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Born: February 2, 1884 - North Wales, PA
Died: February 9, 1949 - Smethport, PA
Interred: Rosehill CemeteryMarried: Maude L. Thomas
January 12, 1910 - Emporium, PAChildren:
Harold Leedom
Ronald Thomas
Harry Grim Jr.Brothers:
Howard German
David L. German, Jr.
Parents:
Kate and David GermanB.S. Pennsylvania State University
Harry attended school in North Wales, Pennsylvania, just north of Philadelphia. He was awarded a senatorial scholarship to the Pennsylvania State College (Penn State) and graduated in 1903, with a degree in chemistry.
He worked for the Heinemann Chemical Company and met my grandmother while working in northwestern Pennsylvania. About twelve years later, they moved to Smethport, county seat of McKean County, PA. Harry was treasurer and general manager of the Norwich Chemical plant there and, for a time, managed the Heinemann plant in nearby Crosby, too. Harry invented a method used for years to refine tar left from methyl alcohol processing. As plant manager, he saw the advent of trade unions and was even raided once during Prohibition when someone reported (erroneously) they were refining grain rather than wood alcohol!
Harry was very interested in plant genetics and experimented for years with gladiolas in field trials. My dad said there were thousands and thousands of bulbs, each of which had to be planted and dug out annually. Eventually, he opened a small seed business, the H.G. German Seed Co. After Harry's death, my Uncle Ron took over and expanded the company until he retired. The company was sold but is still in business today in Ohio as Grimes Plants and Seeds.
Harry enjoyed coffee ice cream (there must be a gene that determines this, because we all do), golf, gardening, travel, and was a Mason and member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
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