This is a photo of a barrel peddler on Milford Street headed toward the railroad crossing. The Marble Works of A. V. Hombach and Son can be seen in the background. It is the building that also served as the Ames Railway Express Office and the Hower Lumber Mill Office.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/2/13 - Image Year: 1900
ADOLPHUS VINCENT HOMBACH and Son Marble Works was located on Milford Street where later the H. C. Hower Lumber Co. would be located.
ADOLPHUS VINCENT HOMBACH was born at Berlin, Prussia, October 14, 1838, and when nine months old was brought by his parents to America. He first attended the public schools at McSherrystown, and afterwards pursued a course of study at the Oxford College, Adams County, Pa., upon the completion of which he read medicine with his father and brother for two and a half years.
Not being inclined to the medical profession, he abandoned his preparation for it, and served an apprenticeship of three years at marble cutting, at McSherrystown, Pa., after which he worked at his trade as a journeyman at Baltimore for two and a half years. At first his wages were $1.25 per day, but they were advanced to $2.50 per day. From Baltimore he returned to McSherrystown and began the marble business, with Mr. Kerr as his partner. This partnership continued for four years; then the business was sold, and Mr. Hombach embarked in the same business at Harrisburg. After three years he sold this interest also, and in 1866, went to Newport where he worked with S. H. Brubaker as a journeyman for one year, and after that bought the place and began business for himself.
He established a branch shop at Port Royal, Juniata County, Pa. For some years he has had his sons associated with him in the business. However, just one son, Paul Rider remained as an associate.
PAUL RIDER HOMBACH, son of Adolphus V., was born in Newport, Perry County, Pa., in 1871. He attended the public schools until he was fifteen years of age, when he learned marble cutting with his father. In 1889, he was admitted to partnership in his father’s business.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/2/13 - Image Year: 1910
Newspaper Advertisement for Hombach Marble Works.
Contributed by stevebirmi on 12/6/13
Ardella Hombach Brubaker, 103, of Newport is my grandmother. Her father, George Washington Hombach, was my great-grandfather, and his father, A.V. Hombach was my great-great-grandfather. The building that housed the Newport branch of the marble works is still standing a block away from the river. If you look closely, you can see the original "A.V. Hombach and Sons Marble Works" sign lettering, faded by 100 years of weather.
-Steven Birmingham
Harrisburg, PA
