[66-18] WAYNE CLEMMER MESCHTER, b Dec. 18, 1883; s Charles Y. and Matilda B. (Clemmer) Meschter [66-8]; m Oct. 16, 1912, LEILA ELEANORA KRIEBEL, b Aug. 19, 1882; dau Michael Z. and Mary (Cassel) Kriebel [19-49]. Res., 126 Roberts Ave., Glenside, Pa. (1922.)
Children (3):
Wayne Clemmer Meschter was born at Palm, Montg. Co., Pa. He attended the public schools of his native township, and also attended Perkiomen Seminary during the two winter terms of 1900-1901. He then went-to Phila. and entered the employ of the American Preserve Co. in the shipping department, starting on Sept. 1, 1902. Desiring to improve his scholastic attainments, Mr. Meschter entered the evening school of Temple University, registering in the Commercial Course whichhe successfully completed in 1905. After his graduation Mr. Meschter continued his studies in higher accounting and banking, in addition to pursuing courses in languages and chemistry.
In the meantime, on account of his diligence and attention to the business of the firm, he was promoted to office boy, serving in this capacity until 1908 when he was advanced to the position of Assistant-Secretary of the American Preserve Co. After the death of his uncle, William Y. Meschter, in 1909, Mr. Meschter succeeded him as Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, holding that office until 1916, when he acquired the controlling interest in the business, and is now sole proprietor of the Company.
The location of the plant at that time was 946-50 North Beach Street, Phila. The city of Philadelphia, desiring to widen Front Street, acquired the major portion of the Company’s property in 1919 by eondemnation proceedings, and the concern was ordered to move. Mr. Meschter thereupon purchased the ground at Lehigh Avenue and Third Street and erected the handsome modern factory now located there, which is one of the finest and best equipped of its kind in the country. Operations in the new building were begun in January, 1921.
It is rather significant that one of Mr. Meschter’s products which he makes in large quantities is that of ‘‘apple butter,” a dish which is always served by the Schwenkfelders at their annual Memorial Day services, held on Sept. 24 of each year.
As a citizen Mr. Meschter is always a factor in progressive movements. He served three terms (1910-12) as President of the Alumni Association of the Commercial Department of Temple University, and has been a member of the Board of Managers of the Alumni Association of the same department for a number of years.
Ever since coming to Phila., Mr. Meschter has been an active worker in the First Schwenkfelder Church of Philadelphia, having served in practically every capacity in both Church and Sunday School, and has for ten years or more been the very efficient and enthusiastic Superintendent of the Sunday School. Since 1912, when the present Schwenkfelder Church organization was perfected, Mr. Meschter has been Secretary of the Board of Managers of the Charity Fund of the Schwenkfelder Church. ~~
It is due the readers of this book to know that Mr. Meschter was one of the first guarantors of the fund to publish this book, and as treasurer of the Publishing Committee, when the guaranty fund was ‘exhausted, advanced the necessary funds to bring this book to its present dimensions and its successful completion. During the troublesome war times, when the outlook was dark and when the editor was discouraged and when almost insurmountable obstacles seemed to present themselves, it was the enthusiastic optimism and encouragement of the Treasurer that prompted the editor to continue the work and earry it forward to completion.
The Editor desires his readers to know that had it not been for the generosity and enthusiasm of Wayne C. Meschter the Schwenkfelder Genealogical Record in its present form would not have been possible,
Parents’ family: [66-8] Charles Y. Meschter and Matilda B. Clemmer