Christian Mardorf

This gentleman, one of the prominent manufacturers of Freeport, was born in the city of Melsungen, province of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, January 23, 1847. In 1852 the family came to this country and located in Butler borough, Butler county, Pennsylvania, where the father followed his trade, that of a tanner. His son Christian was brought up to this trade, and at the age of fifteen began to work at it regularly, having before that time engaged in it at intervals. After completing his term of apprenticeship he followed his calling in Pittsburgh, where he remained until the war broke out. He went into the army, and was at Richmond and Petersburg. After the close of the war he went to East Liverpool, Ohio, where he engaged in the manufacture of leather in company with his brother Augustus. After the expiration of two years they came to Freeport, where they established the business of which Christian Mardorf is now the sole proprietor. At first the business was conducted on the most rigorously economical principles, and in a comparatively small way. Having been reared in the business and thus securing a thorough, practical acquaintance with all of its details, and having also a sincere desire to produce only the best goods, it was not long before his leather obtained the reputation which it deserved abroad, and his business increased to such an extent that he was obliged to improve his facilities. Since the date of establishing the tannery in Freeport, 1867, the business has grown steadily from its small beginning, until at the present Mr. Mardorf's sales amount to fully $75,000 per annum. It is still increasing although no traveling salesmen are employed, and additional facilities for manufacturing must soon be provided, a fact which affords positive evidence of the superiority of the goods. His patronage comes from all parts of the great region between Maine and Missouri. Mr. Mardorf was married in 1869 to Miss Wilhelmina, daughter of Andrew Zimmerman, of Jefferson township, Butler county. Both are consistent members of the Lutheran church of Freeport.

Source: Page(s) 615-616, History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania by Robert Walker Smith, Esq. Chicago: Waterman, Watkins & Co., 1883.
Transcribed December 2000 by Jeffrey Bish for the Armstrong County Smith Project.
Contributed by Jeffrey Bish for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)

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