) Murphy, Louann Yoder Reichert, Jean A. Stusalitus Renninger Schwenk, Phyllis M. Schaeffer Schwenk Karpinsky, Ella Mae Schwenk Karpinsky, Ella Mae Schaeffer Schwenk, Phyllis M. Renninger Strouphauer, Rick Stusalitus Reichert, Jean A. Venckauskas, David (1978 - 2001) Yoder Murphy, Louann |
Miscellaneous
The picture on the right was found among other Auburn-area memorabilia. The possibility exists that this photograph depicts the interior and employees of one of the area textile mills but it is uncertain. If you have any information that pertains to this picture, please let us know by visiting our "Visitors Input" webpage. |