Joseph A. GANTER

• Born: [before 1850] Baden, Germany

• Married: [Unknown] Germany

• Died:

General Notes:

The following biography from Berks County, is about Joseph B. GANTER, brother of  Benjamin Ganter. This writing includes information on Joseph A. GANTER, his son, Benjamin GANTER, and Phillip GANTER.

Joseph B. Ganter, a well known and respected citizen of Reading, Pa., who is now living in a beautiful home that he erected in Mt. Penn, a suburb of the city, was born in Reading, in Jan., 1864, son of Joseph A. and Theresa (Bucher) Ganter.

Philip Ganter, grandfather of Joseph B., was born in Thannheim, Baden, Germany, married Mary Fahrenbach, of the same place, and they became the parents of the following children: Francis Zavier, married to Farranar Bucher; Joseph A., married to Theresa Bucher; Barbara, married to John Balbach; Carolina, married to John Impink; and Philip, married to Henrietta Morris. Weary of the tyranny of the Old World governments, Mr. and Mrs. Ganter came to this country in 1850, bringing with them all their children and also the daughter of Francis Zavier. All are now deceased with the exemption of the son Philip and the daughter Carolina.

Joseph A. GANTER, son of Philip, was born in Thannheim, Baden, Germany. When he came to this country, he first worked in a furnace in Marietta, Pa. His wife followed a year later, and they located in Reading, Berks county, he working at laboring and securing employment with the McIlvaine Iron Company. Later he became a driver for the firm. He purchased property on the installment plan, this property being one of the old landmarks of the city, located on North Eighth street, near the junction. He continued faithfully in the employ of the Iron Company, until he was compelled on account of failing health to secure lighter work, and he removed to No. 40 Hamilton street, a story and a half brick house in that portion of the city known as Ricktown, being one of the first to locate there. For some time it was a question with the people whether it should be called Ricktown or Gantertown. He opened a hotel at No. 38 Hamilton street, the only one in that section for number of years. The business increased to such an extent that he removed to the corner of Schuylkill avenue, Front and Hamilton streets, and his place was known as the "Hamilton House" until his retirement. He then removed to No. 213 North Ninth street, where he resided until his death. He was a man of great enterprise and energy, and was successful, adding greatly to the development of the city in the line of building. His success was attributed to close attention to business, and although he came to America without means, he accumulated a fortune, and gave each of his children a good start in life. He manifested a special interest in his family, aiding them in business during his own lifetime, that he might enjoy the pleasure of seeing them prosper. At different times he would call his children together and give them liberally of his estate, at the same time advising them how to use it. ? one of the last things he did was to present each child with a thousand dollars.

To Joseph A. GANTER and wife, were born six sons and three daughters: Benjamin; Lena; Francis X.; Franklin; Rosa; Joseph B.; Theresa; Edward now deceased; and Charles. The two eldest, Francis and Lena, were married upon the same day, and the three youngest, Theresa, Edward and Charles, were likewise married at the same hour of the same day, and had single, double, and triple weddings. Mr. Ganter in company with Gregory Heine went over in 1872 to the old country to repair a small chapel or shrine, that the father, Philip, who was very wealthy for his day, had built in Thannheim.

Joseph B. Ganter's education was secured in the schools of Reading. When he started out in life he worked for as little as seventy-five cents per week, changing from one occupation to the other until he began an apprenticeship with Henry C. Geissler, where he learned the tinsmithing trade. He then started in business for himself at No. 201 Schuylkill avenue, and in addition opened a hardware store, with house-furnishing goods, which he carried on for a period of twenty years. Previous to this he had carried on the cigar business in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1884 he retired and began building operations with Adolph Eichner, and April 5, 1904, the firm became Ganter, Davis & Eichner. At the end of one year, the original firm started again and are still doing business. Mr. Ganter is the original organizer of the Schuylkill Fire Company, and is one of the two original members still living.

Mr. Ganter's success is due to his perseverance and strict attention to business, and just dealing. In politics he is a Democrat. He is connected with the Roman Catholic Church. He is also associated with the Northwestern Beneficial Association; Aerie No. 66, F. O. E.; and Harmonia Beneficial Association.