A friend has come across a very interesting person
that lived in Doylestown in the early 1900's and put money in a trust
for the VIA to which she is a member and heads their finance
committee. I was wondering if you could help provide some information
about the man and his business. Apparently he was a very generous
man, to his employees and the community.
If you are interested in researching him:
Clymer Dept Store and Robert Clymer. The history of the store, where
it was located, who shopped there, who worked there, why was he
philanthropic, what was his tie to the VIA?
Regards,
Dave Pajer
267-885-4039
queryposter
Sat Dec 7, 2013, 7:39 pm
History of Bucks County, PA by William W.H. Davis, pp. 282-83:
Robert L. Clymer, the successful merchant of Doylestown, Bucks county, was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1872, and is a son of John H. & Maria (Kiser) Clymer. The Clymer family is of German origin.... [extensive info about the history of the Clymer family]....
Robert L. Clymer was reared in Nockamixon and Tinicum townships and acquired his education at the public schools. At the age of fifteen years he began his mercantile career as a clerk in the general merchandise store at Kintnersville, where he was employed for eight years. In 1897 he came to Doylestown and purchased the stock and fixtures of the general merchandise store at the corner of Clinton and Ashland streets, of John K. Benner, where he has since successfully conducted the business. He has taken an active interest in the affairs of the town and is a well known and popular business man. Mr.
Clymer is a member of the Reformed church, and is affiliated with Aqueton Lodge No. 193, I.O.O.F. of Doylestown, the Junior O.U.A.M., Ferndale Council No. 685, and the F. and A.M. of Doylestown. He married October 18, 1894, Stella Rufe, daughter of Josiah and Mary Jane Rufe of Nockamixon, where he ancestors had been prominent landowners and business men for several generations.
I don't know what the "VIA" is so don't know if this might be connected to one of the civic organizations that he was a member of in the early 1900's.
Robert died in 1949. I don't have access to his will to see what that says. However, Robert & his wife Stella had no children. Neither did Robert's only sister. Robert had nieces and nephews on his wife's side but might well have been philanthropic in part because he didn't have direct family to leave his money to.
Tom Myers, BCGS Query Coordinator
queryposter
Sat Dec 7, 2013, 7:39 pm
The VIA is the Village Improvement Association - a group of civic-minded women whose goal was to improve Doylestown. One of their goals was the foundation of the Doylestown Hospital. Read more here:
http://via-doylestown.org/
annetteeubank
Sat Nov 2, 2013, 6:56 pm