One of Perkasie’s earliest clothing factories was started by Marie Brown, who was by one account the only woman to own a clothing factory in the state. Brown set up her custom factory in 1907 near Eight and Chestnut Streets, across from the Roig Cigar factory.
Brown employed more clothing workers than any other factory operator in Bucks County. In July 1912, her factories suddenly closed when Brown filed for bankruptcy. Leon M. Schwenk, 23, was a recent college graduate with no experience in the clothing business, acquired the business.
