Who's Henry Goldner

Who's Henry (Heinrich) Goldner?
1845-1925

Henry Goldner (2nd Great-GrandFather) was born on 2 April 1845, in Wurttemburg, Germany (per 1870 census), to unknown parents. Little to nothing is known about Henry's childhood years. In 1867, at the age of 22, he married Louisa Miller (1849-1909), who bore him 11 children in 25 years - 1 son and 10 daughters - Katharine 1867-1948, Louise 1870-1875, Albert 1871-?, Emma Elizabeth 1874-1944, Laura 1877-1934, Henrietta 1880-1967, Anna M 1882-?, Edna 1884-1972, Gertrude 1887-1966, Mildred 1889-1890, and Lillian 1892-1972.

Three years later, the 1870 census has Henry, his wife and their first 2 children, Katharine & Louisa, living in the 16th Ward, 50th District of Philadelphia, PA, in the house of his mother-in-law, Fredericka Ang. His occupation is listed as boilermaker, a profession that would make him very successful, and help him pay for those 10 daughters.

By 1880, at age 35, Henry and his growing family had moved to 1819 E Moyamensing Avenue, with his mother-in-law now living with him. It was here that Henry's first born, Katherine (age 13), would meet her future husband, Abraham Lincoln Potts (age 14), who lived two doors up, at #1823. Kate and Abraham's coupling gave birth to Katharine Potts, who married Alvin C McFadden, and gave birth to Lillian Elizabeth McFadden, aka Mom. (Goldner & Potts listed below)

In 1882, at the age of 37, Henry received a pocket watch with the following inscription: "Presented to Henry Goldner as a testimonial of friendship from his fellow employees and friends. The American and International Steam-ship Companies. Upon the occasion of his leaving the service. April 1882"

Although it looks like a retirement watch, Henry was far from retiring. Instead, he was taking a big risk by leaving his comfortable job and branching out on his own as a boilermaker, building and repairing boilers.

He spent the next three years building his customer base, which included the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Lubric Company, among others. On 10 June 1885 the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Mayor of Philadelphia authorized payments by the Water Company to pay Henry Goldner for repairs to boilers totaling $387.38.

Five months later, on 19 Nov 1885, an explosion at the Philadelphia Lubric Company killed 4 men, including Harry Marshall, a 12-year old employee of Goldner's Boiler Works. Henry and his crew were repairing a boiler at the plant when, elsewhere on the grounds, a still ignited causing the vat of oil to explode. The unfortunate Harry Marshall just happened to be running for more rivets when the explosion occurred. He was transported to the University Hospital on a locomotive, but died from his injuries.

Over the next 3 years Henry's business continued to grow. According to the Journal of the City of Philadelphia, Appendix No 306, dated 21 Feb 1889, an ordinance to permit Henry to erect a frame building (50' x 198') covered with corrugated iron, to be used as a boiler shop at the Tasker Street wharf was recommended for passage by the Committee on Police and Prisons. On 22 Mar 1889 the ordinance was approved by the Mayor of Philadelphia, Edwin H Fitler.

By the time Henry reached 45 years of age, Henry and his family had moved 4 blocks down Moyamensing Avenue, to #1402. On 16 Sep 1890 it was reported that Henry joined 3 of his neighbors in signing a petition against putting a connecting road through or near their properties. The plan was postponed until further inquiry, and appears to have never passed.

On Wednesday, 18 Jul 1894, at 11:00 am, Henry sailed "Across the Great Pond" on the steamship Paris, as part of a large group of distinguished Philadelphians which included the President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the President of the International Navigation Company, three of the City's most eminent lawyers, the U.S. Minister to Austria, and Henry Goldner (2nd column, 2/3rds down). This was certainly a journey of the movers and shakers (and probably a few Quakers) in Philadelphia. One week, and 3183 miles later, the S/S Paris docked in Southampton, England.

19 Jul 1894 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Henry spent the next 3½ weeks touring around England, France, Germany and Belgium, eventually returning to Southampton, and, on Saturday, 18 Aug, at 12:30 pm, embarked on the S/S New York for the journey back to Philadelphia. He would arrive home on Friday, 24 Aug, having sailed 3050 miles.

Four months after returning from his European Tour, on 15 Dec 1894, Henry was one of thousands of professional men who attended the opening of the new Philadelphia Inquirer building, located at 1109 Market Street. "From basement to the sixth floor, the building was brightly illuminated with 833 electric lights, eleven of which were 150-candle power." "It was the most representative gathering of men ever held in this city" (Philadelphia Inquirer, 16 Dec 1894).

Henry's business continued to grow; on 17 Feb 1895 he ran a want ad in the Philadelphia Inquirer looking for Boilermakers. This would be the first of dozens of ads he would run over the next 2 decades looking to hire laborers, machinists, flange turners, blacksmiths, punchers, shearers, riveters and holders on. More significant, Henry's only son, Albert, had joined the business.

Henry was a man of civic duty. On 22 Mar 1895 the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Henry was one of dozens of "well-known engineers, manufacturers and businessmen", members of the Twenty-First Ward Republican Club, who signed a petition recommending the appointment of Thomas Shaw as Director of Public Works.

Later that year, on 25 Jul 1895, the Inquirer also reported that Henry was one of many individuals selected to serve as a Federal Juror, with his term commencing on 19 August. It's interesting to note that there is not one identifiable female on the jury. (click on image to enlarge)

Although Henry was a hard working man, he did take time to get away once in a while with his wife, Louisa, and enjoy the ocean breezes. In August 1895 they vacationed in Asbury Park, NJ, lodging at the Brunswick.

In July 1896 they stayed at the Windsor in Cape May, where the Philadelphia Inquirer reported in their Beach Scenes at Cape May, "incidents of a stroll along the Boardwalk - many well-known Philadelphians at the old watering hole."

The next decade was a time of growth for Henry Goldner & Son at the Tasker Street Wharf. On 15 Jun 1898 he purchased a tract of real estate for $13,000, with 5 permits issued to make improvements on the property.

1 Jun 1898 Tear down frame tower at Tasker Street Wharf
17 Jan 1900 Build 30' x 30' wood and corrugated iron storage building
25 Oct 1901 Build tank support $175
22 Sep 1903 Erect 16' x 35' storage shed $540
3 Jul 1907 50' x 50' steel frame shop $2000

Henry continued to rise as a respected businessman and prominent Philadelphian. On 9 Sep 1899 he attended the farewell "Dinner to Doran, Enthusiastic Send-Off to a Popular Philadelphian, Jolly Farewell Tribute From Friends on the Eve of his Departure for Europe". Friends of William "Billy" Doran came from as far as New York and Bath, ME to the lavish affair, which was held in the Indian Room at the Hotel Lafayette.

In May 1900 Henry was one of many prominent Philadelphians who was appointed by Mayor Ashbridge to the Reception Committee of the Republican National Convention, which was being held in the Exposition Auditorium in June.

The 5 Aug 1900 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer, under the "Atlantic City's Merry Crowds" section, lists Henry among several other prominent Philadelphians who have rented a cottage for the season.

The 1900 census has Henry and his family still living at 1402 E. 3rd St, also known as Moyamensing Ave.

On 13 Sep 1901 both the Philadelphia Inquirer and The Times reported that Henry Goldner was one of 13 expert men who were summoned by Coroner Dugan, of which six would be chosen as the jury on a Coroner's Inquest into the cause of the explosion on the steamer City of Trenton. Since there was no further mention of his name with reference to this tragedy, we can assume he was not chosen.

22 Jun 1903 - Philadelphia Inquirer

25 Aug 1904 - Philadelphia Inquirer - Auctioned Off

On 18 Apr 1906, Henry transferred the Tasker Street property from his name alone, to Henry Goldner & Son. The lot, plus two buildings, was valued at $28,800.

Later that same month Henry, at age 61, his son Albert, and their partner Charles Wise, incorporated the business, Henry Goldner & Son Co., with a net value of $100,000! Henry seemed to be at the top of his game.

On 19 Oct 1906 a lawsuit was filed by Henry against J. Sellers Pennock over a contract. Was this the beginning of problems to come?

A year later, in October 1907, found Henry Goldner & Son facing four different lawsuits: Tyler Tube filed 16 Oct, Paul J Devitt filed 26 Oct, Hills & Jones filed 29 Oct, and United Galvanizing filed 30 Oct. The majority of the complaints seem to be contract issues.

On 9 Dec 1907 a judgement was entered against Henry & Son in the amount of $25,970.68; for want of a defense.

By 23 Dec 1907 Henry was forced to sell his property on Tasker Street in a Sheriff's Sale to settle debts with his creditors, totaling $25,970.68.

So what went wrong? Bad business deal? Did he lose the Pennock contract which caused him to go into debt with his suppliers? It seems that Henry has lost his business.

A little over a year later, on 21 Jan 1909, a permit was issued to construct a 50' x 40' one-story brick factory for $1000.00, under the name Henry Goldner Boiler and Tank Works. He's back!!

Within 3 weeks, Henry's wife, Louisa, died, on 11 Feb 1909. She was 59 years old; he was 63.

Three months later, on 12 May 1909, Henry was advertising for help at his business's new location, Water and Mifflin Streets.

In the satellite image from May 2016 you can see the location of 1402 E Moyamensing (upper left pin) and 1823 E Moyamensing (lower left pin).

Tasker Street runs to the wharf on the Delaware River. There sits a Walmart where Henry's first factory, Henry Goldner & Son, was located.

At the corner of Water & Mifflin Streets, where the current Target is located, was the location of Henry Goldner Boiler and Tank Works.

By 1910, Henry, now a widower, moved to 1416 South Broad Street, where he lived with four of his adult daughters, Anna, Edna, Gertrude & Lillian, and his sister-in-law, Katherine Ang.

A year later, on 7 Oct 1910, a lawsuit was filed against Henry by Elizabeth Weld, for a contract issue. Elizabeth's husband, Louis, who was an employee of Henry's, died suddenly on 7 Jun 1910. Did he die in an industrial accident?

Two years later, on 20 May 1912, another lawsuit was filed, this time by Madalene Dundero against Henry Goldner Boiler & Tank Works, for damages. There is no other documentation, so we can only guess as to the reason for the lawsuit.

Business seemed to be improving again for Henry. On 28 Oct 1913, Henry Goldner Boiler & Tank Works was incorporated in Philadelphia, with a value of $15,000. Charles Wise was still his partner, acting as Treasurer, but his son Albert was out, and his daughter Edna was now in.

Henry is 69 years old on 28 Jun 1914 when he decides to sell his 18' motor boat, cheap.

In July 1917, Henry Goldner Boiler & Tank Works was written up in the Boilermaker's Handbook, Vol 29, Page 628, for their impressive work building four very large tanks at one time.

By 22 Aug 1917, workers in the Philadelphia shipyards were on strike, demanding higher wages and an 8-hour work week. Henry Goldner Boiler & Tank Works was affected, with their 40 employees now on strike! This was very critical for the country as we were deeply involved with WWI, and the ships were important for the war effort.

More labor woes erupt on 18 Jan 1918 when National Fuel Administrator Garfield announces a mandatory shut down of all manufacturing plants for one day in an effort to relieve the terminals of the overflow of manufactured goods waiting for shipment. The back up in the terminals has kept the vital shipments of coal from reaching the docks, so as to fuel the ships which must take supplies to the War front. Henry, along with many other business owners, has requested the city government to stay open during the mandatory shut down. Henry's request was refused.

6 Jun 1919

16 May 1921

At some time during the last 10 years, Henry moved to 1933 South Broad Street. According to the 1920 census, he was still living with three of his adult daughters, Edna, Gertrude & Lillian, and his sister-in-law, Katherine Ang.

Henry Goldner died on 5 Jul 1925, in Philadelphia, at the age of 80. He was buried on 8 Jul in Fernwood Cemetery, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, alongside his wife Louisa, their daughter Katharine (Goldner) Potts and her husband, Abraham Lincoln Potts, and their daughters, Katharine (Potts) McFadden & Lillian Potts. Also buried in the family plot are Henry & Louisa's other daughters, Gertrude, Edna, Lillian and Laura, and Laura's husband, Henry.

Compiled by Robyn Madara Jay using Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, findagrave.com, google.com
Last updated - 18 Oct 2025