New Garden Historical Commission - Lund, James & Ezra - Landenberg Mill Owners

<body text="#000000" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" link="#0000FF" alink="#FF0000" vlink="#990099" > <table border="0" cellpadding="5" width="100%" bgcolor="#999999"> <tr> <td><p align="center"><img src="../../lyceum/lyceum.jpg" width="200" height="114"></p> </td> <td align="center"> <h1><font color=black>New Garden Historical Commission</font></h1> <p><a href="../../index.htm" target="_top"><font color=black>Click here</font></a> <font color=black> to return to the home page and links to other articles</font></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p><em>This biography was published in Cope & Ashmead's </em><em><u>History of Delaware & Chester Counties</u></em><em>, 18??, p. 520-521. This history included many similar subscription biogaphies, in which the subscriber paid a fee, in return for which a biography was included in the work.</em></p> <h2>James & Ezra Lund</h2> <p>EZRA LUND. The flourishing village of Landenburg, in London Britain township, derives its principal importance from the extensive woolen wills which for a third of a century have been associated with the names of the Lunds, father and son.</p> <p>James Lund, the father; came of a family of spinners and weavers in the home of that industry in England. He was a son of Joseph Lund, and was born in the village of Bradford, Yorkshire, England, December 21, 1836. He received his education in a parish night school, and at an early age began his apprenticeship in the woolen business. Having become an expert workman, he worked as a journeyman in various cities in England, Belgium and Germany. In 1868 he came to the United States, landing in New York city in October, and proceeding thence to Philadelphia, where he entered the employ of Scheppers Brothers, as expert weaver and foreman. For ten years he was related to that firm in that capacity, and in 1878 he relinquished his position and took up his residence in Landenburg, taking employment in the woolen mills of Landenburg & Co. The next year (1879) he purchased the mills from the assignees of the firm, and conducted the business under his own name until 1892, when the style of the firm became T. & A. Lund, and it so remained until the death of Mr. Lund in June, 1894. Under his management the Lund Woolen Mills became the most important manufacturing establishment in its region. Its principal product was woolen yarns, which found a ready market throughout the entire United States, the name of their maker being recognized as ample assurance of their superiority.</p> <p>An excellent mechanic, Mr. Lund was also a capable business man, and he bore an unsullied character. He was an honored member of the Society of Sons of St. George, and he was a Republican in politics. He married Ann Jagger, who was also a native of Yorkshire, England, and of the same village with himself. Their first three children were born near that place, and were: 1. Henry, in 1857; 2. Mary, deceased; 3. Fred, born in 1860, and who now resides in Landenburg, Pennsylvania. Ezra, their fourth child, is to he further referred to. Laura, their fifth child, was born January 16, 1866, in Belgium, while the father was pursuing his occupation in that country. She married William W. Sullivan, and they reside in Landenburg, Pennsylvania. Thomas, the sixth child, was born in Bradford, England, in 1868 he married Laura Wayne, and they reside in Landenburg. The mother of this family, who is yet living, at the place last named, came to the United States with her children in 1871, three years after her husband, who would not send for them until he could establish them in a comfortable home.</p> <p>Ezra, fourth child and third son of James and Ann (Jagger) Lund, was born November 16, 1862, in Queensbury, Yorkshire, England. He began his education in the parish schools in his native land, and was nine years old when he came with his mother to rejoin his father in America. For three years thereafter he continued his studies in the public schools of Philadelphia, and when twelve years old began learning the trade of a spinner under his father. During three and one-half years of the time that father and son were associated in the woolen business in Landenburg, young Lund conducted the store connected with the factory, and in November, 1899, after the death of his parent, he became the owner of the factory, which he has conducted to the present time. A master of his business in a mechanical way, he fully maintained the high prestige the establishment had enjoyed under the senior Lund, and, ambitious of leading wherever advancement were possible, he has at various times introduced innovations which have served to give his mills rank among the very first in manufacturing facilities and in perfection of product. He is a prime factor in promoting every public interest, and occupies a place of influence and great usefulness in the community. He was four years postmaster at Landenburg, and his political associations have always been with the Republican party.</p> <p>Mr. Lund was married, August 7, 1884, to Miss Lizzie J. Fisher, a native of Landenburg, born May 14, 1863, a daughter of Mr. Thomas Fisher. Their children, all born in Landenburg, are: 1. Gertrude A., born September 15, 1885, who was educated in the public schools of her native village and at the Woman's College, Frederick Maryland; 2. Clara E. born January 25, 1888 who was educated in the public schools; 3. Ezra Thomas, born September, 1892; 4. Grace E., born June 11, 1896.</p> </body>