The early photo was taken before the factory converted from glove to broom production.
Benjamin Lefever first opened a glove factory at 14 W. Church Street sometime about 1895. After the turn of the century, Lefever purchased broom-making machinery from a factory in Hagerstown and transitioned to broom production. His standard-size “Ben’s Best” corn broom became a household name. The Lefever factory produced corn brooms until 1946 when 86-year old Lefever sold his business to Harry Shank. Even in 1946, factory produced from 75 to 100 dozen brooms per week.
The factory closed in 1955 and Benjamin’s son, Samuel, converted the building into apartments. In 1965, Samuel Lefever sold the building to the Suffecool family, who still own the property today.
