Personalities | Souderton-Telford Historical Society

Legion and VFW

by Edie Adam | Dec 2025 | Lifestyle, Memories, Personalities

Veterans’ service continues at home, thanks to American Legion, VFW posts with research by Cory Alderfer The work of winding down World War II was well under way when the Souderton Independent reported on Dec. 6, 1945, that Cpl. Nicholas Rohs had arrived at his father’s home in Hilltown Township to begin rest furlough. He had been captured at Corregidor in the Philippines in 1942 and spent three years, 11 months, and four days as a prisoner of the Japanese. Rohs, the newspaper reported, was “well on his way” to full recovery. For World War II veterans — and generations before and since — a return to civilian life was just the beginning. Many would look for comradeship and advocacy in organizations that had been founded for those purposes. Fortunately, veterans here could turn to two such groups: In Souderton, American Legion Post 234 had been present since 1919, chartered in the shadow of what was then called the Great War. In neighboring Telford, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5308...

Recipe for a fun life? Sell a fun product in your hometown for 50 years.

by Richard Detwiler | Sep 2025 | Lifestyle, Memories, Personalities

Scott Landes once told a reporter he was “a Souderton boy through and through.” Known by everyone as Scooter, Landes marked 50 years in town as a small business running his bike shop. You may know the story of how he got his start back in July 1975, but when the Souderton-Telford Historical Society interviewed him, Scooter also shared a range of memories of growing up and working in town. STHS: So, basically my assignment from the historical society was inspired by someone who saw you peeking out the door in the mural photograph in the restaurant. Scott Landes: The first time we ate there, I took my wife. We’re walking out. I love these old pictures of Souderton. I did like a double take. I went, “Oh my gosh, what?” Then I said to our young waitress, “Hey, see that guy there? That’s me.” And she looked at me and said, “No way”. I grew up here in Souderton. My father was an internist at Grand View (hospital, now part of St. Luke’s). I went to Souderton, went to Albright College, and...

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

by Cory Alderfer | Apr 2025 | Lifestyle, Personalities

Back when major league baseball was perhaps more “magical”, 350 local boys got to experience that that magic on one very special day.

The Person Behind the Name

by Edie Adam | Nov 2024 | Personalities

While this name might be familiar around our towns, few people know the history behind the man or the name. Here is his story.

From a Blacksmith’s Shop to Helping to Save the Republic

by Doug Shupinski | Jul 2024 | Personalities

Servatus Brey (1840-1899) was a U.S. Army Civil War veteran from Souderton. But was he the ONLY Civil War veteran from Souderton? This is the story of a blacksmith from Souderton, and his extraordinary life story.

Souderton Medicine Bottles

by David Buck | Nov 2021 | Personalities

Guest-author David Buck collects antique bottles of many types. In this issue, he tells us about four local doctors and shows us samples of their medicine bottles.

Family Secrets

by Emily O'Rourke | Sep 2021 | Personalities

Guest-author Emily O’Rourke was a 17-year-old high school student at the time of this writing. We are thrilled that Emily was willing to share this story of a long-held family secret – which sheds light on a different era in local history.

Where Everyone Knows Your Name

by Cory Alderfer | Jul 2021 | Personalities

A humorous story from Souderton’s past, that illustrates a bit of life in a “small town” – where everyone knows your name!

Playwright William Marchant Davis

by Jon Leight | Mar 2021 | Personalities

In this issue, guest-author Jon Leight recounts the fascinating life of Souderton High School graduate and playwright, William Marchant Davis.

Ray L. Albright: Souderton and Beyond and Back

by Gary Albright | Jan 2021 | Personalities

Ray Albright was pilot, photographer, and well-known local businessman. Read about his life from the memories of his son, guest-author Gary Albright.

A Conversation with Clarence Moyer

by Dan Yocum | Mar 2020 | Personalities

There is nothing better for a historian than to have a live conversation with someone who lived through the historical highs of a community. Guest-author Dan Yocum has recorded just such an experience with Souderton resident Clarence Moyer.

William Souder Hemsing Diaries

by Cory Alderfer | Sep 2017 | Personalities

The “Hemsing Diaries” were written in the mid 1800s, and published in 1987. They offer a glimpse into the lives of a few Souderton residents of the time.