Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
XANDER, JOHN G., p. 438
SURNAMES: XANDER, HARBSTER, REBER, RICHARDS, BRITTON, WILHELM
John G. Xander, of the Xander Machine & Supply Company, is not only a
machinist of ability, but an inventor whose machines are
in use all over the country.
Born in Hamburg, Pa., August 6, 1854, Mr. Xander remained there in
school up to the age of fourteen, when he entered his father's
shop to learn the machinist's trade from his father, George A. Xander,
who was a man of considerable ability in that line himself. After
mastering his new calling, Mr. Xander went to Reading and secured
employment in the Harbster (now the Reading) Hardware Company.
He worked there five years, and in the meantime developed such a marked
taste for mechanical pursuits that he entered the employ of the
Reading Iron Company as foreman in the tool room. He remained with them
only six months, and was next with W. H. Wilhelm &
Co., manufacturers of hat machinery, with whom he remained from 1882 to
1892. In the following year he went into partnership with
James T. and James C. Reber as the Acme Manufacturing Company, to
continue the manufacture of bicycles which Mr. Xander had
patented and made after he left Wilhelm & Company. The new firm
continued until 1897 when Mr. Xander sold his interest to the
Rebers, and left Reading to locate in Lebanon, Pa. There he organized
the Keystone M. & M. Company, and for four years was engaged
in the manufacture of bicycles on a very extensive scale, but in 1900 he
disposed of his interests there, returned to Reading, and opened
his present establishment at Nos. 926-930 Bingaman street. He does an
extensive business in general machinery, in the manufacture and
repair of automobiles, and in the manufacture of hat machinery, filling
orders for the last all over the United States and Europe. Mr.
Xander is also a designer and builder of special machinery, besides
having on the market a water motor for running washing machines,
and the Xander Brazing Compound, for cast iron and other metals, all of
which are sold and used over the entire country. Mr. Xander is a
man who has proved his claim to a foremost place in his line of work,
and who has reaped substantial financial returns for his work. In
addition to the above business he is also on the staff of the General
Adjustment Bureau of New York, as machinery expert, in
appraisement of machinery. His establishment is an official station for
the American Motor League.
Mr. Xander married in 1875, Miss Matilda Richards, like himself a native
of Hamburg, Pa. Their only child is a daughter Florence,
cashier for the G. M. Britton Company. The family are all members of St.
Andrew's Reformed Church. Mr. Xander's business interests
have left him little time for any political work, but he is an
intelligent student and observer of conditions, and in voting always
takes an
independent stand. He is a member of Camp No. 78, P. O. S. of A.,
Hamburg, and of the Veteran Association of the same order.