Palmyra lost one of its oldest and most highly respected citizens when William L. Kreider, died last night at 10 o'clock at his home, 7 North Railroad street, Palmyra.
Death was due to complications and general debility. He had been in failing health for the past year, his sight having failed him entirely.
Mr. Kreider, who was 92 years old, was called "Palmyra's grand old man" and he was held in high esteem by all who knew him. The name of William Kreider and the development of Palmyra are linked together for he played a prominent part in the progress made by the borough.
Born on a farm at Sporting Hill, east of Annville, he received his early training in that section. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kreider. Early in life he took a position as clerk in the Raber and Owens children's store, Lebanon, but as this work did not appeal to him he returned to his father's farm.
He then attended the Academy at Annville. Later he married Miss Katherine Wilhelm who proved a devoted wife until death claimed her two years ago.
It was 66 years ago that he moved to Palmyra where he purchased a farm. The land included all of what is now Railroad street. Only two buildings were standing in that section when he located there. He operated a warehouse for a number of years and in 1883 he and five other men started a water company.
He retained an active interest in the company until he sold out in the fall of 1927.
Then in 1890, at which time he was a director in the Palmyra Bank and also, was in the grain business, he joined with a group of other individuals and built a shoe factory where the J. Landis shoe factory now stands.
Shortly afterwards he built another where the Snyder printing plant now stands. After successfully operating it for a number of years he sold it to A. S. Kreider, of Annville.
A little later, he erected another building where the present W. L. Kreider Sons Shoe Manufacturing Company structure now stands. Not content with this he branched out into other fields and started a knitting mill which he operated for a number of years.
Still another structure was erected under his guidance and this building, which was put up in 1907, is now occupied by the W. L. Kreider Company.
Some years ago he was forced to retire from active business due to impaired health. He was an active member of the Church of the River Brethren, Palmyra.
He is survived by two sons, Harry C. Kreider and David A. Kreider both of Palmyra; seventeen grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, and also one brother, Benjamin Kreider, of Harrisburg.
Lebanon Daily News And The Lebanon Daily Times - Monday, November 22, 1930