Little did William Harbster dream, when he opened his blacksmith shop at the foot of South Sixth Street in 1851, that he was laying the foundation of what is today one of the largest hardware manufacturing concerns in the United States--The Reading Hardware Company.
In 1852 his brothers, Matthan and John, became associated with him, the business becoming Harbster Brothers. The rapidly increasing demand for the firm's products necessitated increased manufacturing facilities, and in 1858 William M. Griscom became associated with the firm, the name being changed to Harbster Brothers & Co. In 1862 the business was incorporated under the name of the Reading Hardware Company by the original members and Henry C. England.
William Harbster, the subject of this sketch, was born October 20, 1823. He learned his trade of blacksmith at Boyertown. Upon completing his apprenticeship he came to Reading, and for a time was employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway, and in 1851 began the manufacture of iron work for carriages and builders' hardware in the little shop at the foot of South Sixth Street, as previously stated.
By his energy, his excellent management and his skillful workmanship, which were reflected in the prosperous business which he founded, he assisted greatly in the early development of Reading.
Source: Official Program of the 175th Anniversary of the Founding of Reading, PA, and the 150th Anniversary of the Reading Volunteer Fire Department Sept. 30th to Oct. 6th 1923, ed. by the Chairman of the Publicity Committee, Reading, PA, 1923, p. 129.
Submitted by: Nancy.
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